Lahore: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) “Businessmen Conference” on Independent Power Producers (IPPs) was held at FPCCI Regional Office Lahore on Friday.

 Addressing the FPCCI “Businessmen Conference,” Former caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said that the issue of IPPs is 24 million people, including industry. The problem of IPPs is under discussion in the Senate; the rights of the people have been fighting for the small battles of the people before. Astronomy sitting on social media is spreading frustration about the country; the future of the country is bright. IPPs are not scoring points by raising the issue. We will resolve the problem through dialogue.

Former Caretaker Federal Minister for Commerce, Industries, Investment & Interior and FPCCI Economic Policy Business Development Think Tank Chairman Dr Gohar Ejaz said that the negligence of the government agencies of IPPs was being put on the public. A forensic audit of IPPs should be conducted. The whole of Pakistan is saying with a voice that has been affected by the IPPs that we have to find a solution to terminate the deal with IPPs in every case.  We never want our country to go into crisis. There will be a policy that Pakistan will move forward. There is electricity, but the problem is the cost of electricity. How will we fight the world for expensive electricity?

Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI and Patron-in-Chief United Business Group (UBG) and Former Caretaker Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce and Energy and Patron in Chief United Business Group (UBG) SM Tanveer announced that, on behalf of the entire business, industry, and trade community of Pakistan, FPCCI would plead the case of unbearable capacity charges of IPPs to the apex forums of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)-as the last resort to save the economy and the people of Pakistan.

They stressed that the problem would also be explained and a solution given. The business community has said industries are shutting down due to expensive electricity and excessive markups.

They further said that it is impossible to do business at this electricity rate. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakarhas has been elected president of the FPCCI Economic Policy Business Development Think Tank. Electricity is so expensive. The electricity bill is unbearable. Due to incorrect contracts, capsat charges have to be paid; electricity prices are the biggest problem in Pakistan right now. Annual Rs 2,000 billion is being removed from the pockets of 24 crore people regarding capacity charges, and 25 % of the industry has been closed. Such IPPs cannot run the country.

Rawalpindi: In response to government road closures and arrests, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) shifted its strategy and announced sit-ins at three locations in the federal capital on Friday.

Following JI's call for protests against increased power bills, containers were placed to block routes from the Red Zone and Rawalpindi to the capital, and the metro bus service in Rawalpindi was suspended, causing significant inconvenience for passengers.

Key intersections in the Red Zone, such as D Chowk, Nadra Chowk, and Sarina Chowk, have been sealed with containers.

Police have also arrested JI workers from various locations. However, JI has now revised its approach.

JI spokesperson Qaiser Sharif reported that 1,150 party workers were arrested nationwide. He announced sit-ins at Murree Road in Rawalpindi, Zero Point in Islamabad, and Chungi No 26, with Hafiz Naeemur Rehman leading the sit-in at Zero Point in Islamabad.

Section 144 in Punjab, Islamabad

The federal and Punjab governments have imposed Section 144 in Punjab and Islamabad amid PTI and JI plans for nationwide protests. According to the notification, Section 144 will be in effect from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28.

The Home Department stated that there would be a ban on rallies, sit-ins, and protests from July 26 to 28 due to terrorism threats, as public gatherings could be easy targets for militants.

JI Secretary General Ameerul Azeem claimed that police conducted raids on the homes of JI leaders in various cities, targeting them to disrupt the demonstration. He reported numerous incidents of police raids, arrests, and mistreatment of women.

Govt warned

Earlier on Thursday, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned the government that it would be held responsible if the party is prevented from entering Islamabad for their planned protest against electricity price hikes and inflation. He stated that they believe in peaceful political resistance to secure public rights and are not afraid of arrests.

Rehman emphasized that the historic sit-in on Friday, July 26, will represent 250 million Pakistanis and will be held peacefully at D-Chowk. He noted that convoys from across the country were on their way to join the sit-in and urged the administration to provide a venue for the protest. He also welcomed any political party that wishes to participate.

Ahead of the sit-in, police in various areas of Punjab and Rawalpindi raided the homes of JI leaders and officials, arresting several. The police raided the house of JI's central secretary general, Ameerul Azim, but did not find him, instead arresting his driver, Shaukat Mahmood.

Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter Aneela Riaz, also known as Neeli Pari, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) activist Tahir Anjum reportedly staged an incident to gain fame within their respective parties, the police sources said on Friday.

Neeli Pari has been accused of assaulting Tahir Anjum for criticizing PTI founder Imran Khan, but police sources claim the incident was premeditated. They stated that the two individuals knew each other beforehand and had even met prior to the altercation. The motive behind this staged drama was to gain popularity within their parties.

Police reports indicate that Neeli Pari was arrested at Tahir Anjum’s residence, where she had allegedly gone to apologize. Both individuals have reportedly confessed to planning the incident.

Earlier, a local court in Lahore sent Neeli Pari to jail on judicial remand. The PTI activist was presented before a judicial magistrate, who rejected the police request for her physical remand and instead ordered her judicial remand.

The incident took place outside the Punjab Assembly, where PTI was holding a symbolic hunger strike protesting the incarceration of Imran Khan. During this event, PTI activists stopped the vehicle of the PML-N cultural wing leader and began to assault him. Footage shows Neeli Pari slapping Tahir Anjum before he was rescued by his party workers.