JI vows 'not to abandon' long march plans, but will wait for meeting with PM Shehbaz

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday said that while the party would not back off from its protest against the petroleum levy, it would wait for a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before proceeding with a long march to Islamabad.

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 back off from our long march. [But] we just want to give them the chance — as the prime minister has gotten involved for the first time — so we will meet them, listen to what they have to say and also voice our stance.”

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.

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