Petroleum Levy protest: JI to hold sit-in outside Governor’s House today

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi will hold a sit-in outside the Governor House on Sunday (today) to protest the petroleum levy, which its city chief Monem Zafar Khan has termed a “bhatta tax” imposed on the people.

The protest is being held following an appeal by JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. Monem Zafar warned that the feudal, elite groups still dominate Pakistan 79 years after independence. He said that federal government had exceeded the petroleum levy target by nearly Rs100 billion.

He noted that the government had gone “two steps ahead of the IMF” in burdening the people. He said the government had collected around Rs100 billion more than its petroleum levy target, despite failing to meet its tax collection targets.

He said the government had turned the petroleum levy into a major source of revenue and had collected more than Rs1,560 billion from citizens through the levy during the last fiscal year.

Monem Zafar called the levy a “bhatta tax” imposed on the public and said the government was continuously fleecing people instead of providing them relief.

He also dubbed the levy “cruel” and unacceptable and urged the government to reduce the burden on citizens. He also called on people to participate in the protest in large numbers and demand their rights.

Earlier, speaking at the inauguration of Chandni Park in UC-7, Bahadurabad, under Town Municipal Corporation Jinnah, and at an Independence Day family festival organised by JI UC-12 and New Karachi Town, Monem Zafar said that even after 79 years of independence, Pakistan continued to be dominated by feudal lords, waderas, Khans and other elite groups.

He said these groups had occupied the country’s resources while ordinary citizens remained deprived of basic facilities.

“People in Karachi do not have adequate electricity and water, but electricity bills, taxes and various fines are collected regularly,” he said.

Monem Zafar said JI had consistently raised its voice on issues affecting citizens, including petrol prices, taxes on petroleum products, water and electricity, and would continue to do so.

He urged people to support JI’s struggle against what he described as a system of oppression and injustice, saying that a system based on justice and fairness could be established only through collective efforts.

He also welcomed the completion of the Chandni Park project in Bahadurabad and said it was a matter of satisfaction that TMC Jinnah and UC-7 had completed the scheme.

He appreciated the relevant officials for their follow-up and efforts and said JI would continue to use its available resources and powers to make Karachi cleaner, more attractive and a better city for its residents.

“People have placed their trust in Jamaat-i-Islami. We will further strengthen that trust through development works and public service,” he said.

TMC Jinnah Chairman Rizwan Abdul Sami, TMC New Karachi Chairman Mohammad Yousuf, North District Secretary Shakeel Ahmed, UC-12 Chairman Azim Anwar, UC-7 Chairman Saleem Umar Kapadia, Vice Chairman Hassan Raza and a large number of residents attended the events.

Participants at the Independence Day family festival celebrated the occasion with enthusiasm and prayed for Pakistan’s security, prosperity and development.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026