LAHORE, September 13: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Sunday announced his party’s support for Jamaat-e-Islami’s ongoing sit-ins against the petroleum levy and inflation, and said PTI would formally invite Jamaat-e-Islami to join its planned long march.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, Barrister Gohar welcomed Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman’s remarks on the release of PTI founder Imran Khan and said the two parties shared concerns over rising living costs and the need for public relief.
He said PTI supported Jamaat-e-Islami’s protest campaign against the petroleum levy and inflation and would continue to back measures aimed at easing pressure on consumers.
PTI to Invite Jamaat-e-Islami to Long March
Barrister Gohar said he would formally invite Hafiz Naeem and Jamaat-e-Islami to join PTI’s long march, describing the protest as part of a wider campaign for what the party calls justice and political rights.
His remarks signal an effort by PTI to broaden opposition coordination at a time when multiple parties are mobilising around inflation, fuel costs and political demands.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s nationwide protest campaign entered its 29th day on Sunday, with sit-ins and protest camps continuing in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Haripur, Swat and several other cities.
The party is also preparing for an Islamabad long march scheduled for September 20.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said the party will continue its sit-ins and protest campaign until what it describes as meaningful relief is provided to the public.
He has also criticised delays in government negotiations and said protests would expand if talks failed to produce results.
Reacting to the prime minister’s announcement of Rs100 per litre petrol relief for motorcycles, rickshaws and small cars, Hafiz Naeem claimed the measure was the result of Jamaat-e-Islami’s campaign against the petroleum levy.
Jamaat-e-Islami says its protest camps are continuing at dozens of locations across the country as preparations intensify for the planned march on Islamabad.