Rahmatullah Swati
On the call of Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami organized a rally in Timergara, Lower Dir, and held a large protest demonstration at Gorgorai Chowk, Timergara. The demonstration was addressed by Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North) Inayatullah Khan, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lower Dir Maulana Asadullah, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Youth Lower Dir Atiq-ur-Rehman, General Secretary Shoaib Ahmed, and Information Secretary Malik Sher Bahadur Khan.During their speeches, they demanded the immediate annulment of the oppressive agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), including the agreements made with China. They emphasized that the benefit of the 1.4 trillion rupees saved under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s claim regarding capacity payments should be passed on to the public.
The speakers accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the government of being involved in these agreements, with the government itself holding a 50% share in them, which has led to the exploitation of the people. They stated that the public was robbed of 200 billion rupees without consuming electricity.They further pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa generates hydropower electricity at the cost of 10 rupees per unit, yet the federal government sells it back to the public at 70 rupees per unit, looting the people with bothhands.Jamaat-e-Islami vowed not to tolerate this injustice any longer.The speakers demanded the removal of excessive taxes from electricity bills and an end to unannounced load shedding. They criticized both the government and the opposition for being indifferent to public issues while unanimously agreeing to increase their own salaries and perks by 200%, a move condemned by Jamaat-e-Islami.Additionally, they called for the immediate activation of the Timergara Kotoh Hydel Power Project to provide electricity and royalties to Lower Dir. The speakers also demanded an investigation into the corruption worth millions in Timergara Medical College and Timergara Hospital and the prosecution of those involved.
