Government should immediately abolish the petrol levy instead of offering temporary relief to two- and three-wheeler users; people deserve dignity, not charity.
September 20 Islamabad March will be a decisive voice for the rights of the people; Jamaat-e-Islami will pursue every constitutional and democratic avenue until the levy is abolished.
LAHORE: Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore Ziauddin Ansari Advocate has rejected the Prime Minister’s announcement of monthly petrol relief for two- and three-wheelers, saying that the government must stop making a mockery of the people in the name of relief. The people do not need Rs100 per litre relief on 20 litres of petrol; they need permanent relief from the petrol levy.
Addressing participants of the ongoing sit-in outside the Chief Minister’s House on Mall Road, Ziauddin Ansari Advocate said that if the government genuinely wanted to provide relief to the people, it should first abolish the petrol levy. On the one hand, the government is collecting heavy taxes and levies from the people, while on the other hand, it is offering limited and temporary relief to certain segments and presenting it as public service. The people reject such measures.
He said that the effective way to reduce petrol prices is to abolish the levy and unjustified financial burden on the people. Millions of motorcycle and rickshaw users belonging to the working class are already facing severe difficulties due to inflation, unemployment and low incomes. The government must provide a permanent solution to their problems instead of trying to appease them through temporary announcements.
The Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore made it clear that Jamaat-e-Islami will continue its publich struggle until the petrol levy is abolished and will adopt every possible constitutional and democratic course of action for this purpose. He warned that if the rulers failed to accept the legitimate demands of the people, the movement would expand further and could turn into a full-fledged public movement against the government.
Ziauddin Ansari Advocate said that Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore’s workers and office-bearers are fully prepared and enthusiastic for the September 20 Islamabad March. He appealed to the nationv to respond to the call of Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman and participate in the Islamabad March in large numbers on September 20, sending a clear message to the rulers that the people are no longer prepared to tolerate inflation, excessive taxation and economic injustice.
He said that Jamaat-e-Islami’s nationwide sit-in movement has emerged as a major public struggle in the country’s history. This movement is neither for any individual nor for political power; it is for the rights, dignity and economic relief of the people. Jamaat-e-Islami is not seeking a share in the distribution of power; rather, it is on the streets to address the problems and grievances of the people.
He further said that instead of providing privileges to the ruling elite, relief should be given to the poor and middle classes. The burden of taxes and levies on petroleum products should be reduced, people should be provided relief from excessive electricity and gas bills, and practical measures should be taken to control inflation.
The Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore said, “The people do not need charity or temporary relief; they demand their rights.” The government should listen to the voice of the people; otherwise, the September 20 Islamabad March will serve as a clear message to the rulers.
He appealed to the people to support Jamaat-e-Islami’s struggle for a better future for their children, employment opportunities, affordable energy and a dignified life, and to participate in the September 20 Islamabad March in large numbers.
