Lahore (HRNW)-\u00a0Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has called on the government to abolish the petroleum levy and reduce the policy rate, while announcing that the party will march on Islamabad on September 20.<\/p>\n
Addressing a press conference, Hafiz Naeem said the government should stop what he termed a \u201cdrama\u201d of relief measures and end what he described as an \u201cextortion\u201d disguised as the petroleum levy. He said the ongoing sit-ins in various cities would continue despite negotiations with the government.<\/p>\n
Hafiz Naeem said the government collected Rs1,567 billion through levies last year but remained unwilling to reduce the policy rate. He argued that cutting the policy rate by 3 percent could create fiscal space for reducing the petroleum levy and criticized the State Bank\u2019s decision to maintain the current rate.<\/p>\n
He also questioned the government\u2019s Rs25 billion relief package, saying genuine relief would require abolition of the petroleum levy rather than temporary measures that force citizens to stand in queues. He expressed concern that the app-based verification system at petrol stations could create further overcrowding.<\/p>\n
The JI chief criticized government spending and what he described as excessive official expenditures, calling for austerity measures including restrictions on the use of high-capacity vehicles by senior civil and military officials. He also demanded greater scrutiny of petroleum pricing, refinery operations, and what he alleged were irregularities in the oil sector.<\/p>\n
Hafiz Naeem said JI\u2019s protests were now taking place at 40 locations and that preparations for the September 20 Islamabad march had been completed. He maintained that the party would continue its movement until meaningful relief was provided to the public and said peaceful protest was a constitutional right.<\/p>\n
He also called for political parties to cooperate on public issues and said the PTI and other opposition groups should be allowed to exercise their legal and constitutional right to protest.<\/p>\n
On Sindh\u2019s local government system, Hafiz Naeem said JI rejected the amended Local Government Act and appointed administrators and would challenge the legislation in court. He demanded the transfer of provincial funds to grassroots institutions and called for local government elections.<\/p>\n
JI\u2019s negotiating team is scheduled to meet government representatives to discuss the party\u2019s proposals, with the abolition of the petroleum levy remaining its primary demand.<\/p>\n
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