Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman demanded the immediate reversal of recent petrol and diesel price increases during a press conference in Lahore [1].
The threat of a nationwide strike signals growing political tension over the cost of living in Pakistan, as fuel prices directly impact transportation and food costs.
Speaking from the Mansura area of Lahore on Aug. 8, 2024 [1], Naeem-ur-Rehman called for the government to withdraw the petroleum levy. He said that failure to do so would result in a coordinated effort to halt transport across the country [2].
"If the petroleum levy is not withdrawn, we will launch a nationwide wheel‑jam strike," Naeem-ur-Rehman said [2].
Beyond the immediate demand for fuel price relief, the party leader used the event to mobilize supporters for a broader political movement. He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami will hold a major public gathering in Lahore from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23, 2024 [3].
The party chief said the gathering is intended to consolidate public opposition to the current economic policies. The movement seeks to address the financial burden placed on citizens by the recent hikes in petroleum costs, and the accompanying levies [1].
Naeem-ur-Rehman said the party is prepared to escalate its protests if the government does not respond to the demands for price reductions. The call for a wheel-jam strike represents a significant escalation in the party's strategy to pressure the administration [2].
“If the petroleum levy is not withdrawn, we will launch a nationwide wheel‑jam strike.”
The threat of a 'wheel-jam' strike is a potent political tool in Pakistan, as it can paralyze the national supply chain and logistics. By linking immediate economic grievances—specifically fuel costs—to a larger scheduled gathering in November, Jamaat-e-Islami is attempting to transform a cost-of-living protest into a broader organized political movement against the current government's fiscal policies.
