DNA
KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday said his party was postponing its long march to Islamabad against the petroleum levy at the request of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif until a meeting was held with the latter.
Rehman, along with other party leaders, announced the decision during a press conference in Multan, where his caravan arrived on Monday night as part of the long march JI had launched the day before.
The decision comes after a phone call between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the JI chief, in which the premier urged the latter to “postpone the sit-in”, according to the PM Office (PMO).
Both leaders agreed to meet after PM Shehbaz returned from his official visit to the United States, and to “continue further consultation on this matter”, the statement said.
Addressing media in Multan, Rehman recalled that he received the prime minister’s phone call last night and sought time to consult his party leaders on the request to postpone the march.
Announcing JI’s plan of action after “very lengthy” party consultations, Rehman said: “We will not step back from our protests. We will not step back from our long march either.
“However, we just want to give a chance to the government, as the prime minister has gotten involved for the first time. So, we will meet them, listen to what they have to say and present our arguments. We are a sensible party.”
The JI chief added, “If that day he tells us that he is giving the relief, then [good], but if relief is not given then we have the first week of October […] we will continue this long march in the same manner (as before).”
“Our workers will remain on the ground,” Rehman declared.
