JI Emir Warns Govt of Public Storm in Islamabad on Sept 20

RAWALPINDI, Sept 12: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has warned the government to abolish the petroleum levy or face a massive public mobilisation in Islamabad on September 20, saying the JI does not believe in violence and would reach the federal capital through peaceful and democratic means.

Addressing a public sit-in on Murree Road on the 28th day of JI’s ongoing protest against the petroleum levy, Rehman said the government would have to decide whether it wanted to resolve the issue through a straightforward measure or risk the entire system being swept away by public anger.

“We do not believe in bullets or abuse. We will reach Islamabad peacefully and democratically on September 20 and secure the rights of the people,” he said.

The JI leader said the government had insulted 250 million Pakistanis by continuing to increase petroleum prices even while holding negotiations with the JI over its demands.

“The government will have to abolish the Rs130 per litre gunda tax. We will not tolerate this insult to the nation,” JI Emir said.

Rehman said that sit-ins were currently being held at around 40 locations across the country, including Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi, and that three new protest camps were being added every day.

He said history had shown that containers and trucks could not stop the JI’s movement. “Let the government do whatever it wants. If it wants to continue negotiations, let it do so, but we will not accept a drama in the name of talks,” he said.

He demanded an immediate reduction in the petroleum levy and an end to the collection of Rs1,567 billion annually from citizens through the levy. He also called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to meet its targets, demanded an end to interest-based financial practices and questioned federal allocations for provincial departments.

The JI chief also called on the rulers to end their privileges and reduce government expenditures, saying such steps could save billions of rupees for the national exchequer.

“We should not be told that the government has no choice because of the IMF. These compulsions disappear when it comes to continuing their lavish lifestyles,” he said.

Referring to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s recent visit to London, Rehman questioned the use of a government aircraft for a private foreign trip.

“The nation should be told how much burden her London visit placed on the national exchequer. Even if Maryam Nawaz paid the expenses from her own pocket, she should disclose the details. The people have the right to demand an account from their rulers,” he said.

The JI chief also criticised the state of education in Sindh and Punjab. He said that out of around 49,000 schools in Sindh, even 10,000 were not in such a condition that they could hardly be called schools.

He said the Sharif family damaged the education system in Punjab and added that more than half of ninth-grade students had failed their examinations. He said the situation was worst in government schools in Rawalpindi, where around 60 per cent of students had failed.

The JI emir also criticised the Punjab government’s policy of selling public schools and basic health centres.

“Selling government schools and basic health centres should be a matter of shame for any government,” he said.

Rehman said that the Punjab chief minister was selling public schools while establishing a few schools in her father’s name, adding that her uncle had previously established Daanish Schools that also received federal funding.

He said Maryam was putting her nameplates on basic health centres after selling them to private parties.

“The entire system has become outdated. On September 20, caravans from across the country will head towards Islamabad. This public storm cannot be stopped,” he said.

JI Vice Emir Mian Muhammad Aslam, North Punjab Emir Dr Tariq Saleem, JI North Punjab Secretary General Iqbal Khan, Rawalpindi Emir Syed Arif Shah Shirazi and other party leaders also addressed the gathering and participated in the protest.