CHARSADDA: The Jamaat-i-Islami workers staged rallies across the province against the hike in prices of electricity, gas and petroleum products, as well as heavy taxes imposed in the budget.

JI central chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had given the call for the protest.

In Charsadda, while addressing a rally, JI district emir Shah Hussain Advocate and others stressed the need for Pakistan to reduce dependence on the IMF, and to ensure progress on energy projects.

Mr Hussain termed the federal budget “anti-people,” saying the government was continuously increasing the tax burden on citizens. He claimed that around Rs1,500 billion in new taxes were imposed last year, while another Rs1,700 billion in taxes were being introduced in the current fiscal year.

Criticise ruling elite for increasing their privileges as public faces inflation, unemployment

He criticised the ruling elite for increasing their privileges while the public faced inflation and unemployment.

He warned that if petroleum prices were not significantly reduced, protests would be expanded to provincial headquarters.

In Lower Dir, JI workers staged a protest rally in Chakdara against the recent increase in petroleum prices, rising inflation and the imposition of new taxes.

JI central deputy general secretary and former MNA Syed Bakhtiar Maani, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief Inayatullah Khan, district emir Maulana Asadullah, former MPA Mohammad Amin, tehsil emir Dr Bashir and others addressed the rally.

Speaking on the occasion, Maulana Asadullah criticised elected representatives for remaining silent on public issues, alleging large sums of money from the national exchequer were being spent on official privileges and luxuries.

Bakhtiyar Maani said excessive taxes in electricity bills had placed an unbearable burden on consumers. He demanded an immediate reduction in petroleum prices.

Jamaat workers also held rallies across the upper parts of Hazara Division, demanding that the government fix the price of petrol at Rs225 per litre.

Rallies were taken out in Mansehra, Balakot, Oghi and Torghar, demanding a reduction in petroleum prices, which party leaders said should be lowered following a significant decline in global oil prices after the peace deal between the United States and Iran.

Holding placards and banners, protesters raised slogans in support of their demands.

Addressing the rallies, JI Hazara emir Abdul Razzaq Abbasi, general secretary Javed Akhtar and others said that international oil prices had fallen to their lowest level in nearly two years after the agreement between the United States and Iran.

“The government should fix the price of petrol at Rs225 per litre for at least the next two years. Otherwise, Jamaat will continue its street agitation against the government,” Mr Abbasi said.

In Mohmand, JI activists staged a protest demonstration in Ghalanai Bazaar against the increase in petroleum prices.

Addressing the gathering, JI Mohmand chief Malik Mohammad Saeed Khan and others criticised the government’s decision to increase petroleum prices, saying the move had placed an additional burden on the public.

The speakers said the hike in fuel prices would trigger a further increase in the prices of essential commodities and transportation costs.

In Battagram, JI workers also staged a demonstration against inflation and the hike in prices of petroleum products.

The protesters were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the government. They also chanted slogans against the government’s economic policies.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026