Pakistan, Aug. 22 -- Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has warned of a strike if the government ignores public demands. He made the statement while addressing a sit-in against petroleum levy and inflation. The party has organized protests in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. Naeem said the demonstrations would continue until authorities address public concerns. He also criticized the government's position on the petroleum levy.

Naeem said government ministers claim they cannot remove the petroleum levy. However, he said his party cannot end its sit-in either. He warned that Jamaat-i-Islami would continue its campaign against rising costs. He also said the party would soon announce a strike call. The warning could increase pressure ...