Pakistan
JI chief urges potential boycott of power bills amid sit-in demands
Thousands of women participate in the meeting as the sit-in entered its fourth day
Rawalpindi: Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Monday suggested a potential boycott of July power bills if the government remains unresponsive to the sit-in demands.
“It is time for the government to reduce power tariffs, eliminate unjust taxes on the salaried class, and review agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs). We will not compromise on our demands. If the government shows resistance or reluctance, we will extend the sit-in. I am also considering a call for the boycott of energy bills for August, in consultation with the traders' community and other groups. The government would do well to accept our demands as soon as possible," he stated while addressing a mass meeting of women at the sit-in on Monday.
Thousands of women participated in the meeting as the sit-in entered its fourth day. The JI appreciated their presence, congratulating them for launching struggle for common man welfare.
Earlier in the morning, Hafiz Naeem visited the sit-in site during the rain and held a press conference.
Responding to reports of a police crackdown on buses carrying women to the sit-in from various cities in Punjab, he called for the sit-in at the location where the police attempted to intervene.
Addressing the women's gathering, Rehman announced that Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has decided to expand the sit-in protests to the governor houses of all provinces, starting with the first protest on July 31 in front of Governor House Sindh.
Rehman stated that JI plans to launch a national movement of peaceful resistance with a broader agenda following the success of the current sit-in. This movement will address various issues, including freedom of speech, the principle of proportional representation in democracy, electoral reforms, land reforms, and universal access to education and healthcare. A key component of this agenda is the provision of inheritance rights to women, with strict penalties for anyone who denies these rights.
"Anyone who deprives women of their property rights will go to jail," he declared.
Rehman emphasized that education is a fundamental right for every child, yet the ruling elite have deprived children of this right, resulting in over 30 million children being out of school.
He criticized the feudal system for denying women their inheritance rights and condemned the rampant inflation and soaring power tariffs, which have made it nearly impossible for women to manage their households. He said the owners of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are exploiting the poor, asserting that the current relationship between these IPPs and Pakistan is unsustainable.
Rehman vowed that JI would not compromise on public demands, affirming their commitment to fighting for the rights of the masses.