JI Ameer rules out talks with govt unless release of all workers

Accusing the Punjab government of arresting over 200 party workers prior to the sit-in against inflation and rising electricity prices, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Naeemur Rehman said on Saturday there would be no talks with the government until and unless all party workers were released immediately, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing a press conference at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, at the site of the party’s sit-in, he termed the arrests an act of barbarism on the part of the provincial government.

He said that what the JI wanted was to rein in the independent power producers (IPPs). “They are sucking the nation’s blood,” the JI Ameer said, adding, “It is so unfortunate that billions of rupees were given to the IPPs despite the fact they did not produce electricity.”

He said that the JI workers had come out on the streets to protect the rights of the masses. “And we will not return until and unless our demands are met,” Naeem said, adding, “Our sit-in will no longer remain restricted to Liaquat Bagh. Instead we will go ahead with our march.”

He urged the government to start using electricity for free. “While poor people are being charged billions of rupees for the consumption of electricity, the same is not the case with the rulers who are enjoying the facility without paying a single penny.” 

The JI Ameer announced that the party would hold a rally at Murree Road tomorrow. “Women will hold their rally on Monday. More caravans of the party workers from across the country will reach Rawalpindi since people have pinned their hopes on our sit-in.”

Sit-in enters second day

A large number of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) workers are holding a sit-in against inflation and increasing electricity prices at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, which entered into its second day on Saturday, while the government has contacted the JI leadership for holding talks.

However, all the routes leading to Islamabad are closed to prevent the protesters from entering the city.

In a related development, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi contacted JI Central Naib Ameer Liaquat Baloch, saying the government is ready to hold talks with them.

On the other hand, JI Ameer Naeemur Rehman will announce the party’s strategy for the future at a press conference to be held later today.

On the other hand, quoting its sources, 24News TV channel reported that the JI Ameer was done with consultations with senior party leaders, and there was an opinion in the party that there could be talks with the government provided it was serious in meeting the party’s demands such as the provision of electricity to people at cheaper rates, withdrawal of taxes on items of daily use, and revisiting the agreements signed with the independent power producers (IPPs).   

On the other hand, the JI leadership has directed the party workers, including women, to reach Liaquat Bagh.

The JI workers, present at the protest site, have said that they have come here to stay until and unless the government meets their demands.

They have said they are waiting for instructions from the party’s high command and are ready to march towards the D-Chowk.

Mohsin Naqvi contacts Liaquat Baloch

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday contacted JI Central Naib Ameer Liaquat Baloch on telephone and discussed about JI’s sit-in demands.

Talking on occasion, Mohsin Naqvi assured the JI Naib Ameer that the government seriously wants to hold talks with Jamaat-e-Islami leaders.

During the discussions, Liaquat Baloch demanded of the government that electricity tariff for consumers using up to 500 units should be slashed by 50 percent and mechanism of different slabs in electricity bills should also be abolished.

Liaquat Baloch said capacity payment and dollar payment agreements with the IPPs should be terminated.

He demanded that the cruel burden of taxes on the poor salaried class should be taken back.

Liaquat Baloch demanded the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products should also be taken back, and the petroleum development levy should be withdrawn.

PTI, JI workers released in Lahore

Lahore police have released all the workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Saturday.

All the workers were released on personal guarantee by the concerned SHOs.

Earlier, the police also released inactive workers and leaders with shorty bonds.

FIR registered against JI leader

In another development, Muslim Town police have registered an FIR against JI Naeb Ameer Ahmad Salman Baloch for participating in the sit-in.

Reacting to it, Baloch has said that while on the one hand, the government is talking about holding negotiations, while on the other, the police are registering cases against the party leaders. “We are not going to be intimidated. Instead, we will build pressure on this Form-47 government to meet our demands.”

Reporters: Farzana Siddique, Usman Khan, Waqas Ahmad and Hasan Ali