Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI) will launch its third phase of nationwide protests against the petroleum levy on Friday. The party plans sit-ins in every district across the country. It demands the complete removal of the levy and relief for the public.
JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman ordered the new phase of demonstrations, according to a statement issued Wednesday. The party said its campaign would continue until the government accepted its demand. It also urged authorities to address the financial burden on fuel consumers.
Read more: JI announces nationwide protest over petroleum levy
The government currently collects Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol. The corresponding charges on diesel stand at Rs100 per litre. In early September, the government and JI agreed to form committees. They were expected to recommend measures to reduce the levy.
JI said the government had not followed up on a proposed meeting between Rehman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and political adviser Rana Sanaullah had contacted JI Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch. They conveyed the prime minister’s request for a meeting.
Both sides had agreed to coordinate a schedule through their respective committees. However, JI said the government had made no further contact. Rehman has insisted that abolishing the petroleum levy must remain the meeting’s main agenda.
Read more: JI to launch long march if petroleum levy issue persists
The party warned that continued delays would trigger further street protests. It said the nationwide campaign would continue until the government met its demand. JI also criticised the lack of progress towards the proposed meeting with the prime minister.
JI announced sit-ins in all provincial capitals on August 16. It later called a nationwide strike for September 3. On September 20, the party launched a march towards Islamabad. Rehman postponed the march on September 22 after Shehbaz requested a meeting. At that time, the party’s convoy had reached Multan.