Govt on tenterhooks as JI hits the streets
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Friday hit the streets, up in arms over skyrocketing electricity bills, controversial agreements with IPPs, and rampant inflation, asserting that it would not back down until its demands were met.
After hitting a few bumps in the road and facing arrests while trying to enter the federal capital as Punjab and the Islamabad administration imposed Section 144, the JI said it will now hold sit-ins at three key locations across the federal capital, the party announced on the X platform.
A day ago, the district administration in a statement had stated that Section 144 was already imposed in Islamabad. The legal provision empowers district administrations to prohibit an assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period. It said prohibition of the order would lead to strict action. Section 144 was also imposed across Punjab from July 26 to 29.
Meanwhile, the PTI-led opposition alliance, TTAP, called for nationwide protests against alleged political victimization and demanded the release of former premier Imran Khan.
It added that JI Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman would spearhead the protest at Islamabad's Zero Point, Secretary General Amirul Azim would take the reins at Rawalpindi's Murree Road, while a third rally would be staged at the federal capital's 26 Number Chungi.
The JI stated that, following Rehman's lead, sit-ins would pop up wherever obstacles arise, with the party shifting gears from a single protest to multiple demonstrations.
The party's assertion to keep up the fight came hot on the heels of the government expressing its willingness to negotiate with the JI, urging the party to voice their protest at the sanctioned venue for the country's greater good.
"We are ready to talk for peace, security, and development of the country, which is the main agenda of our government," Federal Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said while addressing a news conference after a day of chaos and protests.
Despite the imposition of prohibitory orders, hundreds from across the country flocked to the federal capital's doorstep. JI workers forced themselves by removing containers at Faizabad to clear the route, allowing a convoy to roll into Rawalpindi and set up camp at Liaquat Bagh.
During the sit-in at Liaquat Bagh, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, rallying the protestors, blasted the government for saddling salaried and poor people with astronomical electricity bills.
He lamented how the power bills have crippled the citizens and traders alike, saying that people are now forced to sell their belongings and some have even turned to crime due to financial strain. He also demanded the termination of agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), accusing them of bleeding the nation dry.
He also took the government to task for wasting taxpayer money on media to hide its blunders and providing free electricity, gas, and other perks to certain bureaucrats, military officers, and judges.
'No need for fresh elections'
The JI chief also asserted that there was no need for fresh elections in the country, adding that anyone demanding them might be an agent of someone but is not loyal to the nation.
Hafiz Naeem said, "Those imposed on us through Form 47 have caused a dire situation where brothers are killing each other over electricity bills."
He continued, "Talks of new elections are ongoing, but we oppose this and demand that the government be given to those who have the mandate according to Form 45."
Hafiz Naeem proposed the formation of a judicial commission based on the evidence from Form 45. "Those with the public mandate should be given governance, and those imposed via Form 47 should be removed," he asserted.
He criticised those advocating for new elections, whether from the PML-N, PPP, or PTI, accusing them of being agents and not loyal to the country. "They are seeking a share in the spoils of a new election."
Hafiz Naeem claimed that some parties are clamouring for new elections because they feel they have not received their share and now want a part of the new election process.
He also demanded the government end the IPP business and reduce its expenses to provide relief to the public. "More than 80% of IPPs are owned by government personalities, and over 500 billion rupees are being paid to them from our pockets."
He criticised the privileges given to a specific class, including free petrol, electricity, housing, and gas, which are funded by the poor. "Payments to IPPs are also extracted from the public through electricity bills."
The JI leader insisted that their protest would continue until these perks were scrapped. He argued against holding new elections, instead advocating for forming a government based on existing mandates and judicial oversight to keep things above board.
Despite the hardships caused by the roadblocks and protests, Naeem asserted that it was the citizens' democratic right to make their voices heard. He called on the government to provide relief in electricity bills and address the underlying issues causing inflation. "JI's fight would go on until its demands are met."
Arrests and protests
Earlier, Rawalpindi CPO Khalid Hamdani held a meeting to review the lay of the land, stating that the police were on high alert and over 3,000 officers were deployed to enforce Section 144 imposed a day ago.
The Faizabad interchange, a crucial artery connecting Rawalpindi with Islamabad, was completely blocked with barriers, causing traffic to come to a grinding halt.
Similarly, link roads connecting Lahore and Peshawar to Islamabad via the motorway were also closed, with vehicles allowed through at a snail's pace. Meanwhile, containers lined other key routes, and the metro bus service between the two cities was shut down, leaving citizens in a bind.
Responding to JI emir's call, a large contingent of JI officials and workers gathered at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, blocking Murree Road from one side and staging a sit-in until late into the night.
In anticipation of the protests, Section 144 was slapped across Punjab for three days, with the Rawalpindi police on its toes to maintain law and order.
Early Friday morning, the Islamabad administration and police blocked the routes at Faizabad bridge with containers, putting the brakes on movement between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Heavy police presence was also noted on the Rawalpindi side.
Despite PTI postponing their protest call, JI stuck to their guns, staging sit-ins at several key points, including Bhai Khan Bridge on GT Road, Mandra Toll Plaza, and Margalla.
The metro bus service stayed suspended, and heavy police presence was observed at critical points in Rawalpindi, including Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk, Chandni Chowk, and Double Road.
The JI's protests in Islamabad kicked off in the evening, quickly clashing with law enforcement, resulting in a wave of arrests, according to the party.
The district administration had sealed off the federal capital's D-Chowk overnight by strategically placing containers on nearby roads, and the police nabbed over a dozen JI activists and local leaders.
In a statement released on Friday, JI information secretary Sajjad Ahmed Abbasi called on supporters to gather on the Islamabad Highway at the H-8/I-8 bridge, situated between Faizabad and Zero Point, at 5:30 pm.
The party, in a post on X, claimed that its workers had "reached D-Chowk after jumping through hoops," adding that police were rounding up its workers, sharing a video of a person being hauled into a police van.
Protesters congregated at Express Chowk, chanting "Jamaat-e-Islami zindabad" and voicing their frustrations over high electricity bills and inflation. Video footage captured the police detaining a man and putting him into a police van.
JI's central spokesperson, Qaiser Sharif, stated that due to the arrests and barriers at D-Chowk, JI decided to hold sit-ins at three locations. "We will hold sit-ins at Murree Road in Rawalpindi, Zero Point, and Chungi No. 26," he said. He claimed that the police had arrested 1,150 of their workers and subjected dozens to violence.
"Seeing the large public turnout at the sit-ins, the government is panicking and resorting to fascism," he added.
Police sources indicated that no formal arrests were recorded; individuals were detained to keep a lid on public disorder. No demonstrations had yet reached the press club, where police had stationed vans and personnel.
Police arrested several Jamaat-e-Islami workers ahead of their planned sit-in against inflation, taxes, and electricity bills at D-Chowk in the federal capital. In response, JI altered their strategy, directing workers to gather at H-8 Bridge while a convoy led by JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman entered Islamabad.
To stop people from reaching the sit-in, containers were placed at city entry points, and only one lane remained open on major roads, causing long traffic jams and a headache for residents.