Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch has announced that his party, currently staging a sit-in in Rawalpindi, will march towards Murree Road at 6 pm today. This move is part of their ongoing protest against the rising inflation in Pakistan.
Addressing the media at the Commissioner’s House in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, Baloch emphasized that the JI’s sit-in is focused on providing relief to the public. He also mentioned that the party is engaged in “confidential” talks with the government, outlining their demands amid the protests. Although the fourth round of discussions concluded without a definitive resolution, Baloch confirmed that the JI has received feedback from the government on its six-point demands.
For nearly two weeks, JI workers have been protesting in Rawalpindi, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government to revise tax rates, review agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), and reduce electricity and fuel prices to ease the burden on inflation-hit citizens. Despite three rounds of negotiations, led by Baloch on the JI side, no significant breakthrough has been achieved so far.
Baloch noted that the government representatives, including federal ministers Attaullah Tarar, Amir Muqam, and other senior leaders, have communicated their desire to address these issues. The JI delegation, comprising Baloch, Secretary General Ameerul Azeem, and JI Islamabad Emir Nasarullah Randhawa, has submitted their detailed stance to the government. Baloch also highlighted that while the government committee has not opposed JI’s demands, the party will continue its anti-inflation march towards Islamabad today.
Expressing concern over the rising electricity costs, Baloch attributed the issue to government agreements with IPPs, which he claims are detrimental to the national economy. He called for a revision and investigation into these agreements, stating that the burden of taxes on the salaried class has also increased significantly.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar addressed the media on Wednesday, confirming that another round of talks with JI will continue today. He noted that progress had been made on some of JI’s demands, with certain issues resolved in writing. Tarar emphasized that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is committed to reducing electricity prices and has already taken steps, including providing a substantial subsidy of Rs50 billion to consumers using up to 200 units of electricity.
Tarar acknowledged JI’s right to continue their march towards Islamabad and assured that the government would facilitate their protest. Additionally, he confirmed that JI workers arrested in Sialkot have been released.
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