LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman announced on Friday to launch a countrywide protest movement against the recent massive increase in petroleum prices, warning of strikes and sit-ins in front of chief minister houses of the four provinces if the decision was not reversed.
Addressing a convention of public committees at Mansoorah and a large protest demonstration on Multan Road, Lahore, he said the government must immediately withdraw the brutal and unjustified hike or face a nationwide agitation. He urged citizens to prepare for a strong protest campaign, adding that strikes would be observed across the country and chief minister houses in all four provinces would be surrounded.
Rehman said the government was collecting over Rs200 per litre in taxes on petrol, terming it an exploitative measure that was draining the pockets of the public. He demanded an immediate reduction in the prices of petrol, diesel, and electricity.
The convention was also addressed by JI vice emirs Liaquat Baloch, Dr Usama Razi, and JI Punjab Central Emir Javed Qasuri, with Information Secretary Shakil Ahmad Turabi also in attendance.
Criticising the government, the JI chief said rulers were using global crises as an excuse to burden the masses, questioning why relief was not passed on when international oil prices had dropped significantly in the past. He also took aim at the lavish lifestyle of the ruling elite, extravagant spending on official vehicles, aircraft, and perks while ordinary citizens were struggling with inflation.
