KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) organized nationwide demonstrations on Friday to protest against rising inflation, increased fuel prices, the petroleum levy, and taxes. The protests included rallies, sit-ins, and marches, which caused significant traffic disruptions on major highways and roads across various cities.
In Karachi, protests led to severe traffic congestion at several locations. According to traffic authorities, congestion was reported along both directions of the road between Lasbela Chowk and Numaish Chowrangi, as well as on roads connecting Tibet Centre with Numaish Chowrangi and around Shahrah-e-Quaideen. Traffic police deployed personnel to manage vehicle flow.
In Matiari, JI workers blocked the National Highway, halting traffic in both directions and creating long queues on the Karachi-Punjab National Highway. Similarly, in Tando Allahyar, a protest rally was held from Ghani Khan Park to the Press Club. In Thatta, protesters staged a sit-in at DC Chowk in Makli following JI’s call for action.
In Shikarpur, a sit-in on Rustam Road severely impacted traffic on highways connecting Kashmore, Jacobabad, and Sukkur. In Hyderabad, a separate protest against fuel levies and inflation was held at Hyder Chowk, disrupting traffic flow.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, demonstrations took place in several districts. Protesters in Abbottabad blocked traffic at Fawara Chowk over petroleum taxes. In Bajaur, traffic was disrupted on the main Peshawar-Bajaur highway, and in Peshawar, demonstrators protested and blocked the Peshawar Motorway toll plaza.
Balochistan saw protests in multiple locations, including blockades on the Peshawar-Chaman-Punjab highway at Kuchlak and the road to Jacobabad in Dasht, Mastung. Additional protests occurred in Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Sohbatpur, and Kachhi, with a sit-in at Nasirabad’s main chowk shutting down the Sindh-Balochistan National Highway. In Bela, protesters staged a sit-in at Bela Cross on the N-25 National Highway, causing long queues and travel disruptions.
In Islamabad, JI activists gathered near Golra Mor for a protest march, led by senior leader Liaquat Baloch. The march moved toward 26 Number Chungi, protesting the rise in fuel prices.
In Punjab, demonstrations were held in Dera Ghazi Khan against soaring fuel costs and inflation. Sangam Chowk, which connects all four provinces, was closed, leading to long vehicle queues. In Sargodha, a sit-in at Pul 47 disrupted traffic, while in Rawalpindi, a rally from Liaquat Bagh to Committee Chowk drew many party workers, criticizing the government’s handling of inflation.
