ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (Alliance News): Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Sunday staged sit-ins and demonstrations in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta against the petroleum levy, rising fuel prices, higher taxes and growing inflation, demanding immediate relief for the public.
The protests marked the latest phase of JI’s nationwide campaign against the rising cost of living, following demonstrations and sit-ins held at hundreds of locations across the country earlier this month.
In Lahore, JI workers staged a sit-in at Faisal Chowk on Mall Road after marching along the major thoroughfare. Punjab JI chief Javed Qasuri and other party leaders participated in the protest, while JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also addressed the demonstrators.
Speaking to protesters, Hafiz Naeem criticised the government’s petroleum pricing and taxation policies, arguing that ordinary citizens were being forced to bear an increasing financial burden.
He strongly opposed the petroleum levy, describing it as an “extortion tax” and “jagga tax” and demanded that the government reduce the price of petrol to Rs225 per litre.
“Bring the price of petrol down to Rs225,” the JI emir demanded.
He also questioned the distribution of the tax burden among different sections of society, particularly criticising what he described as the privileges enjoyed by wealthy and influential groups.
Hafiz Naeem said the salaried class had contributed around Rs700 billion in taxes, arguing that the burden of taxation should be distributed more fairly.
He also criticised the feudal system and alleged that landlords were exploiting poor farmers while ordinary citizens continued to struggle with inflation and rising household expenses.
In Karachi, JI workers marched from different parts of the city towards the Governor House, where they staged a sit-in against the petroleum levy and rising fuel prices.
The demonstration was led by JI Karachi chief Munim Zafar. Police were deployed around the Governor House as protesters gathered in the area.
Authorities said the road from Fawara Chowk towards the Press Club and Arts Council remained open to traffic despite the demonstration.
In Peshawar, JI workers staged a sit-in outside the Governor House, resulting in the closure of the road connecting Saddar with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Chowk.
JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch was scheduled to address the protesters as party workers demanded relief from rising fuel prices and inflation.
A simultaneous protest was also organised in Quetta, making the demonstrations a four-province campaign.
The party had earlier announced plans to hold protests outside the Punjab Chief Minister’s House and the governor houses in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Addressing a press conference in Peshawar on August 8, Hafiz Naeem had criticised the federal government for relying on the petroleum levy as a source of revenue while transferring the financial burden to consumers.
JI has demanded a reduction in petroleum prices, an end to what it describes as excessive taxation and greater relief for low- and middle-income households.
The party has also criticised government spending and what it considers excessive privileges available to the ruling elite, arguing that national resources should be used to provide relief to ordinary citizens.
The latest protests come amid continuing public concern over the cost of fuel, electricity, food and other essential commodities.
JI leaders said their campaign would continue until the government responds to their demands and introduces measures to reduce the cost-of-living burden on the public.
The party has vowed to expand its protests if the government fails to provide what it considers meaningful economic relief.
The demonstrations also highlight the growing political pressure on the government over inflation and fuel prices, with opposition and religious-political parties seeking to mobilise public sentiment around economic hardship.