The federal government is scheduled to hold talks with Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) today (Sunday) to peacefully conclude the party’s ongoing sit-in (Dharna) at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh. JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had previously warned of expanding the protest to other areas across the country if the government failed to address their demands regarding skyrocketing electricity bills and rising taxes.
As the protest entered its second day, Murree Road remained closed to traffic from Marrir Chowk to Committee Chowk, with containers blocking the key artery, affecting business activities in the area. Under pressure from JI, a government delegation led by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar engaged in preliminary talks with JI protesters on Saturday night. It was agreed that both sides will hold a formal discussion today to address JI’s demands.
“Negotiations between the government and Jamaat-e-Islami will be held this afternoon,” confirmed a post by state-owned PTV News on the X platform, citing Tarar. “The location of the negotiations will also be determined today and it is hoped that the talks will be fruitful.” The initial meeting between the government delegates and JI last night was described as being carried out in a “pleasant environment.”
An earlier post from PTV News, also citing Tarar, stated that JI had formed a negotiation committee headed by JI deputy chief Liaquat Baloch for the talks.
Power and Tax Hikes: A National Concern
Addressing the sit-in on Sunday, Rehman thanked the protesters for their participation, emphasizing that the issues of power and tax hikes were not exclusive to Jamaat-i-Islami but affected the entire country. He reiterated that the only way to resolve these issues was through political struggle within the bounds of the constitution, a right upheld by the protesters.
“When Parliament and institutions are not working, it is our right to protest under the Constitution,” he said. Addressing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the JI chief questioned how a common man could run a household with a minimum wage of Rs. 37,000 and pay for electricity. He demanded a reduction in electricity bills and criticized independent power producers (IPPs), stating that their contracts were being “hidden from the people.”
Rehman also highlighted the disparity in tax burdens, stating that the salaried class in Pakistan was “paying more taxes compared to India” and condemned the “landlords and capitalists” for making these decisions. He called on people from all walks of life, including students, lawyers, businessmen, and industrialists, to join the protest.
Diverse Support at the Protest
A large number of participants at the Liaquat Bagh sit-in came from central and southern districts of Punjab and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with many vowing to resist the increase in power tariffs and heavy taxes imposed by the government. About 3,000 people, mostly supporters, were present at the protest site in the morning. Despite the installation of tents by the party, participants chose to occupy the road to register their protest.
Mohammad Anwar, a resident of Okara, said he came to Rawalpindi to protest against unbearable inflation. Similarly, Bashir Ahmed from Bahawalnagar participated in the sit-in on the call of the JI leadership, planning to stay for up to four days despite the hot weather.
JI’s Demands for Serious Talks
On Friday, JI demanded that the government demonstrate its seriousness for talks by releasing protesters detained by the police. Rehman urged the government to form an authorized committee to engage with their negotiation committee. He stressed the immediate release of detained workers to show the government’s commitment to resolving the issues.
Initial Arrests and Protests
The JI’s protests in Islamabad on Friday evening were met with arrests, with the district administration sealing D-Chowk and arresting more than a dozen JI activists and local office-bearers. The administration also imposed Section 144, prohibiting the assembly of four or more people. Despite these measures, JI supporters gathered at the Islamabad Highway, as summoned by the party.
As the talks proceed today, the outcome will be crucial in determining whether the ongoing protests will escalate or conclude peacefully.
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