Pakistan’s government and Jamaat-e-Islami agree to form committees to discuss relief measures, while nationwide protests and sit-ins continue.
Web Desk: Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) nationwide shutter-down strike against the petroleum levy and rising inflation received a mixed response across Pakistan on Thursday, September 3, as some markets closed while business activity largely continued in parts of Punjab and Balochistan.
The development came as the government and JI agreed to hold talks on measures aimed at providing relief to the public.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said the government had formed a committee and asked JI to constitute its own negotiating team. He said the government was willing to consider proposals aimed at reducing the petroleum levy.
Government and JI agree to talks
Speaking at a joint press conference in Lahore alongside JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Iqbal said both sides would work through committees to discuss possible relief measures.
Rana Sanaullah said the government would implement JI proposals that were considered workable.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman confirmed that JI had formed a negotiating committee under Liaquat Baloch.
The JI emir said the party’s demands included reducing petrol prices and the petroleum levy, lowering electricity costs and bringing down the price of bread.
However, he made clear that the party’s protests would continue during negotiations.
“Sit-ins will continue, and talks will also continue,” Hafiz Naeem said, according to Geo News.
Mixed response across Pakistan
The strike produced different levels of participation across the country.
In Karachi, several commercial areas observed the shutdown. JI Karachi chief Munim Zafar claimed that more than 300 small and large markets had closed.
Markets in Federal B Area, Water Pump, Liaquatabad and Teen Hatti were reported to be largely closed. The Karachi Bar Association also supported the strike and announced a peaceful rally against inflation.
The Orange Line BRT service was suspended during the morning because of a JI sit-in, while the Green Line continued operating normally.
Several areas of Sindh also witnessed closures. Hyderabad observed a partial strike, while Thatta saw a broader shutdown involving commercial centres, hotels, petrol pumps and shops.
Markets in Badin and Shikarpur also closed, while Larkana and Hala witnessed more extensive shutdowns.
KP sees partial closures
The strike also received a mixed response in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In Peshawar, most shops on Ashraf Road were closed, while businesses in Qissa Khwani, Saddar and University Road remained open.
Lawyers in Peshawar also boycotted court proceedings in support of the strike.
Lower Dir witnessed a complete shutdown, while several commercial areas in Malakand also remained closed. Other locations, including Dera Ismail Khan, reported largely normal business activity.
Punjab and Balochistan largely remain open
The strike had a comparatively limited impact in parts of Punjab.
In Rawalpindi, Raja Bazaar, Murree Road, Commercial Market and Tench Bhatta remained open, with traffic reported to be normal.
In Lahore, tensions emerged between JI workers and traders on Mall Road over the strike call. The confrontation led to heated exchanges and a scuffle, after which police were deployed.
In Balochistan, most commercial activity continued. Shops and markets in Quetta, including areas around Liaquat Bazaar, Shahrah-e-Iqbal and Kasi Road, largely remained open.
Khuzdar was an exception, with commercial centres and markets observing the strike.
JI demands end to petroleum levy
The strike is part of JI’s wider campaign against fuel prices, taxation, inflation and electricity costs.
The party has been holding sit-ins in provincial capitals and other cities. According to Geo News, the sit-ins had continued for 18 days by September 3.
Hafiz Naeem has repeatedly called for the petroleum levy to be abolished and petrol prices reduced. He has also criticised electricity costs and the government’s agreements with independent power producers.
JI has claimed that poverty has increased significantly in recent years and that inflation is placing additional pressure on households. These figures and claims were presented by the party as part of its political argument for reducing the burden on consumers.
