JI chief urges Sharif family to forego IPP charges to lower bills

Tomorrow, we will have a nationwide shutter-down strike and will compel govt to back down, says Hafiz Naeem

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called on the Sharif family to relinquish capacity charges from their Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to reduce electricity bills.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Tuesday, Rehman criticised the IPPs, stating, "We cannot sustain the burden of these IPPs. If the Sharif family and the Mansha Group let go of their annual capacity charges, the bills will decrease."

He added that high utility bills have devastated the country's economy and industry.

"Tomorrow, we will have a nationwide shutter-down strike. We will not accept a tax of 30,000 rupees for some markets and 40,000 for others. The government says the strike will harm business, but the situation is already dire. The government itself is destroying the economy," Rehman said.

He further stated, "Our protest efforts will compel the government to back down. If we do not receive relief, we will continue with strikes, consulting with traders to plan future actions. During tomorrow’s strike, we will devise a strategy for the 'Give the People Their Rights' campaign and engage in peaceful protest."

Rehman also voiced his support for the Baloch community, stating, "We have raised our voices for the Balochs. No one will be allowed to use the Baloch name to further India's agenda. Those who are selectively killing people in Balochistan are not humans but beasts and terrorists. They are acting as pawns of foreign powers to weaken our country. We will not let their malicious intentions succeed."