Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) called a nationwide strike on September 3, 2026, shutting hundreds of markets in Karachi and other Pakistani cities to protest the petroleum levy and inflation, with traders, lawyers, and business associations joining the shutdown.
The strike, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), paralyzed commerce in Karachi and across Pakistan on September 3, 2026, as traders and business associations closed hundreds of markets and petrol pumps to demand the removal of the petroleum levy and relief from rising inflation. The shutdown, described as the latest, and so far largest, escalation in a protest campaign that has been building since July, saw over 43 markets in Karachi shut, while protests continued in multiple cities.
JI’s Demands and Government Engagement
JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman framed the strike as a response to the petroleum levy, which he claimed added roughly Rs130 per litre of fuel, exacerbating inflation and burdening low-income households. This is our agenda. Along with the big issues, there are also the everyday issues, such as inflation. Every man, woman and child is suffering from it,
Rehman said, emphasizing the party’s focus on public welfare over political gain. The JI also demanded renegotiation of power-sector agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) and the reduction of fuel prices.
The federal government, through Adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah, acknowledged JI’s concerns and expressed willingness to negotiate. Sanaullah stated the government was ready to do this
and urged technical teams from the Federal Board of Revenue, finance, and petroleum ministries to examine JI’s proposals. If we can reach a conclusion, and if the common people can get relief from it, I believe that this is what we want,
he added.
Market Closures and Business Community Response
Over 43 markets in Karachi, including Clifton, DHA, and Saddar, shut down entirely, while others like Jodia Bazaar and pharmaceutical markets remained open to maintain essential supply chains. JI Karachi Amir Monem Zafar Khan reported hundreds of markets and bazaars across Karachi are closed,
with support from the All City Traders Alliance and the All Iron and Steel Merchants Association. However, the All Pakistan Traders Association opposed the strike, warning that further disruptions could worsen economic challenges.
The Karachi Bar Association joined the protest, calling for a peaceful anti-inflation rally from the Sindh High Court to the Karachi Press Club. It also urged courts to avoid adverse rulings for those unable to attend due to the strike. Meanwhile, the Karachi Electronics Dealers Association and the Wholesale Grocers Association supported the shutdown, citing public interest.
Protest Intensity and Public Participation
The strike coincided with the 19th day of JI-led protests, with sit-ins continuing in all four provincial capitals. Rehman reported growing public participation, noting that demonstrations had expanded from three initial locations to “15-20 places” across Pakistan. In Karachi, protests outside the Governor House drew support from over 50 traders and market-association heads. However, tensions flared in Lahore, where clashes between JI workers and opposing traders disrupted traffic on Mall Road.
JI also threatened to escalate actions, including a potential long march on Islamabad, if the government did not address its demands. These people will sit here, God willing. We will talk in terms of numbers,
Rehman said, signaling the party’s determination to continue pressure tactics.
Economic and Political Implications
The strike highlighted the economic strain on Pakistan’s middle class, with JI leaders citing the petroleum levy as a key driver of inflation. The party’s demands also targeted broader structural issues, including the financial burden of IPP contracts and the lack of affordable basic goods. The purpose of the Jamaat-e-Islami is to reduce inflation and to give relief to the common people,
Sanaullah said, reflecting the government’s acknowledgment of the crisis.
The strike’s impact on commerce and public services underscored the political leverage of organized protests in a country where economic grievances often drive mobilization.
