JI warns govt against Pindi pact breach

Announces next phase of the 'Haq Do Awam Ko' movement against oppressive taxes

KARACHI:

Jamaat-e-Islami emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has warned that the government will face consequences for violating the Rawalpindi pact reached with the government on the formation of a task force aimed at addressing issues related to independent power producers (IPPs), reducing electricity bills and lowering taxes on the salaried class.

Addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq on Sunday, he discussed national and international issues, including the "Haq Do Awam ko" movement. He stated that the government's actions would not go unpunished.

Speaking on the issue of Palestine, he criticised the two-state solution, calling it a move to appease the US and Israel.

"Talking about the two-state solution for Palestine is simply pandering to the desires of America and Israel," the JI chief alleged.

The JI emir also announced the next phase of the "Haq Do Awam ko" movement, which aims to protest against the high electricity prices resulting from anti-people agreements with IPPs, as well as oppressive taxes on citizens and traders.

He hinted at the possibility of a long march towards Islamabad and strikes lasting one to three days, stressing that the movement had already begun with sit-ins across the country.

Additionally, from October 23 to 27, a public referendum will be held across the country, urging citizens not to pay electricity bills.

Discussing the upcoming solidarity actions for Gaza, he laid out the schedule for protests against Israel's aggression and terrorism. He announced a public gathering in Chitral on October 2, followed by another in Faisalabad on October 4.

On October 6, Karachi's Shahrah-e-Faisal will host the historic "Gaza and Lebanon Million March," and on October 7, people across the country will take to the streets at noon to protest against Israel.

Hafiz Naeem urged the Pakistani government to declare an official protest on October 7, ensuring that the whole world receives a unified and clear message against Israel's aggression and terrorism.

He said that the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque is a matter for the entire Muslim Ummah, not just one political party, and that Jamaat-e-Islami will be reaching out to the government, opposition, and all political parties to rally around this cause.

He further stressed that if the Muslim world, especially its leaders, united, Israel would not have the strength to continue its bombardment on Gaza.

"It is the criminal silence and cowardice of our rulers that has emboldened Israel to expand its aggression and terrorism, even launching attacks on Lebanon," the JI chief said.

He praised Hamas and Hezbollah for their historic resistance against Israel and the US.

In conclusion, Hafiz Naeem slammed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for mentioning Palestine and Kashmir at the United Nations, but then diluting the stance by advocating for the two-state solution, which, he argued, serves only to please the US and Israel and goes against Pakistan's national policy.