JI to stage protests against power tariff

LAHORE:

Jamat-e-Islami (JI) has announced it will hold countrywide protest demonstrations on January 17 against high electricity tariff.

Addressing a press conference at the party's headquarters in Mansoorah, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman criticized the government for paying Rs2,000 billion to IPPs, who are already exempt from income tax. "The salaried class pays income tax, while IPPs are exempt, which is nothing short of cruelty," said the JI chief.

He further highlighted that the total expenditure on education for all students, from matric to university, is estimated at Rs570 billion, while the government has shifted the responsibility to the private sector. "The rulers are not investing in education but are instead benefiting certain individuals," he added. He also pointed out that no political party is addressing the public's issues, particularly those concerning IPPs.

Hafiz Naeem highlighted the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, urging the government to improve relations with Afghanistan through a dialogue process. He added that both countries would gain nothing from war.

The JI chief held former dictator Pervez Musharaf responsible for plunging the country into the war of terrorism, adding it provided an opportunity to 'Black Water' to operate in the country. He said the army operations cause harm to both the army and the nation, adding that the youth should be provided with opportunities and people should be given relief.

The JI chief said the establishment had its hand in local bodies elections and the mayor election, adding the PPP could not have robbed JI seats in Karachi without the support of the establishment.

PTI has withdrawn from Form-47 rigging issue, said Hafiz Naeem, adding the PTI must go for court decision on Form-45.