Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has demanded immediate action against skyrocketing electricity costs and relentless load-shedding, with party chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announcing a national resistance movement to champion public rights.
The protests target high electricity bills, prolonged power outages, and an “anti-public” budget.
Rehman highlighted that inflated electricity bills have turned life into a living nightmare for the public.
He condemned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his “empty promises” about ending load-shedding, accusing him of blowing smoke.
He urged the nation not to lose hope and called on everyone to join JI in breaking free from the oppressive elite. He criticized the imposition of Section 144 in Punjab, asserting that it cannot muffle the cry for justice.
Additionally, Rehman criticised the political theatrics of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) regarding the budget, claiming the public sees through their pretence.
Meanwhile, a protest was held by JI in the PP-169 constituency against high electricity prices, increased bills, and load-shedding.
Demonstrators carried hand fans in protest and chanted slogans against the government.
Jamaat-e-Islami South Lahore deputy chief Ahmad Salman Baloch, addressing the protest, accused the government of adding Rs2800 billion to electricity bills for unused power and treating Independent Power Producers (IPPs) favourably.
Baloch urged the public not to be swayed by the deceptive promises of the ruling parties, pointing out that the prime minister had failed to address load-shedding issues during his tenure as Punjab chief minister.
Similarly in Sindh, frustrated by the prolonged non-supply of electricity and water, citizens of Karachi also took to the streets in protest.
Karachi faced an intense night not just from the sweltering heat, but also due to a worsening electricity crisis that left most parts of the city in darkness.
In Buffer Zone and New Karachi’s Godhra Chowk, protestors halted traffic to voice their grievances. They staged sit-ins on roads leading to Sohrab Goth, Namak Bank, and Shafiq Mor, condemning authorities and demanding immediate action to restore power and water services.
Traffic jams ensued, inconveniencing commuters as roads were blocked with tyres and garbage set on fire by protestors in Gharibabad and other sectors.
Similarly, in response to the recent increases in electricity prices and ongoing load shedding, JI also organised a protest rally in Peshawar.
The rally, led by Provincial Ameer Professor Ibrahim, started from Nishtarabad and ended at Hashtnagri.
Addressing the rally, Professor Ibrahim expressed his concerns over the rising electricity prices and the persistent issue of load shedding, which have become a significant burden for the people.
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