KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Tuesday warned that it would launch a nationwide protest movement from June 13 and subsequently announce a countrywide “wheel-jam strike,” if the upcoming federal budget imposed any additional tax burden on the public.

Addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-i-Haq, the JI Karachi headquarters, party chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman urged people from all walks of life, including youth, workers, students, lawyers, teachers, doctors and traders, to support its campaign against what he described as anti-people economic policies.

He criticised the continued reliance on the petroleum levy and indirect taxation, arguing that the burden was being borne by workers, students, farmers and low-income commuters while privileged groups remained protected.

He also called for immediate reductions in electricity, gas and petroleum prices and urged the government to freeze utility tariffs for at least three years to support economic recovery.

Referring to the power sector, the JI chief said agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) had caused significant economic losses to the country. He demanded a forensic audit of all IPP contracts and the termination of agreements found to be against the national interest.

Criticising the government’s decision to allow sugar exports, he said that influential interests within the ruling structure were benefiting from policies that favoured the sugar industry at the expense of consumers.

He said the move was contributing to rising sugar prices and urged the government to prioritise public welfare over the interests of “mafias”.

Karachi’s civic challenges

The JI chief said Karachi generated a substantial share of Sindh’s revenue but was being denied its due resources and rights.

He criticised delays in the K-IV water supply project and accused both federal and provincial authorities of shifting responsibility for the scheme’s slow progress.

He said 70 to 80 per cent of Karachi was facing severe water shortages, forcing residents to go without water for weeks, while tanker operators continued to function with official patronage.

The JI leader said the country did not require any new constitutional amendment at present. Instead, he called for empowering local governments across Pakistan, including in Karachi, and ensuring direct allocation of financial resources to them.

Condemning the recent acid attack on a woman doctor in Balochistan, he described the incident as “inhumane and deeply tragic” and urged the government to introduce stronger legislation and preventive measures against such crimes.

He also called on the government to take urgent steps to secure the safe release of Pakistani citizens being held hostage by Somali pirates.

He said nearly 50 days had passed since the incident, but no serious or effective efforts by the authorities were visible.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026