GHOTKI, September 21, 2026 — Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has said the party’s campaign against inflation and the petroleum levy is gaining momentum as its protest train march moves toward Multan.
JI Train March Reaches Ghotki
The JI train march, which began in Karachi, reached Ghotki on Monday. Local JI leaders and workers welcomed the participants at the railway station, where demonstrators raised slogans against the government and demanded the withdrawal of the additional petroleum levy.
Hafiz Naeem addressed participants in Ghotki and said the movement was receiving public support. He claimed the government would eventually have to reconsider its policies in response to the campaign.
Hafiz Naeem Calls for Withdrawal of Petroleum Levy
The JI chief said the party was campaigning on behalf of people facing rising living costs. He called for the petroleum levy to be withdrawn, arguing that its removal would provide relief to consumers.
In separate remarks in Sukkur, Hafiz Naeem said five rounds of negotiations had taken place between the government and JI over the levy. He said the party wanted the levy completely abolished and claimed it had placed a Rs135 billion burden on the public.
JI Criticises Government Policies
During his address, Hafiz Naeem criticised what he described as the government’s economic and governance policies. He also alleged that people in Sindh were facing problems including inadequate access to clean drinking water and weaknesses in public services.
He further called for people from different ethnic and regional backgrounds to participate together in the campaign, saying the movement was intended to highlight economic difficulties affecting people across Pakistan.
March Set to Continue Towards Islamabad
The protest movement is scheduled to continue from Multan, with further stages planned toward Islamabad. Earlier reports said the JI’s long march was expected to reach the federal capital on September 23 and 24.
Hafiz Naeem has said the party’s protests will continue until its demand regarding the petroleum levy is addressed. The government and JI have already held several rounds of negotiations without reaching an agreement that ended the campaign.
supernews.pk