RAWALPINDI: As the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) protest sit-in against escalating power tariffs and essential product prices entered its sixth day in Rawalpindi, Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch reported that the federal government’s technical committee has requested additional time to address the protesters’ demands.
Following the second round of talks with the government’s negotiation team at the Rawalpindi commissioner’s office, Baloch indicated that while the government’s technical team has acknowledged JI’s concerns, no substantial progress has been made due to delays. He warned that if the government fails to respond effectively, JI may consider halting the negotiations. Baloch also criticized Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar for his absence, citing his engagement in a meeting with the prime minister.
The JI’s sit-in is focused on pressing national issues, including the high cost of living and inadequate government measures to combat rising energy and food prices. Baloch emphasized the ongoing political crisis and called for urgent relief in the petroleum and agriculture sectors.
Previously, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had announced an extension of the protest, which was to include additional demonstrations across the country. However, plans for further sit-ins in Sindh, Lahore, and Multan have been postponed following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
The JI’s demands include:
- Abolition of the Petroleum Development Levy and reversal of recent price hikes on petroleum products.
- A 20% reduction in food, electricity, and gas prices.
- Renegotiation of agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) and an end to payments in US dollars.
- A 50% discount for power consumers using up to 500 units.
- Reduction in taxes on agriculture and industry and a cut in financial burdens by 50%.
- Incentives for the industrial sector, trade, and investment to create job opportunities.
- Withdrawal of increased taxes on the salaried class and imposition of taxes on the privileged class.
- A 35% cut in non-development expenses.
- Removal of taxes on educational materials.
- The first round of talks took place on Sunday with a delegation led by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, along with Amir Muqam and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.
The government formed a technical committee, including the federal minister for water and power, the Power Division secretary, and representatives from the finance ministry and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), to review the JI’s demands and address the electricity-related issues promptly.