KARACHI: Responding to the nationwide protest call of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, party workers and supporters on Friday staged multiple protest demonstrations across the country in protest over imposition of the petroleum levy, rising fuel prices and inflation.

The party said that more than 500 key road links were blocked nationwide during the protest campaign.

In Karachi, the main sit-in was held on Sharea Faisal near the Nursery bus stop, where JI workers and supporters blocked one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares.

A large number of JI workers and supporters from different parts of the city gathered at Mazar-i-Quaid in the afternoon before marching towards Sharea Faisal.

Rallies held across country seeking reduction in fuel prices; sit-in on Sharea Faisal causes traffic mess for hours

Carrying party flags and chanting slogans against the petroleum levy and soaring inflation, the protesters demanded that the federal government withdraw what they described as an additional financial burden on the public.

The demonstrators reached Sharea Faisal and blocked both tracks, bringing traffic to a standstill for a couple of hours.

Addressing the participants, JI-Karachi chief Monem Zafar said the protest reflected widespread public anger over escalating fuel prices and the increasing cost of living.

“The petroleum levy has become an unbearable burden on ordinary citizens who are already struggling with inflation. The rulers must listen to the voice of the people instead of imposing policies that further increase their difficulties,” he said.

He said that the party would continue its peaceful movement until the government withdrew the petroleum levy and reversed what he described as anti-people economic policies.

He also demanded concrete measures to reduce inflation and ensure affordable fuel and essential commodities for the public.

Leader of the Opposition in the Karachi City Council Advocate Saifuddin said the overwhelming response to the party’s call reflected the growing frustration of people burdened by inflation and rising fuel prices.

He said that the government must immediately withdraw the petroleum levy and adopt people-friendly economic measures instead of further squeezing the public.

Meanwhile, a JI press release stated that the protest call received a nationwide response, with demonstrations, rallies and road blockades taking place in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan, Hyderabad, Sukkur and dozens of other cities and towns.

The party claimed that more than 500 major roads, highways and intersections were blocked across Pakistan as a coordinated protest against the government’s economic policies.

Traffic chaos on city roads

The sit-in and the closure of Sharea Faisal caused traffic chaos not only on adjoining roads but also on other main thoroughfares.

Long queues of vehicles were witnessed across East district and other connecting roads, leaving office workers and commuters stranded for hours.

The traffic police, meanwhile, diverted vehicles to alternative routes in an effort to ease congestion, but long queues persisted in several areas connected to Sharea Faisal till late at night.

Also, commuters were stuck in traffic jams in other parts of the city on Friday where the JI was holding its sit-ins. However, traffic situation eased after 8pm when the opposition party ended its protests.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026