LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami announced a countrywide shutter down strike tomorrow (Thursday). The strike is for reduction in levies, taxes and petrol prices.
Speaking at a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman urged the public to support the protest and make the strike successful.
He claimed that more than Rs17 billion had been paid to independent power producers for electricity that was allegedly never generated.
JI expands protest campaign
Hafiz Naeem said JI would stage protests at five locations in Peshawar. He added that the party could expand sit-ins in Islamabad and Rawalpindi if necessary.
However, he stressed that JI would continue its campaign peacefully.
He accused the sugar, IPP, tax and sugarcane sectors of exploiting ordinary citizens. He claimed the sugar industry benefited whether authorities exported or imported sugar.
The JI chief also said inflation had risen by 11.2 percent. Meanwhile, he criticised major journalists for allegedly failing to properly cover the party’s previous 18-day sit-in.
He also rejected a report linking higher petrol prices to JI’s protest. In contrast, he said electricity prices had fallen by Rs16 following the sit-in.
Government prepares for talks
Hafiz Naeem said any creation of new provinces or administrative units must follow the constitutional process. He also warned against creating divisions between Sindhis and Muhajirs.
He questioned the political role of the Pakistan Peoples Party and criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf officials for allegedly harming their own party.
Meanwhile, the government has formed a committee to negotiate with JI over its ongoing protest.
According to sources, a delegation of the federal government will meet JI representatives at Mansoorah in Lahore on Thursday.
Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal will meet the JI leadership to convince them to end protest campaign.
