Don’t Scare People with Threats of Rs5,000 Per Litre Petrol, Hafiz Naeem Tells Ministers

SUKKUR: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has criticized the government’s petroleum relief package as insufficient and demanded an immediate end to the petroleum levy, calling for meaningful relief for the public.

Speaking to media representatives in Sukkur, Hafiz Naeem said petroleum prices in Pakistan were significantly higher than in many other countries, while the government was unwilling to abolish the petroleum levy.

He said the JI had held formal talks with the government twice on the levy issue and had presented a mechanism for reducing the levy while increasing tax collection from other sectors. However, he alleged that the government was reluctant to take decisions in the public interest.

Criticizing what he described as government extravagance and statements by ministers, Hafiz Naeem said an aircraft worth Rs11 billion had been purchased during a period of war.

He accused the ruling elite of depriving the Pakistani people of their rights and urged ministers not to create fear among the public by warning that petrol could cost Rs5,000 per litre if supplies were disrupted.

Hafiz Naeem announced that Jamaat-e-Islami’s peaceful train march would reach Multan before turning into a road caravan and proceeding towards Islamabad.

He said participation in the party’s protests and movement was increasing as people had become more aware of their rights.

“Regardless of which political party is in government, the same kind of people come to power and protect each other’s interests,” he said.

The JI emir said his party was moving towards Islamabad peacefully and would have no reason to hold the march if the government genuinely resolved the public’s problems.