SWABI: Jamaat-i-Islami, Qaumi Watan Party activists and transporters on Tuesday staged a protest against the closure of CNG stations and the increase in the prices of petroleum products.

The protesters gathered on the Swabi-Mardan Road and marched to the Karnal Sher Khan Chowk, where they blocked the Swabi-Jahangira Road to traffic.

The protesters held banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the suspension of CNG supply, the increase in oil prices and soaring inflation.

Addressing the protesters, JI leaders Saeed Zaida, Mehmoodul Hassan and Maulana Murad Ali asked the government to mitigate the sufferings of the people who were faced with skyrocketing inflation.

They said that the increase in the POL rates and the closure of the CNG stations had created a host of problems for the people, adding that the government was least bothered to provide relief to the ‘have-nots’.

On the occasion, Masood Jabar of QWP said that this had perhaps happened for the first time that CNG stations had been closed in summer, adding that the transporters and people were facing a host of problems.

“We do not understand the logic behind suspending gas supply to the CNG stations. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces more gas than it needs, but despite this, the residents of the province are not getting the commodity,” he said.

Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully, but warned they would stage another protest if their issues were not resolved.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026