JI Announces Nationwide Protests Against Petroleum Levy

Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday announced nationwide protests and sit-ins for Friday, July 10, against the federal government’s petroleum levy, turning rising fuel costs into a fresh political pressure point. The announcement was made at a press conference in Lahore, where the party framed the levy as a direct burden on households already struggling with inflation.

Rehman accused the government of using fuel taxation to raise revenue rather than to improve public services or petroleum-sector infrastructure. He claimed that ordinary consumers were being forced to pay heavy duties and levies on every litre of petrol, while salaries, transport affordability and household budgets remained under intense pressure.

According to the JI chief, the party will mobilise workers and supporters across Pakistan, with special appeals to young people and working citizens to join demonstrations. The planned protests are expected to focus on petrol, diesel, gas, LPG and electricity prices, all of which have become politically sensitive issues as families continue to face high living costs.

In his remarks, Rehman said the petroleum levy had become unsustainable for the public and argued that petrol prices should be brought down sharply. He alleged that trillions of rupees had been collected through fuel-related charges, while consumers had seen little evidence that such collections were improving energy infrastructure or easing future price shocks.

The JI leader also criticised the climate support levy, saying funds collected in the name of environmental protection should be transparently used for climate-related projects. His comments came after changes linked to the government’s fiscal commitments altered the structure of petroleum taxation from July 1, including adjustments affecting petrol and diesel.

Beyond fuel prices, Rehman used the press conference to widen his criticism of government policy. He said gas prices had risen despite claims of new reserves and complained that LPG was being sold at rates far above official levels in parts of the country, deepening hardship for families dependent on cylinders for cooking and heating.

The announcement adds another layer to Pakistan’s broader debate over taxation, IMF-linked fiscal targets and the political cost of stabilisation measures. Successive governments have relied on petroleum levies as a major revenue source because they are easier to collect than broader tax reforms, but the burden is immediately visible at fuel pumps and quickly feeds into transport and food prices.

Rehman also touched on wider national issues, urging the government to raise Pakistan’s water-related concerns with India at international forums and to move ahead with the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. He further called for formal trade with Iran and dialogue to resolve the continuing crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, presenting JI as a party seeking both protest and mediation.

The political impact of the announcement could be significant if the protests draw large participation in major cities. Fuel prices affect commuters, traders, transporters, farmers and small businesses at the same time, making petroleum taxation one of the few economic issues that can trigger a broad public reaction across class and regional lines.

The next test will come on Friday, when Jamaat-i-Islami attempts to convert its criticism into street mobilisation. The government will be watching the scale of participation closely, while citizens will be looking for whether political pressure produces any policy response on fuel levies, gas prices, LPG enforcement or wider cost-of-living relief.