A nationwide sit-in organised by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) against the collection of the petroleum levy and agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) has entered its fourth day. According to the report, the protest is also continuing outside the Governor House in Karachi, where JI Karachi chief Munim Zafar Khan is present with party workers. The road around the Governor House has been blocked with containers from all four sides.

Speaking at the protest, Munim Zafar Khan said the government would have to withdraw the petroleum levy. He said the sit-in would continue until the government formally withdrew the levy. He said rising inflation was causing serious difficulties for ordinary people and called for relief for the public. He also described the rise in the inflation rate as worrying. Munim Zafar Khan said the existing system had failed and needed to be replaced.

He said a new system was needed to address the country's problems and called for changes at the grassroots level. He also said the issue of creating new administrative units and provinces should be resolved in accordance with the Constitution and the law. JI leaders said the nationwide protest would continue until their demands were accepted. A large gathering of women is also scheduled to be held as part of the protest.

A protest sit-in organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore against the petroleum levy continued for a fourth day at Faisal Chowk on Lahore’s Mall Road. A large number of party workers are taking part in the protest, while Faisal Chowk has been closed to traffic because of the demonstration. Workers have also been raising slogans against the petroleum levy. Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded the withdrawal of the petroleum levy, describing it as an additional financial burden on the public.

The party said the government must withdraw the additional taxes imposed on petroleum products and stop what it called an unfair burden on consumers. Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore has announced that the sit-in will continue until its demands are accepted.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)