Cemaat-i İslami'den hükümete: Akaryakıtta indirim, İran boru hattı tamamlansın

JI demands cut in fuel prices, work on Pak-Iran gas pipeline

LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Isl­ami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday cal­led for immediate reductions in petrol prices and the swift completion of the long-delayed Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, saying Pakistan should pass on any international economic relief to the public. In a video message issu­­ed from Mansoorah and a statement shared on social media, Rehman urged the government to reduce fuel costs in line with falling international prices, initiate free trade with Iran, and expedite the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project to address the country’s energy shortages. Rehman said with ex-refinery prices potentially falling to around Rs200 per litre, “a subs­t­a­n­­tial reduction in do­­m­es­tic petroleum prices was en­­tirely feasible” and cal­­led for a review of what he des­cribed as burdensome me­­asures such as the pet­r­o­l­e­­um levy. He also said red­uctions in electricity and gas tariffs could significantly stimulate economic activity within a year. The JI chief described the truce and agreement between Iran and the United States as a “landm­ark victory for Iran”, saying the development demonstrated that no global power can impose its age­nda on a nation that rem­ains resilient and united. He said the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and normalisation of regional conditions sent a clear message that a united nation can withstand major challenges. He added that the reso­l­­ve of Iran’s leadership and people showed that when a government and its citizens stand together with patience and steadfastness, even the world’s most powerful states are compelled to alter their positions. Rehman observed that while the US and Isra­­el had made sweeping cla­ims about dismantling Iran’s political system, nuclear programme, missile capabilities, and military stre­n­­gth, the conflict conclu­ded under different circu­ms­ta­nces, ultimately centring on the Strait of Hormuz. He described the outcome as a strategic success for Iran and congratulated its leadership and people. He said Pakistan must draw lessons from regional developments. While ack­nowledging Islam­abad’s role in mediation efforts, he said diplomatic gains abroad could not be fully utilised without strengthening national unity and harmony at home. Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2026