Supporters of Pakistani religious group “Jamaat-e-Islami” protest in Rawalpindi city, Pakistan, Saturday, July 27, 2024. | Photo credit: AP
Pakistan’s right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Saturday vowed to continue its protests in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as the party’s sit-in continued for the second day as it pressurised the government to reduce electricity prices and taxes on the salaried class.
The party held protests for the second day on Saturday at D-Chowk in Islamabad to take out a rally.
However, police stopped the Jamaat-e-Islami’s campaign. Later, the party changed its plan and announced a sit-in at three places including Murree Road and Chungi No. 22 in Rawalpindi and H-8 Bridge in Islamabad.
JI chief Hafiz Naeem addressed the participants camped on Murree Road, the main route linking the garrison town with Islamabad, and vowed to continue the sit-in until the demands were accepted.
“Our demands are simple and we want the government to provide relief to the public,” he said, adding that the party was aware of the difficulties but was confident that the issue of power tariff could be resolved.
He said the protest will continue until their key demands are met. He made it clear that renegotiations must be held with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), a group of power companies, which he believes is the main reason for the exorbitant rise in electricity bills.
Mr Naeem also said that if the government shows seriousness on the issues raised by JI, then he is ready to hold talks with the government. He said that the government should first form a committee for talks.
He also announced to address a big gathering at Murree Road on Sunday evening and called upon people from all sections to join it as his party has been fighting for their rights.
JI is one of the oldest parties in the country and is also known for holding large protests. The protesters have been peaceful so far but Mr Naeem alleged that dozens of party workers have been arrested and demanded their immediate release. PTI SH PY Besides, supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also staged demonstrations across the country where hundreds of activists were arrested on Friday who were protesting against hiked electricity bills and demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from jail.
The main opposition party PTI could not hold its much-hyped protest in the national capital after the government imposed a ban on public gatherings. However, its ally JI defied the ban and went ahead, claiming that the police had arrested several activists.
Over 150 workers of both parties were arrested by law enforcement agencies of Punjab province in Lahore.