JI announces nationwide sit-ins over rising fuel prices

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Rehman said the Lahore demonstration would begin at 3pm from Masjid-e-Shuhada and move towards

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced sit-ins outside the chief minister’s residence in Lahore and governors’ houses across the country from August 16, protesting rising petroleum prices and the growing cost of living.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Rehman said the Lahore demonstration would begin at 3pm from Masjid-e-Shuhada and move towards the Chief Minister’s House. He said the protests would continue until the government addressed the party’s demands, including immediate reductions in fuel, electricity and essential commodity prices.

Rehman accused the government of collecting Rs1,567 billion through petroleum levies, claiming the amount had exceeded the target set under the International Monetary Fund programme. He said JI would not remain silent while ordinary citizens faced increasing economic pressure.

The JI chief warned that any attempt to obstruct the demonstrations could escalate the campaign into a broader movement demanding the government’s removal. He maintained that the party’s previous sit-ins had been peaceful and caused no damage to public or private property.

JI has also launched a social media campaign against the petroleum levy, urging citizens to raise their voices against what is described as an unfair financial burden on the public.