JI Plans Nationwide Protests at 4 p.m. Across Pakistan Over Petroleum Levy, Inflation on 510 Major Roads and Highways.

Jamaat‑e‑Islami (JI) announced Friday will see protests across Pakistan at 4 p.m. over the petroleum levy, rising fuel prices and inflation. The campaign has been mapped onto 510 major roads and highways in 170 districts, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and several other cities. In Karachi, JI chief Monem Zafar Khan said caravans would start moving at 4 p.m. from Shahrah‑e‑Pakistan, Hub Road, National Highway, Super Highway, Orangi, Korangi, Pakistan Chowk and Sher Shah. The groups were to converge at Mazar‑e‑Quaid and then continue toward Shahrah‑e‑Faisal. He warned that roads along the routes would remain closed during the demonstrations but ambulances would be allowed to pass, and that the protest would continue until the petroleum levy was withdrawn. The party declared that if authorities attempted to stop the demonstrations, the campaign would expand from the planned 510 to 1,500 roads and highways. In Lahore, the traffic police issued a special plan for Mazang and adjoining areas, noting that the sit‑ins were expected to reach Mazang and Qurtaba Chowk after 4 p.m. The plan called for diversions from 4 p.m. until sunset, advising motorists to avoid Litton Road and use Mall Road, Lawrence Road and Shadman as alternatives. Deputy super‑intendents of police and over 100 traffic wardens were deployed to guide traffic. Ji spokesperson Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, in a video message, urged motorists to park vehicles at 4 p.m. as part of a peaceful protest against excessive taxation and rising costs of living. He said the government had lifted a heavy petroleum levy, increased taxes on food and other essentials, and claimed 27 food items had risen in price in the past month. He also cited Rs 1.9 trillion collected over the past year and warned that more taxes would follow unless the public mounted a strong response. The protests aim to draw attention to the perceived shifting of fiscal burden onto ordinary citizens, especially motorcycle riders, through repeated fuel‑related taxes and indirect charges. No arrests or injuries have been reported at this time, and all demonstrations are described as peaceful sit‑ins and traffic diversions.