Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced on Saturday series of sit-ins across the country, escalating their ongoing protest at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi.
The announcement came during a public gathering addressed by JI Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, who emphasized the party’s commitment to addressing the public’s economic grievances.
Addressing the crowd, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman highlighted the shift from personality-driven politics to issue-based politics, stressing that the current government must recognize and address the people’s demands.
“When the politics of personalities start dying and the politics of public demands start moving forward, the ruling parties begin to worry,” he said. He urged the government to understand the plight of citizens who are forced to protest in harsh weather conditions due to economic hardships.
The JI leader reiterated the party’s demands for relief for the poor, middle class, and business community, focusing on the reduction of electricity bills and the abolition of additional taxes and Independent Power Producer (IPP) capacity charges.
“Our demand is to get some relief for the poor, middle class, and business community, to reduce their sufferings. This is our politics, and we are proud of it,” Hafiz Naeemur Rehman declared. Despite adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and storms, the sit-in in Karachi commenced as scheduled, indicating the nationwide expansion of JI’s protest movement.
“The sit-in will start in Karachi today, and the series of sit-ins will not stop. This movement will continue to grow across the entire country,” he announced.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also criticized the government’s negotiation committee for its lack of engagement, stating that the committee had been “missing for three days.”
He called on the committee to engage in negotiations openly and transparently. “If you think that this sit-in is becoming a public force, come forward and negotiate. Saving people from inflation and providing relief is our goal, and this is our politics,” he asserted.
Referring to the last agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he highlighted the government’s violation of its commitment not to tax food, health, and education. He warned of a potential march towards Islamabad if the demands are not met. “We may announce a march towards Islamabad at any time. Jamaat-e-Islami will rise only after fulfilling its demands,” he warned.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also touched upon the issue of the Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline, accusing the government of lying to the nation about the International Court’s stance on the project. He demanded the elimination of financial exploitation by local elites and called for the abolition of all taxes on food items and stationery.
As the sit-in entered its ninth day, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman commended the participants for their peaceful and resilient stance. “Our sit-in is becoming a public force. The participants are here peacefully, and I pay tribute to their dedication,” he concluded.