Protests against rising power costs, inflation continue across nation

Protests and demonstrations against rising inflation were held across the country on Thursday, with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) calling a shutterdown strike on September 2.

The JI has announced that the party will be approaching the Supreme Court to seek judicial assistance over rising electricity costs while the incumbent government burdens the public with conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In various cities across the country, protests were held on the call of traders associations, according to Express News.

Lahore

In Lahore, over 200 men and women gathered near Harbanspura bridge to demonstrate against rising costs of living, and blocked Canal Road.

Read Power protests refuse to die down

The Lahore CTO directed the relevant district authorities to reach the site and provide alternate routes to citizens facing inconvenience in commute.

Gujar Khan

In Gujar Khan citizens protesting against rising electricity bills and imposition of unannounced levies blocked GT road, inconveniencing vehicular traffic.

Okara

Protests were also held in Okara. With traders body representative Sheikh Riaz Anwar calling on the government to immediately withdraw taxes included in electricity bills.

Murree

A shutter-down strike was observed in Murree at the call of Central Anjuman Traders body against rising electricity costs.

Transporters too announced a wheel-jam strike in support of the traders' protest call.

Vihari, Chistian, Multan

Demonstrations at various points were witnessed in these three districts with protesters gathering at the calls of traders, JI and lawyers.

Protesters also gathered at the Kacheri Chowk in Multan.

Haveli Lakha, DG Khan

Similar demonstrations were held in Haveli Lakha and DG Khan with shutter-down strikes observed in both areas on the call of All Pakistan Anjuman Traders.

Bahawalnagar

Children enrolled in Chak Madrassa were brought out on the streets to demonstrate against rising costs of living.

Dressed in uniforms, children asked whether their parents were to pay for their education or pay the hefty taxes imposed by the government.

Swabi

Meanwhile, in Swabi protests were held at various points, including the office of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

Read more Govt falls short of giving power relief

Jehangira Road was blocked for traffic.

Mardan

In Mardan, major and smaller markets remained shut as citizens demonstrated against rising inflation and electricity bills.

The strike call was given by the Tajjir Ittehad.

Azad Kashmir

Demonstrations were also witnessed in Muzaffrabad, the capital city of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as well as in Kotli District.

Students from various educational institutes, including the Sehnsa Government Girls Degree College, took to the streets while a shutter-down strike was observed in various areas across AJK against rising living costs.