KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Saturday announced a nationwide shutter-down strike for September 3, 2026 as its sit-in against the petroleum levy and excessive taxation entered its 14th consecutive day outside the Sindh Governor House.
The JI’s women wing held a Seerat-un-Nabi conference at the protest camp, attended by a large number of women from across Karachi.
The conference was addressed by JI women leaders and representatives, including Karachi Deputy Nazima Sumayya Asim, blogger and writer Afshan Naveed, Sabuh Talat, Tasneem Karim, Rubina Amir, Rehana Afroz and Saboor Fatima. JI Women’s Wing Karachi Nazima Javedan Faheem was also present.
Addressing the conference, JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar said the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) required Muslims to speak out against the oppressive conduct of rulers and stand with people facing injustice.
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He said love for the Prophet (PBUH) meant following his example and living according to his teachings. Unjust taxation, he added, was also against Islamic principles.
Monem Zafar said the government was collecting Rs130 per litre in taxes and levies on petrol, placing an unfair burden on the public. He said the JI had taken up the issues of ordinary citizens and was fighting for the rights of the country’s 250 million people.
“We are determined to continue our struggle and force oppressive rulers to bow before the will of the people,” he said.
He said JI Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had announced a countrywide shutter-down strike on Sept 3 against the petroleum levy and other taxes. Hafiz Naeem, he added, would visit the protest camp on Sept 1 and address a traders’ convention.
The JI Karachi Chief said the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had set the best example for humanity in every sphere of life and had given women rights and dignity, including inheritance rights.
He criticised Pakistan’s political and economic system, saying the country had remained under the control of a privileged elite for decades.
He also slammed the government spending and policies concerning independent power producers, saying IPPs received billions of rupees while consumers continued to pay high electricity prices.
Sumayya Asim said raising one’s voice for truth and against oppression was essential to following the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH), particularly when defending people facing hardship and injustice.
Afshan Naveed said the life and teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) should not be confined to the month of Rabiul Awwal but should guide Muslims in every aspect of life.
She said standing with oppressed people and speaking up for the poor was in line with the spirit of Seerat-un-Nabi.
Other speakers criticised what they described as unjust government policies and growing social inequality.
They urged the rulers to adopt the principles of compassion, justice and mercy exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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