JI Announces Nationwide Protests Against Inflation, Fuel Prices Tomorrow June 19

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Thursday demanded an immediate reduction in petroleum prices in Pakistan, warning the government of nationwide protests against rising inflation and the petroleum levy. He announced that a large-scale protest movement would begin on June 19, with sit-ins planned across all four provinces if public demands were ignored.

Hafiz Naeem, in a press conference at Mansoorah in Lahore, welcomed the recent ceasefire and agreement between Iran and the United States as a positive step towards peace and stability in the region.

He added that Pakistan had played a constructive role in supporting the process, but also accepted the contribution of other regional countries in this regard to make the ceasefire work.

Call for Muslim Unity and Regional Cooperation

The JI chief stressed that the deal could enhance cooperation between Iran and Gulf nations. He emphasized the necessity of deepening practical cooperation among Muslim countries for the sake of regional stability in the long term.

He called for greater cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkiye, and said that this cooperation could help unite and consolidate the Muslim world.

Demand for Petrol Price Fixed at Rs225 Per Litre

In response to the agreement, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called for a substantial cut in fuel prices in Pakistan. He demanded that the government should immediately fix petrol price at Rs225 per litre and keep them frozen for three years.

He also demanded the total lifting of the petroleum levy and lowering the pricing of diesel and electricity, saying that giving the public fuel price relief of any magnitude will not be sufficient.

“Reducing fuel prices by Rs10 or Rs20 per litre is not meaningful relief. The public deserves real and lasting relief,” he said.

Criticism of Federal Budget and Tax Structure

Criticizing the federal budget, Hafiz Naeem said salaries of parliamentarians had been increased by 300 to 500 percent, while only a 10 percent increase had been proposed for government employees.

He claimed that the government had imposed a heavy tax burden on its citizens even though the economy was fragile and had collected substantial government revenue from the petroleum levy.

He also alleged that Rs400 billion had been paid by motorcycle users in levy charges, whereas Rs10-12 billion was collected from big landlords and said the tax structure was “unfair and imbalanced.”

Nationwide Protest Warning

The chief of JI threatened that if the government fails to address the demands of the public in the matters of inflation and fuel prices, then sit-ins and protest movements would be held in all over Pakistan from June 19.

He reiterated the Jamaat-e-Islami’s call for public relief in the face of mounting inflation and energy prices in the country.