Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has declared plans for coordinated sit-ins outside major government offices in all four provinces on August 16. The protests aim to oppose the high petroleum levy, rising electricity charges, and alleged corruption within government institutions.
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Rehman accused the government of exploiting the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) as a cover for corruption. He argued that petrol prices should be reduced to approximately Rs225 per litre. Despite the easing of global oil market pressures following the recent US-Iran conflict, the government has not lowered fuel prices, he added.
Rehman highlighted the burden of inflated petrol costs on the public, stating the government has amassed significant revenue through the PDL. He demanded transparency regarding the funds collected via petroleum levies, asserting that the government is concealing corruption behind these charges.
The upcoming protests will take place outside the Chief Minister’s House in Punjab, while sit-ins in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be held outside the respective Governor Houses. The venue for the Balochistan demonstration was not disclosed.
Calling on all political parties to participate, Rehman emphasized that the protests aim to spotlight public grievances rather than serve narrow political agendas. Defending the decision to stage demonstrations on major roads, he rejected criticism that such actions inconvenience citizens. “Protests happen on roads, not in homes,” he said, urging people to demand their rights publicly.
He described the August 7 protest, which involved blocking key highways, as historic and noted that ambulances were not impeded during the demonstrations. Rehman reiterated the demand for petrol price reductions and consumer relief, questioning why prices remain high despite the end of wartime pressures.
Rehman also criticized the government’s reliance on the PDL as a major revenue source without easing the burden on ordinary consumers. He linked persistent high fuel prices to increased transport costs, household expenses, and inflation of goods and services.
In a significant allegation, Rehman accused Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials of corruption amounting to Rs1.3 trillion. He condemned the taxation of individuals without adequate income as unjust and criticized other political parties for their silence on taxpayer exploitation. JI intends to continue raising these concerns through public protests.
The JI chief further condemned the government’s management of the power sector, alleging widespread incompetence and corruption. He claimed the country incurs higher costs when electricity is not produced than when it is, calling for action against the so-called “Independent Power Producers mafia.” He urged citizens to mobilize against this group and pledged to maintain the campaign focusing on electricity and petroleum prices.
Turning to regional matters, Rehman welcomed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, viewing it as a crucial step for Muslim-majority nations. He advocated for including Iran and others to build a strong defense network under this framework.
Regarding security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rehman stressed that both provincial and federal governments share responsibility for maintaining peace. He warned that internal instability could enable external conspiracies and called for addressing domestic challenges to prevent such interference.
On political alliances, Rehman noted ongoing communication between JI and Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aain but expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of past coalitions. He suggested political parties should organize protests independently while coordinating on shared public concerns, allowing collaboration without formal electoral alliances.
Commenting on the feud between Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, he acknowledged the validity of their mutual accusations. Responding to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks on systemic failure, Rehman insisted that such admissions must lead to comprehensive reviews and reforms.
On administrative reforms, he emphasized adherence to constitutional provisions for creating new units, warning that bypassing legal frameworks could cause mistrust and uncertainty.
Rehman concluded by reaffirming JI’s commitment to addressing issues affecting ordinary citizens, including fuel and electricity prices, taxation, and corruption. The August 16 sit-ins are positioned as a key phase in JI’s ongoing protest campaign, with Rehman urging broad participation to pressure the government into tackling escalating living costs and governance failures.
