Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced plans to hold peaceful sit-ins at 510 locations across Pakistan on Friday against the petroleum levy. The party also warned that the campaign could expand into a broader anti-government movement if authorities attempt to stop the demonstrations.
JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman made the announcement while addressing a protest rally organized by the party’s Women’s Wing on Lahore’s Wahdat Road. The gathering focused on rising fuel costs and inflation, which the party said have placed increasing financial pressure on ordinary citizens.
Sit-Ins Planned Across Pakistan
According to Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, major roads connecting districts across the country will witness peaceful sit-ins from 4:00pm onwards. However, he clarified that ambulances and emergency vehicles would be allowed to pass without interruption.
He warned that any attempt to block the demonstrations could trigger a wider political movement.
“If obstacles are created or our peaceful protest against the petroleum levy is blocked, this campaign will turn into an anti-government movement,” he said.
The JI chief also demanded that the government reduce the petrol price to Rs225 per litre.
Party Leaders Address Gathering
Several senior party leaders also addressed the rally. They included JI Lahore Emir Advocate Ziauddin Ansari, Women’s Wing President Dr Humaira Tariq, Samiha Raheel Qazi, Samina Saeed, and Uzma Imran.
The speakers urged the government to respond to public concerns over inflation and fuel prices.
Criticism of Petroleum Levy
During his speech, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman described the petroleum levy as “extortion” rather than a tax. He claimed the government collects Rs125 in taxes on every litre of petrol while continuing what he called unnecessary spending on luxury aircraft and expensive official vehicles.
“Enough is enough,” he declared.
He further argued that fuel prices were increased by citing global market uncertainty during regional conflicts. However, he claimed consumers did not receive similar relief after international crude oil prices fell to around $74 per barrel.
Claims Regarding Government Revenue
The JI chief alleged that the government had collected nearly Rs8 trillion through the petroleum levy. According to him, the revenue had not been invested in improving oil refineries or petroleum infrastructure.
“The economy can recover if the government abolishes the petroleum levy,” Rehman asserted.
He also urged authorities to reduce public financial burdens instead of relying on additional taxation.
Concerns Over Inflation and Governance
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman argued that the ruling coalition remains disconnected from the economic hardships faced by ordinary families.
He said many women are struggling to manage household expenses due to persistent inflation. According to him, some families have even been forced to sell personal jewellery to meet daily needs.
He also criticized unequal educational opportunities, bureaucratic inefficiency, and restrictions on public dissent. He maintained that governance challenges continue to affect citizens across the country.
Remarks on IMF and Budget Policies
The JI chief also criticized the government’s economic approach. He claimed the administration had become overly dependent on the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to him, the government continues imposing additional taxes while approving what he described as an anti-people budget. He also alleged that recommendations aimed at reducing state expenditures have largely been ignored.
Call for Peaceful Participation
Concluding his address, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman appealed to people from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to participate peacefully in Friday’s demonstrations.
“I urged young people to bring their motorcycles onto the roads and join the sit-ins,” he said.
He added that the planned protests would remain peaceful while aiming to pressure the government to withdraw the petroleum levy.
