Jamaat-e-Islami's workers and supporters continued their sit-ins for a fourth day on Wednesday against high petroleum levy, soaring inflation and inflated electricity bills in major cities of the country. Calling on the authorities to curb inflation and fuel prices, Jamaat-e-Islami supporters have been staging sit-ins outside the Punjab Chief Minister's House and governor's houses in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar since August 16. Addressing the participants of the sit-in in Lahore, Jamaat-e-Islami senior leader Liaquat Baloch said that the federal government had failed to deliver despite a span of over two years.
"The rulers are not ready to give up luxuries and protocol," he said, slamming the government. Meanwhile, Mall Road in Lahore has been closed on both tracks due to the sit-in, disrupting traffic and causing inconvenience to commuters. In the latest daily review on Tuesday, the government hiked the petrol price by Rs3.34 to Rs334.54 per litre.
Similarly, high-speed diesel (HSD) rate has been increased by Rs5.27 to Rs395.69 per litre. The Petroleum Levy (PL) was raised on HSD to Rs78.28, while on petrol the levy remained unchanged at Rs80 per litre. Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Monday had said that the peaceful sit-ins in all four provinces marked the beginning of a protest movement.
Addressing the protesters in Lahore, the Jamaat-e-Islami leader said that they would further intensify the sit-ins. "The Jamaat-e-Islami has devised a strategy for the sit-ins," the Jamaat-e-Islami emir said, expressing satisfaction with the strength of the protests across the country. Talking to He said the fuel prices should be slashed and demanded the forensic audit of the independent power producers (IPPs).
Tackling inflation should be the government's top responsibility, he had said, adding that their sit-ins would continue until their demands were fulfilled.