Jamaat-e-Islami protest in Karachi causes major traffic jams

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) held protest rallies in various parts of Karachi on Friday against high petrol prices, leading to severe traffic congestion across the city.

Multiple rallies, which started from different districts, converged near the Nursery area on Sharea Faisal. The convergence of protesters during the evening rush hour caused major traffic jams on key thoroughfares, including Sharea Faisal, University Road, Main Korangi Road, and I. I. Chundrigar Road.

Reports indicated that protesters also gathered at Mazar-e-Quaid with the intention of marching as a central rally towards Sharea Faisal for a planned sit-in at Nursery.

A JI representative stated that the protests were part of a nationwide call, with demonstrations being held at over 200 locations across Pakistan against fuel price hikes and associated taxes.

Traffic police were later seen working to clear the congestion, with reports suggesting that traffic was eventually restored on some of the affected roads, including University Road and Main Korangi Road. One track from the airport towards Nursery was also reportedly opened to ease the flow of vehicles.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) held nationwide protests on Friday against recent hikes in petrol prices and petroleum levy, causing significant disruptions in major cities across Pakistan.

In Karachi, the protests led to widespread traffic congestion. Many public and private offices allowed employees to leave early, around 3 p.m., in anticipation of road blockades. Protest rallies commenced at 4 p.m. from various locations, including Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Hub River Road, National Highway, and Super Highway. The processions later converged at Mazar-e-Quaid before heading towards Shahrah-e-Faisal, a key artery in the city.

Protests were also reported in other urban centers. In Islamabad, demonstrators gathered on Srinagar Highway, while rallies in Lahore and Peshawar also caused traffic delays as JI workers took to the streets. Throughout the demonstrations, participants were seen carrying party flags and chanting slogans against the price hikes. JI had announced that emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, would be allowed to pass through the blockades.

In a related development, Sadia Javed has reportedly broken her silence regarding the Jamaat-e-Islami protest.

Jamaat-e-Islami workers have reportedly blocked motorways as part of their ongoing nationwide protests against rising petroleum prices and the petroleum levy.

Jamaat-e-Islami's protest sit-ins on Friday caused significant traffic disruptions across Karachi as part of a nationwide demonstration against the petroleum levy. The Karachi traffic police issued an advisory, warning of slow-moving traffic, temporary diversions, and partial road closures on several major thoroughfares. Affected areas included Mazar-i-Quaid, Numaish Chowrangi, Saddar, Shahrah-i-Faisal, Shahrah-i-Pakistan, UP Mor, Power House Chowrangi, Defence Housing Authority, Sea View, Shahrah-i-Orangi, Hub River Road, Super Highway, and National Highway. Updates from JI Karachi's official X account confirmed workers had blocked the road leading to Natha Khan from Shahrah-i-Faisal, as well as the Super Highway and Hub River Road.

Jamaat-e-Islami has announced the shutdown of 510 roads across Pakistan as part of its ongoing protest against inflation and rising petroleum prices.

Jamaat-e-Islami is specifically protesting the petroleum levy in Karachi as part of its nationwide demonstrations against rising fuel prices on Friday, August 7.

Jamaat-e-Islami is currently holding countrywide sit-ins and protests today, August 7, against rising petroleum prices. Reports indicate that these massive protests are blocking roads nationwide.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has called for a nationwide road blockade today, August 7, at 4 PM to protest against rising petroleum prices. He urged the public to join the protest, emphasizing its peaceful nature.

Protests have erupted across the country following Jamaat-e-Islami's call for a nationwide road blockade against the rising petroleum prices.

In addition to Jamaat-e-Islami's planned road blockade, goods transporters have announced a nationwide strike to protest the daily increases in petrol prices. This strike signifies a broader public reaction to the rising fuel costs.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has announced a nationwide road blockade on Friday to protest against rising petroleum prices.

In his announcement, Hafiz Naeem urged the public to join the protest, stating it was for the people of Pakistan and not for any specific leader or party. He emphasised that the party intends to protest peacefully and warned the government against any 'adventure' or use of force.

He cautioned that if the peaceful protest is obstructed, Jamaat-e-Islami knows other methods of protest. He also suggested that the movement against fuel prices could escalate into a movement to bring down the government, advising the administration to allow the peaceful demonstration.

The announcement follows a protest already held by the women's wing of Jamaat-e-Islami in Lahore, where participants held placards and banners against the government.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced peaceful sit-ins against the petroleum levy at 510 locations across the country on Friday, August 7. He warned that these protests would transform into a movement to overthrow the government if authorities attempted to stop them. Major roads linking districts across Pakistan are expected to be blocked from 4 pm onwards, though ambulances will be allowed to pass without interruption. Rehman demanded that the price of petrol be reduced to Rs 225 per litre, describing the petroleum levy as "extortion" and claiming the government collects Rs 125 in taxes on every litre of petrol. He alleged that the government has collected Rs 8 trillion through the petroleum levy without investing any of it in upgrading oil refineries or petroleum infrastructure.

The Jamaat-e-Islami Women's Wing held a protest rally in Rawalpindi on August 6 against rising inflation and petroleum price hikes. The wing's president, Samina Ehsan, announced their support for a nationwide protest called by the Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami for August 7. The protest highlighted the increasing prices of essential goods and the burden of petroleum levy and indirect taxes on the public, demanding a reduction in petroleum product prices and the petroleum levy.

The government has officially issued a notification detailing the new petrol and High-Speed Diesel prices, effective from August 6.

The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) announced an increase in the ex-depot price of petrol by Rs4.45 per litre, raising it from Rs328.56 to Rs333.01. Concurrently, the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) decreased by Rs2.00 per litre, moving from Rs385.86 to Rs383.86, effective from August 6.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) updates fuel tariffs daily based on Singapore Platts trends from the last seven working days and currency exchange movements. The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance has announced a wheel jam strike for August 8, demanding a reduction in diesel taxes and a return to July 1, 2024 fuel price levels.

The petroleum levy remains unchanged at Rs80 per litre on petrol but increased on HSD from Rs70.82 to Rs72.26. The Climate Support Levy (CSL) is maintained at Rs5, while Custom Duty is set at Rs21 on petrol and Rs15.68 on HSD.