Lahore (HRNW)- Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has demanded a reduction of at least 3 percent in the interest rate and urged the government not to obstruct the Islamabad march planned for September 20, warning that the government would be responsible for any consequences.
Addressing a press conference at the JI sit-in outside the Punjab Assembly, Hafiz Naeem said the complete abolition of the petroleum levy remains the party’s central demand. He welcomed the government’s relief package but described the Rs100-per-liter relief as insufficient given the prevailing inflation.
He said demonstrations against the petroleum levy are now being held at around 40 locations nationwide, with the current protests entering their 30th day. According to him, the movement has developed into a national campaign with increasing public participation, including women.
Hafiz Naeem said the government had requested an additional day for negotiations, but maintained that JI’s position on abolishing the petroleum levy remained unchanged. He rejected the government’s argument that removing the levy would create difficulties in meeting expenditures, saying the party’s negotiating team had already presented six alternative proposals.
Regarding monetary policy, Hafiz Naeem called for an immediate reduction of at least 3 percent in the interest rate and rejected the argument that lower rates would necessarily fuel inflation. He said interest should ultimately be eliminated and claimed that a 3 percent reduction could create fiscal space of around Rs1.7 trillion to reduce the burden of the petroleum levy.
He also criticized the oil pricing mechanism and called for scrutiny of alleged irregularities in refineries. Questioning government support for Byco Refinery, he demanded the complete abolition of both the petroleum levy and climate levy.
Hafiz Naeem said JI’s sit-ins would continue alongside negotiations and that preparations for the September 20 Islamabad march had been completed. He said the party would continue its agitation until meaningful relief was secured for the public.
The JI chief called for opposition parties to unite on public issues and said all political parties, including the PTI, should be given their constitutional and legal right to hold peaceful protests. He added that JI’s movement was intended to benefit the entire nation rather than any particular political party.
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