Lahore, August 16, 2026: A sit-in organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore against the Petroleum Levy is underway at Mall Road, Chairing Cross, with thousands of Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore workers and caravans from Central Punjab participating. The sit-in is being led by Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore Ziauddin Ansari Advocate.The sit-in formally commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran as participants gathered at Mall Road, Chairing Cross, to register their protest against the Petroleum Levy. Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Central Punjab Muhammad Javed Kasuri, Deputy Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Osama Razi, Secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore Azhar Bilal, Deputy Amirs of Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore, other leaders and thousands of workers are participating in the sit-in.The participants are carrying Jamaat-e-Islami flags and placards highlighting their demands, while slogans against the government are also being raised. The enthusiasm and determination of the workers remain high.Addressing the participants, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore Ziauddin Ansari Advocate said that the Petroleum Levy was an additional economic burden on the people and demanded its immediate withdrawal by the government. He said the additional burden on petroleum products was affecting the common man, workers, traders, industrialists and every segment of society.He said that an increase in petroleum prices was not limited to fuel stations but had a direct impact on the prices of essential commodities, transportation and other daily-use items. He urged the government to reduce its own expenditures and unnecessary privileges instead of placing further financial burdens on the people.Ziauddin Ansari Advocate said Jamaat-e-Islami was standing firm for the protection of people’s rights and that the sit-in against the Petroleum Levy was a voice of the people. He demanded that the government immediately withdraw the Petroleum Levy and provide genuine relief to the masses.He said Jamaat-e-Islami would continue to raise public issues through peaceful and democratic struggle, adding that the struggle would continue until the people were provided meaningful relief.The participation of Jamaat-e-Islami caravans from various districts of Central Punjab further increased the number of participants, while workers also raised slogans in support of their leadership.
The leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore reiterated that the objective of the sit-in was to effectively highlight the economic hardships, inflation and additional burden of the Petroleum Levy faced by the people and to demand people-friendly measures from the government.
