'Enough is enough': Jamaat-i-Islami announces 510 nationwide sit-ins against the petroleum levy

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Thursday announced nationwide peaceful sit-ins at 510 locations on Friday to protest the petroleum levy, warning that any attempt to stop the demonstrations would escalate the campaign into an anti-government movement.

Speaking at a rally organised by the JI Women’s Wing on Lahore’s Wahdat Road against rising fuel prices and inflation, Rehman said key roads connecting districts across the country would be blocked from 4pm, while ambulances would be allowed to pass without disruption.

He demanded that the government reduce the price of petrol to Rs225 per litre and cautioned that interference with the planned protests would intensify public opposition against the government.

The rally was also addressed by JI Lahore Emir Advocate Ziauddin Ansari, Women’s Wing President Dr Humaira Tariq, Samiha Raheel Qazi, Samina Saeed and Uzma Imran.

Rehman urged the government to address public concerns, saying it would be responsible for the consequences if it ignored the demands. He described the petroleum levy as an unfair burden on citizens, claiming the government collects Rs125 in taxes on every litre of petrol while continuing what he called excessive spending on luxury aircraft and official vehicles.

He argued that fuel prices were increased by citing international market conditions during regional conflicts but were not lowered despite a decline in global crude oil prices to around $74 per barrel.

The JI chief further alleged that the government had collected nearly Rs8 trillion through the petroleum levy without investing in oil refineries or petroleum infrastructure. He maintained that eliminating the levy would help revive the economy.

Criticising the ruling coalition, Rehman said it was out of touch with the financial struggles of ordinary people. He claimed soaring inflation had made it increasingly difficult for families to meet daily expenses, with some women reportedly selling their jewellery to support their households.

He also criticised the country's education system, bureaucracy and restrictions on public dissent, arguing that governance had become ineffective. In addition, he accused the government of following IMF policies by imposing additional taxes and approving what he described as an anti-people budget while neglecting proposals to reduce state spending.

Reaffirming that Friday’s demonstrations would remain peaceful, Rehman called on people from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to participate. He particularly encouraged young people to join the protests with their motorcycles, saying major highways would be blocked peacefully to press the government into withdrawing the petroleum levy.