ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Monday, while inviting all the political parties to support his sit-in has emphasised that the protest represents a collective national demand rather than a party-specific agenda.

Addressing a press conference here, he urged political unity and public participation to address the issues at hand and avoid conflict. He also issued a stern warning that if immediate demands regarding skyrocketing power bills and inflation were not met, protests will expand to Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta within next two days. He further hinted that the protesters can march to Islamabad’s D-Chowk.

Rehman highlighted the protest, now in its fourth day, as a demonstration of the public’s determination and resilience. He pointed out the burden of high electricity bills and the government’s lack of response to alleviate this issue.

He noted that a significant number of women would join the protest despite obstacles in Lahore, criticising the government, which he described as being controlled by a single family, for creating hurdles and worsening the situation.

Rehman condemned the unjust agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), revealing that 70 to 80 percent of IPPs are non-operational due to contractual issues with the government holding shares in 52 percent of them.

He demanded a forensic audit of the IPPs and the abolition of capacity charges, citing excessive taxes on bills. He insisted that electricity prices should be based on actual production costs.

Calls for ending government perks were made, questioning why WAPDA officers and other officials receive free electricity and fuel. Rehman suggested that the prime minister, chief ministers, and judges should be limited to 1300cc vehicles to reduce the public burden, recalling former Prime Minister Junejo’s precedent of 1000cc vehicles for all.

The JI leader called for the elimination of levies on petrol and taxes on essential goods such as flour, sugar, and pulses, which are crippling industries and causing unemployment. He urged all political parties to join their struggle, advising supporters to focus on government actions rather than internal party disputes.

He described the sit-in as a powerful symbol of courage and a beacon of hope for people across Pakistan grappling with severe inflation and exorbitant electricity bills.

Highlighting the financial struggles faced by citizens, Rehman pointed out that electricity bills have become unaffordable, often exceeding the income of many individuals. “People are committing suicides due to inflation and electricity bills,” he said.

He expressed frustration over the government’s policies, particularly, the continuation of agreements with IPPs that he claims are harmful and unjust. “Pakistan cannot afford the path of conflict,” the JI leader maintained. Rehman also took the issue of additional taxes on electricity bills, questioning why this tax should be paid.

He also insisted that they were unacceptable. He demanded that electricity prices reflect actual costs rather than arbitrary figures, and called for a review of privileges granted to high-ranking officials who receive free electricity and use luxury vehicles.

Echoing his concern about the IPP contracts being deceptive, Rehman questioned the basis of their extension in 2019 and urged a reassessment of agreements with Chinese companies. He suggested that the recent reduction in petrol prices might be a direct result of the sit-in’s pressure.

Earlier, he claimed, such rallies were held on someone’s dictation, adding that the JI did not take orders from anyone. “The JI is staging a sit-in at Liaquat Bagh for the sake of peace after avoiding the clashes,” he remarked.

Despite the government’s apparent indifference, he asserted that the administration is concerned about the protest’s impact. He reiterated that the sit-in’s demands are public and emphasised that there is no deadline for meeting these demands, aiming for constructive dialogue and resolution.

He concluded by criticising the government’s submission to IMF’s demands while ignoring their own extravagant spending, suggesting that dialogue with China could resolve issues amicably given China’s long-standing support for Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024