JI warns of expanding protests if demands are not met

The Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has issued a strict warning that if immediate demands regarding inflation are not met, protests will expand to Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta within two days. He indicated that the sit-ins will continue until their demands are met, even hinting at the possibility of a march to Islamabad’s D-Chowk. During a press conference at the ongoing sit-in at Liaquat Bagh Chowk in Rawalpindi, Hafiz Naeem highlighted the protest, now on its fourth day, as a demonstration of the public’s determination and resilience. He pointed out the public growing frustration, and the burden of high electricity bills and criticized the government for failing to take effective measures. He noted that despite difficulties a significant number of women joined the Lahore protest and criticised the government for creating hurdles and worsening the situation.

Hafiz Naeem condemned the unfair Independent Power Producers (IPPs) agreements revealing that 70 to 80 per cent of IPPs are non-operational due to contractual issues, with the government holding shares in 52 per cent of them. He inquired about a forensic audit of the IPPs and the eradication of capacity charges, citing excessive taxes on bills. He insisted that electricity prices should reflect the actual production costs and questioned why WAPDA officers and other officials receive free electricity and fuel. He even advised all political parties to join their struggle, advising supporters to focus on government actions rather than internal party disputes.