JI stays put as govt relents

Forms committee for negotiations with govt

RAWALPIND:

As Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) remained steadfast in its demands, party chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned that their sit-in could expand across the country and potentially topple the "fake government" if authorities attempted to disrupt their movement.

However, the party accepted the government's offer of negotiations and constituted a four-member committee.

The party has been protesting against skyrocketing electricity bills, controversial agreements with the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and rampant inflation.

Addressing protesters on the second day of sit-in at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, JI amir Rehman lauded the participants of the movement for "making history".

"Participants are making history with this sit-in, aiming to improve the conditions for the public. This sit-in could last for two months," he said on Saturday.

"If the government does not take our demands seriously and fails to regulate Independent Power Producers to provide relief to the public, this sit-in will advance to D-Chowk and the parliament's doors. We will then remove this 'fake government'," Rehman stated.

He emphasised that the sit-in aims to ignite hope and end despair. "These IPPs are sucking the blood of the people, and this sit-in is raising awareness against them. People across Pakistan are looking to us with hope."

Rehman censured the government's attempts to "block" the sit-in and "provoke clashes" between JI workers and police officers. "We thwarted their plan because even the police cannot afford their electricity bills now," he said.

The JI amir assured the participants that the sit-in prioritizes peace, adding that tensions were avoided by splitting one large demonstration into three.

"We are committed to our struggle and will not return without achieving our rights. The prime minister and ministers should not be under the illusion that forming committees will make us call off the sit-in. Negotiations and the sit-in will continue side by side," he affirmed.

Rehman announced that the sit-in on Murree Road would transform into a "historic public gathering", stressing that they would not back down from their demands. "We have embarked on a decisive battle, and the public's enthusiasm has forced the government to reconsider [their stance]," he added.

He invited people to participate in the gathering and warned the government against trying to exhaust the protesters. "If the government tries to engage with us only to sideline our efforts, we have alternative plans. Sit-ins will take place in Karachi, Lahore, Chitral, Quetta, Peshawar, and Gwadar."

The JI amir stressed that the government should provide relief on power tariff, reduce taxes, cease blocking roads in the name of security, and release missing persons according to the law. "We believe in unity and justice, not ethnic divisions," he said.

Rehman called on workers and farmers to rise, emphasizing that JI would continue the struggle until their demands are met. "The journey has just begun, and we will not abandon it midway. From tomorrow, traders' caravans will join us," Rehman concluded, urging party workers to remain steadfast and not engage in conflicts.

Later, between Saturday and Sunday night, a government delegation including Information Minister Atta Tarar, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and others arrived at the sit-in.

The delegation asked the JI amir to end the sit-in, but the party chief rejected the request.

However, Rehman agreed to the government's offer to constitute a committee for negotiations.

The four-member committee comprises naib amir Liaquat Baloch, secretary general Ameerul Azeem, Syed Farasat Shah and Nasrullah Randhawa.

The talks between the government and JI will begin on Sunday (today).

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 on Friday said it would 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.