PESHAWAR: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has announced nationwide sit-ins on August 16, saying the party’s campaign will focus on inflation, high electricity and fuel prices, and economic policies that he says are increasing the burden on ordinary citizens.
Addressing the media in Peshawar, Hafiz Naeem said demonstrations held on August 7 marked the beginning of what he described as a peaceful political movement. He said the response to those protests would help determine the next phase of the campaign.
JI Demands Lower Fuel and Electricity Costs
Hafiz Naeem called for petrol and diesel prices to be reduced to Rs225 per litre and questioned payments to independent power producers (IPPs) through capacity charges when electricity is not being generated.
He also criticised the government’s economic policies, alleging that poor governance and corruption were contributing to the financial pressures faced by the public.
The JI chief said previous protests over IPPs had contributed to reductions in electricity prices, but maintained that the relief provided to consumers remained insufficient.
Sit-Ins Planned Outside Governor Houses
According to Hafiz Naeem, sit-ins will be held across all four provinces on August 16.
In Punjab, protesters will gather outside the Chief Minister’s House, while demonstrations in the other three provinces will take place outside their respective Governor Houses.
“Our agenda is clear: end inflation, reduce electricity prices and abolish the petroleum levy,” Hafiz Naeem said.
He urged other political parties and their workers to participate in the protests, arguing that the issues being raised affect the wider population rather than JI alone.
Hafiz Naeem said the campaign was intended to seek economic relief for citizens and maintained that the difficulties faced by people were linked to government policies rather than the protests themselves.
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