- Both sides agree to talks to address JI’s demands while Jamaat forms committee for negotiation
- Hafiz Naeem criticizes govt’s heavy-handed tactics, including erection of barriers and use of force
- Interior Minister also discusses party’s demands during telephonic talks with Baloch
RAWALPINDI: Minister for Information, Broadcasting, Culture and National Heritage Attaullah Tarar Saturday night hoped for a productive talk with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) which has formed a committee for negotiation with the government’s delegation that arrived in the party’s sit-in at Liauqat Bagh.
According to a news statement issued late Saturday, the minister had arrived in the sit-in of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) at Liaquat Bagh along with a delegation of the government.
The government’s committee comprises of the Minister for Information, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam and PML-N Senior Leader Tariq Fazal while the administration of Rawalpindi, including the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Regional Police Officer and others were also present on the occasion.
The government delegation had held a meeting with JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman in an amicable environment following which the JI announced a negotiation committee which would be headed by Liaquat Baloch.
Both sides agreed on a table talk to address the JI’s demands.
The information minister, on the occasion, said the JI is a peaceful political party.
Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman issued a stern warning to the government, stating that the party may intensify it protest movement if their captives are not released and other demands not accepted.
“Don’t think Jamaat-e-Islami will limit its protest to Murree Road,” he declared while addressing a press conference.
The JI Emir said that the party’s demands were legitimate, and if they were not met, this sit-in would not be confined to Liaquat Bagh rather spread to the entire country. “The people have placed their hopes in me, and I cannot let them down. Tomorrow, we will hold a historic rally on Murree Road,” he stated.
Govt’s heavy-handed tactics and use of force criticised
Earlier in the day, addressing Jamaat-e-Islami workers, Hafiz Naeem criticized the government’s heavy-handed tactics at the sit-in, including the erection of barriers and the use of force. He asserted that reaching D Chowk would be no challenge for Jamaat-e-Islami, emphasizing that the party could mobilize there at any time without obstruction.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman revealed that ongoing talks with the government, represented by Liaqat Baloch for Jamaat-e-Islami, were under way. He expressed skepticism about the government’s negotiating committee but indicated that the consultation process within Jamaat-e-Islami continued. He called on the government to show seriousness and provide relief to the people, stressing that the negotiations are not just a formality.
“If the government is serious, it must provide relief. There is no alternative,” he stated. “Legitimate taxes will be accepted by businessmen and industrialists, but we must also address the concerns of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) through a forensic audit. The middle and lower classes are suffering; we are fighting for the rights of 250 million people. All Pakistanis should join this sacred cause.”
Hafiz Naeem announced that the Jamaat’s women workers will meet on Murree Road after Maghrib prayer on Sunday, with another significant gathering planned for Monday.
Arrests of workers by Punjab govt termed act of barbarism
Earlier, the JI Emir accused the Punjab government of arresting over 200 party workers prior to the sit-in against inflation and rising electricity prices, saying there would be no talks with the government until all party workers were released immediately.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s sit-in, he termed the arrests an act of barbarism on the part of the provincial government.
He said that what the JI wanted to rein in the independent power producers (IPPs). “They are sucking the nation’s blood,” the JI Emir said, adding, “It is so unfortunate that billions of rupees were given to the IPPs despite the fact they did not produce electricity.”
He said that the JI workers had taken to the streets to protect the rights of the masses. “And we will not return until our demands are met,” Naeem said, adding, “Our sit-in will no longer remain restricted to Liaquat Bagh. Instead we will go ahead with our march.”
He urged the government to start using electricity for free. “While poor people are being charged billions of rupees for the consumption of electricity, the same is not the case with the rulers who are enjoying the facility without paying a single penny.”
The JI Emir announced that the party would hold a rally at Murree Road tomorrow. “Women will hold their rally on Monday. More caravans of the party workers from across the country will reach Rawalpindi since people have pinned their hopes on our sit-in.”
A large number of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) workers are holding a sit-in against inflation and increasing electricity prices at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, which entered into its second day on Saturday, while the government has contacted the JI leadership for holding talks.
However, all the routes leading to Islamabad are closed to prevent the protesters from entering the city.
Naqvi talks with Liaquat Baloch over JI protest demands
Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi contacted JI Central Naib Emir Liaquat Baloch on the phone, saying the government is ready to hold talks with them.
On the other hand, JI Emir Naeemur Rehman will announce the party’s strategy for the future at a press conference to be held later today.
The JI workers, present at the protest site, have said that they have come here to stay until and unless the government meets their demands. They have said they are waiting for instructions from the party’s high command and are ready to march towards the D-Chowk.
Lahore police have released all the workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Saturday. All the workers were released on personal guarantee by the concerned SHOs. Earlier, the police also released inactive workers and leaders with shorty bonds.
