ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami has announced nationwide road blockades on Friday, August 7, 2026, to protest against the government’s petrol levy. The demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm and will take place in hundreds of locations across the country.
Ameer-e-Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem Ur Rehman, made the announcement while addressing the media. He said the party would stage protests at 507 locations nationwide to register its opposition to the petroleum levy imposed by the government.
According to Hafiz Naeem, one of Karachi’s major roads, Shahrah-e-Faisal, will also be blocked during the protest campaign. He said the demonstrations are intended to draw attention to the financial burden faced by the public due to increasing fuel-related taxes.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief strongly criticized the petroleum levy. He described it as an unfair burden on ordinary citizens and claimed it had increased the cost of living for families across Pakistan.
He argued that the levy has contributed to higher prices of daily-use items. According to him, rising transportation costs have affected the prices of essential goods, making life more difficult for consumers.
Hafiz Naeem also accused the government of failing to provide meaningful relief despite collecting significant revenue through petroleum taxes. He claimed that public funds should be used to ease economic pressure instead of increasing financial burdens.
During his remarks, the JI leader stated that the government had collected around Rs8 trillion through the petroleum levy. He described the amount as an excessive financial burden placed on the public and questioned how the revenue was being utilized.
He also urged authorities not to interfere with the planned demonstrations. Hafiz Naeem warned the government against attempting to stop the protests and called on officials to act responsibly while respecting the public’s right to peaceful protest.
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader further said that debates over creating new provinces or changing the political system do not address the immediate challenges faced by citizens. He stressed that inflation, fuel prices, and the rising cost of living remain the country’s most pressing issues.
The planned demonstrations are expected to take place simultaneously in major cities and smaller towns. Party workers have been instructed to participate in peaceful protests and highlight public concerns over rising fuel costs.
The government has not yet issued a detailed response to the announcement. However, authorities are expected to make traffic management arrangements in cities where major roads may be affected.
The upcoming protests are likely to impact traffic in several urban areas, especially during the evening hours. Citizens have been advised to stay informed about traffic updates before traveling.
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The Jamaat-e-Islami says the nationwide campaign is aimed at urging the government to reconsider the petroleum levy and provide relief to consumers facing increasing economic challenges. The protests are expected to begin at 4:00 pm on August 7 unless any changes are announced by the party or relevant authorities.
