The Awami National Party (ANP) has officially aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) to challenge the federal government’s latest petroleum levy hike. The decision marks a rare instance of cooperation between the two parties, signaling an escalation in the political pressure facing the ruling coalition over the rising cost of living.
ANP provincial leadership confirmed the alliance late Wednesday, citing the “unbearable” financial burden placed on the working class. While the two parties have historically occupied different ends of the political spectrum, the immediate impact of fuel price spikes has forced a tactical alignment on the streets.
“We aren’t just watching the country sink,” an ANP spokesperson said during a brief press briefing in Peshawar. “When the public can’t afford to commute to work or heat their homes, political differences take a backseat to survival.”
The government’s decision to increase the petroleum levy—part of its ongoing commitments to international lenders—has become a flashpoint for public anger. Jamaat-e-Islami has been leading a series of sit-ins and rallies across major urban centers, demanding an immediate rollback of the tax. By bringing the ANP into the fold, the protests gain significant organizational reach in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region where the ANP maintains a loyal grassroots base.
For the government, the optics of the alliance are problematic. The administration has maintained that the levy is a necessary fiscal measure to stabilize the economy and meet IMF benchmarks. However, the opposition parties argue the burden is being unfairly distributed, placing the weight of structural reforms squarely on the shoulders of low-income earners.
The joint protest schedule is expected to be finalized within 48 hours. Sources within the JI leadership suggest the movement will move beyond press statements and into targeted demonstrations at key transit hubs and provincial offices.
Whether this alliance signals a broader anti-government coalition remains unclear. For now, the focus is singular: forcing a policy reversal on fuel prices before the upcoming parliamentary session. If the government refuses to budge, the streets of Peshawar and beyond could see their largest coordinated demonstrations in years.
