LAHORE — Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has announced that the party will expand its ongoing sit-ins to other cities across Pakistan in protest against the petroleum levy and soaring inflation.
Speaking to participants of a sit-in in Lahore on Monday, Hafiz Naeem said the movement has already begun spreading to other areas, including Hyderabad. He added that protest demonstrations were held in Balochistan on August 22, and a sit-in will commence there from August 29.
Accusations Against Rulers
The JI leader accused the government of robbing the public through heavy taxation. He claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami has exposed what he called the “plunder” of the rulers.
Hafiz Naeem urged citizens to visit markets, take pictures and videos of goods being sold at inflated prices, and share them on social media to encourage more people to join the sit-ins. “The social media storm will keep the rulers awake,” he said.
Demand for Abolishing Petroleum Levy
He announced that a list containing signatures and names of millions of people will be prepared and presented to the world. “The levy must be abolished, otherwise the government will fall,” Hafiz Naeem warned.
He stated that the rulers are collecting heavy taxes, including levies, from the poor, and claimed that more than 8,000 billion rupees have been collected in levies.
Criticism of IPPs and Capacity Payments
The JI chief also criticized Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and capacity payments in the electricity sector. He alleged that the government had entered into illegal agreements with IPPs.
The expansion of sit-ins signals a significant escalation in the party’s campaign against economic policies, as public discontent grows over rising fuel prices, electricity costs, and overall inflation.
