RAWALPINDI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has decided to march towards Murree Road today to protest against inflation, especially the rising cost of electricity. The march will start at 6 pm, announced JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch.
The party has been holding a sit-in in Rawalpindi for around two weeks, demanding the government reduce taxes, review agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), and lower electricity and fuel prices to ease the burden on the public.
Despite four rounds of confidential talks with the government, no concrete resolution has been reached. However, the discussions have been positive, according to Baloch. The government representatives, including federal ministers and senior leaders, have shown a willingness to address JI’s demands.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar confirmed some progress, stating that there is consensus on certain issues and that more talks are scheduled for today. He added that the government is committed to providing cheaper electricity and has already set up a task force to revise agreements with IPPs.
Baloch emphasized the need to investigate and revise agreements with IPPs, blaming them for the high electricity costs and burdening the salaried class with more taxes. He assured that the JI’s protest is peaceful and organized, reflecting public demands.
The government has facilitated the JI’s right to protest and released JI workers arrested in Sialkot.