MINGORA (Web Desk) -Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Friday continued its nationwide protest campaign against the petroleum levy and inflation for a 20th consecutive day, with party chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman insisting that sit-ins would remain in place until its demands were accepted.
The party is also holding a major public gathering in Mingora, Swat, as it seeks to maintain pressure on the federal government while negotiations between the two sides continue.
Preparations for the Swat gathering have been completed, with a large number of party workers and supporters assembling at the venue. JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman is scheduled to address the gathering.
The party’s protest campaign has spread across the country, with sit-ins continuing at more than 15 locations, including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Chitral.
JI has centred its campaign on the petroleum levy and the rising cost of living, demanding measures to reduce the financial burden on the public.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said negotiations with the government would continue, but made clear that the party would not wind up its protest movement merely because talks had started.
He said the sit-ins would continue until negotiations with the government committee succeeded and the party’s demands for public relief were accepted.
The latest demonstrations come after the federal government and JI agreed to constitute expert committees to examine possible measures for reducing the petroleum levy and providing relief to consumers.
Despite that development, JI has opted to keep its street campaign active while awaiting concrete progress on its demands.
The party maintains that dialogue and protests will continue simultaneously until tangible relief is secured for the public.
