Jamaat threatens march on Islamabad over petroleum levy

Jamaat threatens march on Islamabad over petroleum levy.

Key points

• Imran AyubAmjad Mahmood Published August 24, 2026 Updated August 24, 2026 08: 05am.
• Hafiz Naeem notes sit-ins to be converted into shutter-down strike on 13th Rabiul Awwal Party to stage indefinite protest outside Governor House in Quetta from 29th.
• The next demonstrations will be held on Aug 29, 30 and 31 in Bharakahu, Jhangi Syedan and Lehtrar Road, respectively.
• The JI Balochistan confirmed aims to stage an indefinite sit-in outside Governor House in Quetta starting from Aug 29.
• Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, JI Provincial Vice President Zahid Akhtar Baloch remarked the sit-in would continue until the party's demands were met.

Imran AyubAmjad Mahmood Published August 24, 2026 Updated August 24, 2026 08: 05am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

LAHORE / KARACHI: Jamaat-I-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Sunday cautioned the administration that the party would expand its ongoing sit-ins into a nationwide movement, culminating in a shutter-down strike and a feasible march on Islamabad if the petroleum levy was not withdrawn.

Addressing a press conference at the JI sit-in site in Lahore, Mr Rehman remarked the protests in the provincial capital had entered their eighth day and would continue until the administration abolished the petroleum levy.

He confirmed that JI would establish protest camps nationwide and call a nationwide shutter-down strike on 13th Rabiul Awwal, followed by a march towards Islamabad if the administration failed to respond to its demands.

"The rulers are squeezing the blood out of the people through forced levies and taxes, " he remarked, adding that the administration was protecting the privileges of the ruling elite while shifting the burden of its policies onto ordinary citizens.

Mr Rehman remarked public pressure had forced the administration to reduce the cost of diesel by Rs32 per litre. He remarked oil mafias had been making excessive profits by charging consumers for imported diesel at rates linked to the cost of locally produced diesel.

Meanwhile, the JI chief additionally stated the administration and sugar mafia were manipulating the sugar market. He remarked 765, 000 tonnes of sugar had been imported in collusion with vested interests without taxes, yet sugar costs continued to rise. He confirmed that JI would celebrate Eid Miladun Nabi on 12th Rabiul Awwal at the sit-in sites.

According to a statement issued by the JI from Islamabad, the party confirmed a series of protest sit-ins throughout the federal capital as part of its nationwide protest campaign against the petroleum levy, rising fuel rates, inflation and costly agreements with independent power producers.

For context, a protest sit-in was staged in the federal capital's Ghori Town on Sunday. Another sit-in will be staged in Islamabad's Karachi Firm today (Monday), followed by protests in Sector G-7/3 on 25th, B-17 on 27th and the PWD neighbourhood on 28th.

In practice, the next demonstrations will be held on Aug 29, 30 and 31 in Bharakahu, Jhangi Syedan and Lehtrar Road, respectively. 'PPP conniving with PML-N'.

In Karachi, the JI's sit-in near Governor House continued for the eighth consecutive day on Sunday, with party leaders insisting that the protest would not be called off unless the administration withdrew the petroleum levy and provided relief to consumers.

Addressing the protesters, JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan remarked the party would continue its struggle until the petroleum levy was withdrawn. He maintained that the levy had placed an extra burden on ordinary citizens already struggling with inflation and high utility bills.

He additionally criticised the Sindh administration, accusing it of "conniving" with the PML-N-led federal administration instead of protecting the interests of residents.

Meanwhile, the JI Balochistan confirmed aims to stage an indefinite sit-in outside Governor House in Quetta starting from Aug 29.

For context, the protest intends to challenge unfulfilled administration promises, high petroleum levy, and rising lawlessness.

With extra input from Bakhtawar Mian in Islamabad and Muhammad Akbar Notezai in Quetta. Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2026.

Imran Ayub is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. He reports on political parties, crime, telecom, and local administration systems. He can be discovered on X at @MixPatti.

Amjad Mahmood is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn with over three and a half decades of experience. As well as Punjab's politics and governance, he covers agricultural problems. He can be discovered on X at @Amjad012345.

Taken together, the developments around jamaat threatens march on Islamabad over petroleum levy point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.