Speaking at a press conference in the federal capital on Friday, Rehman said participants would begin travelling towards Islamabad from all four directions from September 20.
He said the JI would not block roads during the protest and had asked the government for permission to hold the demonstration.
“We are coming to get relief, not to lay hands on anyone,” he said.
Rehman said the party’s main demand was the abolition of the petroleum levy, arguing that major political parties were not adequately addressing the problems faced by ordinary Pakistanis.
He said the government had agreed to several demands during previous negotiations but had failed to implement them.
The JI chief’s remarks came days after the party rejected the government’s special fuel relief scheme, saying the package could not replace the abolition of the petroleum levy.
Under the government’s scheme, motorcyclists, rickshaw and chingchi users and drivers of vehicles with engines up to 800cc are eligible for a Rs100 per litre petrol discount.
Motorcycle, rickshaw and other two- and three-wheeler users can receive the discount on up to 20 litres of petrol a month, while owners of vehicles up to 800cc can receive it on up to 30 litres.
Rehman criticised the scheme, saying it had been announced without adequate planning and describing the relief as insufficient.
He argued that reducing the petroleum levy could provide relief to a wider section of the population. He also criticised the absence of a similar relief measure for diesel, which he described as important for economic activity.
The JI chief said the government’s approach was to provide relief to people as charity rather than as a right.
He also said the party was in contact with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and had supported its protests, while PTI supporters had backed the JI’s planned march.
“If the government has any mechanism to provide relief, let us talk today,” he said.
Addressing candidates appearing for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), Rehman said the JI wanted the examination to proceed and assured candidates that the party’s protest would not obstruct the test.
