LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has announced nationwide protests against the petroleum levy and rising inflation. The party plans peaceful sit-ins and road closures at 510 locations across the country today, August 7.
The protests will begin at 4 p.m. in major cities. According to the JI chief, roads will remain closed during demonstrations, while authorities will allow ambulances to pass. Hafiz Naeem also demanded a reduction in petrol prices to Rs. 225 per litre. He said the government must address growing financial pressure on ordinary citizens.
JI Demands Relief From Petroleum Levy
Addressing a demonstration organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Halqa Khawateen on Lahore’s Wahdat Road, Hafiz Naeem criticised the government’s petroleum pricing policy.
He described the petroleum levy as an “extortion” and said citizens were facing severe financial difficulties.
“A poor person is being charged Rs. 125 tax on a single litre of petrol,” he said.
The JI chief also questioned the continued high petrol prices after regional tensions eased. He argued that authorities had increased prices during the war situation by citing international market conditions.
“Even when crude reached $74 per barrel after the war ended, petroleum prices in Pakistan were not brought back to the old level,” he said.
Hafiz Naeem Warns Government
Hafiz Naeem warned that the protests could expand if authorities attempted to stop the demonstrations.
“If obstacles are created, this protest against the levy will be turned into a movement to bring down the government,” he warned, adding that the government will have to fulfill the demands of the people and if the rulers do not take heed, the entire responsibility for the situation will fall on them.
He also criticised those in power and blamed inflation for worsening household hardships.
“Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said that the “Form-47 rulers sitting in power have the looted wealth of the nation and cannot understand the pain and suffering of the people.”
He said many households now struggle to manage daily expenses. He particularly highlighted difficulties faced by women in running their kitchens. According to him, some women have even been forced to sell jewellery to meet household costs. The planned protests reflect JI’s growing pressure on the government over petrol prices and inflation.
