JI Launches Third Phase of Petroleum Levy Protests Across Pakistan

Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan launched the third phase of its campaign against the petroleum levy on Friday, holding sit-ins, rallies and demonstrations across districts nationwide, with thousands of people participating to demand an end to an unjust tax burden on consumers.

The protests, held on the appeal of JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, drew party workers and people from different walks of life in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Islamabad, Quetta and numerous other cities. Demonstrators chanted slogans against inflation and demanded that the government abolish the petroleum levy.

In Lahore, protesters gathered outside the Press Club, where JI Lahore Emir Ziauddin Ansari addressed the participants. Karachi witnessed a major demonstration led by district emir Muneem Zafar, while protests and sit-ins were also organised in several parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Speakers said the campaign extended across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, reflecting the JI’s efforts to mobilise public opposition to fuel-related taxes.

In Punjab, demonstrations and sit-ins were held in Bahawalpur, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Multan, Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Jaranwala, Sahiwal, Attock, Taxila and several other districts. JI's leadership participated in protests in Bahawalpur, Gujrat, Multan and Faisalabad. Protesters also gathered in Khushab, Chishtian, Vehari, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan.

In Sindh, major demonstrations took place in Larkana and Badin, while rallies and sit-ins were organised in Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kandhkot, Tando Allahyar, Dadu, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Mirpurkhas, Jamshoro, Tharparkar, Thatta and Sukkur. Party leaders addressed protesters and called for the withdrawal of the levy.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, demonstrations were held in Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Charsadda, Khyber and Upper Dir, among other areas. Protesters gathered outside press clubs and at major intersections, demanding relief from rising living costs. Sit-ins and rallies were led by local and provincial JI leaders.

Protests were also reported in Naseerabad, Balochistan, where district leaders organised a sit-in against the petroleum levy.

The latest demonstrations mark the third phase of JI's campaign for relief from petroleum taxes. The JI has previously organised sit-ins, protests and a train march from Karachi to Multan as part of its pressure campaign.

JI leaders said the petroleum levy and other fuel-related taxes are adding to the financial hardships of ordinary citizens. They urged the government to reduce the burden on consumers and provide meaningful relief amid persistent inflation.

They vowed to continue its campaign unless the government takes concrete steps to address its demands.