JI chief calls for nationwide strike over petroleum levy

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Friday warned the government of a countrywide wheel-jam strike and shutter-down protest if the petroleum levy is not withdrawn, saying roads across the country would be blocked in opposition to what he described as anti-people policies.

Speaking at a large protest demonstration at Aabpara Chowk in Islamabad against the recent increase in petroleum prices, the JI chief said the party would move the Constitutional Court against the petroleum levy on May 18.

He also announced the formal launch of the party’s anti-inflation campaign from the federal capital and said the protest drive would continue in other areas in the coming days.

Protest campaign to expand

Hafiz Naeem said large public gatherings would be held in Chitral on Saturday and in Upper Dir the next day as part of the campaign. He added that the party would soon decide its next steps regarding a nationwide strike after consultations.

According to him, the protest movement would gather further momentum after Eid.

Criticism of levy and spending priorities

The JI chief said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had collected Rs8,066 billion through the petroleum levy, but had not spent even Rs100 billion on improving petroleum infrastructure.

He further said the government had taken nearly Rs6,000 billion from motorcycle users alone through the levy. He alleged that the ruling elite was using tax revenues for luxuries and to benefit independent power producers.

Criticising the government’s broader economic approach, Hafiz Naeem said Rs3,400 billion collected from taxpayers had been handed over to IPP owners.

He also accused the federal and Punjab governments of spending public funds on self-promotion instead of addressing key sectors such as education, health and agriculture.

The protest in Islamabad centred on opposition to the increase in petroleum prices and the continuation of the petroleum levy, which Jamaat-e-Islami says has added to the burden on the public.

Hafiz Naeem’s remarks came as the party signalled a broader agitation campaign, combining street protests with a legal challenge to the levy in the Constitutional Court.