JI Emir vows nationwide strike after Rabi-ul-Awwal over petroleum levy

JI Emir vows nationwide strike after Rabi-ul-Awwal over petroleum levy

PESHAWAR, Aug 19: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Wednesday announced a nationwide strike after Rabi-ul-Awwal 12 and warned the government that JI would expand its ongoing sit-ins into a countrywide movement, including a possible march on Islamabad, if the petroleum levy was not withdrawn.
Addressing participants of the JI sit-in outside the Governor House in Peshawar, he said the protest would continue until the peoples’ demands were met, urging the government to “do one good thing before leaving office” by abolishing the petroleum levy.
“The government should realise that the people will not tolerate this burden any longer. We do not want politics of bullets or abuse, our struggle will remain peaceful, but do not mistake our peaceful approach for weakness,” he said.
JI Vice Emir Dr Attaur Rehman, Central KP Emir Abdul Wasey, Northern KP Emir Inayatullah Khan and Central KP Vice Emir Maulana Muhammad Ismail also addressed the gathering.
Rehman said the protests in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar had entered their fourth day and were no longer limited to JI workers, with ordinary citizens increasingly joining the campaign against the petroleum levy, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), inflation and the ruling elite’s privileges.
He said that government pressure had forced a Rs32 reduction in diesel prices, calling it a success but only the beginning. He demanded an end to the practice of imposing petroleum levies of Rs80-90 per litre and said the government was collecting up to Rs130 in taxes and levies on a litre of petrol.
Referring to JI’s nationwide protest on Aug 7, he said the party had blocked roads at 510 locations and subsequently forced the government to negotiate on several issues. He said that talks had been held with 27 IPPs, five plants had been shut down and electricity prices had fallen by up to Rs8 per unit. However, he said 73 IPPs still required scrutiny.
The JI chief said successive governments protected vested interests in the IPP sector and questioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the income tax paid by IPPs. He said that plants were receiving capacity payments even when they were not producing electricity, while ordinary consumers were being burdened with additional levies.
He also criticised the government’s economic policies, saying that the salaried class had been subjected to Rs700 billion in additional taxes while petroleum levy collections exceeded targets by Rs100 billion. He said rising electricity bills, fuel costs and taxes had made it increasingly difficult for low-income families and motorcycle and delivery riders to make ends meet.
The JI leader said that Pakistan was suffering from a $17 billion “elite capture”, with a small group dominating major markets and enjoying subsidised electricity and gas. He also criticised the widespread corruption in FBR and its failure to meet its targets.
He called on workers of all political parties and ordinary citizens to join the JI campaign, saying inflation had become a common problem across political and social divisions.
The JI emir announced that the protest movement would be expanded in KP, with a major sit-in planned in Chakdara within a week. He said the party would establish a network of sit-ins across the country, followed by a nationwide strike and an Islamabad march.
“We can give the call to march on Islamabad on any day,” he said, adding that JI workers were prepared for the move. He ruled out negotiations aimed merely at providing the government with “face-saving”, saying anyone wishing to negotiate should come to the protesters.
Rehman also criticised the Punjab and KP governments over education, agriculture and governance. He said the Punjab government failed farmers and added that poverty had increased in the province, while urging the KP government to end outsourcing of educational institutions and establish new schools and colleges.
Expressing concern over law and order in KP and Sindh, he said unrest remained serious in areas including Dir and Bajaur, while Karachi and parts of interior Sindh faced severe problems. He also raised concerns over shortage and black-market sale of urea in KP.
He demanded the release of political prisoners and provision of medical facilities to them, as well as empowered local governments with direct federal funding.
The JI emir also criticised the blocking of identity cards in KP, saying that six million people had been affected, and urged NADRA chairman to resolve citizens’ problems.
“We do not want confrontation with any institution. Fix the institutions and solve people’s problems,” he said.
JI Emir said JI would continue its struggle until petrol and electricity prices were reduced and the petroleum levy abolished. He warned that if the government failed to respond, the movement would grow beyond the party and could bring the country to a standstill.