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Jamaat-e-Islami rejects PM’s petrol relief package

Jamaat-e-Islami

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch has rejected the prime minister’s Rs100-per-liter petrol relief package, saying it cannot be a substitute for abolishing the petroleum levy.

Speaking to reporters after the third round of talks between the government and JI in Islamabad, Baloch said technical discussions were held on independent power producers (IPPs) and the petroleum levy.

He said Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Energy Minister Awais Leghari briefed the JI delegation during the talks.

Baloch said the JI had rejected the prime minister’s petrol relief package and made it clear that the petroleum levy should be abolished.

“If the levy is abolished, consumers can get relief of Rs103 per liter on petrol,” he said.

He described the prime minister’s relief measure as a “deception” and said the government had been told to convey to the prime minister that the JI’s march toward Islamabad would go ahead.

Regarding IPPs, Baloch said Leghari had presented the government’s complete position and acknowledged that issues involving 54 IPPs had been finalized following the JI’s previous protests.

The JI has been holding sit-ins in various cities against inflation and the petroleum levy. The party has also announced a long march toward Islamabad on Sept. 20.

JI announces Islamabad long march for Sep 20

JI announces

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Friday announced a long march toward Islamabad on Sept. 20 against inflation, rising petroleum prices and the petroleum levy.

Addressing a Jamaat-e-Islami protest gathering in Gujranwala, Rehman said the party had decided to turn its ongoing protests and sit-ins into a long march after talks with the government failed.

He said the Sept. 20 march would be “historic” and urged people across the country to participate.

“The government must abolish the petroleum levy and cut its own expenditures,” Rehman said, adding that the government could not claim it had no resources while imposing additional burdens on citizens.

He warned that if the levy was not withdrawn, his party would launch a movement seeking the government’s removal.

Rehman also criticized government spending and questioned the use of expensive official aircraft, saying ordinary citizens were struggling with rising costs while those in power enjoyed privileges.

“Listen, Shehbaz Sharif, and listen to the public’s anger,” he said, warning the prime minister over the growing public discontent.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said the government’s economic policies had opened the way for corruption and called for an end to what he described as excessive taxes and expenditures.

Meanwhile, heavy rain and strong winds disrupted the party’s ongoing sit-in in Rawalpindi, damaging the screen system at Liaquat Bagh. Participants listened to Rehman’s address through an audio system as water accumulated along the road near Liaquat Bagh Chowk.

Rehman also said he would lead the Rawalpindi-Islamabad march scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, as part of the party’s ongoing protest campaign.

Government, Jamaat-e-Islami to hold talks on Sept 7

Government

LAHORE: The federal government and Jamaat-e-Islami will hold talks on Sept. 7 on issues including the petroleum levy and measures to provide relief to the public, the party said Friday.

Jamaat-e-Islami Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the party’s negotiating committees will meet in Islamabad on Monday to discuss ways to address issues faced by the public.

Baloch said Inayatullah Khan, Farasat Ali Shah, Ziauddin Ansari, Nasrullah Randhawa and Naveed Ali Baig will represent Jamaat-e-Islami in the talks.

He said the government’s seriousness and the pace of negotiations would be crucial to resolving the issues. Baloch added that it would now depend on the government how seriously it approaches the talks and how quickly it moves toward a solution.

Baloch said Jamaat-e-Islami’s sit-ins, protests and public gatherings would continue across the country. He said the demonstrations were aimed at highlighting and resolving problems faced by the public.

He added that the party would seek relief for citizens and solutions to their problems through negotiations with the government.

Jamaat-e-Islami calls nationwide strike over petroleum levy and inflation

Jamaat-e-Islami

KARACHI:  Markets and shops remained closed in several cities across Pakistan on Thursday after Jamaat-e-Islami called for a nationwide strike to protest the petroleum levy and rising inflation.

In Karachi, many shops in Federal B Area, Water Pump, Liaquatabad and Teen Hatti were closed. Tensions were reported on Lahore’s Mall Road, where Jamaat-e-Islami workers and members of the business community exchanged heated words and were involved in a scuffle.

Commercial centers in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas, however, remained open. Business activity continued in Raja Bazaar, Murree Road, Commercial Market and Tench Bhatta.

A shutter-down strike was reported in Badin, Shikarpur, Tando Muhammad Khan, Makli, Gharo and Mirpur Sakro. Markets in Batkhela, Dargai, Sakhakot and Thana Baizai in Malakand were also closed, while shops in Charsadda’s Tehsil Bazaar observed a partial shutdown.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the party would announce its next course of action after the strike. He added that a government committee was scheduled to meet Jamaat-e-Islami leaders at Mansoorah on Thursday.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami accepts election results

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami

Dhaka: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has accepted the results of the 13th national parliamentary elections and announced its commitment to act as a responsible opposition party.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated on social media that the party respects the rule of law and is dedicated to a stable and effective democratic system.

Dr. Rahman expressed gratitude to party volunteers and supporters, noting that while some may feel disappointed, their efforts were not in vain. “Winning 77 seats has nearly quadrupled our parliamentary presence and strengthened us as a robust opposition. This is not a defeat but a foundation,” he said.

He emphasized that political fortunes can change, citing the example of the Bangladesh National Party, which held only 30 seats in 2008 but returned to power 18 years later. “Democratic politics is a long journey aimed at earning public trust, ensuring accountability, and preparing responsibly for the future,” he added.

Highlighting the party’s approach, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “True leadership is tested not just by participation in elections, but by accepting the people’s decision. Our movement is not for a single election; it is to strengthen democracy, safeguard citizens’ rights, and build a responsible state. Jamaat-e-Islami will work as a principled and peaceful opposition for national progress.”

BNP dominates early Bangladesh election results with 120 seats

BNP dominates

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has surged ahead in the country’s general elections, winning 120 constituencies according to preliminary and unofficial results, positioning itself as the clear frontrunner.

The Jamaat-e-Islami alliance stands in second place with 38 seats as ballot counting continues nationwide. Election authorities confirmed that vote tabulation is still underway, with final results to be announced once counting in all constituencies is completed.

Political analysts say current trends reflect a strong showing by the BNP, placing the party in a pivotal position to lead the formation of the next government. The Election Commission is continuing to release official updates.

Among other parties, the Jatiya Citizen Party, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and the Jatiya Party have each secured one seat, while independent candidates have won two seats so far.

Polling took place across 299 constituencies from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM local time. Of the 129 million registered voters, 44 percent were young voters, underscoring the influential role of youth participation in this election.

BNP leader Tariq Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is widely viewed as a leading candidate for the post of prime minister. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman is also regarded as a key contender.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), led by Zain Zee and aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami, is expected to play a significant role in potential coalition negotiations as the political landscape takes shape.

Bangladesh Polls: BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami head for neck-and-neck contest

Bangladesh Polls

DHAKA: A recent public survey ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12 predicts a close contest between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led alliance and the 11-party coalition led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

According to Bangladeshi media, the survey indicates that the BNP alliance may secure 44.1% of votes, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition could garner 43.9%.

The survey covered 63,115 voters nationwide, including 36,634 men and 26,981 women. About 92% of respondents expressed their intention to vote, 4.4% said they would abstain, and 2.5% were undecided.

Despite the BNP alliance holding a slight overall lead, results suggest that in constituencies where outcomes are nearly certain, the Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition may have an edge.

 The survey forecasts 105 seats for the Jamaat-e-Islami coalition, compared to 101 seats for the BNP alliance.

Additionally, 75 constituencies are expected to witness tight competition between candidates of the two major alliances, while 19 constituencies may see other parties securing victory.

The findings highlight a highly competitive electoral landscape, signaling a potentially nail-biting outcome in Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary elections.