JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman rejected the Prime Minister’s recent petroleum relief package on Monday, calling it insufficient and reiterating demands for the complete abolition of the petroleum levy. The JI chief warned that his party would stage a march towards Islamabad if the government did not withdraw the levy by September 20. Since August 16, JI has been staging sit-ins across Pakistan to protest the levy, which collects more than Rs1.56 trillion annually from the public. Rehman also accused oil refineries of exploiting pricing differences and called for upgrades in refinery capacities and cuts in official privileges.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
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Story summary
Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday rejected the Prime Minister's recent petroleum relief package as insufficient and demanded the complete abolition of the petroleum levy. The PM announced a "relief scheme" for users of motorcycles, autos, and vehicles up to 800cc to alleviate rising global oil prices on Sunday. JI has been staging regular sit-ins in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, and other locations since August 16 to protest the levy. Rehman warned that if the levy was not withdrawn, the party would march towards Islamabad on September 20, creating "obstacles" for the government.
Written for “JI Rejects Petroleum Package” on 2026-09-14,
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Leaning score -0.50 for article 9068 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-14
Rejecting the Prime Minister’s recent petroleum relief package as insufficient, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday yet again demanded the complete abolition of the petroleum levy.
asserted
Rehman → reject → levy
On Sunday, PM Shehbaz announced a “relief scheme” for users of motorcycles, autos and vehicles of up to 800cc to “alleviate the burden” of rising global oil prices.
asserted
Shehbaz → announce → prices
The JI chief’s remarks come as the party remains engaged in talks with the government over the petroleum levy.
asserted
party → come → levy
JI has been staging regular sit-ins in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and dozens of other locations across the country since August 16 to protest the levy.
asserted
JI → stag → levy
Last week, the JI chief had warned the government that the ongoing protest would march towards Islamabad on September 20 if the levy was not withdrawn.
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levy → warn → September
As the party’s protest entered its 30th day, Rehman, addressing a press conference in Lahore, rejected the fuel relief scheme, terming it insufficient, according to a statement issued by the party.
uncertain
it → enter → party
The JI chief warned the government of creating “obstacles” party’s upcoming march in Islamabad.
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chief → warn → Islamabad
As per the statement, he warned that “authorities would be held fully responsible for any consequences if undemocratic tactics were used to block the movement”.
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tactics → warn → movement
“Sit-ins are currently underway at 40 locations across the country,” the JI chief was quoted as saying, adding that announcing the protesters would converge in Islambad on Sept 20.
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protesters → quote → Sept
Rehman claimed that a three per cent reduction in the interest rate could save the national treasury around Rs1.7 trillion; enough, he argued, to completely eliminate the petroleum levy, which he said currently collects more than Rs1.56tr annually from the public.
uncertain
he → claim → public
He also accused the government of protecting the profits of the banking sector under the guise of controlling inflation, the statement said.
asserted
statement → accuse → inflation
“The federal government could save hundreds of billions of rupees by implementing proposals submitted by the JI’s committee,” Rehman was quoted as saying.
uncertain
Rehman → save → committee
The chief also rejected “government’s excuse regarding the autonomy of the State Bank of Pakistan” and that his party had opposed the autonomy.
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party → reject → autonomy
As per the statement, Rehman took note of the government’s authority to appoint people and urged it to ensure “complete elimination of usury”.
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Rehman → take → usury
He also went on to accuse certain oil refineries of “exploiting pricing differences by combining imported and locally refined oil prices”.
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He → go → prices
The JI chief held that the practice had resulted in “unlawful profits at the public’s expense” and called for an “immediate halt” to it.
He also called for “upgrades to refinery capacities, cuts in official privileges and the termination of unfair independent power producer (IPP) contracts,” the statement said.
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statement → hold → contracts
Rehman also confirmed that government-JI talks would resume on Sept 15 (Tuesday).
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talks → confirm → Sept
“The ongoing sit-ins in Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi have been ongoing for 30 days and continue to receive strong support from opposition parties and the general public,” he was quoted as saying.
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he → continue → parties
So far, two rounds of talks have been held between the government and JI, with the third round scheduled for tomorrow.
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round → hold → tomorrow
In the first round held on September 7, JI submitted six key proposals to the government committee.
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JI → hold → committee
The government levies Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.
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government → levy → diesel
