JI announces protest camps across Karachi over petroleum levy

JI announces protest camps across Karachi over petroleum levy

Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Munim Zafar Khan has announced plans to set up protest camps at more than 25 locations across Karachi from tomorrow, demanding the withdrawal of the petroleum levy and an end to prolonged power outages in the city.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Munim Zafar said the petroleum levy had increased the financial burden on ordinary citizens and contributed to rising inflation. He said the government should immediately abolish the levy to provide relief to the public.

The JI Karachi chief also criticised K-Electric over what he described as excessive load shedding across the city. He claimed that some areas were experiencing power outages of up to 18 hours, making daily life increasingly difficult for residents.

Munim Zafar argued that only around 2 to 3 percent of consumers were not paying their electricity bills. He said K-Electric should take action against individual defaulters instead of subjecting entire neighbourhoods to prolonged power cuts.

He demanded an immediate end to load shedding in Karachi and called on the power utility to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers who regularly pay their bills.

The JI leader said his party had been holding protests against what it calls the petroleum levy and “extortion tax” across the country. He added that the protest campaign would continue until the government addressed the public’s concerns.

Munim Zafar further warned that rising fuel-related costs were putting additional pressure on household budgets. He said inflation had made it increasingly difficult for ordinary families to afford even two meals a day.

The newly announced protest camps will be established at more than 25 locations in Karachi as part of the JI’s wider campaign against the petroleum levy, rising living costs and prolonged power outages.