JI Launches Train March in Karachi Against Petroleum Levy

News Desk
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Sunday formally kicked off its high-profile train march from the port city’s Cantonment Station, marking the second phase of nationwide protests demanding the immediate withdrawal of the heavy petroleum levy.
Led by JI Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, hundreds of charged party workers and citizens gathered at the railway station to board the special protest train, chanting slogans against soaring inflation and mounting economic pressures on the salaried and working classes.
The protest movement aims to pressure the federal government into rolling back oppressive taxes and soaring levies on petroleum products, which opposition parties argue have crippled the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.
Addressing charged supporters prior to departure, Hafiz Naeem maintained that the government’s economic policies are directly benefiting elite classes while crushing the marginalized segments of society through unbearable utility bills and fuel prices.
The ongoing agitation holds profound political and socio-economic implications for Pakistan’s volatile landscape, as inflation continues to dominate public discourse. Analysts note that sustained pressure from religious and political groups over essential commodities could force the administration to reconsider its fiscal adjustment measures, especially as the cost of living reaches unprecedented highs across major urban centers.
Following today’s departure from Karachi, the protest train is scheduled to make several strategic stops along its route to engage with local communities, culminating in major public demonstrations.
Party leadership has announced plans to expand the scope of the anti-inflation campaign nationwide if the federal administration fails to provide immediate relief on petroleum pricing.