JI Emir announces nationwide protest drive against fuel price hike

11گھنٹے پہلے

JI Emir announces nationwide protest drive against fuel price hike

Lahore, April 3: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Friday announced a countrywide protest movement against the recent increase in petroleum prices, warning of strikes and sit-ins in front of chief ministers’ houses if the decision is not reversed.
Addressing a public committees convention at Mansoorah and a large protest demonstration on Multan Road, Lahore, he said the government must immediately withdraw the brutal and unjustified hike or face a nationwide agitation. He urged citizens to prepare for a strong protest campaign, adding that strikes would be observed across Pakistan and chief ministers’ houses in all four provinces would be surrounded.
Rehman said that the government was collecting over Rs200 per litre in taxes on petrol, terming it an exploitative measure that was draining the public. He demanded an immediate reduction in the prices of petrol, diesel, and electricity.
Other speakers at the convention included JI Vice Emirs Liaquat Baloch, Dr Usama Razi, and JI Punjab Central Emir Javed Qasuri, while Information Secretary Shakil Ahmad Turabi was also present.
Criticizing the government, the JI chief said rulers were using global crises as an excuse to burden the masses, questioning why relief was not passed on when international oil prices had dropped significantly in the past. He also took aim at the lavish lifestyle of the ruling elite, extravagant spending on official vehicles, aircraft, and perks while ordinary citizens struggle with inflation.
He said the ruling parties came to power with the help of flawed electoral process and establishment, adding they lacked a genuine public mandate. He criticized governance in Punjab and Sindh, highlighting issues such as out-of-school children, rising drug abuse among youth, and lawlessness.
Referring to the case of Umme Rubab Chandio, he expressed solidarity and said justice had not been served, saying that feudal influence continued to dominate the system.
On foreign policy, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman strongly criticized the United States, saying it is backing Israeli atrocities in Palestine and targeting Iran. He urged Pakistani rulers to adopt an independent foreign policy and avoid aligning with US-led initiatives.
He called on party workers to mobilize at the grassroots level and prepare the public for a sustained movement aimed at ending the dominance of elite classes in the country.