Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has contacted Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and asked him to postpone the party’s march towards Islamabad until the prime minister returns to Pakistan.
The telephone conversation took place as the JI’s protest march against the petroleum levy continued towards the federal capital. The party’s train march had reached Multan, with the next phase expected to continue towards Islamabad.
According to the JI spokesperson, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered to hold meaningful talks with the party on the petroleum levy after returning to Pakistan. He also indicated that the government was willing to discuss measures aimed at providing relief to the public.
Hafiz Naeem told the prime minister that the JI did not want a confrontation with the government or any law and order situation. However, he maintained that the party had taken to the streets to raise public concerns and that its right to protest should be respected.
The JI chief is expected to consult the party’s central Shura before giving a formal response to the prime minister’s request. Reports indicate that the party has not immediately agreed to postpone the march.
The JI has been campaigning against the petroleum levy and has demanded its withdrawal. The party has linked its protest to rising fuel prices, inflation and other economic concerns affecting the public.
The current march began from Karachi and moved north through Sindh before reaching Multan. JI workers and supporters have been travelling as part of the protest campaign, which is planned to continue towards the federal capital.
Hafiz Naeem has previously said that the party would continue its campaign until its demands regarding the petroleum levy are addressed. The JI has also held talks with the federal government on the issue, but those discussions have not resulted in an agreement acceptable to the party.
The prime minister’s latest contact comes as the government seeks further dialogue with the JI over the issue. The JI leadership will now consider whether to accept the request for a temporary delay while keeping its protest campaign active.
The final decision will depend on consultations within the party. For now, the JI has continued to emphasize its demand for changes to the petroleum levy and relief for consumers, while the government has offered further talks after the prime minister’s return.
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