Jamaat‑i‑Islami Announces Nationwide Protests Friday Over Petroleum Levy

LAHORE – Jamaat‑i‑Islami Pakistan (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced on Tuesday plans for nationwide protests and sit‑ins to be held on Friday, 10 July, against what he called the government’s “extortionary” petroleum levy.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Rehman described the petroleum levy as an “unbearable burden” for ordinary Pakistanis, noting that the government is levying Rs118 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol.

He alleged that roughly Rs8.5 trillion has been gathered through the levy, allegedly to meet revenue targets rather than to improve petroleum infrastructure.

He also criticised the collection of about Rs60 billion under the Climate Support Levy, alleging that the money was not being directed toward environmental protection or climate‑related projects.

Under IMF stipulations, the government doubled the climate support levy to Rs5 per litre from 1 July while reducing the petroleum levy accordingly. Consequently, the petroleum levy on diesel now stands at roughly Rs80 per litre.

The petroleum levy on petrol now amounts to about Rs70 per litre, plus the Rs5 climate support levy.

“Gas prices have been raised even as new reserves have been discovered,” the JI chief said, adding that the lack of participation by major international firms in the recent energy exploration bidding round reflected governmental incompetence.

He added that LPG, officially priced at Rs241 per kilogramme, was being sold for as high as Rs500 per kilogramme, while electricity, fuel and food prices continued to climb.

Announcing nationwide protests and sit‑ins against the petroleum levy, Rehman urged the public, especially youth, to join Friday’s demonstrations.

“Petrol should not exceed Rs225 per litre,” he demanded.

During his speech, Rehman urged the government to raise India’s aggression over Pakistan’s waters in international forums, start work on the Iran‑Pakistan gas pipeline immediately, launch formal trade with Iran, and initiate dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Regarding AJK, the JI chief urged the government to advance dialogue, stating that disputes should not be passed from one generation to the next.

“The JI is playing a mediatory role and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) is ready for negotiations,” he said, adding that “the ball is now in the government’s court.”

He referenced U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier statements on mediation over Kashmir and water disputes, arguing that Pakistan should remind the president of those commitments while leveraging its diplomatic role to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States.

Describing the alleged kidnapping and rape of foreign women in Lahore as “deeply shameful,” he called for an open court trial to ensure transparency.

“Justice must not only be done but also be seen to be done, regardless of the accused’s influence.”

He expressed sorrow over the recent roof‑collapse tragedy in Kahna, and urged the Punjab government not to use the incident as a pretext to target tuition centres.

Source link