JI asks govt to honour agreements signed with it or face public wrath

By Sher Ali Khalti

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has emphasized that the government must honour the agreement it signed with the JI following their sit-in or prepare to face public backlash.

“We will consider all options, including a long march and sit-in in Islamabad, as well as shutter-down and wheel-jam strikes,” Naeemur Rehman stated while addressing a gathering of traders at Mansoora.

He met with trade organizations leaders to discuss strategies for pressuring the government into providing relief from unfair taxes and exorbitant power tariffs.

He condemned those propagating against the agreement, warning that such actions would ultimately benefit the government while harming the public. He reaffirmed JI’s commitment to its cause, stating that their struggle would continue without any compromise on public rights.

The ruling elite, he said, will be forced to reduce power tariffs, revisit agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), and curb their extravagant lifestyle, which is being funded by state resources.

Rehman said that the JI has officially launched a nationwide membership drive, with the ambitious goal of recruiting five million new members. After this drive, JI plans to form public committees and mobilize the masses to fight for their rights.

The movement, Rehman explained, will focus on strengthening democracy, upholding the rule of law, ensuring freedom of speech, and providing universal access to health and education. The movement will also include a strong emphasis on women’s rights.

He stressed that the JI will prioritize youth and women in its ranks, with land reforms and electoral reforms as key items on the party’s agenda. Rehman urged traders to join JI and take part in the struggle for both their own rights and the rights of the public.

He also criticized previous governments led by the PMLN, PPP, and PTI, accusing them of favouring IPPs over the public. He highlighted that IPPs receive more in capacity charges than the entire defense budget and benefit from tax exemptions, while ordinary citizens bear the burden of heavy taxation.

Expressing deep concern for the nation’s youth, Rehman lamented their diminishing opportunities, with many choosing to leave the country. He pointed out that millions of children are out of school, and basic healthcare remains inaccessible to a significant portion of the population.