CHITRAL: The district chapter of Jamaat-i-Islami has suspended its daily four-hour sit-in for 10 days following directives of central leadership, warning the government of a ‘decisive battle’ if demands of people regarding the petroleum levy and inflation are not met.

The suspension comes on the instructions of JI central emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, following a formal offer for negotiations from the federal government.

Addressing protesters at the sit-in camp on Ataliq Bridge, JI Lower Chitral chief Wajihuddin said that the temporary halt was a strategic move to allow space for dialogue. However, he issued a stern warning to the rulers against using the talks as a delaying tactic.

“If the government attempts to deceive the leadership with false assurances, it will be a grave mistake. If our demands are not accepted within 10 days, our workers will return to the streets. This time, the movement will turn into a decisive battle that the government will find impossible to counter,” he said.

Wajihuddin praised the resilience of party workers, asserting that JI had a history of fighting for rights of people to a logical conclusion. He claimed that no other political party possessed such dedicated manpower ready to sacrifice for the interests of people.

The event was attended by JI district leaders including Maulana Jamshed Ahmad, Abdul Haq and Maulana Khaliq Ahmad. The participants endorsed the central leadership’s decision but reaffirmed their readiness to resume the protest instantly upon the next command.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2026