Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) will begin the third stage of its protest movement against the petroleum levy on 23 October 2026. Sit-ins are scheduled to take place across every district in the country.
The movement aims to provide public relief by reducing fuel costs and abolishing the petroleum levy. JI previously held a shutdown strike and staged sit-ins at 510 different locations nationwide as part of its campaign against inflation and rising fuel prices.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, the JI Emir, stated that the party would meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but would not drop its protest movement. The Emir noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requested the party to delay its march to Islamabad on 22 September 2026 and invited the leadership to talks upon his return to Pakistan.
A government committee contacted JI to arrange a meeting between the Prime Minister and Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, though the government made no further contact after settling the meeting details. Any meeting between the Prime Minister and Hafiz Naeem would focus on the agenda of abolishing the petroleum levy.
JI will seek written assurances from the government before determining its next steps.
