JI says petrol levy must end, calls for relief to consumers

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Naeem-ur-Rehman has said the party will continue to raise its voice on issues affecting ordinary people, particularly the rising cost of petroleum products and electricity, 24NewsHD TV reported. 

Addressing the gatherings at a camp set up in the JI's mass signature campaign in Karachi on Sunday, he said petrol prices had reached around Rs400 per litre, adding that JI had decided to become “the voice of the people” and would continue to speak on issues directly affecting their daily lives.

He said people in Karachi were well aware of the problems associated with K-Electric, claiming that JI had raised the issue and played a role in bringing attention to the city's electricity problems.

Naeem-ur-Rehman also criticised the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), saying JI had been among the political voices that raised questions over the arrangements involving IPPs when other parties were largely silent.

 He said the issue had now become widely known among the public.

He said JI was now campaigning against the petroleum levy, describing it as an unfair burden on consumers.

“We do not want cheap petrol through charity schemes; we want our right,” he said, calling for an end to what he described as an unjust levy imposed on the people.

He also called for further discussions with IPPs to reduce electricity costs and provide relief to consumers.

Naeem-ur-Rehman claimed that an elite group benefited from the country's system without paying its due share of taxes and also enjoyed facilities such as free fuel. 

He said JI wanted to see an end to what he called “mafias” controlling national resources and urged people to reach out to citizens across the country, listen to their concerns, and build a political movement around their demands.