Protests in Karachi Led by Jamaat-e-Islami Against High Electricity Costs
On September 29, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and several Islamic organizations in Pakistan organized sit-ins at 13 key locations across Karachi to protest against the government’s failure to reduce high electricity costs and excessive taxation. The demonstrations aimed to highlight the growing burden on the public due to rising utility costs.
During the protests, funeral prayers in absentia were held for Shaheed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon. JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar led the prayers on the National Highway. Speaking at the event, Zafar lamented the state of Pakistan’s leadership, saying, ‘The nation’s leaders are focused on dominating their people.’ He criticized the government for protecting the ‘electricity mafia,’ known as Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
According to Zafar, the ruling regime has been colluding with K-Electric in Karachi and IPPs in other parts of the country. Karachi, a city with over 30 million residents, has become the center of multiple crises, Zafar remarked. He highlighted that its citizens are dealing with severe shortages of electricity, water, gas, and numerous civic issues. ‘The megacity has been surrendered to criminals and mafias,’ Zafar said, citing the influence of the tanker mafia, K-Electric, and street criminals, which he believes have made the city nearly uninhabitable.
The sit-ins saw JI Karachi leadership, along with district heads, addressing protestors at the 13 locations across the city. Participants carried placards and banners, shouting slogans against the ruling regime and those responsible for the ongoing hardships faced by the people of Karachi.
In an earlier protest on August 13, JI’s Rehman had announced another demonstration after his party deferred a two-week protest in Rawalpindi. This followed a July sit-in in Rawalpindi where JI urged the government to revise its electricity policies to provide relief to citizens. Pakistan’s energy crisis, which dates back to the 1970s, continues to be a major issue, exacerbated by over-employment within the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC).
Doubts Revealed
Karachi -: Karachi is a big city in Pakistan, which is a country next to India. It’s like Mumbai in India, very busy and important.
Jamaat-e-Islami -: Jamaat-e-Islami is a political and religious group in Pakistan. They work to promote Islamic values and sometimes organize protests.
electricity costs -: Electricity costs are the money people have to pay to use electricity in their homes and businesses. High costs mean people have to pay a lot of money.
taxes -: Taxes are money that people and businesses have to pay to the government. The government uses this money to provide services like schools and roads.
Ameer -: Ameer is a title used for a leader or chief in some Islamic groups. In this case, Monem Zafar is the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami in Karachi.
electricity mafia -: The ‘electricity mafia’ refers to people or groups who control the electricity supply and make it very expensive. They are often accused of being corrupt.
utilities -: Utilities are basic services like water, electricity, and gas that people need to live comfortably. Shortages mean there isn’t enough of these services.
funeral prayers -: Funeral prayers are special prayers said when someone dies. They are a way to show respect and say goodbye to the person.
Hezbollah -: Hezbollah is a group based in Lebanon, another country. They are involved in politics and sometimes in conflicts.
Shaheed -: Shaheed is a term used for someone who has died for a cause, often in a battle or conflict. It means ‘martyr’.
banners -: Banners are large pieces of cloth or paper with messages written on them. People carry them during protests to show what they are demanding.
slogans -: Slogans are short, catchy phrases that people shout during protests. They help to express their demands and feelings.
regime -: Regime means the current government or ruling group in a country. In this case, it refers to the government of Pakistan.
hardships -: Hardships are difficult situations or problems that people face. In this context, it means the tough times people are going through because of high costs and shortages.
