Islamabad, May 13, 2026: Punjab Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Tariq Saleem, has announced a major protest demonstration in Islamabad on Friday, May 15, against the recent increase in petroleum prices.
Speaking at a gathering in Gujrat, Dr. Tariq Saleem said that Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman would lead the protest.
He said the government had made life increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens through heavy taxation on electricity bills and petroleum products. According to him, nearly Rs19 trillion had been collected from the public over the last three years, while the salaried class alone paid more than Rs500 billion in taxes during the previous year.
Dr. Tariq Saleem warned that if the government failed to reduce petroleum prices and abolish the petroleum levy, Jamaat-e-Islami would launch a nationwide wheel-jam and shutter-down strike on the directions of the party leadership.
Criticising the ruling parties, he alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party had failed to address public issues despite controlling national resources.
He also highlighted the economic burden on the middle class, labourers, students and motorcycle riders, claiming that millions of motorcyclists were paying billions of rupees annually in fuel taxes. He alleged that the government was collecting around Rs117 per litre as petroleum levy from consumers.
Dr. Tariq Saleem said Jamaat-e-Islami would continue its campaign against what he described as economic injustice and urged citizens to support the party’s peaceful movement for economic relief and systemic reforms.
