JI buys govt promises, calls off sit-in

Jamat-e-Islami (JI) has ended its weeks-long sit-in against inflation and rising cost of electricity bills after striking an agreement with the government.

Addressing the gathering at Murree Road, Jamat-e-Islami emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the government has sought 45-day-time to implement the agreement, adding one day has passed and the deadline will not be extended.

He said the JI will start public contact movement from August 14 and it may give a wheel-jam strike call if the government fails to honour its commitment.

He pointed out that getting rid of the IMF slavery and steering the country out of the crisis will be his party's next agenda. He asserted that his party was penning down a letter to the CJP to take the suo motu notice of the situation.

He said with the help of Allah, his party made a long struggle and convinced the government to resolve the public issues. The participants of the sit-in are fighting for the relief for 250 million people.

He criticized the high electricity tariff, saying the electricity bills are being dropped like bomb on helpless people. He appreciated the participants of the sit-in for holding a peaceful and successful protest. He said the JI protest forced the government to provide relief to the masses. The government accepted to find out the solution of the IPPs issue.

He berated the IMF and politicians for ruining Pakistan's economy, saying the rulers give in to the IMF conditions which lead to destruction.

There is an importance of agreements and those, who want to live with the people, they will make each and every clause to be implemented, the JI chief said.

Addressing to the PM, Hafiz Naeem said as per the agreement, 44 days are left with his government to implement the contract. "Even, if a single clause is not implemented in true letter and spirit, we will return to the federal capital after the completion of the 45 days," warned the JI chief.

He said his party's homework is ready. They will take out rallies in different cities, hold sit-ins and give a wheel-jam strike call.

"Our agenda is to devise independent foreign policy and steer the country out of all crisis," said Hafiz Naeem, adding Pakistan does not belong to politicians and generals but to people.