Nationwide Protests Against Inflation on Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman's Call; Thousands Participate
Nationwide Protests Against Inflation Draw Thousands
On the call of Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, nationwide protests, rallies, and sit-ins were held across Pakistan on Friday against soaring inflation, high petrol, electricity and gas prices, petroleum levy, and the rising cost of essential commodities. From Karachi to Khyber, Islamabad to South Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a large number of Jamaat-e-Islami workers, youth, traders, and citizens participated in the demonstrations.
The protesters demanded an immediate and substantial reduction in petroleum prices, the abolition of the petroleum levy, lower electricity and gas tariffs, and urgent relief measures to ease the burden of inflation on the public.
Address by Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman in Lahore
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman addressed the main protest gathering in Lahore, where Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore, Zia-ud-Din Ansari Advocate, and other party leaders were also present.
Sindh: Protests Across Major Cities
Across Karachi and other parts of Sindh, protest rallies were led by Jamaat-e-Islami leaders. Demonstrations were organized in Larkana, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Badin, Nawabshah, Sanghar, Naushahro Feroze, Mirpurkhas, Kashmore, Jamshoro, Kandhkot, Thatta, Dadu, Daharki, Qambar Shahdadkot, and several other cities under the leadership of provincial and district office-bearers.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Widespread Demonstrations
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, protests were held in Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan (Wana), Abbottabad, Haripur, and other districts.
Speakers condemned rising fuel prices, transport fares, and taxes imposed in the former FATA region. Large motorcycle rallies were also organized in Bannu, Karak, and Lakki Marwat.
Punjab: Rallies in Multiple Districts
Protests were organized in Multan, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Gujrat, Jhelum, Attock, Talagang, Hafizabad, Jhang, Okara, Khushab, Mandi Bahauddin, Sadiqabad, Sialkot, and several other cities.
The demonstrations were led by provincial and district leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, who called on the government to provide immediate economic relief to the public.
Islamabad Youth Protest
Jamaat-e-Islami Youth Islamabad organized a protest outside the National Press Club, where Dr. Mutahir Bashir, General Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Youth Islamabad, addressed participants. A large number of young people attended the demonstration.
Balochistan Protests
Protests were also held in Zhob, Naseerabad, and other areas of Balochistan, where participants demanded an end to the petroleum levy and immediate relief from inflation.
Key Demands of the Protesters
Speakers said that despite a significant decline in global crude oil prices, the government has failed to pass the benefit on to the public and continues to burden citizens through the petroleum levy and other taxes.
They argued that expensive fuel has led to continuous increases in electricity, gas, transport, and essential commodity prices, while the government has chosen to maintain its own expenditures instead of reducing public hardship.
The protesters demanded:
- Immediate abolition of the petroleum levy.
- Significant reduction in petroleum prices.
- Lower electricity and gas tariffs.
- Withdrawal of anti-public taxes.
- Immediate and sustainable relief from inflation.
- Fixing the petrol price at Rs. 225 per litre and maintaining it for at least three years to provide lasting relief to citizens and support the national economy.