JI to Launch Third Phase of Anti-Levy Drive on Friday, Spokesperson

Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan will launch the third phase of its nationwide protest movement against the petroleum levy on Friday, October 23, with sit-ins planned in all districts across the country.

According to a JI spokesperson, the new phase will begin on the instructions of JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman. The JI will also continue its signature campaign against the levy and intensify protests in the coming days.

The spokesperson said the complete abolition of the petroleum levy remained the party’s clear and firm demand, adding that JI would not compromise on the rights of the people.

Commenting on a possible meeting between Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the spokesperson said Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who heads the government’s committee, and Rana Sanaullah had contacted JI Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch and conveyed the prime minister’s message seeking a meeting.

Both sides had agreed that their respective committees would meet to work out a schedule for the proposed meeting. However, the spokesperson said, the government had made no further contact after that understanding.

He added that Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman had already clarified that the agenda of any meeting with the prime minister would be the abolition of the petroleum levy.

The JI Emir has warned that if the government continues to delay action and refuses to provide relief to the public, the matter will be decided through street protests.

The spokesperson further added the JI campaign against the levy would continue across the country until its demand was met.