KARACHI: A large number of women gathered and marched on Shahrah-i-Quaideen on Monday in a protest organised by the women’s wing of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) against the petroleum levy and rising fuel prices, with the party announcing a nationwide protest campaign on Aug 7.

The march, led by JI Women’s Wing General Secretary Dr Humaira Tariq, drew participants from across the city, with banners and placards demanding the abolition of the petroleum levy, lower petrol prices and a reduction in what they described as government extravagance.

JI Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman addressed the protest gathering and said the participants represented the aspirations of people across the country. He called on the government to abolish the petroleum levy and reduce petrol prices.

He also demanded the termination of agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), saying a forensic audit of the sector would expose those responsible for what he termed anti-public policies.

Announcing the party’s next phase of action, he said JI would hold protests across Pakistan on Aug 7, during which it would also unfold its future strategies.

Talking about the Aug 7 protests, he said major highways from Karachi to Chitral would be blocked as part of the demonstrations. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, would be allowed to pass, he added.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2026