LAHORE: The ongoing dharna (sit-in) in Lahore has intensified as Jamaat-e-Islami expands its anti-levy movement from provincial capitals to the federal capital.
The party announced a new schedule of night sit-ins in Islamabad while confirming that protest camps continue in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.
Jamaat-e-Islami Islamabad issued the fresh schedule on Monday, saying the ongoing petrol levy protest will now enter residential and commercial areas of the capital.
JI dharna Lahore Expands to Islamabad With Night Sit-ins
According to the Islamabad chapter, sit-ins will be held in phases at Ghauri Town, Karachi Company, G-7-3, B-7, PWD, Bhara Kahu, Jhungi Syedan and Lahtrar Road.
A spokesperson said all protest sit-ins will start every evening and continue till late at night. The strategy aims to mobilize daily wage earners and traders who cannot join daytime protests. He said the goal is to unite people and increase pressure on the government to abolish the petroleum levy.
The expansion comes as the party claims the federal government has increased petrol prices multiple times since the dharna started under the daily price adjustment mechanism.
Hafiz Naeem Says JI dharna Lahore Will Continue Till Levy Ends
Addressing an important press conference in Lahore, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman announced the toughest phase of the movement. The sit-in Lahore has become the central camp of the campaign.
Hafiz Naeem said there will be no talks with the government on ending the sit-in. Talks will only happen on how to end the extortionate levy tax, he said.
He alleged that mafias first earned money by importing 765,000 tons of sugar and now will earn it by exporting it. Flour prices have also increased sharply in the last one year. He said the country cannot progress in the presence of sugar, oil and flour mafias.
JI dharna Lahore to Turn Into Nationwide Wheel-Jam Strike
The JI chief announced the next steps of the Jamaat-e-Islami petrol levy protest. The party will set up protest camps in all districts of the country.
He announced a nationwide shutter-down and wheel-jam strike on 13 Rabi-ul-Awwal, after 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal. If the government fails to provide relief and does not practically accept demands, the party will hold a big long march towards Islamabad after the strike.
Hafiz Naeem said the JI dharna Lahore will continue as per schedule, adding that the government can no longer bear the pressure of the people, he added.
The party has linked its protest to inflation, electricity bills and the petroleum levy. Officials say the movement will continue until practical relief.
