KARACHI, September 20, 2026: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has warned that the party’s ongoing protest against the petroleum levy could turn into a movement to oust the government if the levy is not abolished.
Addressing participants of the party’s train march at Karachi Cantonment Railway Station, Hafiz Naeem said the march towards Islamabad was not being held for the party or any individual, but over what he described as serious economic difficulties being faced by the public.
He said people were facing increasing financial pressure because of government policies, while the salaried and middle-income segments were struggling to meet their daily expenses.
Hafiz Naeem demanded the abolition of the petroleum levy, arguing that the government should reduce the financial burden on citizens rather than increase taxes and charges.
He also called for measures to reduce what he described as unnecessary privileges and expenses of the elite, smaller vehicle sizes and a review of agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
The JI chief also questioned the government’s explanation that international market prices were responsible for domestic fuel price increases, arguing that the government should examine taxes and levies imposed on petroleum products.
Hafiz Naeem said the party had already conducted a 35-day sit-in in Karachi, while protests and sit-ins were continuing in cities including Sukkur, Larkana and Hyderabad. He said demonstrations were also being held in various parts of Punjab.
He said the party did not want to protest in extreme heat but had chosen to take its campaign to the streets over what it considers public grievances.
“If the petroleum levy is not abolished, the protest will intensify, and it should not happen that the protest turns into a movement to oust the government,” Hafiz Naeem said.
He urged the government to “read the writing on the wall” and said the issue should not become a matter of personal ego. He added that the government could accept the demand and take credit for providing relief to the public.
The JI’s train march departed from Karachi on Sunday as part of the party’s wider mobilisation towards Islamabad. The party has said participants from different parts of the country will converge on the federal capital in the coming days.
Hafiz Naeem also said that JI Sindh Emir Kashif Saeed Sheikh would receive the caravan at different railway stations in Sindh. Women and young people were among those present at the Karachi station to see off the participants.
The JI has maintained that the withdrawal of the petroleum levy is its central demand and has said its protest campaign will continue until the demand is addressed.
