Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI) emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced a nationwide highway blockade and sit-ins on August 7 as part of the second phase of the party’s anti-petroleum levy and anti-inflation campaign.

The government’s petroleum and carbon levy, imposed in 2025 under IMF commitments, has sparked protests demanding its abolition, cancellation of costly IPP contracts, and measures to curb inflation and power outages.JI workers will block roads connecting all districts, allowing only ambulances to pass, while holding 20,000 corner meetings before the protest.Rehman warned the government against using undemocratic tactics, warning it could turn the campaign into a movement against the regime.He criticized the petroleum levy as extortion, claiming its removal would lower petrol prices below Rs200 per litre.

The JI also condemned provincial governments for rising poverty in Punjab, alleged mismanagement by Maryam Nawaz, and criticized lawmakers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for self-benefiting legislation.Rehman called for dialogue to resolve security issues in KP and Balochistan, while urging the government to address the party’s demands.The protest follows earlier rallies against fuel price hikes and inflation, with JI challenging the petroleum levy’s legality in court.