LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Thursday warned the government that it will resume its “long march with a greater force” if the petroleum levy is not abolished, saying the party is not bound by any commitment to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

JI central Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman issued the warning in a press conference held at Mansoora here, saying, “The prime minister may talk to us or not, we are only concerned with relief for the people through withdrawing around Rs135 per litre petroleum levy and other taxes.”

Mr Rehman vowed to continue the anti-levy campaign and warned that the party’s “long march” would resume from Multan if the government failed to accept its demand.

“Caravans from across the country will head towards Islamabad,” he warned, adding that public meetings were being held in different cities and a campaign aimed at securing 20 million signatures against the levy was also under way.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has returned to the country. Let’s see what relief he provides, “ he said, adding that no delaying tactics would be accepted.

The JI emir rejected the government’s argument that the IMF programme prevented it from abolishing the levy. He alleged that the government was passing the burden of the Federal Board of Revenue’s inefficiency on to ordinary citizens, assuring the lender of meeting the revenue targets. He said the JI had advised the government to use 1,300cc vehicles in its departments and ministries and prevent corruption through the development funds allocated to the lawmakers.

He also criticised what he described as excessive government spending, questioning the order for Rs6bn bulletproof vehicles for the foreign delegates participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation conference. He questioned the use of these expensive vehicles after the conference.

He opposed the possible imposition of governor rule or emergency in KP.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2026