Karachi: Thousands of women participated in a protest march organised by the women's wing of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Shahrah-i-Quaideen on Monday against the petroleum levy and rising fuel prices, with the party announcing a nationwide protest campaign on Aug 7.The march, led by JI Women's Wing General Secretary Dr. Humaira Tariq, drew participants from all parts of Karachi carrying banners and placards demanding the abolition of the petroleum levy, lower petrol prices and a reduction in what they described as government extravagance.Addressing the gathering, JI Pakistan chief Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the participants represented the aspirations of people across the country and called on the government to abolish the petroleum levy and reduce petrol prices.He also demanded the termination of agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), saying that a forensic audit of the sector would expose those responsible for what he termed anti-public policies.Announcing the party's next phase of agitation, he said JI would hold protests across Pakistan on Aug 7, during which it would also announce its future course of action.He said major highways from Karachi to Chitral would be blocked as part of the demonstrations, while emergency vehicles, including ambulances, would be allowed to pass.Criticising the country's political system, he reiterated his party's position that those who win elections should be allowed to govern and said that electoral manipulation had deprived voters of their mandate. He also criticised successive governments and the political establishment, accusing them of failing to address the country's economic challenges.The JI chief said the petroleum levy had become an additional burden on ordinary citizens and linked it to rising inflation and increasing transportation costs. He argued that millions of motorcycle users and low-income families were disproportionately affected by higher fuel prices, while highlighting that lawmakers were increasing their own salaries despite widespread economic hardships.He also urged supporters to make greater use of social media to strengthen the party's campaign against inflation, the petroleum levy and what he described as entrenched economic interests.Speaking on the occasion, Karachi JI chief Monem Zafar Khan announced a series of protest activities, including youth rallies on Aug 5, public awareness camps on Aug 6 and a major gathering at Mazar-i-Quaid on Aug 7.JI Pakistan Women Wing General Secretary Dr. Humaira Tariq said rising fuel prices had a direct impact on the cost of living and described the party's campaign as a movement for the economic rights of ordinary Pakistanis. Other speakers, including Samina Saeed, Rukhsanda Muneeb and Jawadan Faheem, criticised inflation, rising taxes and government spending, and demanded the abolition of the petroleum levy.The protesters also called for lower petrol prices, reduced government expenditure and the abolition of the petroleum levy.