ISLAMABAD: Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), has vowed to continue the sit-in protest until the government meets their demands, stating they will not back down without securing relief for the people.
The protest, which began at Islamabad‘s D-Chowk, has shifted to Rawalpindi’s Murree Road due to road closures and obstacles. Thousands of supporters have gathered, demanding the formation of an empowered committee to address their grievances.
In response to the protest, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the government’s readiness to negotiate with the JI on their demands in a bid to end the sit-in, which is causing inconvenience to the general public.
The government has announced a three-member team for negotiations with JI that includes Engineer Amir Maqam, Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, and Attaullah Tarar, who will work to mediate and resolve the issues raised by the protestors.
“We are ready to talk for peace, security, and development of the country, which is the main agenda of our government,” the minister said while addressing a news conference along with Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam.
The minister said the JI Chief was a seasoned and far-sighted leader whose guidance would be instrumental for the government to address the existing issues within the existing framework.
In a related development, all JI workers who were previously arrested in Islamabad have been released. Thirty detained workers had been transferred to Kohsar Police Station and Police Station Secretariat but are now free.
JI Ameer Hafiz Naeem, while addressing the sit-in in Rawalpindi, highlighted the increasing pressure on their workers, stating that raids and arrests have been ongoing since the previous day.
He emphasized that the situation has become unbearable, with salaried individuals and traders alike being severely affected, yet the government remains unresponsive.
Hafiz Naeem recounted a tragic incident in Gujranwala, where a dispute over an electricity bill led to one brother killing another.
He pointed out the disparity between low house rents and high electricity bills, criticizing the government’s anti-people decisions. He questioned why the government continues to increase its own expenses while imposing heavy burdens on the public.
The JI chief insisted that the government must relinquish its privileges and address the demands of the sit-in, which aims to end governmental concessions.
Hafiz Naeem dismissed the government’s claim that negotiations with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are impossible, arguing that vested interests within the government own electricity companies and exploit the IPP system. He called for the closure of several IPPs.
He demanded immediate relief, including reduced electricity bills and regulation of landlords. He proposed removing taxes from electricity bills and instead taxing landlords, as well as abolishing the tax slab for salaried individuals.
He asserted that the country’s main issue is not new elections but ensuring rightful governance for those winning on Form 45. He suggested that demands for new elections by these individuals indicate deeper issues. Jamaat-e-Islami seeks to provide relief to the people and will not end the sit-in without achieving this goal. He urged the government to form an empowered committee to negotiate.
Hafiz Naeem highlighted the severe economic impact of industry closures, noting that life has become extremely difficult, with people selling household items to pay electricity bills. He reiterated that the sit-in will not end until their demands are met, including terminating several IPPs.
He warned that while Jamaat-e-Islami advocates for peaceful protests, they demand the release of their detained workers. He condemned the government’s actions, which he described as oppressive, and noted that public trust in JI is growing. He warned that the momentum of their movement is unstoppable.
Previously, JI commenced its planned sit-in in Islamabad, with a large number of workers gathering at I-8 on the Islamabad Expressway. The sit-in, led by party leader Hafiz Naeem, began with a short address by him at 26 Number.
The JI chief rallied the crowd, asking if they were prepared to extend the sit-in if necessary. He warned the government to release the detained JI workers, stating, “Our flood will not stop; we have peaceful people.”
The JI leader outlined the demands of the sit-in, including the closure of IPPs and a reduction in the electricity tariff. He reiterated that the protest had just begun and would continue until their demands were met.
Hafiz Naeem announced the implementation of Plan B, stating that he would next move to Murree Road to demonstrate the party’s strength. He also mentioned that if the resistance continued, he would lead the protest to D-Chowk.
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