JI began a protest at Natha Khan Bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi. Photo: Express
LAHORE/
KARACHI:
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) is holding protests at 510 locations across Pakistan on Friday against what it describes as an “unjust” increase in the petroleum levy, with demonstrations under way on major roads and intersections in several cities.
In Karachi, Sindh Assembly member Muhammad Farooq is leading a protest at Natha Khan Bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal. Demonstrations are also under way on Hub River Road, the Super Highway and near the airport.
The protest blocked Shahrah-e-Faisal, with the JI saying it was being held against continued increases in the petroleum levy, inflation and the growing economic burden on the public.
Similar protests are taking place at key locations in Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.
According to the party, demonstrations are also being held at Chakdara Motorway near Swat, Bhirya Bypass in Sukkur, Shah Nawaz Chowk in Tando Adam, Swabi, Abbottabad and Jhang, as protests continue across the country.
The JI had announced nationwide protests against the petroleum levy, rising fuel prices and inflation, with demonstrations planned on 510 major roads and highways in 170 districts.
Protests are scheduled in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and several other cities. Sit-ins were also planned at key locations across the country, including Qurtaba Chowk in Lahore, Stop No 26 in Islamabad, Mian Ghundi Chowk in Quetta, the Toll Plaza in Peshawar, Bosan Road in Multan, the Indus Highway in Karak, CPEC Chowk in Bannu and the Chakdara interchange.
JI spokesperson warned that if authorities attempted to stop peaceful demonstrations, the protest campaign would be expanded from 510 to 1,500 roads and highways.
Karachi JI chief Monem Zafar Khan said protest caravans in the city would begin moving at 4pm from Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Hub Road, National Highway, Super Highway, Orangi, Korangi, Pakistan Chowk and Sher Shah. He said all the caravans would converge at Mazar-e-Quaid before a larger procession marches towards Shahrah-e-Faisal.
“Today, protests will be held across Pakistan against the petroleum levy and inflation,” Khan said.
He warned that roads along the protest routes would remain closed during the demonstrations, although ambulances would be allowed to pass.
“The protest movement will continue until the petroleum levy is withdrawn,” he said.
Calling for public participation, Khan said citizens could compel the government to accept their demands by demonstrating unity. “If 250 million Pakistanis unite, they can achieve their rights,” he added.
Traffic plan issued ahead of protest
The Karachi Traffic Police has issued an advisory warning of possible traffic disruptions across various parts of the city due to expected rallies, protest gatherings and sit-ins by a political party.
The main rally is expected to start from Mazar-e-Quaid, while protest activities are also expected in different districts of the city, according to the advisory.
Traffic is likely to be affected, slowed down or temporarily diverted on several major roads, while partial closures are also possible at some locations.
The affected routes include Mazar-e-Quaid, Numaish, Saddar, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Shahrah-e-Pakistan, UP Mor, Power House Chowrangi, Defence, Sea View, Orangi Road, Hub River Road, Super Highway and National Highway.
The traffic police advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to affected areas, choose alternative routes before setting out and allow additional travel time.
They also urged citizens to follow traffic police instructions and cooperate by giving way to emergency and rescue vehicles.
For the latest traffic situation and guidance, citizens can contact the Karachi Traffic Police helpline at 1915 and tune in to FM 88.
Lahore Traffic Police also issued a special traffic management plan for Mazang and adjoining areas ahead of Jamaat-e-Islami’s protest rallies and sit-in, warning commuters of traffic congestion and diversions during the demonstrations.
According to the traffic plan, the rallies were expected to reach Mazang and Qurtaba Chowk after 4pm, with heavy traffic pressure anticipated in the surrounding areas. Traffic diversions are scheduled to remain in place from 4pm until sunset around Hamdard Chowk, Mazang, Qurtaba Chowk and nearby roads.
Motorists travelling from Jain Mandir on Lower Mall towards Ichhra were advised to avoid Litton Road and instead use Mall Road, Lawrence Road and Shadman as alternative routes. Lahore Traffic Police urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel through Mazang and Qurtaba Chowk during the protest hours.
City Traffic Officer Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi advised commuters to obtain traffic updates through the Police Helpline 15 and Rasta FM before setting out.
To maintain the flow of traffic, the police deployed three deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and more than 100 traffic wardens across the affected areas.
Shirazi said traffic would be diverted to alternative routes in phases if congestion increased, and appealed to motorists to cooperate with traffic wardens and comply with their directions to minimise disruption.
Protest call
The announcement followed a call by JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Thursday urging people to join the nationwide demonstrations. In a video message, he appealed to motorists to park their cars and motorcycles on roads at 4pm as part of a peaceful protest against what he described as excessive taxation and the rising cost of living.
Hafiz Naeem said the government had imposed a heavy petroleum levy while increasing taxes on food and other essential commodities, claiming that the prices of 27 food items had risen over the past month. He alleged that ordinary citizens, particularly motorcycle riders, were bearing the brunt of the levy, accusing the government of “dropping a petrol bomb on the public every day” through repeated fuel-related taxes.
Drawing parallels with previous protests against higher electricity tariffs, he urged the public to unite against inflation and taxation, arguing that even those outside the formal tax net were paying indirect taxes through levies and other charges. He also claimed the government had collected Rs1.9 trillion in petroleum levy over the past year while shifting the financial burden onto ordinary citizens, warning that more taxes would follow unless the public mounted a strong response.
