LAHORE: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Tuesday delayed its long march to the federal capital against the petroleum levy after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged them to “postpone their sit-in” in a phone call with its chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.
Mr Rehman announced the decision during a press conference in Multan, where his caravan arrived on Monday night. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said both leaders agreed to meet after the return of PM Shehbaz from the United States for “further consultation on this matter”.
Speaking to the media in Multan, Mr Rehman said he received the PM’s phone call last night and sought time to consult his party leaders after being asked to postpone the march. Announcing JI’s plan of action after “very lengthy” party consultations, Mr Rehman said, “We will not step back from our protests. We will not step back from our long march either.”
“However, we just want to give a chance to the government, as the prime minister has gotten involved for the first time. So, we will meet him, listen to what he has to say and present our arguments. We are a sensible party.”
The JI chief added; “On that day, if he announces that the government is ready to give this relief, then it is fine; otherwise, we have the first week of October, and we will continue our long march with the same force.”
Nonetheless, Mr Rehman declared that the JI workers will remain on the ground, while protest camps and sit-ins will also continue until the meeting with the PM.
At the outset of his press conference, Rehman reiterated that his party was protesting against exorbitant electricity and fuel prices. He recalled that his party launched the protest movement against the “unjustified” petroleum levy on August 7, claiming they had held demonstrations at 510 locations and were staging sit-ins at 42 sites across the country.
Commenting on the five rounds of talks held with the government to discuss recommendations to reduce the petroleum levy, the JI chief alleged that the government could not accept its plan as it was “under pressure” from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“We have no political or personal agenda. This is the problem of 250 million people of Pakistan,” the JI leader stated, stressing that the rise in petroleum prices results in inflation and impacts the public.
Mr Rehman again criticised the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme, which took effect from Sept 17 and offers a quota-based subsidy of Rs100 per litre for two- and three-wheeled vehicles. The JI chief contended that although the government had announced Rs25 billion in relief for a month, it was levying Rs150bn monthly on fuel prices.
Speaking about the PTI’s planned march to Islamabad, Mr Rehman said the party had a constitutional right to hold peaceful protests. He also condemned the crackdown on the PTI and urged the government to consider a proposal by Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas aimed at resolving differences with PTI and holding talks with the opposition party.
Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2026
