'Abolish Rs 160 Levy': Hafiz Naeem Demands 50% Cut in Petrol Prices at Lahore Rally

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has demanded that the government immediately withdraw the hike in petrol and diesel prices announced on Thursday. He warned that the party would otherwise launch a “wheel-jam” strike and initiate a march toward all Chief Minister houses, ARY News reported.

Addressing a mammoth protest rally in Lahore on Friday against the whopping increase in fuel prices, Hafiz Naeem stated that the government’s decision—justified under the guise of the regional situation—is unacceptable.

He rejected the move, arguing that the government is burdening the Pakistani masses with a cruel surge in prices instead of decreasing taxes and levies.

“We are not going to accept such a wild increase,” the JI Chief said, adding that the government fails to pass on relief to the masses even when global petroleum prices decrease.

He demanded that the government revoke its decision, abolish the Rs 160 per litre levy on petrol and diesel, further reduce taxes, and provide the public with a 50% reduction in petroleum prices. Furthermore, Hafiz Naeem demanded an end to “illegal” agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

“Instead of dropping ‘petrol bombs’ on the masses, the government should immediately terminate these agreements that involve paying billions of rupees to IPPs,” he said.

Lambasting the Shehbaz Sharif administration, he remarked: “It is a matter of embarrassment that while the nation is burning in the fire of inflation, the government purchased an Rs 11 billion plane for Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Meanwhile, a 37-vehicle protocol was arranged for the Prime Minister’s arrival in Karachi.”

He concluded with a final warning: if the “cruel decision” to hike fuel prices is not reversed, the JI will proceed with a countrywide wheel-jam strike and a march on provincial capitals.