Petroleum Levy is a ‘Jaggaa Tax’ and Must Be Abolished at All Costs, Says JI Islamabad Ameer
ISLAMABAD, August 6, 2026 – Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Islamabad Ameer Engineer Nasrullah Randhawa has announced that Point No. 26 on the Motorway will be blocked on Friday, declaring that the protest will be the largest in the history of the federal capital.
Speaking at a protest rally organized by the JI Women’s Wing outside the National Press Club, Islamabad, Randhawa issued a stern warning to the government, stating that the petroleum levy is a “jugaar tax” (adhoc/imposed tax) that must be abolished at all costs.
Women’s Wing Leads Powerful Protest
The demonstration witnessed massive participation from women belonging to various areas of the federal capital. They were holding placards, flags, and banners inscribed with demands for relief from inflation and the abolition of the petroleum levy.
Addressing the rally, Randhawa was joined by former Member of National Assembly and Deputy General Secretary of JI Women’s Wing Ayesha Syed, Iffat Sajjad, and Islamabad Naazima Qudsia Namoos.
‘Rs. 150 Per Liter Levy, Rs. 1,600 Billion Collected in One Year’
Randhawa stated that approximately Rs. 150 per liter is being collected as petroleum levy, which is continuously driving up the prices of essential commodities.
He revealed the following figures:
- Rs. 1,600 billion collected through petroleum levy in just one year
- Rs. 3,400 billion paid to IPPs during the same period
- Rs. 8,300 billion out of the Rs. 16,000 billion federal budget spent on interest payments
- Rs. 62,000 billion out of total Rs. 83,000 billion loans obtained from banks owned by the rulers themselves
“The owners of banks and IPPs are sitting in Parliament, and the people are paying the price in the form of inflation,” he asserted.
‘Tomorrow at 5 PM – Largest Protest in Islamabad’s History’
Randhawa announced that the protest movement will expand further. “Tomorrow at 5 PM, citizens of Islamabad will gather in large numbers at Point No. 26, where the next phase of the protest movement will be launched,” he said.
He demanded that the government immediately abolish the petroleum levy, warning that public reaction will intensify otherwise. “If the youth also participate fully in this movement, it will become difficult for the rulers to face the situation,” he added.
Women Speak Out for National Rights
Former MNA Ayesha Syed said that women have come out not for themselves but to protect the rights of the entire nation. “The petroleum levy is a heavy tax imposed on the people, and the increase in petroleum prices directly affects every household’s budget,” she said.
“The matter is no longer limited to demands; the people will struggle fully for their rights. Women will continue to play their role in this public movement under the leadership of JI,” she added.
Iffat Sajjad and Qudsia Namoos, in their addresses, reiterated that women will play a full role in the ongoing movement against inflation, petroleum levy, and anti-people economic policies. They demanded that the government immediately abolish the petroleum levy, reduce petroleum product prices, and take effective measures to provide relief to the masses.
‘Peaceful Protest Will Continue Until Demands Met’
The speakers expressed their resolve that JI’s peaceful protest movement will continue until the abolition of the petroleum levy and the provision of economic relief to the people.
