JI urges talks for peace in Balochistan, K-P

The JI chief, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, has urged the government to hold dialogue with relevant stakeholders for resolution of all issues including the worsening security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) provinces.

Addressing the media at the JI's Islamabad office on Sunday, Rehman said there is an urgent need to address the security crises in the two provinces. "Every person's life is precious. The government needs to revisit its policy," he added.

The JI chief also called upon the rulers of Afghanistan—the Taliban—to show more responsible behavior and not allow their soil to be used against other countries including Pakistan. Rehman also urged the government of Pakistan to hold talks with Afghanistan.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, whose party staged sit-ins in various parts of the country in August this year against the rising cost of electricity, said the government had not implemented the agreement signed with the JI and neither reduced the cost of electricity nor provided any other relief.

He described the federal government's announcement about providing relief to the consumers who use more electricity during the winter "a joke."

"The winter package is also a deception for the public. Why would anyone consume 500 units? This drama of fooling the public must stop," he said, adding that the government could not provide relief so long as it charged a fuel levy of Rs60 on every litre of fuel.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on November 8 unveiled an electricity package promising a "relief" of up to Rs26.7 per unit for domestic, Rs15.5 per unit for industrial and Rs22.71 per unit for commercial consumers, provided that they spend a comparatively greater amount of electricity in winters.

Addressing an event to commemorate the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal in the federal capital on Friday, the PM told the audience that the relief package will remain in force for three months from December 2024 to February 2025.

"Under the package, the domestic consumers will get a relief of up to Rs26.7 per unit for their power consumption surpassing 200 units of the protected category. It will help them save Rs11.42 to Rs26 per unit in the three months of winter," he said.

"Similarly, the industrial sector will save 18-37% or Rs5.27 to Rs15.5 per unit under the package to help boost industrial production, growth and livelihoods. The commercial consumers will be given a 34-47% saving or Rs13.46 to Rs22.71 per unit subsidy in the package," he said.

The JI chief said the government should promote solar systems as it also helps reduce pollution.