JI Demands End to Petroleum Levy, Warns of Long March from Multan

Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch has called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to immediately begin talks on the petroleum levy, warning that any further delay would trigger a super long march from Multan to Islamabad.

Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah on Wednesday, Baloch said the JI was not seeking a reduction in the petroleum levy but its complete abolition.

He urged the prime minister to honour his commitment and start negotiations with the JI. “If an attempt is made to delay the matter, the super long march will begin from Multan,” he said.

Baloch also disclosed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser had contacted him by telephone regarding an All Parties Conference (APC). He said Qaiser wanted to hod consultations for convening the conference and visit Mansoorah to extend a formal invitation.

“I will convey the PTI’s proposal to JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman,” Baloch said.

JI Acting Secretary General Nazir Ahmad Janjua, Punjab Central Emir Javed Kasuri and JI Lahore acting Emir Khalid Ahmad Butt were also present at the press conference.

Baloch said Hafiz Naeem would address a public gathering in Hyderabad on Wednesday as part of the JI’s campaign against the petroleum levy. He said rallies would subsequently be held in Okara, Charsadda and Buner.

He said preparations for the super long marchwere being finalised across all four provinces. Once the march began from Multan, reception camps would be established along the route to Islamabad, while cities and towns on the route from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Islamabad would also welcome the marchers.

Baloch said the JI believed in peaceful political struggle and had always conducted peaceful protest movements for public rights. He also supported the PTI’s right to protest, saying theConstitution allowed individuals and political parties to stage peaceful protests.

Commenting on the broader political situation, the JI leader said corruption and what he described as looting were rampant in the country. He said that the establishment had taken control of state institutions and said a “hybrid system” was in operation.

He said the dominance of individuals and families over political parties had caused serious damage to parliamentary democracy.

Baloch said the 18th Amendment had transferred powers to the provinces, but the provinces had failed to devolve authority to the grassroots level. The national leadership must determine national priorities and initiate a national dialogue,” Baloch said.

He also questioned the delay in appointing a new chief election commissioner, saying the incumbent’s term had expired some time ago but the government and the opposition had taken effective steps for a new appointment.

He said the economy remained unstable while insecurity and terrorism were increasing.