Days after deferring its two-week-long Rawalpindi sit-in, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has announced another protest, stating that the JI will join forces with trader groups for peaceful demonstrations.
“Consultations are underway with traders. We have several options and will call for peaceful demonstrations together with trade bodies,” Naeem said during a media briefing in Islamabad on Tuesday.
This announcement follows the party’s decision to postpone its 14-day sit-in last week after successful negotiations with the government over demands such as reducing high power tariffs and revisiting agreements with independent power producers (IPPs). These agreements have drawn criticism for leading to high electricity bills due to capacity payments.
“We are deferring and not ending the sit-in,” the JI chief warned, emphasizing that they would resume their protest if the government fails to honor the agreement.
The decision to postpone the sit-in came after multiple rounds of talks between a JI delegation led by Liaquat Baloch and the government team, culminating in an agreement signed by officials.
During his press conference, Hafiz Naeem criticized the ruling elite for the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh, and urged the government to take immediate action.
He also expressed concern over the country’s economic challenges, noting that 80% of the youth are disillusioned and unwilling to remain in the country. Naeem highlighted the burden of taxes on the salaried class and warned that the JI would take to the streets again if the government fails to implement the agreement.
“The government has 40 days left. We have several options to hold protests,” he added.
