JI postpones long march until first week of October

He said sit-ins were continuing in 42 cities and that the party had already asked the government in writing to withdraw the levy, but received a negative response.

The JI chief said several meetings had been held with the government and the party had also launched a train march from Karachi to Rohri and onward to Multan as part of its campaign over public issues.

Hafiz Naeem said rising petroleum prices had created a difficult situation across the country, adding that the government’s relief package would benefit the government rather than address the concerns raised by the JI., the prime minister had requested that the long march be postponed. He said the party would not withdraw from its protest movement and that sit-ins would continue.

“We will not stop,” Hafiz Naeem said, adding that the long march had been deferred until the first week of October. He said the JI would seek written assurances from the government and would hold further talks with the prime minister after his return to the country.

Hafiz Naeem said the party’s agenda was not confrontation or disorder but relief for the people. He warned that if the government failed to provide relief, the long march would resume. “Our Multan sit-in will continue,” he said, adding that the party would meet and negotiate with the government but would not abandon its long march.