Supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam staged protests in several cities across Pakistan on Friday against rising petroleum prices, inflation, and taxes imposed on fuel products.
The demonstrations were held following a call by Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman against the petroleum levy tax and the increasing cost of living.
In Lahore, a major protest was organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore on Mall Road, where party workers and citizens gathered in large numbers carrying placards and banners condemning what they called “anti-public policies” of the government. They were demanding immediate relief for the public.
The protest was led by Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore chief Ziauddin Ansari, while senior party leader Liaqat Baloch also attended the demonstration.
Several local office-bearers, youth leaders, and district representatives participated in the rally.
Protesters chanted slogans against inflation and what they termed an unjustified increase in fuel prices, demanding the immediate withdrawal of petroleum levies and urgent measures to control inflation.
Party leaders warned that if the government failed to accept their demands, a nationwide wheel-jam strike could be launched after the Eid holidays.
Meanwhile, in Murree, Jamaat-e-Islami workers and residents continued a protest at GPO Chowk against rising fuel prices and inflation, disrupting traffic in the city’s central area due to a large gathering of demonstrators.
The protest was led by Jamaat-e-Islami Murree chief Ghulam Ahmed Abbasi, who criticized the government’s economic policies while addressing protesters.
Abbasi said the government had earlier justified fuel price hikes by citing regional tensions and was now blaming conditions linked to the International Monetary Fund for rising inflation.
Demonstrators at GPO Chowk carried banners demanding a reduction in petroleum and food prices, saying rising fuel costs had made life increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens.
Protesters urged the government to provide immediate relief instead of “bowing before IMF conditions.”
Separately, workers of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam held a protest outside the press club in Hyderabad against soaring fuel prices and inflation.
Addressing the gathering, speakers said the government had sharply increased petrol prices, triggering a wave of inflation across the country.
They said prices of essential commodities had reached unaffordable levels and urged authorities to take immediate steps to reduce inflation and provide relief to the public.
