JI Delays Islamabad March, Stays in Multan Pending Talks with PM

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, the Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), announced on Tuesday that the party’s planned march towards Islamabad has been postponed. The decision comes as JI waits in Multan for a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Speaking at a press conference in Multan, Hafiz Naeem stated that the prime minister contacted him personally, requested the postponement of the march, and invited the JI leadership for dialogue. He specified that talks would occur once the prime minister returns to Pakistan, and affirmed JI’s commitment to meeting with the government leadership.

While the Islamabad march has been paused, Hafiz Naeem emphasized that the JI sit-in in Multan and the party's protest movement would persist until after the meeting. He underscored that the party would move forward with its campaign regardless of circumstances, reiterating their demands for a reduction in fuel prices and the removal of the petroleum levy, which he called insufficiently addressed by current government measures.

Hafiz Naeem revealed that JI has made several proposals to the government focused on lowering petrol prices. However, he noted that officials indicated their inability to reduce the petroleum levy due to commitments made under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

The JI head further stated the party will seek written assurances from the government ahead of deciding its future actions and mentioned ongoing discussions with federal ministers. He shared that JI has organized sit-ins at 510 locations countrywide and conducted a shutter-down strike in protest against high fuel prices and inflation.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Hafiz Naeem by telephone, reiterating the government’s ongoing efforts to support economically vulnerable and middle-income citizens during challenging times. The two leaders agreed to keep the consultations open and meet after the prime minister’s return from his visit.