Jamaat-e-Islami Announces March Against Petroleum Levy

Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a nationwide march starting from Karachi to protest the current economic hardships and demand the immediate abolition of the petroleum levy. The party leadership stated that the movement has gained significant momentum across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. The campaign aims to pressure the government into reducing fuel prices and ending what the party describes as an unjust tax burden on the common citizen.

Demands for Petroleum Price Reduction

The party leadership emphasized that the primary objective of the upcoming march is the removal of the petroleum levy, which they have termed a "blackmail tax." According to the speaker, there is no justification for maintaining such high levies when the public is already struggling with extreme inflation and food insecurity. The party argues that the government is using these taxes to hide its own incompetence and corruption rather than addressing the root causes of the economic crisis.

The speaker further alleged that the government frequently cites IMF requirements as a reason for these taxes, but claims this is a facade. He asserted that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is failing to meet tax targets due to internal corruption. Instead of reducing state expenditures, the government continues to spend lavishly on luxury vehicles and aircraft for officials while the general population suffers from rising costs of living.

Critique of Government Expenditure

The leadership highlighted a stark contrast between the demands for public sacrifice and the increase in federal government spending. It was claimed that federal expenditures have risen from 800 billion to over one trillion rupees. The speaker questioned why the public is asked to bear the brunt of the crisis while the ruling class refuses to curb its own luxuries or reduce the use of official perks like free fuel and electricity.

Economic Mismanagement and Corporate Interests

The party raised concerns regarding the complex structure of fuel pricing, including custom duties and climate support levies, which they claim collectively inflate prices. The speaker alleged that the current system benefits a small group of influential individuals and corporate entities. He specifically mentioned the roles of sugar mill owners and IPP operators, claiming that these groups are often linked to the ruling political families and benefit from tax exemptions and capacity payments.

The speaker pointed out that capacity payments for IPPs, amounting to 1,800 billion rupees, continue to burden the nation even during power outages. He argued that these payments serve to enrich a few individuals rather than providing facilities to the public. The party maintains that the government prioritizes the interests of the "bank mafia" and energy cartels over the needs of the working class and farmers.

Strategy for Public Protest and Dialogue

Regarding the ongoing protests, the party noted that sit-ins have been active for thirty-five days across forty-two cities. The leadership stated that the movement is transitioning from static sit-ins to a dynamic march toward Islamabad. They emphasized that the protests have remained peaceful and represent a genuine public grievance rather than a personal or party-specific agenda.

The party leadership addressed reports of government attempts to initiate dialogue, stating that they have already held multiple meetings without seeing any concrete results. They clarified that they will only engage with the government if a formal proposal to remove the petroleum levy is presented. The speaker warned against any government "adventures" or attempts to block roads, asserting that the march will proceed with full public support.

Finally, the speaker dismissed recent government relief packages as insufficient and symbolic. He argued that these packages only benefit a tiny percentage of the population and do not address the systemic issue of inflation. The party reiterated that the only sustainable solution is a comprehensive reduction in fuel prices and the elimination of the levy to provide real relief to the masses.

Read the full speech Here