Jamaat-e-Islami Announces Sit-Ins Across Four Provinces From August 16

Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a new phase of protests with simultaneous sit-ins in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan from August 16, to bring any government action on fuel prices and petroleum levy concerns.

An exceptional summit directed by JI chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman go over the continuing protest movement and confirmed the party’s future strategy.

The earlier sit-in schedule for August 9 has been moved to August 16, as the party adjusted its protest plan due to Independence Day celebrations.

Addressing the meeting, Hafiz Naeem announced that large-scale sit-ins would be organised simultaneously in different provinces. He said a major protest would be held outside the Chief Minister’s House in Lahore, while similar demonstrations would take place outside the Governor Houses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan.

“The rulers will have to stop oppression and anti-public decisions. They will be forced to review their policies through peaceful sit-ins,” Hafiz Naeem said.

The JI chief also referred to the party’s previous protest campaign held on August 7, saying demonstrations were organised at 510 locations across Pakistan. He stated that supporters participated in peaceful sit-ins at 510 locations nationwide, with special arrangements made to allow ambulances and other emergency vehicles to pass.

The demonstrations were prepared in contradiction of increasing price rises, fuel prices and the petroleum levy. Jamaat-e-Islami commanded that petrol prices be reduced to Rs225 per litre and called for the withdrawal of the Rs125 per litre petroleum levy.

The party also emphasized the contribution of women in the protests, mainly a demonstration by Halqa Khawateen on Wahdat Road in Lahore. According to JI, the protests signified the distresses of inflation-affected families fraught with growing household outlays.

However, despite the demonstrations, the government did not announce any relief measures or changes in fuel prices. Jamaat-e-Islami criticised the lack of response and decided to continue its protest movement through larger sit-ins.

Hafiz Naeem also said the party has repeatedly raised concerns over agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and demanded that the government take decisions in the public interest.

During the meeting, the JI chief also commented on foreign policy matters and welcomed the defence agreement between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. He said the agreement could help reduce dependence on external powers and suggested that other Muslim countries, including Qatar, Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia and Indonesia, should also become part of the initiative.

He added that wider participation of Islamic countries could help create a stronger regional partnership. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami said it would continue its campaign until its demands regarding fuel prices and public relief are addressed.