Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman to postpone the party’s Islamabad march against the petroleum levy until his return to Pakistan, as the government seeks to open another channel of dialogue with the religious-political party.
According to a JI spokesperson, the prime minister contacted Hafiz Naeem by telephone on Tuesday after the JI-led train march reached Multan. Shehbaz Sharif reportedly offered to hold meaningful discussions with the JI on the petroleum levy after returning to Pakistan.
Hafiz Naeem told the prime minister that the JI did not want confrontation with the government or any law-and-order situation. However, he maintained that the party had taken to the streets to highlight public concerns and that the government would have to respect its right to protest.
The JI emir said the party would consult its central Shura, its decision-making body, before responding to the prime minister’s request. The development comes as the JI’s nationwide campaign against the petroleum levy enters a critical phase. The party launched its long march towards Islamabad from Karachi on September 20, following weeks of sit-ins and demonstrations against fuel prices, the petroleum levy and what it describes as excessive taxation on petroleum products.
The JI’s train march reached Multan late Monday, where Hafiz Naeem addressed supporters at a railway station. He said the march would continue through southern and central Punjab before proceeding towards Islamabad. The party has been demanding the withdrawal of the petroleum levy and greater relief for consumers. Hafiz Naeem has argued that rising fuel costs are adding to the financial burden on ordinary citizens and contributing to higher prices of essential commodities, including wheat, flour and sugar.
For now, the JI’s leadership is expected to deliberate on Shehbaz Sharif’s request. Meanwhile, Hafiz Naeem has reiterated that the party’s campaign against the petroleum levy will continue, keeping the possibility of further negotiations open while its march progresses towards the federal capital.