JI stages sit-in against power bills in Karachi
Hafiz Naeem claims power utility has resorted to cuts despite surplus electricity
JI leader Hafiz Naeem along with workers siting in a dharna at Governor House. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN
KARACHI:
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) started on Saturday an indefinite sit-in outside the Governor House against the K-Electric (KE) over exorbitant electricity bills.
The party planned the protest after the much-hyped call for a sit-in against KE’s increased power tariff and overbilling by the JI Karachi chief and the face-off with police in March.
Party leaders and activists gathered at the JI headquarters Idara Noor-e-Haq, where Hafiz Naeemur Rehman informed them about the protest plan. “We have talked to the Sindh governor twice but nothing has been decided over the issue,” he said. “What is the use of such dialogues when we cannot reach a solution?”
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Rehman also pointed out that when the power utility had more electricity than the required amount, then why was it resorting to load shedding?
“They have 3,000 megawatts while the city needs only 2,200MW,” he claimed, saying the party was ready for a dialogue but no official had approached them yet.
“We do not believe in any Red Zone. We will protest for our right,” he said while announcing the sit-in plan at the press conference.
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Later, the JI chief led the rally towards the Piano Fountain where all the leaders and workers gathered at the sit-in camp set up since last night. The protesters then marched towards Aiwan-e-Saddar Road, where carpets were already placed, lights put up and a stage set beside the main gate of the Governor House.
Contingents of Sindh police guarded Aiwan-e-Saddar Road from its entrance till the main gate of the Governor House.
“We have given time to sit here… we do not know when we will get up,” said the JI Karachi chief while shouting anti-KE slogans.
The campaign is to provide the customers of KE with a platform for legal battle. Rehman had also launched a campaign on Tuesday to sign a petition against the company.
The JI chief said the party will approach the Supreme Court after compiling complains of one million people from across the city in the form of a campaign.
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) started on Saturday an indefinite sit-in outside the Governor House against the K-Electric (KE) over exorbitant electricity bills.
The party planned the protest after the much-hyped call for a sit-in against KE’s increased power tariff and overbilling by the JI Karachi chief and the face-off with police in March.
Party leaders and activists gathered at the JI headquarters Idara Noor-e-Haq, where Hafiz Naeemur Rehman informed them about the protest plan. “We have talked to the Sindh governor twice but nothing has been decided over the issue,” he said. “What is the use of such dialogues when we cannot reach a solution?”
Jamaat-e-Islami launches second phase of their protests
Rehman also pointed out that when the power utility had more electricity than the required amount, then why was it resorting to load shedding?
“They have 3,000 megawatts while the city needs only 2,200MW,” he claimed, saying the party was ready for a dialogue but no official had approached them yet.
“We do not believe in any Red Zone. We will protest for our right,” he said while announcing the sit-in plan at the press conference.
Facebook restores Jamaat-e-Islami's official page
Later, the JI chief led the rally towards the Piano Fountain where all the leaders and workers gathered at the sit-in camp set up since last night. The protesters then marched towards Aiwan-e-Saddar Road, where carpets were already placed, lights put up and a stage set beside the main gate of the Governor House.
Contingents of Sindh police guarded Aiwan-e-Saddar Road from its entrance till the main gate of the Governor House.
“We have given time to sit here… we do not know when we will get up,” said the JI Karachi chief while shouting anti-KE slogans.
The campaign is to provide the customers of KE with a platform for legal battle. Rehman had also launched a campaign on Tuesday to sign a petition against the company.
The JI chief said the party will approach the Supreme Court after compiling complains of one million people from across the city in the form of a campaign.