Protest against oil levy: JI says people want rights, not charity

KARACHI: The Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) sit-in outside the Sindh Governor House against the petroleum levy and Independent Power Plants (IPPs) agreements entered its 29th day on Sunday, with JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar saying people were demanding their rights, not charity.

Addressing a press conference at the protest venue, he said the campaign had turned the petroleum levy into a major public issue. “The people are not asking for alms from the rulers; they are asking for their right,” he said, asking Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif how much more the public would be squeezed by record fuel prices.

Zafar said the government had collected Rs3,137 billion in petroleum levy over the past two and a half years. “The rulers are enjoying free petrol, free electricity and perks,” he added.

He said preparations and registration for the September 20 Islamabad march, announced by JI’s central chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, were under way, while negotiations with the government would continue.

The JI leader said PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal had conveyed the prime minister’s message that talks would be held on Tuesday on the petroleum levy and from Wednesday on IPPs.

“JI welcomes the government’s decision and hopes that decisions will be made on the IPP issue in the larger interest of the country and the people. The public can no longer bear expensive electricity and unjust burdens,” he said.

He said JI’s protests were continuing across the country, seeking relief for the public and changes to the IPP agreements in the national interest.

Comparing regional fuel prices, the JI leader said diesel prices rose by 9 percent in India and 15 percent in Bangladesh between Feb 10 and Sept 10, against 41 percent in Pakistan.

“The Iranian president has announced that one day the head of government will come to office on a bicycle, while our rulers are not ready to cut their own perks while increasing the tax burden on the people,” he said.

Earlier, a teachers’ session was held at the protest venue, attended by a large number of educators. A delegation of Rofi Global City affectees, led by JI East District chief Naeem Akhtar, also joined the protest and briefed JI leaders about their problems.

The Pakistan Engineers Forum Karachi Chapter announced support for the sit-in. Led by Imran Ahmed, its delegation assured participation in the Sept 20 Islamabad march on Hafiz Naeem’s call. PEF Karachi President Hammad also handed over Rs1.5 million to the sit-in fund on behalf of the engineers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026