Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, says the government has contacted his party and he expects to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within the next two days.
Speaking to ARY News program Eleventh Hour, Hafiz Naeem said reports that he had already met the prime minister were incorrect.
“No meeting has taken place with the prime minister so far,” he said, adding that he did not know the source of reports suggesting otherwise.
He said Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal had contacted Jamaat-e-Islami’s negotiating committee chief, Liaquat Baloch, and assured him that a meeting with the prime minister was expected soon.
The JI leader also said his party was continuing preparations for a major rally in Charsadda on 9 October.
“We have a complete plan and are present in the field. Our people are also on board,” he said.
He said the party was waiting for a meeting with the prime minister but warned that if the government failed to provide relief, JI would begin a march from Multan
Hafiz Naeem said he wanted the government to consider ending the petroleum levy, arguing that the public should be given relief following the government’s recent engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He claimed that the government was collecting around Rs.150 billion a month in petroleum levy, with Rs.110 billion to Rs.120 billion being collected from lower-income consumers.
