Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Sunday announced a nationwide shutter-down strike after 12th Rabi ul Awal. The party’s sit-ins in provincial capitals against the petroleum levy have already entered their eighth day.
12th Rabi ul Awal falls on August 26 this year and marks Eid Milad un Nabi. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Hafiz Naeem said the party’s campaign was moving forward strongly. He demanded that the federal government immediately reduce petroleum product prices.
He criticised the presence of flour and sugar mafias and said farmers were still struggling to get fertiliser at reasonable rates. The JI chief also pointed out that government officials were using expensive vehicles funded by public money.
Hafiz Naeem made it clear that the protests would not end on mere government assurances. He said negotiations would no longer be based on promises alone. The sit-ins will continue until the government practically implements the party’s demands.
Supporters have been staging sit-ins since August 16 outside the Punjab chief minister’s residence in Lahore and the governor houses in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. The protests come amid rising public concern over continuous fuel price hikes, high inflation and increasing electricity bills.
The federal government is under growing pressure after successive increases in fuel prices. Authorities recently shifted from a 15-day price review system to a daily mechanism due to volatility in global oil markets.
The fuel price issue has also led to protests by transporters and petroleum dealers. Earlier this week, the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance suspended its nine-day nationwide strike for 40 days after receiving assurances from the federal and Sindh governments. The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association had also given a 72-hour ultimatum seeking resolution of outstanding issues.
Jamaat-e-Islami has now raised the pressure by announcing the nationwide shutter-down strike. The party says the JI shutter strike will go ahead after Eid Milad un Nabi unless the government takes concrete steps to lower fuel prices and address public hardships.
The situation remains tense as political and public pressure continues to mount on the government over the cost of living.
