Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has declared plans for a nationwide strike starting after August 14, escalating the party’s ongoing campaign against soaring electricity bills and inflation.
The announcement comes as Jamaat-e-Islami’s sit-in at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi enters its 12th day, with no agreement reached despite multiple rounds of negotiations with the government.
In a recent interview with a private television channel, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman emphasized the party’s readiness for a prolonged protest. He revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami will stage a demonstration on Murree Road on August 8 and will also organize sit-ins in Lahore and Multan on August 14 and August 16, respectively.
The Lahore sit-in will be held in front of the Chief Minister’s House, while the Multan protest aims to highlight the growing discontent over high utility bills and rising unemployment.
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman criticized the government for its failure to address the core issues of high electricity bills and economic hardship. He warned that if the government does not meet Jamaat-e-Islami’s demands, it could lead to widespread unrest and anarchy, beyond the government’s control.
He also noted that the current sit-in is not solely driven by Jamaat-e-Islami workers, but has garnered support from various segments of society. He invited other parties to join the movement if they wished.
Addressing the possibility of further escalation, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated that while Parliament and D Chowk are within reach, Jamaat-e-Islami seeks to avoid chaos. He hinted at a future announcement of a historic strike date, which will be coordinated with traders and other stakeholders.
The ongoing sit-in in Rawalpindi continues to spotlight the issues of high electricity costs and inflation, with Jamaat-e-Islami maintaining pressure on the government for a substantive response. Despite two rounds of negotiations between the party and the government committee, no consensus has yet been achieved.
