PESHAWAR: Jamat-i-Islami leader Abdul Wasay said here on Sunday the sit-ins of the party outside governor’s houses in the country would continue until the government stopped daily increase in prices of petroleum product besides withdrawing levy exceeding Rs120 per litre on petrol.

Sher Shah Suri road in the provincial was blocked to traffic owing to the sit-in of JI outside Governor’s House.

Addressing a news conference during the sit-in, Mr Wasay said that hundreds of people were expected to participate in the protest. He said that the nationwide movement would continue until their demands were accepted.

He stated that JI had initially planned and prepared a schedule for 15 days, but warned of turning the sit-in into a movement to topple the government, if hurdles were created in the peaceful protest.

Mr Wasay informed journalists that special programmes had been arranged on separate days for women, lawyers, farmers, traders and individuals from various segments of society to participate in the sit-in. He added that people from other political parties were also invited to participate in the sit-in.

“This is a peaceful sit-in but it will turn into a movement to topple the government if hurdles are created during the peaceful sit-in,” he said, adding that their demands must be accepted.

He stated that JI demanded of the government to abolish levy on petrol, reduce petrol price to Rs225 per litre and decrease rates of flour, electricity and gas.

He said that millions of rupees, collected as tax from people, were being spent on perks and privileges for federal and provincial bureaucracy, judges, generals, ministers.

Mr Wasay said that billions of rupees were being spent on providing free electricity, gas, and fuel along with other privileges to elites.

He said that such provisions should be abolished and the taxes collected from people should be spent on their welfare.

A 40-feet-long stage will accommodate central, provincial, and district leaders during the sit-in. Chairs have been arranged for hundreds of workers and people from KP’s central districts, who are expected to participated in the sit-in.

Special arrangements have also been made for prayers at the venue. A delegation of Awami National Party also participated in the sit-in.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2026