As the protest entered its ninth day, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) escalated its campaign by announcing on Saturday a series of nationwide sit-ins to denounce soaring electricity bills and rampant inflation.
Addressing a large gathering at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stressed the urgency of addressing public grievances and criticised the government for its failure to respond to the people’s needs.
Hafiz Naeem highlighted the transition from personality-based politics to issue-based politics, asserting that the ruling parties are increasingly anxious as public demands gain prominence.
“When the politics of personalities start dying and the politics of public demands start moving forward, the ruling parties get worried,” he remarked.
The JI chief urged the government to recognize and address the people’s legitimate demands, emphasizing that no one wants to protest in the streets unless driven by severe hardships.
“Our demand is to provide relief to the poor, middle class, and business community. This is our politics, and we are proud of it. We do this as worship, whether someone likes it or not, we will take our right,” Hafiz Naeem stated.
He assured the participants that the sit-in would continue, growing into a powerful public force despite adverse weather conditions.
The JI leader announced that the sit-in in Karachi would commence despite heavy rain and storm, signaling the start of a nationwide series of protests.
“The series of sit-ins will continue to grow across the country,” he declared.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman pointed out the dire financial straits of the populace, mentioning that people are forced to sell their belongings, including women selling their jewelry, to make ends meet.
“This sit-in has created hope among the people. We cannot go back from this sit-in; there will be politics only on public issues,” he affirmed, adding that the protestors would stand firm for their rights.
In a sharp rebuke to the government’s negotiation efforts, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman declared the government’s negotiation committee “missing” for the past three days. “If you think that this sit-in is becoming a public force, then come forward and negotiate,” he challenged, underscoring the need for genuine engagement from the authorities.
The JI leader reiterated the movement’s commitment to alleviating inflation and providing relief to the masses.
He accused the government of violating the IMF agreement, which stipulated no tax on food, health, and education, and hinted at a possible march towards Islamabad if their demands were not met. “We will rise only after fulfilling our demands,” he asserted.
In his concluding remarks, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called for the complete abolition of taxes on food items and stationery, in line with the IMF agreement. He also criticized the government for its handling of the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, urging them to act without fear of the International Court. “Whether someone likes it or not, this is our politics,” he declared, expressing readiness to escalate the movement if necessary.
He also paid tribute to the participants for their resilience and peaceful conduct, reaffirming that the protest would continue until the government acceded to their demands.
“We will rise from here with our right,” he concluded, signaling a potentially prolonged and intensifying struggle for economic justice.
