LAHORE/HYDERABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday questioned a delay in the train scheduled to take his caravan from Sukkur to Multan, with him later departing on the “second phase” of his party’s protest march to Islamabad.

The JI launched a protest march towards the federal capital on Sunday, departing Karachi by train. The party has been demanding that the government abolish the petroleum levy, with Mr Rehman warning that the protest could change its objective to oust the government if it failed to accept the demand.

The march reached Sukkur on Sunday night by Rehman Baba Express, from where it was to head towards Multan via Shalimar Express. However, there was a four-hour delay in the train’s expected arrival at Sukkur on Monday, which the JI chief questioned at a press conference there.

“Does this delay have anything to do with our train march? Shalimar Express, which is not only a popular train but has been privatised, is delayed by four hours today,” he said.

PM urged him to delay march until his return, JI claims

“If this delay in its [Shalimar Express’ schedule] is a usual delay, then the federal government should explain the performance of Pakistan Railways,” Mr Rehman said.

Shalimar Express finally departed the Rohri station at around 5:45pm, with the JI chief set to address supporters upon reaching Multan. From there, the party plans to march by road towards Islamabad.

According to an official at Karachi’s chief controller office, Shalimar Express reached Karachi late, at 7:20am, thereby delaying its departure back to Hyderabad. The official attributed the late arrival to an engine fault.

Earlier, the JI chief told the media in Sukkur said the main objective of the protest was the abolition of the petroleum levy, describing it as extortion.

Meanwhile, the JI spokesman said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rang up the party chief, requesting him to delay his march for a month or at least until his return from the US.

According to the party spokesman, the JI chief said it was possible only after consultation with party leaders. He said the PM also assured the JI chief of a “meaningful meeting on the petroleum levy issue and try to provide maximum relief to people”. He said a formal response would be given on Tuesday.

Waseem Shamsi in Sukkur also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2026