By Farrukh Warraich
LAHORE (LAHORE MIRROR) — Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has vowed to continue the party’s campaign against the petroleum levy until the government accepts the public demand for its abolition.
Speaking to senior journalist and anchorperson Farrukh Warraich during a meeting at Mansoora Markaz on Multan Road, the JI chief said the party would not retreat from its campaign against the levy and what it described as unfair taxation.
Hafiz Naeem said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had requested the JI to postpone its protest, a request the party agreed to. He added that the prime minister would meet a JI delegation after his return to the country.
The JI emir announced that the party would hold a public gathering in Lahore on Friday to protest against the petroleum levy and taxes it considers illegal. He termed the petroleum levy unconstitutional, arguing that it deprived the provinces of their legitimate share of resources.
He said the JI was also highlighting public concerns involving education, agriculture, industry and other sectors of the economy.
JI raises concerns over IPP agreements
Discussing the issue of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Hafiz Naeem claimed that the JI’s campaign had helped save Rs4,500 billion for the country.
He said the government had confirmed the termination of agreements with 10 IPPs, while negotiations concerning another 21 IPPs had reached their final stage.
According to Hafiz Naeem, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had contacted the JI three times ahead of the planned sit-in. He said the party had also submitted six proposals to the government aimed at improving the country’s economic situation.
The proposals included bringing the policy rate down to 9 per cent, curbing what the JI described as excessive profits of oil refineries, and reducing non-developmental expenditure.
The JI chief maintained that peaceful protest in Islamabad was a constitutional right of political parties and said the party’s demonstrations would remain peaceful.
Hafiz Naeem reiterated that the JI would continue its campaign until, in the party’s view, the people received their due rights.
