Information Minister Ataullah Tarar on Wednesday announced “positive progress” in the government’s negotiations with the Jamaat-e-Islami, whose sit-in at Rawalpindi against hefty utility tariffs and taxes imposed on the salaried class.
Speaking with media, the minister said the government would hold a fourth round of talks with the opposition party today (Wednesday), but refused to provide any details about the discussions thus far, citing confidentiality.
Since reaching Rawalpindi last month, the JI had repeatedly refused to wrap up their sit-in until the government withdraws newly-imposed taxes on the salaried class; reduces the prices of essential commodities, including electricity and gas; incentivizes industries; cuts development expenditures; and renegotiates agreements with independent power producers.
After warning the government on Monday of shutting down the entire country if it did not implement its demands, the JI on Tuesday announced it was now launching the second phase of its protest movement. Addressing the sit-in participants at Liaquat Bagh, JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the protest would proceed toward Islamabad on Thursday.
Liaquat Baloch, JI vice-president, told media on Tuesday night that his party merely wanted relief for the public. “If the ruling elite fails to understand citizens’ problems, they will have no option but to turn to the streets,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Naeem has said that the JI would protest outside the Punjab Chief Minister’s House in Lahore on Aug. 11 and in Peshawar on Aug. 12. To a question from media, he said the party was not interested in ousting the incumbent government, but warned that if the government did not respond positively, it might have no other choice.