Jamaat-e-Islami Leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman Threatens Nationwide Protests Over High Electricity Bills in Pakistan
Rawalpindi [Pakistan] July 27: Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s right-wing party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), has issued a stern warning to the government. He threatened to expand their ongoing sit-in protest in Rawalpindi to other areas of the country if demands regarding increased electricity bills and taxes are not met.
The sit-in, currently taking place at Liaquat Bagh, could escalate if the government does not respond to the demands. Rehman stated, “If the government is thinking that the sit-in would continue on Murree Road only, it is wishful thinking. If they do not reduce electricity bills in a genuine manner, do not address the matter of IPPs (independent power producers), and do not revoke the [tax] slab on the salaried class, then this sit-in would not remain limited to here; it would spread further to the entire country.”
Rehman criticized the government’s handling of the economic situation, noting that even industrialists are struggling to pay their electricity bills. He mentioned, “I met traders and industrialists here in the past week and they lamented, ‘we are at our limits and cannot run our factories anymore.'” He highlighted the broader economic impact, pointing out that the closure of a single factory results in thousands of people losing their jobs.
The government had earlier convinced the JI to relocate its protest from D-Chowk in the Red Zone to Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, following negotiations with the JI leadership. Despite the move, Rehman reiterated his party’s demands, emphasizing the need for genuine reductions in electricity bills, proper negotiations with power producers, and the removal of recent tax burdens on the salaried class. He also called for the release of all arrested workers and an official clarification on the formation of a committee to hold talks with the party.
The current spike in electricity bills in Pakistan is a direct consequence of the nation’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As part of a contentious and drawn-out negotiation, the IMF demanded that Pakistan boost its tax revenues and increase power tariffs to secure the financial deal. This move has further burdened the already struggling population, igniting widespread dissatisfaction and protests.
Doubts Revealed
Jamaat-e-Islami -: Jamaat-e-Islami is a political and religious party in Pakistan. They focus on promoting Islamic values and have a significant following in the country.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman -: Hafiz Naeemur Rehman is a leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party in Pakistan. He is known for speaking out on various social and economic issues.
Nationwide Protests -: Nationwide protests mean that people in many parts of the country come together to show their disagreement with something. In this case, it’s about high electricity bills.
Rawalpindi -: Rawalpindi is a city in Pakistan, near the capital Islamabad. It is known for its military headquarters and historical sites.
D-Chowk -: D-Chowk is a famous public square in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is often used for political rallies and protests.
Liaquat Bagh -: Liaquat Bagh is a public park in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. It is named after Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, and is a common place for public gatherings and protests.
Electricity Bills -: Electricity bills are the charges people pay for using electricity in their homes and businesses. High electricity bills mean that people have to pay a lot of money for their electricity usage.
Taxes -: Taxes are money that people and businesses have to pay to the government. The government uses this money to provide services like roads, schools, and hospitals.
Economic Policies -: Economic policies are the plans and actions taken by a government to manage the country’s economy. This includes things like taxes, spending, and regulations.
Industrialists -: Industrialists are people who own or manage large businesses, especially those involved in manufacturing and production. They play a big role in the economy by creating jobs and producing goods.