“Petrol bomb on public”: Hafiz Naeem calls for countrywide agitation

KARACHI: Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, on Friday strongly condemned the massive increase in petroleum prices, terming it a “petrol bomb” dropped on the public by the government.

He also announced the launch of a nationwide protest movement against the hike, urging citizens—especially the youth—to come out and raise their voices for change.

According to official figures, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs138 per litre, bringing it to Rs458.40 per litre, while diesel prices have risen by Rs184 per litre to Rs520.35 per litre.

In a video statement, Hafiz Naeem urged the government to defer payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and regasification plants, and to reduce its own expenditures instead of placing additional burden on the public.

He criticized the repeated increase in fuel prices, saying it has pushed the petrol rate to an unbearable level, severely affecting poor and middle-income groups.

He added that such decisions are equivalent to “burying people alive,” as citizens are already struggling to meet basic needs.

He further stated that not only fuel prices but taxes have also been increased by the government, worsening the economic situation. According to him, motorcyclists, delivery workers, students, and daily wage laborers will be among the hardest hit by the latest hike.

Criticizing government spending, he alleged that authorities are unwilling to reduce their own luxuries while imposing financial pressure on the public.

Hafiz Naeem questioned why payments to IPPs—amounting to billions under capacity charges—cannot be deferred, claiming that such payments are placing an undue burden on the public.

He also highlighted that regasification plants installed at ports are continuing to receive daily payments despite no gas supply, questioning why these payments are not being stopped.

Announcing the protest movement, he said demonstrations would begin nationwide from today and warned that the rulers would be forced to step back in the face of public pressure.