He warned the authorities not to obstruct the protests, saying the government would be responsible for any consequences if it attempted to stop demonstrators. He added that Jamaat-e-Islami would write a new chapter of peaceful resistance.
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman urged young people to bring their motorcycles and cars onto the roads and participate in the demonstrations. He demanded that the government immediately reduce petrol prices and abolish the petroleum levy, warning that public pressure would force the authorities to reverse their decisions if the demands were ignored.
According to Jamaat-e-Islami, the protests began after Friday prayers and will continue until 8:00 p.m. The party said sit-ins and demonstrations are being held at 510 locations across 170 districts, affecting traffic on several major highways, while ambulances and emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass without obstruction.
Where are the protests taking place?
In Karachi, the main rally will begin at Mazar-e-Quaid, where processions from different parts of the city will converge. According to Jamaat-e-Islami Sindh, demonstrations will be held on Shahrah-e-Faisal, Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Nagan Chowrangi, U.P. Mor, Power House Chowrangi, Defence View, Shahrah-e-Orangi, Sohrab Goth, Super Highway, and National Highway. Protests are also planned in 10 other districts of Sindh.
In Islamabad, a sit-in will be held at 26 Number Chungi, while Rawalpindi will witness a protest outside Liaquat Bagh.
In Lahore, Qurtaba Chowk and Mozang Chungi have been designated as the main protest venues, where rallies from different parts of the city will gather. Demonstrations are also planned on GT Road and major highways across South Punjab, while Chungi No. 6 and Bosan Road will serve as key protest points in Multan.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sit-ins will be held at the Peshawar Motorway Toll Plaza and other major highways. Demonstrations have also been announced at Chakdara in Swat and on the Indus Highway in Karak.
In Balochistan, protests will take place at 18 different locations, with Mian Ghundi Road designated as the main sit-in venue in Quetta.
According to Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman will address the central sit-in in Lahore, and his speech will be broadcast live via video link to protest venues across the country. He is also expected to announce the party's future course of action at 8:00 p.m.
What if the protests are stopped?
Speaking in Lahore a day earlier, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said the public would no longer tolerate economic hardships and demanded that the government reduce the petrol price to Rs225 per litre.
He said peaceful sit-ins would be held at 510 locations across the country and that only ambulances would be given passage.
He warned that if the government attempted to block the demonstrations, the movement against the petroleum levy could turn into a movement to bring down the government.
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman added that by 4:00 p.m., millions of people would be on the streets protesting against the government. He said people from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir would participate, while urging young people to join the protests with their motorcycles.
How could the protests benefit the public?
Previously, petrol prices in Pakistan were revised either every month or every fortnight. However, after July 2026, the government introduced a system of daily fuel price adjustments, directly affecting people's daily expenses.
At present, consumers are paying more than Rs120 per litre in petroleum levy. If Jamaat-e-Islami's demands are accepted and the levy is significantly reduced or abolished, petrol prices could fall to around Rs225 per litre, potentially lowering transportation costs, reducing the prices of essential goods, and easing the financial burden on ordinary citizens. However, the final outcome will depend on future government policy decisions.
Special traffic plans issued for Lahore and Karachi
Ahead of Jamaat-e-Islami's protests and sit-ins, Lahore Traffic Police has issued a special traffic management plan for Mozang and surrounding areas.
According to the traffic police spokesperson, rallies are expected to reach Mozang and Qurtaba Chowk after 4:00 p.m., likely increasing traffic congestion. Traffic diversions will be implemented in phases around Mozang, Hamdard Chowk, and Qurtaba Chowk from 4:00 p.m. until sunset.
Motorists traveling from Jain Mandar Lower Mall towards Ichhra have been advised to use Mall Road, Lawrence Road, and Shadman instead of Lytton Road.
The Lahore Traffic Police has urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel toward Mozang and Qurtaba Chowk. Chief Traffic Officer Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi advised commuters to contact the 15 Helpline and tune into Rasta FM for traffic updates.
To maintain smooth traffic flow, three DSPs and more than 100 traffic wardens have been deployed. Vehicles will be diverted to alternate routes if congestion increases. Citizens have also been requested to cooperate with traffic wardens and follow official instructions.
Meanwhile, Karachi Traffic Police has also issued a traffic advisory regarding Jamaat-e-Islami's protests and sit-ins.
According to the advisory, demonstrations are expected in various parts of the city, with the main rally starting from Mazar-e-Quaid. Traffic flow is expected to be affected on Mazar-e-Quaid, Numaish, Saddar, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Shahrah-e-Pakistan, U.P. Mor, Power House Chowrangi, Defence, Sea View, Shahrah-e-Orangi, Hub River Road, Super Highway, and National Highway, where slow-moving traffic, temporary diversions, and partial road closures are likely.
Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel through affected areas, choose alternate routes, allow extra travel time, follow traffic police instructions, and give way to emergency vehicles.
For the latest traffic updates, Karachi Traffic Police has asked commuters to contact the 1915 Helpline and listen to FM 88.6.
