JI Threatens Countrywide Boycott of Electricity Bills Over Govt’s Inaction

Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) Hafiz Naeemur Rehman addressed a protest against inflation at Rawalpindi’s Liaqat Bagh Chowk on Monday, warning that further delays in addressing their demands would harm the ruling authorities. He hinted at a possible nationwide call for citizens to stop paying electricity bills if the government fails to respond.

During a women’s rally at the protest site, Naeem stated, “The rulers have no choice but to accept our demands. Our women are ready to move forward to D-Chowk.” He emphasized the urgency for the government to act, calling for the elimination of taxes, petroleum levies, and electricity taxes.

Naeem framed the movement as a fight against unjust laws, declaring, “We follow the teachings of Islam but reject oppressive laws. Sovereignty belongs only to Allah, and those who deny this are tyrants. The greatest power is God, not America.”

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He vowed to dismantle the current system, criticizing the lack of women’s rights in Pakistan and promising to enact laws ensuring these rights. “We will enact laws ensuring women’s rights, and anyone who fails to do so will face imprisonment,” he asserted.

Naeem announced that protests would continue outside governor houses in Peshawar, Lahore, and Karachi until their demands are met. He also called for a forensic audit of independent power producers (IPPs) and the annulment of previous agreements, demanding immediate termination of revised agreements for any IPP that needs to be shut down.

He criticized the government’s lavish expenses and lack of vision, stressing the need for advancements in information technology rather than superficial measures like distributing laptops and flour bags for photo ops. Naeem highlighted the state’s responsibility to provide education, noting that over 26.2 million children are currently out of school in Pakistan.