Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman holds off long march after PM's request, sit-Ins to continue

MULTAN: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Engineer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has announced the postponement of the long march until he meets with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following the premier’s return from the United States. However, the JI chief maintained that he is not withdrawing from the protest entirely, ARY News reported.

Addressing a press conference in Multan after a consultative meeting with the party’s Shura regarding the Prime Minister’s request to postpone the march, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said that since the PM has intervened in this critical public issue, they wanted to give him an opportunity to resolve it.

The JI chief stated that they will call on the premier as soon as he returns from the US after attending the UN General Assembly session, adding that they will definitely discuss the petroleum levy and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) issues with him.

He categorically stated that the party is not backing down from its protest movement, and nationwide sit-ins will continue.

The public contact campaign will also persist until the meeting with the Prime Minister takes place.

He noted that if the PM provides relief to the masses, it will be a positive step; otherwise, the long march will proceed. He warned that if the government fails to fulfil its commitments, they will be left with no other option.

Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday urged Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman to postpone the party’s long march against the petroleum levy for a few days.

According to the JI spokesperson, the prime minister spoke to Hafiz Naeem by phone from the United States and requested him to defer the protest. Shehbaz also offered to meet the JI chief upon his return to Pakistan and assured him of providing better relief.

Hafiz Naeem told the prime minister that the JI had been protesting against the “levy” for the past one-and-a-half months and would not withdraw the protest until the petroleum levy was abolished.

However, he said he would consult the party leadership regarding the prime minister’s request to pause the long march for a few days.

According to the JI spokesperson, Hafiz Naeem told the prime minister that a decision on the party’s future course of action would be announced in Multan following consultations.

The JI’s “Super Long March” against the petroleum levy entered its third day on Tuesday, with its train march reaching Multan.

Meanwhile, addressing a public gathering in Multan, Hafiz Naeem said the government had only one option: abolish the petroleum levy and provide relief to the public.

He described the levy as “economic terrorism” and demanded immediate relief for the people.

“We have taken to the streets for the problems of the people,” he said.

Hafiz Naeem also spoke about rising public hardships and said people were taking their own lives due to financial difficulties.

He alleged that several political parties had failed to address public issues for decades and claimed that various “mafias” and cartels had entered politics.

He also alleged that flour and sugar mafias were operating with the help of political parties.