Jamaat-e-Islami Strike Shuts Major Markets Across Pakistan Over Petroleum Levy
KARACHI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Major commercial markets remained closed in parts of Pakistan on Thursday as traders responded to a nationwide shutter-down strike called by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) against the petroleum levy, electricity-related charges and rising living costs, while talks between the party and government representatives were expected later in the day.
The September 3 strike follows weeks of protests and sit-ins led by JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, who has demanded the withdrawal of the petroleum levy, relief in electricity and fuel costs and changes to agreements with independent power producers, or IPPs.
Express reported that businesses were closed in numerous commercial centres across the country as the strike began. The scale of participation, however, varied by city and sector, meaning the action should not be described as a complete shutdown of all economic activity nationwide.
Major Karachi Markets Join Strike
The strike received substantial backing from traders in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest commercial centre.
Ahead of Thursday’s action, the All City Traders Alliance, All Iron and Steel Merchants Association and representatives of dozens of markets announced they would close their businesses. Electronics dealers and trader organisations in Clifton and DHA also backed the protest.
Among the commercial centres expected to participate were Panorama Centre, Atrium Mall, Zainab Market, Victoria Market, International Market and several markets in Clifton and DHA. Karachi electronics dealers had also announced a shutdown.
Express separately reported that multiple trader associations — including groups representing Orangi, North Karachi and other parts of the city — had backed the September 3 strike over the petroleum development levy and the rising cost of doing business.
However, participation was not universal.
Karachi’s wholesale commodity trade, including Jodia Bazaar, was expected to remain operational, while the Wholesale Karachi Pharma Organisation said medicine markets would continue business as usual.
This makes “major markets closed” more accurate than describing Karachi or Pakistan as being under a total business shutdown.
JI Protests Petroleum Levy and Electricity Costs
Hafiz Naeem has made the petroleum levy the centrepiece of JI’s latest nationwide campaign.
Announcing the September 3 strike last week, he described it as a peaceful protest and warned that demonstrations could expand to markets, roads and eventually a march towards Islamabad if the government failed to provide relief.
JI is also demanding changes to what it describes as unfair agreements with IPPs and reductions in electricity and petroleum costs.
The party’s assertions about the economic impact of the levy and payments to IPPs are JI’s political and economic claims and should be attributed accordingly rather than presented as independent findings.
Hafiz Naeem has also warned that the party could escalate its campaign if its demands remain unresolved.
Government-JI Talks Expected at Mansoora
A potentially important development emerged alongside the strike, with sources telling Express that committees representing the government and Jamaat-e-Islami were expected to hold talks at Mansoora in Lahore on Thursday.
According to the report, a government delegation was expected to arrive at the JI headquarters during the day.
The planned negotiations could provide an avenue for reducing tensions, but the fact that talks are scheduled does not mean the government has accepted JI’s demands or agreed to abolish the petroleum levy.
No final agreement had been announced in the reporting reviewed at the time of publication.
Reports of Incidents in Karachi
Express also reported incidents of arson and unrest involving unidentified individuals in Karachi during the strike.
Such incidents require careful attribution because JI had publicly called for its strike to remain peaceful. When announcing the protest, Hafiz Naeem said the action would be peaceful and pledged there would be no damage to property.
There was no basis in the sources reviewed to attribute acts committed by unidentified people directly to Jamaat-e-Islami.
Any investigation into vandalism, arson or violence should therefore remain separate from the political party’s formal strike call unless authorities establish responsibility.
Protest Campaign Could Escalate
The shutdown marks the latest stage of a broader JI campaign that has included sit-ins in provincial capitals and other cities.
Hafiz Naeem said Wednesday that the movement had expanded across the country and claimed trader organisations had rallied behind the strike. He also indicated that JI would announce its next course of action following Thursday’s protest.
Previous warnings from the party have included the possibility of a long march towards Islamabad and further sit-ins if the government does not address its demands.
The immediate focus, however, is on the extent of Thursday’s commercial shutdown and the outcome of expected negotiations between the government and JI.
The strike represents significant pressure from sections of the business community and Jamaat-e-Islami, but its nationwide economic impact will require fuller assessment after markets close and participation data becomes clearer.
