ISLAMABAD: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Pakistan on Friday announced that a “super long march” will begin on Sunday (tomorrow), mobilising caravans from across the country towards the federal capital to press their demand for lower oil prices.
JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman told a presser their campaign was not directed against any individual or party but is aimed at securing relief for the public. He said the government was announcing “inadequate and showy relief packages” instead of providing genuine relief to the people.
Caravans for the Sept 20 march will head towards Islamabad from across the country, Mr Rehman said. Participants from Karachi will travel to the capital by train.
Party promises ‘no disruption’ to routine life; Hafiz Naeem says JI supports PTI march, and vice versa
The JI chief noted petrol prices in Pakistan have increased several times more than in India and Bangladesh during the recent conflicts. He said authorities were using the high levy to meet revenue targets.
He said the party was in contact with the farmers’ alliance and PTI. He said PTI supported JI’s campaign, and JI supports its protests in return. But the JI would not block roads, he said, adding that the march would not obstruct students appearing for Medical and Dental College Admission Test.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Friday contacted JI vice chief Liaquat Baloch and invited the party committee that he heads to another round of talks on Saturday over its demand for the abolition of the petroleum levy.
According to the party, Mr Baloch said he would respond to the invitation after consulting the party leadership. He, however, made it clear JI’s protest would continue until the petroleum levy was abolished.
Earlier, the JI chief said the government could hold talks immediately if it had a workable solution to the demands but warned against delaying tactics.
Ahmad Fraz Khan in Lahore also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2026
