Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) staged protests at 510 locations across Pakistan on Friday against what it described as an “unjust” increase in the petroleum levy, with demonstrations disrupting traffic in several major cities.
In Karachi, protests were led by Sindh Assembly member Muhammad Farooq at Natha Khan Bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal, while additional demonstrations took place on Hub River Road, the Super Highway, and near Jinnah International Airport. Traffic on Shahrah-e-Faisal was affected as protesters gathered to oppose rising fuel costs, inflation and the increasing financial burden on the public.
Similar demonstrations were held in Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and several other cities.
According to the party, protests also took place at Chakdara Interchange near Swat, Bhirya Bypass in Sukkur, Shah Nawaz Chowk in Tando Adam, as well as in Swabi, Abbottabad, Jhang and other districts.
JI had earlier announced a nationwide protest campaign covering 510 major roads and highways in 170 districts, calling for a reduction in the petroleum levy and measures to address inflation and rising fuel prices.
Sit-ins were also organised at key locations, including Qurtaba Chowk in Lahore, Stop No. 26 in Islamabad, Mian Ghundi Chowk in Quetta, the Toll Plaza in Peshawar, Bosan Road in Multan, the Indus Highway in Karak, CPEC Chowk in Bannu and the Chakdara Interchange.
A JI spokesperson warned that if authorities attempted to prevent what the party described as peaceful demonstrations, it would expand its protest campaign from 510 to 1,500 roads and highways across the country.