Shahbaz Sharif contacts Hafiz Naeem, requests to postpone march, Jamaat-e-Islami chief refuses

According to sources, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif contacted Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman in Multan telephonically after reaching New York in night between Monday and Tuesday.

Prime Minister requested Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman that Jamaat-e-Islami postpone its march for few days.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that government has announced relief package for people while as soon as he returns home he will meet Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman and announce better relief package for people.

On other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman clarified in conversation with Prime Minister that announced relief package is not acceptable in any case, Jamaat-e-Islami will continue its struggle and will not withdraw from protest till end of petroleum levy.

Jamaat-e-Islami has already announced protest march on demand of ending petroleum levy.

Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman told Prime Minister that Jamaat-e-Islami has been protesting against petroleum levy for last one and a half months and will not back down from its demand on this matter.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief said that decision regarding giving few days break in long march on Prime Minister's request will be taken after consultation with party leadership.

According to Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami leadership will hold consultation on Tuesday morning, after which future course of action will be announced.

It is clear that Jamaat-e-Islami has started protest march from Karachi to Islamabad on demand of ending petroleum levy and providing relief to people.

March departed from Karachi by train on September 20 and was scheduled to reach Multan on Monday from where next phase of protest was to begin.

Fuel relief scheme announced by government to reduce effects of rising petroleum product prices includes financial relief of Rs 500 per week for motorcycles and three-wheelers while for vehicles up to 800cc as per specific period.