RAWALPINDI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) workers and activists on Friday staged a protest demonstration and sit-in on Murree Road in front of Liaquat Bagh against inflation and rising petroleum prices.

More than 500 workers and activists participated in the protest led by JI Rawalpindi chapter Emir Syed Arif Shirazi and other local leaders. The protest began in the evening and continued till night, causing traffic disruption in different parts of the city.

The speech of JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman was scheduled to be broadcast through a video link, but due to internet issues, it could not be telecast until 9pm. Following the announcement by Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, JI launched a countrywide protest campaign against rising inflation, petroleum prices, levies and taxes.

Syed Arif Shirazi said that a full-fledged protest campaign against inflation had been launched in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas. He said the protest would continue until further directives from the JI leadership.

He said the current wave of inflation had severely affected ordinary citizens, particularly daily wage earners.

“The rulers have turned a blind eye to the problems of the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the JI rally caused traffic congestion, with long queues of vehicles reported on Murree Road, Rawal Road, Airport Road and Peshawar Road. Traffic police failed to ensure smooth traffic flow due to the protest.

“Due to the rally, I had to travel to Islamabad via Karnal Sher Khan Road, but traffic congestion was witnessed at several points, wasting my precious time and fuel,” said Abdul Kareem Khan, a motorist.

Muhammad Anwar, a resident of Arya Mohallah, said traffic jams had become a routine for citizens due to political rallies. He said traffic wardens lacked the capacity to resolve such issues.

He said people were already suffering due to rising petroleum prices, while traffic jams caused further problems by wasting fuel.

“Politicians talk about the problems of the people, but such protests waste people’s time and fuel, adding to their economic burden,” he said.

The protest also created difficulties for patients trying to reach hospitals. Benazir Bhutto Hospital, located on Murree Road and District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Raja Bazaar are among the major healthcare facilities in the garrison city, and patients faced difficulties reaching them due to the traffic disruption.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026