- Say talks with JI delegation held in a pleasant atmosphere, hoping issues will be resolved in next round on Monday
- JI Emir warns to extend Rawalpindi sit-in to across the country if demands not accepted
- Govt orders immediate release of 35 JI workers and leaders arrested during protest
RAWALPINDI: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar on Sunday said that a technical committee will review the demands put forth by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), saying the government will strive to resolve the issues amicably in the next round of talks.
Speaking to media persons on Sunday after negotiation with a delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami delegation at Commissioner Office, Tarar said that the government was making all-out efforts to provide relief to the masses and attract foreign investment to help generate more and more employment opportunities.
“We talked to the JI delegation in a pleasant atmosphere, we all want that the inflation should be controlled so that the issue of unemployment can be addressed, electricity can be provided at a cheaper rates,” he said and informed that the technical committee would discuss the issues with the Jamaat-e-Islami and try to address them.
The government’s negotiation team included Tarar, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Maqam, senior PML-N leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Prime Minister’s Media Coordinator Badr Shahbaz.
Attaullah Tarar said that the government was striving to convince the foreign investors that cost of production was very low in Pakistan, so factories should be established here which would help end unemployment.
“Fluctuations in exchange rates were controlled and stabilized. We succeeded in bringing the country out of economic default situation,” he said, adding that the government’s solid steps would help enhance exports and control the inflation.
He said the government was focusing on improving the investment climate and added, if petroleum prices remain stable in international market then we would be able to provide relief to the people in the rates of petroleum products.
He mentioned that a technical committee, consisting of the Minister of Power, Secretary of Power, representatives from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the Finance Ministry, would conduct further discussions with JI representatives. “We will strive to resolve the issues amicably in the next round of talks,” he assured.
He noted that the discussions with the delegation had been conducted in a very positive and cordial manner. The delegation presented a list of ten demands, most of which pertain to electricity-related issues, he maintained.
JI submits 10-point list of demands
JI’s negotiating committee, led by Liaquat Baloch, submitted a ten-point list of demands, including a 50% discount on electricity bills for consumers using up to 500 units per month and the removal of the petroleum development levy.
It also demanded an immediate rollback of the recent increase in petroleum product prices and a 20% reduction in the prices of essential goods.
Among other demands, the party sought the removal of taxes on stationery items and educational materials for children. The party has also called for a 35% cut in non-developmental expenditures, criticising what it sees as the extravagant lifestyle of the elite as burdensome to the public.
The Jamaat demanded the termination of capacity payments and dollar-denominated payment agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
Furthermore, the party insisted on reducing the unjust and unbearable tax burden on agriculture and industry by 50%, and on promoting industry, trade, and investment to drive economic growth and create employment opportunities for youth.
The JI also demanded that the tax burden on the lower salaried class be lifted and that taxes be collected from the privileged classes instead.
The minister confirmed the government’s alignment with the delegation’s concerns and expressed a strong desire to address public relief needs. He also mentioned that the government has ordered the immediate release of 35 JI members arrested during the protests.
Tarar mentioned that efforts are being made to commence the next round of talks on Monday, aiming for a smooth resolution of the issues.
Providing details of steps being taken by the government regarding solarisation, the minister said that the Prime Minister had already launched the Solar Tube Wells project under which 38,000 solar tube wells were being installed in Balochistan. Steps are being taken to shift the tube wells on solar energy through bank financing mechanism in collaboration with the governments of Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he added.
The information minister said that the government was taking all possible measures to reduce the electricity tariff by generating economic and quality electricity.
He said that Rs50 billion subsidy was already given to electricity consumers using up to 200 units. “The government is also starting various solar projects replacing fuel powered plants” he said and added that installation of solar tube wells would reduce electricity consumption.
On the occasion, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Maqam who was accompanying the information minister during talks with Jamaat-e-Islami said: “We want to reduce the electricity tariff to provide relief to the people. We respect Jamaat-e-Islami’s desire to provide relief to the people”.
PML-N leader Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, on the occasion, said that PM’s personal and heartfelt desire was to provide relief to the masses.
“Murree Road is the main artery of Rawalpindi and Islamabad which have a population of more than 10 million. The citizens are facing difficulties due to the road closure,” Tariq Fazal Ch said and expressed the hope that things would improve in the next round of negotiations with the JI.
Hafiz Naeem warns to extend Rawalpindi JI sit-in to across country
Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned to extend the Rawalpindi sit-in to across the country if their demands were not accepted.
Addressing the sit-in, the JI chief said “No one willingly leaves their homes and businesses to sit on the streets, the government has left the people with no other choice but to protest peacefully.”
The JI chief criticized the government’s failure to provide relief and accused the parliament of being a rubber stamp.
Rehman highlighted the plight of ordinary citizens, especially those living in small houses, who are finding it difficult to pay their electricity bills. “How can a poor man educate his children when he is struggling to pay even the rent?”
He also demanded a transparent audit of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) agreements, alleging that these deals have been made at the expense of the common people. Rehman accused the government of favoring a select few and neglecting the needs of the majority.
Earlier, the JI accepted the government’s offer to hold talks for ending the sit-in staged against inflation and other burning issues.
The development came after a government delegation comprising Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry arrived at the sit-in to hold talks with JI’s delegation led by Liaquat Baloch.
Prior to this, the JI refused to engage in negotiations until the release of its arrested workers. The JI had demanded that all arrested workers must be released before any talks can take place, the sources said.
However, the JI refused the government’s request to end the sit-in immediately. Negotiations between the two sides are scheduled to begin on Sunday, with the time and place to be decided then.
Atta Tarar said that they came to invite the JI for negotiations, adding that they will sit and talk on Sunday. Liaquat Baloch said that the JI will form a committee to hold talks with the government.
‘Will not comprise on demands’
Earlier, the JI Emir said that the party will hold talks with the government but no compromise will be made on its demands. Addressing the sit-in participants, the JI Emir demanded that the government take action against the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) that have been involved in falsification.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also demanded a forensic audit of the IPPs and a reduction in the levy on petrol.
He said that 70 to 80 percent of the IPPs are local and can be controlled if the intention is genuine. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also criticised the government for only being concerned about ‘saving the power’.
The JI chief warned that their sit-in could last for months, if their demands are not met.
