LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has emphasized that the party’s protests will persist alongside ongoing negotiations with the government, asserting that protests and talks complement each other and enhance the effectiveness of discussions.
During a joint press conference with government representatives in Lahore, Hafiz Naeem described the dialogue as constructive and positive. He revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami has formed a dedicated technical team to engage in negotiations and noted that the party’s sit-ins have now entered their 19th day.
Hafiz Naeem stated that the government had requested Jamaat-e-Islami to establish a technical team, which he announced on the spot. The party aims to present data-backed proposals to alleviate public hardship, focusing on practical solutions.
The JI leader called for immediate relief measures, including lowering the price of bread to Rs10 and reducing petroleum prices. He highlighted that the core demand remains the abolition of the petroleum levy and a reduction in fuel prices. He criticized the government for increasing the petroleum levy during a crisis, which, according to him, led to higher prices of daily essentials.
He pointed out that the protests have expanded from a single city to 15-20 cities, emphasizing that the demonstrations are driven by public grievances rather than personal or political motives. Hafiz Naeem stressed that inflation remains a critical issue, with 90-95% of Pakistanis struggling to meet basic needs and poverty levels rising by 33%.
He also criticized the taxation on petrol, stating that motorcycle riders face a 35% tax per liter, which he called unjust. Hafiz Naeem claimed that Rs8 trillion had been generated through the petroleum levy. Despite the end of the war-like situation, petrol prices in Pakistan remain high, unlike in other countries where prices have dropped.
The JI leader further revealed that the government had urged the party to halt its protests, but Hafiz Naeem reaffirmed that the sit-ins would continue, believing that ongoing protests would strengthen their bargaining position and make negotiations more fruitful.
