Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman Announces New Protests in Pakistan
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s Islamist political party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), has announced another protest after deferring a two-week-long sit-in in Rawalpindi. Speaking to the media, Naeem said that JI is considering peaceful protests by joining forces with trader groups. Consultations with traders are underway to organize these protests.
The new protests follow the party’s decision to delay its 14-day sit-in after reaching agreements with the government. These negotiations addressed demands such as reducing high power tariffs and reassessing contracts with independent power producers (IPPs), which have been criticized for high utility bills due to large capacity payments.
Naeem warned that the sit-in is deferred, not ended, and would resume if the government fails to honor their agreement. The announcement came after discussions between a JI delegation led by Liaquat Baloch and the government team, resulting in an agreement signed by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Interior Minister Moshin Naqvi.
During a press conference, Naeem criticized the ruling elite for worsening the country’s law and order issues. He highlighted the lack of peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and the rule of thieves and bandits in Sindh. He also noted that Punjab’s situation has worsened. Naeem called on the rulers to improve the law and order situation.
He acknowledged the need to expand the tax base but criticized the government for burdening inflation-stricken people with more taxes, particularly affecting traders and industrialists. Naeem urged the government to reduce taxes on the salaried class and warned of further protests if the government did not honor their agreement. He mentioned that the government has only 40 days left and that the party has various protest options.
Doubts Revealed
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman -: Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman is a leader of a political party in Pakistan called Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). He is known for organizing protests and speaking out against the government.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) -: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) is a political and religious party in Pakistan. It focuses on promoting Islamic values and often participates in political activities and protests.
Rawalpindi -: Rawalpindi is a city in Pakistan, near the capital city, Islamabad. It is known for its military headquarters and historical significance.
Power tariffs -: Power tariffs are the prices that people have to pay for using electricity. High power tariffs mean that electricity is expensive, which can be a problem for many people.
Law and order -: Law and order refer to the situation where laws are followed, and there is peace and safety in society. Poor law and order mean there might be more crime and less safety.
Trader groups -: Trader groups are organizations of people who buy and sell goods, like shopkeepers and business owners. They often work together to address common issues they face.
Salaried class -: The salaried class includes people who earn a fixed amount of money regularly, usually every month, for their work. They often have jobs in offices or companies.
