JI to Block Roads at 510 Locations in Nationwide Protest Today

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has announced nationwide sit-ins against the petroleum levy. The party plans to hold protests at 510 locations across Pakistan, with key inter-district roads to be blocked from 4pm on Friday.

Speaking at a women’s wing rally in Lahore, Rehman said the protests would remain peaceful and that ambulances would be allowed to pass without any interruption. However, he warned that if the government tried to stop the demonstrations, the campaign could become an anti-government movement. He said, “If obstacles are created or our peaceful protest against the petroleum levy is blocked, this campaign will turn into an anti-government movement.”

Rehman demanded that the price of petrol be reduced to Rs225 per litre. He described the petroleum levy as “extortion” instead of a fair tax and claimed the government collects Rs125 in taxes on every litre of petrol.

He also alleged that the government had collected Rs8 trillion through the petroleum levy over the years but had not spent the money on improving refineries or petroleum infrastructure. He said fuel prices had increased because of regional tensions but had not been reduced even though global crude oil prices had fallen to $74 per barrel.

The JI chief said the government would be responsible if it failed to address the public’s demands. He argued that removing the petroleum levy would help the economy and accused the ruling coalition of ignoring the problems faced by ordinary people.

Rehman said rising inflation had made it difficult for many families, especially women, to manage household expenses. He claimed some families were even selling their jewellery to meet daily needs.

He also criticised the education system, government departments, and restrictions on public protests. He accused the government of following IMF policies and introducing what he called an “anti-people” budget instead of reducing its own spending.

Rehman urged people from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to join the sit-ins. He also encouraged young people to take part in the protests on motorcycles.