Hafiz Naeem says JI will not join any grand opposition alliance

LAHORE- Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman  has said that his party will not become part of any grand opposition  alliance.

Speaking during a meeting with senior journalists and editors in  Lahore, Hafiz Naeem said past political alliances had caused more harm  than benefit to the Jamaat-e-Islami.

He said the party would independently pursue the public’s case  through its own political platform, with the aim of bringing about  systemic change.

Hafiz Naeem said it was not possible to hold sit-ins in Lahore,  Karachi and Peshawar while negotiations continued behind closed doors in  Islamabad.

The JI chief also announced that the party’s strategy for a  nationwide shutter-down strike would be unveiled on 13 Rabi-ul-Awwal.

Also Read: Jamaat-e-Islami protest against petroleum levy

He said the movement would subsequently move through stages including  a wheel-jam and shutter-down strike before culminating in a decisive  march towards Islamabad.

Earlier, addressing a press conference in Lahore, Hafiz Naeem said  their struggle was progressing in the best possible manner and stressed  that the government would have to reduce the prices of petroleum  products.

He said the country could not progress in the presence of flour and  sugar mafias, urging the people to come forward and become part of their  struggle.

He also said farmers were not getting fertilizers at affordable  prices, while government officials were using expensive vehicles with  taxpayers’ money.