KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has discussed the impact of the party’s protests over rising fuel and electricity costs. He made the remarks during a news conference in Karachi.

Hafiz Naeem claimed petrol prices could have reached Rs500 or Rs600 without JI’s protest campaign. He credited the party’s demonstrations with putting pressure on the government.

According to Hafiz Naeem, JI organised sit-ins across 42 cities. He said the protests brought the government to the negotiating table. He also claimed that relief announced by officials is reaching millions of people.

The JI leader said government officials had estimated that around 5.9 million to 6 million people would benefit. He presented the figure while discussing the outcome of negotiations with the government.

The party had launched protests against rising petroleum and electricity costs. Its campaign included demonstrations and sit-ins in different parts of the country.

Hafiz Naeem said the party’s long march was temporarily paused after talks with the government. He said the prime minister had given assurances about negotiations and relief measures.

The JI emir said the pause in the long march did not mean the protest movement had ended. He stated that demonstrations were continuing in different parts of Pakistan.

The party is seeking lower petrol prices as part of its demands. It is also calling for reductions in electricity prices and relief for consumers.

Hafiz Naeem said the protests were aimed at addressing the financial burden faced by ordinary citizens. He maintained that high fuel and electricity costs were affecting households and businesses.

The JI has continued to press the government over energy prices. The party has also raised concerns about taxes and other costs affecting consumers.

The government and JI have held discussions over the party’s demands. The talks followed the protests and sit-ins organised by the religious political party.

According to Hafiz Naeem, the government’s response included commitments to provide relief. He said the party would continue monitoring the implementation of those commitments.

The JI leadership has previously said it would resume stronger action if its demands were not addressed. The latest comments indicate that the party intends to maintain pressure on the government.

The exact impact of the announced relief will depend on its implementation. The number of beneficiaries cited by government officials was also mentioned by Hafiz Naeem during his press conference.

The JI’s campaign has focused heavily on petroleum and electricity prices. These issues have remained important concerns for consumers facing higher household expenses.

Hafiz Naeem said the party’s actions had produced results through negotiations. However, the government and JI may have different views on the scope and impact of the relief measures.

In other news read more about If The PM Provides Relief, That’s Fine; Otherwise, We Will Continue The Long March

For now, the party has paused its long march while continuing protests in various areas. Its demands for lower petrol and electricity prices remain central to the campaign.