{
  "id": 3283879,
  "title": "‘Patience has run out’: JI warns of shutdown, Islamabad march if petroleum levy not abolished",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/patience-has-run-out-ji-warns-of-shutdown-islamabad-march-if",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T14:51:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2025229/patience-has-run-out-ji-warns-of-shutdown-islamabad-march-if-petroleum-levy-not-abolished"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI) has issued a stern warning of a nationwide shutdown, road blockades, and a march on Islamabad if the government does not withdraw the petroleum levy. Addressing a press conference at a sit-in outside the Punjab chief minister’s House in Lahore, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated that the protests have been ongoing for 10 days and are growing in momentum throughout the nation. Rehman emphasized that the people's patience has reached its limit and demanded the immediate removal of the petroleum levy and what he referred to as unjustified taxes. The JI intends to announce a date for a nationwide strike on 13th Rabi-ul-Awwal, while protests will persist during Eid Miladun Nabi celebrations. The party has mobilized people across all four provinces and plans to intensify the campaign if its demands are disregarded. Rehman accused the government and those in control of the system of failing to address the country's economic issues, arguing that successive decisions have shifted the burden of the state's failures onto ordinary citizens. He called for the abolition of the petroleum levy and other fuel taxes, as well as a reduction in the price of roti to Rs10. Rehman also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in coal imports for independent power producers (IPPs), urging an independent investigation to determine who benefited from the alleged malpractice. The JI has previously experienced success in reducing electricity prices by around Rs10 per unit due to public pressure from its campaign against IPPs. Rehman warned that the JI would intensify its protests if the government fails to respond to its demands, threatening shutdowns, road blockades, and a march on Islamabad. He criticized the political system, calling the ruling coalition a \"Form-47 product\" that has failed to resolve problems faced by ordinary Pakistanis. The JI leader also criticized the PPP for damaging Sindh and highlighted what he described as a family monopoly in Punjab. Rehman stressed that the JI's protest is driven by the rights of the people, not personal or political interests, and invited the government's negotiating committee to visit the protest camp to explain when the petroleum levy will be withdrawn and how relief will be provided.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday once again warned of a nationwide shutdown, road blockades and a march on Islamabad if the government failed to withdraw the petroleum levy. Addressing a press conference at the JI sit-in outside the Punjab chief minister’s House in Lahore, Rehman said the protests had entered their 10th day and were gaining momentum across the…",
  "key_points": [
    "JI warns of nationwide shutdown if petroleum levy not abolished",
    "JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman demands immediate removal of levy",
    "Protesters threaten march on Islamabad if demands ignored"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "‘Patience has run out’: JI warns of shutdown, Islamabad march if petroleum levy not abolished",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/patience-has-run-out-ji-warns-of-shutdown-islamabad-march-if-3287800",
        "published": "2026-08-25T14:51:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}