JI demands to be reviewed by technical committee: Attaullah Tarar

Party calls for 50% discount on power bills for consumers using up to 500 units, removal of petroleum development levy

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Sunday that the demands presented by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) would be reviewed by a technical committee.

Speaking to the media after talks with a JI delegation at the Commissioner's Office in Islamabad, Tarar emphasised the government's commitment to providing relief to the public and attracting foreign investment to generate employment.

“The government is actively working to persuade foreign investors of Pakistan’s low production costs,” he stated. “We aim to establish factories here to combat unemployment.”

He mentioned that a technical committee, consisting of the Minister of Power, Secretary of Power, representatives from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the Finance Ministry, would conduct further discussions with JI representatives. “We will strive to resolve the issues amicably in the next round of talks,” he assured.

He noted that the discussions with the delegation had been conducted in a very positive and cordial manner. The delegation presented a list of ten demands, most of which pertain to electricity-related issues, he maintained.

Read Hafiz Naeem warns govt of intensified protests over ‘fascist tactics

JI's negotiating committee, led by Liaquat Baloch, submitted a ten-point list of demands, including a 50% discount on electricity bills for consumers using up to 500 units per month and the removal of the petroleum development levy.

It also demanded an immediate rollback of the recent increase in petroleum product prices and a 20% reduction in the prices of essential goods.

Among other demands, the party sought the removal of taxes on stationery items and educational materials for children. The party has also called for a 35% cut in non-developmental expenditures, criticising what it sees as the extravagant lifestyle of the elite as burdensome to the public.

JI pressed for the termination of capacity payments and dollar-denominated payment agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

Furthermore, the party insisted on reducing the unjust and unbearable tax burden on agriculture and industry by 50%, and on promoting industry, trade, and investment to drive economic growth and create employment opportunities for youth.

JI also demanded that the tax burden on the lower salaried class be lifted and that taxes be collected from the privileged classes instead.

The government's negotiation team included Tarar, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Maqam, senior PML-N leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Prime Minister's Media Coordinator Badr Shahbaz.

The minister confirmed the government's alignment with the delegation's concerns and expressed a strong desire to address public relief needs. He also mentioned that the government has ordered the immediate release of 35 JI members arrested during the protests.

Tarar mentioned that efforts are being made to commence the next round of talks on Monday, aiming for a smooth resolution of the issues.

Read more Hafiz Naeem warns of toppling ‘fake govt’ if demands are not met

Muqam also addressed the media, stating that the technical committee will engage in discussions with JI tomorrow. He underscored the government's commitment to keeping the country running effectively.

Earlier, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, stated that when the ruling class fails to work and the Parliament becomes nothing more than a rubber stamp, the public is forced to take to the streets.

Addressing the participants of a protest sit-in at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, he emphasised that no one desires to leave their homes and sit on the streets. However, they have come out for the future of the country and will stay until their demands are met.

"Agreements with IPPs were kept hidden, and upon investigation, it was revealed that the ruling class was involved. The budget for capacity charges on electricity surpasses the defence budget. IPPs that are working properly should continue, but those that are not should be completely shut down," he added.

Rehman asserted that the state has authority over every agreement, and if this is not the case, those who made these agreements should be hanged in public.