In call from New York, PM urges Hafiz Naeem to postpone long march

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman and asked the party to hold its march for a few days and has offered negotiations on the petroleum levy.

The Prime Minister added that he was ready to have a genuine discussion with the JI on the petroleum levy in the light of the details and assured Hafiz Naeem that he would meet him after his return from New York and unveil a relief package for the people.

But Hafiz Naeem said the JI would continue its campaign against the fee and would not call off its demonstration until the fuel levy was withdrawn.

Hafiz Naeem added that we will continue the battle and will not give up protest till the levy is removed.

He said the JI has been holding protests against the fee for one and a half months.

JI emir said he will discuss the party leadership if the protracted march should be stopped for a few days.

Hafiz Naeem addressed a crowd as the JI’s rail march against the fuel levy reached Multan.

He said the petroleum duty was not acceptable under any circumstances and called for the people to be freed from what he dubbed a “extortion tax” on petrol.

The JI has been staging protests across the country against the petroleum charge and lobbying for its removal.