PM Must Fulfil Promise or We Will Resume Protests: Hafiz Naeem

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had contacted him by phone before leaving for the United States.

He said the prime minister assured him that he would look into the matter after returning to Pakistan. Following the assurance, Hafiz Naeem announced the postponement of the long march planned from Karachi.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Hafiz Naeem said the government was presenting its petroleum relief package as a major relief measure. However, he claimed that the relief was reaching only 20 to 25 percent of the people.

He said Pakistan has around 25 million motorcycles and more than four million cars.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief claimed that the government was not initially willing to provide relief but moved in that direction after protests and sit-ins began. He also criticised opposition parties for not raising issues related to public rights.

Hafiz Naeem suggested that the government could introduce a separate system for wealthy people and increase fuel prices for large vehicles. He said the government had announced Rs26 billion in monthly relief while collecting around Rs150 billion every month.

He said there was no relief for people using public transport. According to him, the actual relief would be the removal of the levy rather than the announced package.

Hafiz Naeem made it clear that his party had not withdrawn its demands and could resume protests from Multan at any time.

He said the prime minister should fulfil his promise and show responsibility. He added that Jamaat-e-Islami had given time until October 7, 2026, for the people of Gaza, after which it would announce its future course of action.