JI announces Aug 16 sit-ins outside governor houses, CM House in Lahore over petrol price hike

Warns protests' disruption may steer the campaign into movement seeking the government's ouster

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Saturday announced sit-ins outside the chief minister’s house in Lahore and governors’ houses in other provinces from August 16 (tomorrow) against the rising fuel prices.

Speaking at a press conference at JI central headquarters in Mansoorah alongside JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch, Lahore Emir Ziauddin Ansari and other party leaders, Rehman said the protest in Lahore would begin at 3pm from Masjid-e-Shuhada and proceed towards the Chief Minister’s House.

Criticising the government over the rising cost of petroleum products, the JI chief claimed that the government had collected Rs1,567 billion from the public through petroleum levies, exceeding the amount envisaged under the International Monetary Fund programme.

“We will not remain silent over this injustice,” Rehman said, announcing the launch of sit-ins from August 16.

Read: Road chaos as JI rally blocks major routes

He said the party was deliberately not announcing an end date for the sit-ins, adding that the protests would continue until the government addressed their demands.

The JI leader also warned the government against attempting to obstruct the protests or taking on what he termed an “adventure” against the demonstrators.

Rehman said that the party had previously staged sit-ins at 510 locations without causing damage to public or private property. “Not even a flowerpot was broken,” he said, adding that the government would be responsible for any untoward incident if it tried to disrupt the protests.

He further warned that any attempt by the government to sabotage the protests could turn the campaign into a movement seeking to oust the government.

Also Read: Petrol strike averted as govt gives in to dealers

The JI emir demanded an immediate reduction in the prices of petrol, electricity and essential commodities, saying the rising cost of living had placed an unbearable burden on the public.

“The party has announced the Lahore protest as part of a broader campaign against petroleum levies and rising prices, with demonstrations planned outside governors’ houses in the other provinces as well,” the emir explained.

Meanwhile, on the official handle of JI on X, the party called for a social media movement against the petroleum levy.

🚨 TREND ALERT | START NOW

— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) August 15, 2026

The burden of the Bhatta Levy has pushed millions into economic hardship. It's time to raise our collective voice.

Join the nationwide X trend campaign and make your voice count.#DharnaAgainstBhattaLevy pic.twitter.com/F04JQ8aqUf

"The burden of the Bhatta Levy has pushed millions into economic hardship. It's time to raise our collective voice. Join the nationwide X trend campaign and make your voice count," the post's caption read on X.