Petrol levy is killing the commoner

August 17, 2026

The protests by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) against rising petroleum prices, the petroleum levy and inflation should not simply be treated as a political activity. The government needs to understand that the public’s economic pain is real.

Whenever petrol and diesel prices increase, their impact goes far beyond the fuel station. Transport becomes expensive, food prices rise and the cost of doing business increases. A daily-wage worker, a small shopkeeper, a farmer and a salaried person all feel the pressure.

The government’s petroleum levy may provide additional revenue, but it also adds to the burden on ordinary citizens. At a time when many families are already struggling to manage household expenses, every increase in fuel prices creates another problem.

The protests in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar show that this issue has become a serious public concern. The government should listen to these voices instead of dismissing them as opposition politics.

This does not mean that the government can ignore its own financial difficulties. Pakistan needs revenue to run the state, pay for public services and meet its financial obligations. But revenue collection should not depend too heavily on indirect taxes that affect everyone equally, including poor and middle-class citizens.

The government must find a better balance. It should review the petroleum levy, reduce unnecessary taxes and control non-development expenditure. At the same time, it should improve tax collection from sectors and individuals with greater ability to pay.

Most importantly, the government must communicate honestly with the public. If higher fuel prices are unavoidable because of international oil prices or economic conditions, people deserve a clear explanation and a plan for relief.

The JI protests should therefore be seen as a warning. The government may disagree with the party’s politics, but it cannot ignore the economic reality behind the protests.

Pakistan’s economic recovery will have little meaning if ordinary people continue to struggle to afford transport, food and basic necessities. The government must act with sensitivity and provide practical relief before public frustration grows further.