LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a sit-in in Islamabad against the rise in electricity tariff and the unfair taxation measures introduced in the budget.

Addressing a press conference at Mansoora on Monday, he said the sit-in would take place on July 12, demanding the government provide relief or face resistance.

He mentioned that the JI was also considering the option of a shutdown strike with an announcement potentially coming soon. The sit-in is part of the ‘Haq Do Awam Ko’ movement and Rehman claimed the JI was the only political party advocating for the public rights.

Mr Rehman highlighted that prolonged loadshedding and inflated bills had made life miserable for the people and criticised the IPPs for collecting billions in capacity charges without producing electricity. He noted that K-Electric was imposing long hours of loadshedding in Karachi, leading to deaths from suffocation and heatwave.

He said Nepra, K-Electric, distribution companies and the government developed an ‘evil nexus’ to target the poor. He pointed out that the people were selling household items to pay heavy utility bills and professionals and the youth were fleeing the country due to uncertainty and tough conditions.

The JI chief condemned the government for forming the budget under the IMF directives with the prime minister admitting this fact proudly. He expressed surprise that the rulers were feeling proud of their subservience to global donor instead of feeling ashamed. He criticised the ruling elite for uniting to impose heavy taxes on the people while enjoying luxuries themselves, increasing the petroleum levy while adding a fixed tax to electricity bills.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2024