Jamaat e Islami (JI) has claimed that its nationwide protest campaign against rising petroleum prices and the petroleum levy contributed to reducing the financial burden on consumers, following months of demonstrations, sit-ins, a long march and negotiations with the government.
Petrol prices in Pakistan reached Rs458.40 per litre on April 3, 2026, following an increase of approximately Rs137 in a single day. The price has since declined to Rs346 per litre as of November, representing a reduction of more than Rs112 per litre.
At the beginning of June, Brent crude was trading at around $100 per barrel, while petrol in Pakistan was selling for approximately Rs378 per litre. In November, international Brent crude prices were again approaching $100 per barrel, but domestic petrol prices had fallen to Rs346 per litre.
Several factors, including international oil prices, the value of the rupee, import costs, government taxes and the petroleum levy, influence domestic fuel prices. However, JI Deputy Ameer Liaquat Baloch has credited the party's sustained protests and proposals presented through its negotiation committee for contributing to the reduction.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has also acknowledged Jamaat-e-Islami's peaceful protests and the progress made through discussions aimed at providing public relief.
The party's campaign began in response to the sharp increase in petroleum prices and the financial burden on consumers. It subsequently expanded its demands to include the abolition of the petroleum levy, reductions in government expenditure and meaningful relief for the public.
On August 7, Jamaat-e-Islami expanded its campaign against the petroleum levy, while sit-ins began in different cities on August 16. According to the party, protests were organised at 510 locations across the country, with sit-ins held at 42 locations.
Alongside street demonstrations, the party held several rounds of negotiations with the government. On September 3, both sides agreed to establish committees comprising experts to examine ways to reduce the petroleum levy and provide relief to consumers.
However, the negotiations failed to produce a final agreement, prompting Jamaat-e-Islami to intensify its protest campaign.
On September 20, the party launched a long march from Karachi towards Islamabad. Workers travelled by train through different cities, with the procession reaching Multan during its journey.
On September 22, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted JI chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman by telephone and requested that the long march be postponed. He also invited the party leadership for a meeting and further negotiations.
Following the prime minister's request, Jamaat-e-Islami halted its march towards Islamabad but announced that its protest campaign would continue. The party maintained its sit-ins and other protest activities instead of ending the movement.
The campaign brought the party into direct negotiations with the government over petroleum prices, taxation and public relief. Its leadership presented proposals through a negotiation committee, arguing that reducing the petroleum levy and government expenditure could provide additional relief to consumers.
Beyond the issue of fuel prices, the campaign has also brought Jamaat-e-Islami back into the national political debate by focusing on an issue directly affecting household budgets and the cost of living.
The party has combined street protests, sit-ins, a long march and negotiations to advance its demands, while maintaining that peaceful political pressure contributed to the government's engagement on the issue.
However, it remains to be seen whether Jamaat-e-Islami can translate its protest campaign into sustained political support and secure further reductions in the petroleum levy, leading to additional relief for consumers.
