JI sets up 25 camps across Karachi to step up its protest drive

KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Karachi on Saturday set up 25 protest camps across the city against the petroleum levy, agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and prolonged load shedding by K-Electric, launching a campaign to seek public support for its demands.

A large number of citizens visited the camps, expressed support for the demands and signed a memorandum seeking abolition of the petroleum levy, review of IPP agreements, reduction in electricity prices and an end to load shedding.

JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar visited camps set up in District Central Gulberg, including those in Liaquatabad and Water Pump, Federal B Area, and addressed the participants. He said the government was placing a continuous financial burden on the public through the petroleum levy, claiming that Rs1,567 billion had been collected under the levy during the last fiscal year.

“Instead of reducing its extravagant spending and heavy expenditures, the government is shifting the entire burden onto the public,” he said that every citizen using petrol was paying Rs130 per litre in taxes, including Rs85 as petroleum levy. He called for its complete abolition and said agreements with IPPs should be reviewed to reduce electricity costs and provide relief to consumers.

“Our struggle is not limited to one class or area but is for resolving the issues of every citizen,” he said, adding that the party was mobilising people over issues affecting their daily lives. He said Karachiites were already facing multiple problems, including inflation, unemployment, prolonged load shedding, water shortages and poor infrastructure. The additional burden of the petroleum levy was further aggravating their difficulties, he added.

Talking about the electricity situation, Monem Zafar said it remained a serious concern for the people of Karachi.

Action against electricity theft was the responsibility of the relevant institution and the entire population should not be punished for it, he said that a difference of Rs7.60 had emerged in K-Electric’s basic tariff following a Nepra decision.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026