Lahore: JI has announced Train March to Islamabad to enhance pressure on government against inflation and heavy taxes on petroleum products.

JI has maintained its option for country wide wheel jam strike and shutter down in case lack of any progress by the government in connection with demands.

JI Amir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has said the scope of protest sit ins will be further broadened if relief is not provided to the people.

Addressing a press conference outside Punjab Assembly (PA) at the venue of dharna he said JI dharnas have entered into 23rd days. People from different walks of life are becoming part of the movement.

Dharnas are creating awareness among the people about their rights. JI is representing the masses.

He held JI basic demand is very clear that petroleum levy be ended. The price of crude oil is between 92 to 97 per dollar per barrel in international market. Despite it the persistent hike in the prices of petroleum products by the government is burden on people.

He said common man particularly motorcyclist is paying heavy levy and tax.

He claimed government recovered levy beyond the set limit. Corruption more than Rs 5000 billions was committed in FBR during the last four years.

Petroleum levy and additional tax is not acceptable to people in any way.

He said the meeting of government and technical committees of JI will take place today.

JI committee comprises experts. We expect from government it will nominate experts from the respective sectors for talks.

If no headway is made in the talks then dharnas period will be extended.

He said there are three options for the protest. They are wheel jam, shutter down, Long march to Islamabad and Train March before it.

He said train March will be done while travelling with common man in train.

He called for forensic audit of IPPs then bigwigs will be exposed.

He made it clear JI Dharnas are aimed at seeking relief for the people rather than creating trouble for them.

He criticized the privileges given to elite class judges, bureaucracy saying there is big difference between the life of so called elite class and common man. The homes expanding several canals and several vehicles are given to officers of secretary level while common man affords the burden of these privileges.

He said that the vehicle of billionaire and common motorcyclist pay petroleum levy equal in amount.

If government curtails interest rate by one percent then it can afford benefit of over Rs 563 billion.

Raising question on bank profit he said heavy interest payments have placed heavy financial burden on national economy.

Expressing concern over results in government schools in Punjab he claimed poverty has risen 41 percent in the province while government has sold out 4000 schools.

Talking of political situation he said PPP has emerged as racial party. Maryam Nawaz too is doing linguistic politics.

The matters regarding provinces are mentioned in the constitution.

Therefore dialogue should be held at national level on important matters including formation of new provinces.

He criticized alleged irregularities in government institutions and education system in Sindh saying provincial government should pay serious attention to the public issues.