Hafiz Naeemur Rehman Warns of Islamabad March Over Public Relief Demands

LAHORE, October 1, 2026: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has warned that the party could launch a long march towards Islamabad if the government fails to engage meaningfully with its demands and take concrete measures to reduce the financial burden facing ordinary citizens, particularly in the wake of rising petroleum and utility costs.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman reiterated Jamaat-e-Islami’s demand for the withdrawal of the petroleum levy, arguing that higher fuel prices have contributed to mounting economic pressure on households and have affected the cost of essential goods and services. He said the party was conducting a nationwide signature campaign against the levy and would begin preparations for a proposed march on Islamabad after securing more than 20 million signatures, with participants expected to arrive in caravans from southern Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The JI emir said several rounds of discussions with government representatives had so far failed to produce what the party considers a meaningful response to its demands, prompting him to call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to personally intervene and engage with the issues being raised. He maintained that the objective of the campaign was to draw attention to the economic difficulties experienced by the public and press for measures that could provide relief from rising household expenses.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also raised concerns regarding payments made to independent power producers, government expenditure and prevailing interest rates, linking these issues to broader questions surrounding the cost of governance and the financial pressures confronting citizens. His remarks reflected the party’s wider campaign for economic relief and greater scrutiny of policies that, in its view, contribute to increased costs for consumers, while the proposed signature drive is intended to demonstrate public support for its demand regarding the petroleum levy.

The JI chief also called for political dialogue between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, particularly regarding issues surrounding PTI founder Imran Khan, including concerns raised by the party about his health, possible hospital transfer and access to meetings. He argued that political disagreements should be addressed through negotiations and institutional dialogue rather than confrontation, urging the government to respond to the concerns raised by political parties as well as those being expressed by members of the public.

The proposed long march remains conditional on the government’s response and the completion of the signature campaign, while Jamaat-e-Islami has indicated that its mobilisation would involve supporters from different parts of the country. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman’s announcement therefore places further emphasis on dialogue between the government and political stakeholders, particularly as economic pressures and political disagreements continue to feature prominently in Pakistan’s public discourse.

The JI leadership has maintained that the campaign is focused on public relief and economic issues, while its call for negotiations on political matters reflects its stated preference for resolving contentious issues through dialogue. The government’s response to the party’s demands, as well as the progress of the nationwide signature campaign, is expected to shape the next steps announced by Jamaat-e-Islami regarding the proposed mobilisation towards Islamabad.