Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, demanded an immediate reversal of recent petrol and diesel price increases on May 16, 2026 [1].
This demand comes amid rising public frustration over fuel costs, which the party leader describes as harmful to the general population. The threat of a nationwide strike signals a potential escalation in civil unrest if the government maintains current fiscal policies regarding energy.
Rehman said the party is prepared to take drastic action to protest the petroleum levy. "We will launch a nationwide wheel‑jam strike if the petroleum levy is not withdrawn," Rehman said [2].
He described the current pricing and levies as anti-people measures. The party intends to pursue both legal and grassroots avenues to combat the price hikes. "The party will challenge the levy in court and organise a shutter‑down protest across the country," Rehman said [3].
The call for a reversal is aimed at alleviating the economic burden on citizens. "The government must immediately reverse the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices," Rehman said [1].
While reports on the location of the address varied, the party's message remained focused on the immediate withdrawal of the levy to avoid a total shutdown of transport and commercial activities through a wheel-jam and shutter-down strike [1], [2], [3].
“"We will launch a nationwide wheel‑jam strike if the petroleum levy is not withdrawn."”
The threat of a 'wheel-jam' and 'shutter-down' strike represents a significant attempt by Jamaat-e-Islami to mobilize public discontent over inflation. By combining legal challenges with the threat of nationwide economic disruption, the party is attempting to force the government into a fiscal retreat on fuel levies to gain political leverage and public support.
