GUJRANWALA: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a long march towards Islamabad on September 20, warning the government of a major protest if the petroleum levy is not withdrawn.
Millions of people from across the country would take part in the march towards Islamabad if the government failed to abolish the petroleum levy, he said this while addressing a sit-in in Gujranwala. He said the government could place as many containers as it wanted, but the protesters would remove the containers and reach Islamabad.
Hafiz Naeem said the government claimed that petrol prices had increased because of the international market. “We understand the issue of the international market, but tell us why there are levies and heavy taxes,” he said.
He said locally produced oil was also being charged at the same rate as imported oil. The JI chief also criticised the government over labour rights, saying workers employed at Nawaz Sharif’s mills were not getting their rights. He alleged that workers at sugar mills were also not registered.
Hafiz Naeem said mothers and sisters were being forced to work, while Maryam Nawaz, despite being a woman, was also exploiting women. He claimed that 6,500 cases of sexual violence against women had been reported in Punjab.
Hafiz Naeem also criticised Maryam Nawaz over her visit to London, alleging that she was enjoying herself there at the expense of public money. He demanded that the Punjab chief minister disclose the complete expenses incurred during her London visit.
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