Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) held widespread protests on Friday to denounce inflation, rising fuel prices, the petroleum levy, and taxation policies. Demonstrations, sit-ins, and rallies across various cities led to severe traffic disruptions on key highways and roads.
Speaking to party workers in Lahore, JI chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman declared plans for what he termed “historic” sit-ins outside Governor Houses in all four provinces. He criticized the government for its failure to manage the economic situation effectively, emphasizing that the current system had collapsed. He condemned the recent hikes in petrol prices and taxes, highlighting that the government did not transfer any relief to the public despite the decline in international oil prices.
Hafiz Naeem stated that the party had finalized its protest strategy after thorough consultations. He accused the government of collecting Rs8 trillion through the petroleum levy and alleged attempts to mask corruption and incompetence. The JI leader demanded a reduction of petrol prices to Rs225 per litre, the abolition of the petroleum levy, and a decrease in taxes. He also urged supporters to join a march toward Lahore on August 9, aiming to reach the Chief Minister’s House for a sit-in.
He further reported that several party workers had been detained and called for their immediate release.
In Karachi, JI protests caused significant traffic congestion at multiple points. Traffic police noted heavy pressure on both carriageways between Lasbela Chowk and Numaish Chowrangi, as well as on routes connecting Tibet Centre to Numaish Chowrangi and between Numaish and Shahrah-e-Quaideen. Police personnel were deployed to manage vehicle flow.
JI activists blocked the National Highway in Matiari, halting traffic in both directions and causing long queues on the Karachi-Punjab National Highway. In Tando Allahyar, a protest rally was held from Ghani Khan Park to the Press Club, while in Thatta, a sit-in took place at DC Chowk in Makli following JI’s call.
Shikarpur saw a sit-in on Rustam Road that severely impacted traffic on highways linking Kashmore, Jacobabad, and Sukkur. Additionally, a protest against the petroleum levy and inflation occurred at Hyder Chowk in Hyderabad.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, demonstrations were organized in various locations. Protesters in Abbottabad blocked traffic at Fawara Chowk, targeting taxes on petroleum products. The party also staged protests in Bajaur, disrupting traffic on the main Peshawar-Bajaur highway, while in Peshawar, demonstrators blocked the motorway toll plaza.
Balochistan witnessed protests in several areas, including blockades on the Peshawar-Chaman-Punjab highway at Kuchlak and the road to Jacobabad in Mastung’s Dasht area. Separate demonstrations took place in Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Sohbatpur, and Kachhi against inflation. A sit-in at the main chowk in Nasirabad closed the Sindh-Balochistan National Highway, and in Bela, protesters held a sit-in at Bela Cross on the N-25 National Highway, leading to extensive vehicle queues and traveler inconvenience.
In Islamabad, JI supporters gathered near Golra Mor for a protest march, joined by senior party leader Liaquat Baloch. The march proceeded toward 26 Number Chungi, with Baloch emphasizing the protest’s focus on rising petroleum product prices.
Punjab also saw JI demonstrations, including a protest in Dera Ghazi Khan where Sangam Chowk, a key junction connecting all four provinces, was closed, causing long traffic queues. A sit-in at Pul 47 in Sargodha disrupted traffic flow, and in Rawalpindi, a large rally moved from Liaquat Bagh to Committee Chowk. Protesters voiced strong criticism of the government’s failure to curb inflation.
Following the protests, JI supporters dispersed peacefully, allowing traffic to return to normal in affected areas.
