ISLAMABAD(The COW News Digital) Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has strongly criticized the government over rising fuel prices, warning of nationwide protests, shutdown strikes, and road blockades if petroleum levy policies are not withdrawn.
Addressing a large protest rally at Aabpara Chowk in Islamabad against the recent increase in petroleum product prices, Hafiz Naeem said the government must stop what he described as “dramas” of increasing fuel prices under economic pressure. He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to immediately reconsider petroleum pricing decisions.
He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami would challenge the petroleum levy in the constitutional court on May 18. He further warned that if the levy is not abolished, the party would launch a countrywide protest movement, including shutter-down strikes and wheel-jam actions following consultation with political stakeholders.
Hafiz Naeem said that the protest movement has already begun in Islamabad and would soon expand to other parts of the country, including major rallies in Chitral and Upper Dir. He added that the agitation would intensify after Eid, with further demonstrations planned across Pakistan.
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader alleged that the government had collected Rs8,066 billion through petroleum levy so far, claiming that not even Rs100 billion had been spent on improving petroleum-related infrastructure. He accused the ruling leadership of misusing public funds and prioritizing what he called elite interests over public welfare.
He further criticized independent power producers (IPPs), alleging that government policies were benefiting power sector stakeholders while ordinary citizens were suffering from inflation and high utility costs.
Hafiz Naeem warned that continued price hikes could trigger widespread public anger, stating that authorities should avoid policies that push citizens to a breaking point. He also accused some ministers of hinting at further increases in fuel prices, urging the government to reconsider such decisions.
His remarks come amid growing public frustration over inflation and rising fuel costs, which have significantly increased transportation and commodity prices across the country. Opposition parties and civil society groups have also raised concerns about the economic burden on low- and middle-income households.
The government has yet to issue an immediate response to the latest statements, while political tensions continue to rise over economic policy decisions.
