Jamaat-e-Islami Calls for Nationwide Strike amid Power Crisis Protests

Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan has called for a nationwide strike amid ongoing protests against electricity bills and agreements with Independent Power Producers. Scheduled protests include marches in various cities. The party demands tariff reductions and reduced taxes for the middle class.

Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, a senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, has issued a call for a nationwide shutter down strike as protests continue in Rawalpindi, according to The Express Tribune. During a press conference at the Rawalpindi sit-in, Rehman announced a series of protests across Pakistan.

Rehman detailed plans for sit-in participants to march on Murree Road on August 8, followed by a major protest outside Lahore's Chief Minister's House on August 11 and another in Peshawar on August 12. These protests, ongoing since July 27, demand the review or termination of agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and a forensic audit of those agreements.

Highlighting the impact of rising electricity bills on households, Rehman criticized the government's negotiation committee for its absence, sarcastically noting, "We might have to advertise the disappearance of the government committee." He demanded that the committee include key officials and consumer representatives. Rehman warned that the Jamaat-e-Islami would expand protests nationwide if their demands, including the reduction of petroleum and commodity tariffs, were not met.

(With inputs from agencies.)