Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has called for a nationwide protest on September 29, targeting escalating electricity prices and the role of Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naeem-ur-Rehman criticized the system that has allowed IPPs to pocket between Rs 2,000 and 2,400 billion annually since 2000, while ordinary citizens bear the brunt of fuel price adjustments and additional charges like TV taxes in their electricity bills.
He highlighted the disparity in tax exemptions granted to landlords and IPPs, contrasting it with the increasing financial pressure on salaried individuals. “This is not a personal fight, but one for the 250 million people of Pakistan,” he emphasized, vowing to continue the struggle.
Referring to the 13-day sit-in in Rawalpindi, Naeem-ur-Rehman reminded the government of its unfulfilled promise to conduct a forensic audit of the IPPs. “Today marks the 46th day since that commitment, and still nothing has been done,” he said, reiterating the need for mass mobilization on September 29.
Naeem-ur-Rehman also revealed that the JI’s membership campaign is gaining momentum, with sit-ins planned for major highways. He urged the government not to interfere with democratic protests, warning of an escalation in the “Give Rights to the People” movement. This could include a historic referendum from October 23 to 27, where citizens will decide whether to continue paying electricity bills, given the vast sums paid under capacity charges to IPPs.
He did not rule out the possibility of a wheel-jam strike or a million march, hinting at a potential long march towards Islamabad if the government fails to act on IPP reforms. Naeem-ur-Rehman also took a swipe at the government’s inflation claims, labeling them as a manipulation of statistics, and demanded an immediate cut in the interest rate to 10%, with further reductions over time.
In a broader geopolitical context, Naeem-ur-Rehman condemned Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and expressed solidarity with Gaza, Palestine, and Lebanon by dedicating a week to their cause, honoring their resistance against foreign aggression.
