Lahore: On the call of Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, the protest sit-in organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore at Faisal Chowk, Mall Road against exorbitant fuel prices, peak electricity tariffs, and unfair taxation entered its 5th consecutive day.
Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore, Zia-ud-Din Ansari Advocate, addressed a press conference at the protest site alongside central and provincial leaders, including Dr. Fareed Ahmad Paracha, Khalid Ahmad Butt, Abdul Aziz Abid, Aamir Nisar Khan, Qaisar Sharif, Jibran Butt, and Shoaib Yaqoob.
Addressing media representatives, Zia-ud-Din Ansari Advocate stated that Jamaat-e-Islami stands firm on the public cause for which the sit-in was launched. He highlighted that representatives from various walks of life join the protest daily, adding that a major Lawyers' Convention is being hosted at the sit-in site today to further amplify the movement. Criticizing the tax burden, Ansari stated that over PKR 135 per liter is being extracted from citizens in the form of petroleum levy and additional taxes. "The government has already achieved its collection target for the petroleum levy, and imposing further taxes on the public is economic exploitation, " he remarked. He added that the minor drop in diesel prices was merely a result of public pressure, whereas actual relief has not been transferred. With international oil prices stabilizing over the past few days, the government must reduce domestic rates to provide genuine relief. He reiterated that raising fuel prices to discourage protesters will not succe ed, and the sit-in will continue until the petroleum levy is completely abolished.
On the energy crisis, the JI Lahore Chief pointed out that Pakistan's electricity demand stands at 45, 000 MW against a generation capacity of 75, 000 MW. He held previous regimes-including PML-N, PPP, and PTI-equally responsible for signing anti-public IPP agreements. He demanded that instead of reviewing just 17, the government must re-evaluate all 77 Independent Power Producer (IPP) contracts. He warned the authorities not to test Jamaat-e-Islami's patience, as failure to address public grievances would compound problems for the government.
Speaking on the occasion, senior JI leader Dr. Fareed Ahmad Paracha held the ruling elite responsible for the country's economic downfall. He disclosed that over 90, 000 vehicles have been provided to senior bureaucrats and officials, with the public footing the bill for their free fuel. "If free fuel privileges for elite officials are withdrawn, the need for a petroleum levy will automatically vanish, " Dr. Paracha asserted. He questioned where the trillions of rupees collected from the public had been spent, warning that if taxpayers realize their hard-earned money is being squandered on elite luxuries, they will stand up and block these official vehicles on the streets.