‘Slash electricity prices before situation gets out of hand’: Hafiz Naeem warns

Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reduce electricity prices before the situation spirals out of control, emphasizing that the demands of the public should be addressed urgently.

Addressing a massive gathering on the second day of the ongoing sit-in outside the Governor House in Karachi, Hafiz Naeem warned, “We do not want confrontation, but if the people rise and besiege the rulers, who will be responsible when things go out of hand?”

He urged the government to recognize Jamaat-e-Islami’s demands as the legitimate rights of the people, warning that if the demands are not met, similar protests will be staged at the Governor Houses in Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta, and highways across the country will be blocked.

Hafiz Naeem declared that Jamaat-e-Islami’s movement is aimed at removing oppressive rulers and has laid out a seven-point agenda in the first phase of its campaign.

He called for electricity prices to be lowered and bills to be issued according to the actual cost. “Before we appeal to the public not to pay their electricity bills, the rulers should take sensible action,” he asserted.

He further stated, “Even a worker from Jamaat-e-Islami can engage in a debate with the Prime Minister, but they have no answers.”

He pointed out that if decisions are made based on Form 45, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his family, and the entire coalition government would have to step down.

“To avoid the wrath of the people, the Prime Minister should accept our demands, or this movement will turn into a government ouster movement,” Hafiz Naeem warned. He accused the negotiation team of acknowledging Jamaat-e-Islami’s proposals as feasible during meetings but denying them in front of the media.

“We spent 10 days in Rawalpindi, and we are ready to spend 100 days more if needed,” he added.

Speaking at the gathering, JI Karachi Chief Munim Zafar Khan said that the sit-in in Rawalpindi has become the voice of the entire nation, and the protest at Karachi’s Governor House will continue.

He criticized the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for making life difficult for the people and accused the government of collecting unfair taxes.

Meanwhile, on the 10th day of the sit-in at Liaquat Bagh, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders vowed to continue their protest until their demands were met, taking a strong stance against the government and its ministers while accepting any challenge for a debate.

Jamaat-e-Islami Vice President Liaqat Baloch emphasized that the protest has become a national movement, with traders, industrialists, youth, farmers, laborers, women, students, and all segments of society participating.

“This sit-in is sending a message to 250 million people, and the public has high expectations for relief from this protest,” he stated. He emphasized the need to address the people’s issues and provide much-needed relief.