KARACHI: A large number of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) workers and supporters staged a sit-in near the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Sunday after police and the administration sealed off the “Red Zone” with containers to prevent them from reaching the Governor House, where they planned to protest against the “excessive petroleum levy” and demand an immediate reduction in petrol prices.

The protesters, who had earlier gathered near Masjid Khizra close to the Sindh High Court from different parts of the city, marched towards the Governor House despite the roadblocks. As they reached the areas where containers/barricades had been placed, several altercations took place between JI workers and police personnel, with the protesters repeatedly demanding passage to the Governor House, while the police insisted that they could not proceed further.

Despite the impediments, the JI workers made repeated attempts to move forward, but their effort to reach the area outside the Governor House was foiled by the police. Eventually, JI leaders and workers staged their sit-in on the edge of Aiwan-i-Saddar Road near the KPC roundabout, previously known as Fawara Chowk.

The blockade also caused disruption to traffic and commuters in the “Red Zone”. Despite it being Sunday and a weekly holiday, motorists and other commuters faced difficulties as several roads were blocked with containers and traffic movement was restricted.

Jamaat activists hold demonstration near KPC roundabout to demand cut in petroleum prices

Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the protesters demanded the withdrawal of the petroleum levy and a reduction in petrol prices.

Addressing the protesters at the sit-in, JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar warned the Sindh government and police against using force to disperse the demonstration.

“If the government chooses the path of violence and force, it will be responsible for the consequences,” he said, insisting that the sit-in would continue.

The protest was held on the appeal of JI Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman as part of the party’s second phase of demonstrations against the petroleum levy and high petrol prices. The JI had staged countrywide protests on Aug 7 and subsequently announced sit-ins at the provincial capitals on Sunday.

Mr Zafar said similar protests had begun outside governors’ houses in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), while a sit-in was being held outside the Punjab Chief Minister’s House.

“The heavy levy imposed in the name of petroleum levy must be withdrawn at all costs,” he said, adding that the “business” being carried out in the name of independent power producers (IPPs) must also end.

He said the high price of petrol was affecting every citizen and every sector of the economy, claiming that young people and students were effectively paying around Rs130 per litre in petroleum levy. “The JI’s sit-in is the voice of every young person, student and citizen,” he said.

The JI leader criticised the government for imposing additional taxes on the public while maintaining the privileges and expenditures of rulers. He also accused the “Form 47 government” of protecting vested interests instead of addressing public problems.

He said the JI would continue its campaign for the rights of Karachi’s residents and against what he termed an “unjust system”. JI Karachi secretary-general Taufiquddin Siddiqui and district chiefs, including Mohammad Ashraf, Mirza Farhan Baig, Kamran Siraj and Mudassar Ansari, also addressed the gathering.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2026