JI's sit-in keeps govt on its toes

With the protest drumbeat growing louder on its third day, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Sunday put forth a list of ten demands aimed at alleviating public grievances, while the government announced the formation of a technical committee to comb through the demands to find a way forward.

Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar assured that the government was working tirelessly to bring relief to the people.

As the demonstration entered its third day, key roads remained blocked, impacting local businesses as the government scrambled to rein in the situation, with the JI vowing to persist in its demands until they are met.

The JI asserted that the government's negotiating team no longer has the wiggle room to reject the demands, advising the government to task the bureaucracy with finding a way to provide public relief with genuine intent.

However, after what was described as "productive talks" with the JI delegation, accompanied by Engineer Amir Muqam and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Tarar revealed that the negotiations took place in a "positive and amicable atmosphere".

JI presented a list of ten demands, primarily focused on electricity issues.

The party'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.

The party also called for an immediate rollback of the recent hike in petroleum product prices and a 20% reduction in the prices of essential goods, aiming to lighten the load on the common man.

Among other demands, JI sought the removal of taxes on stationery items and educational materials for children, arguing that education should not be a burden on families.

The party also demanded a 35% cut in non-developmental expenditures, criticizing the extravagant lifestyle of the elite as adding insult to injury for 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.

'Govt fully agrees with JI's concerns'

Meanwhile, speaking to the media after the talks, Tarar said, "We fully agree with the concerns raised by Jamaat-e-Islami and are committed to working around the clock to provide relief to the public."

He disclosed that the government has ordered the immediate release of 35 JI members, adding that the administration was committed to reducing expenses and creating financial flexibility through privatisation, digitisation of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and economic reforms.

In a bid to manage the crisis, Tarar mentioned that a technical committee, including representatives from the Ministry of Water and Power, the FBR, and the Ministry of Finance, has been formed to tackle the pressing issues.

"Our goal is to commence the next round of discussions tomorrow, ensuring smooth and successful resolutions," he added.

Meanwhile, Engineer Amir Muqam, addressing the media, highlighted the government's intention to continue discussions with JI's technical committee, aiming to steer the country through these turbulent times.

Simultaneously, JI leader Liaquat Baloch conveyed the party's firm stance on the ongoing sit-in at Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh, which will persist until the government meets their demands regarding the soaring electricity bills and rising taxes.

Baloch warned of expanding the protest to other regions if necessary.

However, Baloch remained hopeful, citing a positive first round of talks and the government's willingness to address their concerns.

Addressing the crowd at JI's ongoing sit-in, Baloch remarked that the impact of the protest was already being felt by the rulers, who, he said, were now eager to engage in talks.

The JI leader asserted that the government's negotiating team has no wiggle room to reject their demands. Baloch advised the government to task the bureaucracy with finding a way to provide public relief with genuine intent.

"When JI's supporters arrived in Rawalpindi, the heat was on, and the government expressed a desire to negotiate," Baloch said. He praised the willingness of the JI team to sit down with the ministers, but also noted that the government's negotiating team had no legitimate basis to dismiss their demands.

The demands put forward by JI include reducing the soaring electricity costs, addressing the excessive taxes on petroleum and agriculture, and easing the tax burden on employees.

"The government has been hiding behind international obligations concerning IPPs," Baloch noted.

"We've made it clear that 92% of Pakistan's ownership is national. The public finds these demands intolerable and expects action to lower industrial taxes, eliminate free electricity, and end the petroleum taxes."

'JI's struggle not for personal gain'

Similarly, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman reiterated that the party's struggle was for the people, not personal gain.

He urged the government to act promptly, warning against delays. Rehman also criticised the current power and tax hikes, stating that these issues affect the entire nation, not just JI. He appealed to all citizens, from various walks of life, to join their protest for a fair resolution.

"Power and tax hikes are a national issue," Rehman asserted, calling for political struggle within constitutional bounds to resolve the crisis.

Addressing the prime minister, he questioned the sustainability of household incomes amid soaring costs and demanded transparency in power producer contracts.