Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami calls parliament rubber stamp, urges people for Nationwide Protests,
RAWALPINDI(Staff Reporter) :Jamaat-e-Islami Forms 4 members Committee for Talks with government Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has formed a four-member committee to engage in negotiations with the government amid its ongoing sit-in at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi. The protest, now in its third day, is against high inflation and heavy taxes on electricity bills, drawing a significant number of supporters.
Federal Minister for Information, Attaullah Tarar, along with Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and other officials, arrived at the sit-in to request an end to the protest. However, JI rejected the immediate call-off of the sit-in but agreed to enter into negotiations.
In response to the government’s offer, JI Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has formed a negotiation committee headed by Naib Ameer Liaquat Baloch. Other members include Ameer ul Azeem, Farasat Shah, and Nasrullah Randhawa.
The first round of talks between the government and JI is scheduled for today, with Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman and Liaquat Baloch welcoming the formation of the committee.
Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman criticized the ruling class, asserting that when the government is inactive and the parliament is merely a rubber stamp, the public has no choice but to take to the streets.
Addressing a protest sit-in at Liaquat Bagh,
Hafiz Naeem highlighted that it is not anyone’s desire to abandon their homes and sit on the streets, but they have come out for the future of the country and will remain until their demands are met. He condemned the concealed agreements with IPPs (Independent Power Producers), revealing that upon investigation, it was found that the ruling class was involved. He pointed out that the budget for capacity charges on electricity exceeds the defense budget. Hafiz Naeem called for the termination of non-performing IPPs while allowing the efficient ones to continue operations.
JI Threatens Month-Long Sit-in if Demands Not Met: Hafiz Naeem
Stressing that every agreement is under state control, he demanded accountability for those who signed these deals, suggesting they should be publicly hanged if not responsible. He named influential figures across various governments, including PML-N and PPP, who are part of this exploitative class, such as Razak Dawood, Nadeem Babar, and the Mansha Group.
JI demands are comprising of 9 points agenda to talk with the governments as First, 50% discount on electricity bills for consumers using up to 500 units monthly.
Second, Abolition of the Petroleum Development Levy.
Third, Reversal of recent increases in petroleum product prices.
Fourth, 20% reduction in prices of essential goods.
Fifth, 35% cut in non-developmental expenditures.
Sixth,Termination of the capacity payment and dollar payment agreements with IPPs.
seventh, 50% reduction in taxes on agriculture and industries.
Eighth, Withdrawal of oppressive tax burden on salaried individuals and
Ninth, Imposition of taxes on the privileged class.
Hafiz Naeem criticized the government for failing to function effectively, turning the parliament into a rubber stamp, and forcing the public to protest. He challenged the government to demonstrate how a household can survive on the minimum wage of Rs. 37,000 amid soaring electricity bills and inflation.
He questioned if the poor should resort to suicide and called on the youth, lawyers, scholars, and civil society to join the political resistance. He stated that the government’s negotiation committee has been informed of their core demands: reducing electricity prices, abolishing the slab system, and immediately removing taxes on salaried individuals.
Hafiz Naeem compared Pakistan’s tax collection to India, stating it is four times higher, and lamented that educated individuals, businessmen, and farmers are drowning in debt. He announced a public rally today and indicated that women would join the protest on Monday. He hinted at the possibility of announcing nationwide sit-ins during today’s rally, vowing to fight for their rights.
Concluding his speech, he affirmed that protests and negotiations would continue simultaneously, insisting that mere lip service would not suffice and that Jamaat-e-Islami would persist in addressing public issues until resolved.
