The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Tuesday reiterated its intent to continue its Rawalpindi sit-in until the acceptance of its demands, as Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced it would be expanded with demonstrations in major cities nationwide.
Addressing the sit-in at Rawalpindi’s Murree Road, Naeem announced the party would stage a sit-in at the Governor’s House in Karachi on Wednesday (July 31), with subsequent protests to take place in Lahore and Multan.
Entering its fifth day, the JI has submitted a list of 10 demands to the government, including seeking a renegotiation of contracts with independent power producers (IPP) that have been blamed for massive electricity tariffs, especially during summer months. On Sunday, a three-member delegation of the government met the JI’s negotiation committee, which put forth its 10 conditions. The government delegation assured the JI team of its cooperation, saying it would appoint a technical team to examine the demands and gauge its ability to implement them.
Reiterating his condemnations of the government for rampant inflation and taxes that he said were causing closures of businesses, Naeem stressed that the sit-in would only end after all demands were met. He also reiterated that the protesters could proceed toward D-Chowk in Islamabad, but urged supporters to exercise patience.
During his speech, the JI chief gave a two-day ultimatum to the government to meet the demands, but did not say anything about future steps if the government dithers beyond this time.