Multan: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has said that on the request of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Jamaat-e-Islami has decided to postpone its long march for a few days; however, the protest movement will not be ended.
While holding a press conference in Multan, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said that the government is being given an opportunity to talk considering the Prime Minister’s request. According to him, the Prime Minister will meet him after his return, and public demands will be discussed.
The Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer clarified that the pause in the protest does not mean giving up the movement. He said that if the government does not make progress on its demands, the protest will be resumed.
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman also termed the government’s relief package related to petroleum products as insufficient. He is of the opinion that the government should take further steps on the issue of the petroleum levy.
This matter has come to light at a time when Jamaat-e-Islami has started a long march from Karachi to Islamabad after protesting against the petroleum levy in various cities of the country. The march reached Multan on September 22, from where the party leadership deliberated on the future course of action.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had requested Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman to postpone the long march for a few days during a telephonic conversation. According to the Prime Minister, the government is ready for fruitful discussions with Jamaat-e-Islami on the petroleum levy, and a meeting will also be held upon his return.
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman also said that the right of other political parties to protest on September 27 should also be recognised. According to him, peaceful protest is a constitutional right, and the government should talk to different political circles.
The next phase of the protest by Jamaat-e-Islami will depend on the progress of the talks with the government and the demands.
We welcome your contributions to The Pakistan Observer. Submit your blogs, opinion pieces, press releases and news features to our editorial team.
Please send your submissions to our News Desk or Editorial team. We look forward to hearing from writers, journalists and contributors.
