KARACHI/ISLAMABAD (MNN); Six Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) workers were arrested in Karachi after police accused them of setting motorcycles and tyres on fire at Korangi Crossing in an alleged attempt to block traffic during the party’s nationwide strike against the petroleum levy.
Police said the arrested workers allegedly obtained two old motorcycles and tyres from a junk dealer and set them ablaze at Korangi Crossing. A case was registered against the six suspects under anti-terrorism laws. JI, however, distanced itself from the incident and alleged that unidentified “miscreants” were responsible, accusing the government of attempting to suppress its peaceful protest.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed authorities to investigate the matter and take action against those responsible without discrimination. He also sought a report from the Sindh police chief, stressing that no one would be allowed to disrupt peace in Karachi.
Meanwhile, the federal government and Jamaat-i-Islami agreed to form separate committees to recommend practical measures for reducing the petroleum levy and providing relief to the public.
The decision was announced at a joint press conference in Lahore by JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah.
Ahsan Iqbal said the government would establish an expert committee and asked the JI to form its own team so both sides could jointly examine proposals for reducing the petroleum levy and easing the burden on consumers. He said the government would consider and implement workable recommendations presented by the committees.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the party’s protests had entered their 19th day and were being held at more than 20 locations across Pakistan. He maintained that the protests were aimed at addressing public hardships, rising inflation and the heavy tax burden on petroleum products.
He said the JI had formed an expert committee under Liaquat Baloch to negotiate with the government. The party’s key demands include abolishing or reducing the petroleum levy, lowering fuel prices, cutting electricity costs and reducing the price of essential food items.
However, Hafiz Naeem said the party’s sit-ins would continue alongside negotiations until meaningful relief was provided to the public.
Rana Sanaullah expressed hope that the committees would reach a workable solution within two weeks, adding that the government was prepared to act on practical recommendations.
The JI’s nationwide strike against the petroleum levy, rising fuel prices and inflation received a mixed response across the country. Several markets and commercial areas remained closed in Karachi, parts of Sindh and some districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
However, business activity largely continued in Rawalpindi, many parts of Punjab and Quetta. In Lahore, JI workers and traders reportedly clashed over the strike call, prompting police intervention.
JI chief Hafiz Naeem said the party believed in peaceful political resistance and would announce its next course of action after the nationwide strike. He said the party would consult opposition groups regarding a possible long march if its demands were not addressed.
The JI protests are taking place amid growing public concern over rising fuel prices, inflation and increasing electricity bills, with the federal government facing mounting pressure to provide economic relief.
