Jamaat-e-Islami chief Naeemur Rehman on Thursday announced the party will stage a nationwide strike on Sept. 3 against the petroleum levy, warning that the ongoing protests can expand to markets and roads and even a long march on Islamabad if the public does not receive any relief.
Addressing a sit-in in Lahore—ongoing for nearly two weeks—he said the government had burdened the people with taxes and inflation while depriving them of their basic rights. “The drama must end now, and the people must be given real relief,” he said, adding a “historic” gathering would take place in Faisalabad on Friday (Aug. 28).
“The Jamaat-e-Islami’s struggle is not limited to a few sit-ins; it is a public movement for the rights of 250 million people,” he said, calling on party workers to intensify their efforts against the government’s policies. He reiterated his demand for an end to the petroleum levy, as well as lower electricity prices.
Rehman claimed the JI’s previous protests had yielded relief for consumers in electricity prices, adding it was now time to seek the same in petrol prices.
The JI chief said the government claimed it had three time more electricity capacity than required but was still forcing people to buy expensive power from IPPs.
He also lashed out gender-based violence, lamenting that women and girls in Punjab were unsafe and many crimes against them went unreported.
Rehman alleged the government was fostering “mental slavery” by denying them basic education and rights. Referring to the Benazir Income Support Program, he alleged it was rife with corruption. “The nation does not need charity. It needs education, employment, cheap electricity, cheap petrol and opportunities for a dignified life,” he said.
On governance in Punjab, the JI chief criticized the privatization of public schools and renaming of basic health units. “Countries do not progress through showcase projects and distribution of laptops,” he said.
Referring to the fire at Islamabad’s PIMS that resulted in deaths of 14 infants, he blamed it on government incompetence and negligence. “Why were safety measures not taken at PIMS? Were doctors and paramedics trained to deal with emergencies or disasters?” he questioned, claiming the country had no effective mechanism to train people for disaster management in the country.