ISLAMABAD: Amir Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman called off the protest after the government reached a consensus on several critical issues.
Liaquat Baloch, the Naib Ameer of JI, addressed the sit-in participants, outlining the discussions and agreements reached during the negotiations.
Members of the government committee, including Atta Tarr and Punjab’s Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsen Naqvi, were present on stage as Liaquat Baloch shared the outcomes of the talks.
Baloch emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the contentious Independent Power Producers (IPPs) contracts, a major concern for the inflation-stricken people of Pakistan. The government agreed to establish a task force to investigate these agreements, with a comprehensive review expected to be completed within a month. The primary goal is to reduce the per-unit cost of electricity and ease the financial burden on the public.
In addition to the IPP contract review, it was decided that electricity rates would be reduced within the next one and a half months, aiming to lower the cost per unit of capacity payments and overall electricity prices.
The negotiations also resulted in an agreement to reduce the tax burden on the salaried class, with a consensus on implementing income tax for landlords to promote a more equitable tax system.
To address debt-related issues, a committee will be formed, including representatives from the export sector, with the goal of stabilizing the economy. This committee is also expected to complete its work within a month.
Furthermore, the government has agreed to supply cheaper electricity to industries, a move anticipated to boost economic activity and support industrial growth.
Both the government and Jamaat-e-Islami committees have agreed to regularly review the implementation of these measures to ensure their effectiveness.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Atta Tarr also addressed the participants of Jamaat-e-Islami’s sit-in, reiterating the government’s commitment to reducing electricity tariffs and acknowledging the need for concrete steps to alleviate the financial burden on the public. Information Minister Atta Tarr affirmed that the demands made by JI align with the government’s agenda of providing relief to the people.
After calling off the sit-in, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman stated that if the government fails to honor its commitments, JI will resume its protests. He also announced a public meeting to be held tomorrow, where he will further elaborate on the outcomes of the negotiations and the way forward. He emphasized that while the protest is ending for now, the movement will continue if necessary to ensure that the demands are fully met.
The sit-in, conducted in a peaceful and disciplined manner, has marked a new chapter in the history of protests in Pakistan, highlighting the power of dialogue and collective action in addressing national issues.
