ISLAMABAD: Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, has issued a stern warning that if immediate demands about high inflation are not met, protest demonstrations will expand to Peshawar, Karachi, and Quetta within two days.
The JI leader emphasized that the sit-ins will persist until their demands are met, even signaling at the possibility of a march to D-Chowk, Islamabad. During a news conference at the current sit-in at Liaquat Bagh Chowk in Rawalpindi, he highlighted the protest, now in its fourth day, as a protest of the public’s resilience and determination. He also pointed out the burden of high electricity bills and the government’s lack of response to ease the issue.
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman noted that a large number of women would take part in the protest despite hindrances in Lahore, strongly criticizing the government, which he described as being run by a single family, for creating obstacles as well as worsening the situation.
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Hafiz Naeem denounced the unjust agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), disclosing that 70 to 80 percent of IPPs are non-operational because of contractual problems, with the government holding shares in 52 % of them.
The JI leader demanded a forensic audit of the IPPs and the elimination of capacity charges, citing excessive taxes on electricity bills. He also insisted that electricity prices must be based on actual production costs.
Calls for eliminating government perks were made, questioning why WAPDA officials receive free fuel and electricity. He suggested that the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and judges must be limited to 1300cc vehicles to decrease the public burden, recalling former PM Junejo’s precedent of 1000cc vehicles for all.
