JI to launch anti-inflation movement

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq has announced a nationwide movement against the authorities for their failure to control inflation.

He came down hard on authorities for failure to provide the poor with relief by bringing down electricity tariffs.

Sit-ins will be staged outside the four Governor Houses, the JI chief said announcing the protest schedule.

The demonstrations will be held in Rahim Yar Khan, Layyah and Muzaffargarh on September 8, 9 and 10 respectively while the protests will be held in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Multan on September 15, 21 and 22 respectively.

Sirajul Haq said the JI will also challenge IPP contracts in the Supreme Court next week and a white paper on the energy sector will be released.

Earlier in the day, the caretaker energy minister said the cut in power tariff is out of the question till putting an end to power pilferage.

Siraj demanded the authorities curb power pilferage and reduce line losses. The government should give relief to the people by reducing electricity tariffs, he said adding that instead of putting a burden on the poor, the supply of free electricity should be halted.