JI announces Aug 16 sit-ins outside governor houses, CM House in Lahore over petrol price hike

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Saturday announced sit-ins outside the chief minister’s house in Lahore and governors’ houses in other provinces from August 16 (tomorrow) against the rising fuel prices.

Speaking at a press conference at JI central headquarters in Mansoorah alongside JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch, Lahore Emir Ziauddin Ansari and other party leaders, Rehman said the protest in Lahore would begin at 3pm from Masjid-e-Shuhada and proceed towards the Chief Minister’s House.

Criticising the government over the rising cost of petroleum products, the JI chief claimed that the government had collected Rs1,567 billion from the public through petroleum levies, exceeding the amount envisaged under the International Monetary Fund programme.

“We will not remain silent over this injustice,” Rehman said, announcing the launch of sit-ins from August 16.

Read: Road chaos as JI rally blocks major routes

He said the party was deliberately not announcing an end date for the sit-ins, adding that the protests would continue until the government addressed their demands.

The JI leader also warned the government against attempting to obstruct the protests or taking on what he termed an “adventure” against the demonstrators.

Rehman said that the party had previously staged sit-ins at 510 locations without causing damage to public or private property. “Not even a flowerpot was broken,” he said, adding that the government would be responsible for any untoward incident if it tried to disrupt the protests.

He further warned that any attempt by the government to sabotage the protests could turn the campaign into a movement seeking to oust the government.

Also Read: Petrol strike averted as govt gives in to dealers

The JI emir demanded an immediate reduction in the prices of petrol, electricity and essential commodities, saying the rising cost of living had placed an unbearable burden on the public.

“The party has announced the Lahore protest as part of a broader campaign against petroleum levies and rising prices, with demonstrations planned outside governors’ houses in the other provinces as well,” the emir explained.

Meanwhile, on the official handle of JI on X, the party called for a social media movement against the petroleum levy.

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The burden of the Bhatta Levy has pushed millions into economic hardship. It's time to raise our collective voice.

Join the nationwide X trend campaign and make your voice count.#DharnaAgainstBhattaLevy pic.twitter.com/F04JQ8aqUf

— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) August 15, 2026

"The burden of the Bhatta Levy has pushed millions into economic hardship. It's time to raise our collective voice. Join the nationwide X trend campaign and make your voice count," the post's caption read on X.

Government won’t tolerate road blockades during protests, says Azma

Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari said the petroleum levy was a federal matter and had nothing to do with the provincial government, warning protesters against law violations and road blockades.

Speaking to journalists at an exhibition at the Expo Centre Lahore, the minister said the government would not be affected by what she described as “pointless demands” made by protesting political parties.

“The petroleum levy has nothing to do with the chief minister of Punjab or the Punjab government. It is a federal matter,” she said, questioning the political maturity of a party unaware of whether the levy was a federal or provincial issue.

She stressed that while peaceful protest was a democratic right, no one would be allowed to violate the law, block roads or create difficulties for the public.

“Any party that wants to protest should do so peacefully,” she said.

Azma said the apparent “season of sit-ins” was an attempt to revive “dead politics”. 

Mocking JI’s electoral performance, she said an assessment of its last three election results demonstrates poor public confidence in response to its apathy.

Speaking on the provincial government’s initiatives, the minister said the administration would provide loans to young people to help them establish themselves and move forward.

Azma also urged students to make careful choices and avoid pursuing degrees that offered limited employment opportunities.

“Instead, opt for fields that could provide them with sustainable career prospects.”

She also praised the participants at the Expo Centre exhibition.

“I thought that the talent among our youth had diminished, but today’s exhibit has proved me wrong,” the cultural minister highlighted, expressing confidence that young people associated with the arts would bring pride to their parents and the country.

Speaking on the gender gap, Azma said career opportunities for women had expanded considerably over the years.

She asserted that women should not be restricted to certain career paths: “There is no work that a man can do that a woman cannot do, and vice versa.”

Commenting on the fashion industry, the culture minister advised fashion designers to focus on affordability and develop fine clothing reasonably priced for the masses.
She vowed that the government would help young people showcase their abilities and provide them with opportunities to develop their talent.