Hafiz Naeem Meets Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif | Urges Government to End Petroleum Levy

Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has urged the government to abolish the petroleum levy and provide immediate relief to the public, following his meeting with the prime minister. Addressing a press conference, he said his party had presented alternative proposals to the government and prepared a detailed working paper outlining measures to reduce the burden of rising fuel prices.

Hafiz Naeem criticized successive governments for citing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme to justify economic decisions, saying political parties often promise to end dependence on foreign loans before coming to power but later accept IMF conditions. He argued that the government should not transfer the burden of its shortcomings and failures to the public.

He said Jamaat-e-Islami had examined the role of the government and oil refineries in determining petroleum prices. Questioning the increase in refinery margins despite rising international oil prices, he argued that margins should have been reduced to provide relief to consumers. He acknowledged the impact of international market fluctuations and regional conflicts but maintained that the government could still take steps to ease the burden on citizens.

Hafiz Naeem said the party wanted petrol prices to fall to Rs200–225 per litre when international prices declined. He claimed that public protests, sit-ins and political pressure by Jamaat-e-Islami had compelled the government to reconsider an increase in the petroleum levy. According to him, the levy had been raised from Rs80 to Rs160 per litre during the conflict, while the party's protests also helped secure Rs32 in relief on diesel prices.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said his party was pursuing both negotiations and peaceful protests to secure relief for the public. He called on all political parties to set aside political differences and work together to address the rising cost of living. He also highlighted concerns over wheat supplies, declining cotton production, difficulties faced by farmers, high liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices and gas load-shedding.

Commenting on local government elections in Islamabad, Hafiz Naeem expressed concern that the electoral framework could encourage horse-trading and the buying and selling of political support. He urged the government to hold local elections and improve the relevant electoral legislation.

He said Jamaat-e-Islami would continue preparing for its Islamabad march and had given the government seven to ten days to make progress on public relief. He added that the party would expand its campaign through rallies, corner meetings, negotiations and peaceful demonstrations if necessary.