JI calls for cut in power tariffs, abolition of slab system

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman Wednesday called on the government to reduce the power tariffs, abolish the slab system, and review agreements with the independent power producers (IPPs).

Talking to journalists after addressing a JI camp in Ichara, he said the JI would stage a sit-in in Islamabad on July 12 and would not end it until all its demands were met.

The Jamaat-e-Islami has organized nationwide camps to mobilize the public for participation in its sit-in in the federal capital.

Naeem said the government had started making announcements about public relief even before the sit-in started. However, he emphasized that the public would not trust these announcements until they get the actual relief.

He said the rulers were habituated to making false claims and spending millions on advertisements without addressing public concerns.

He cited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s frequent promises to end load shedding and PML-N election slogan for providing free electricity up to 200 units.

They always deceive the public, he said, adding the rulers made anti-public budget under IMF pressure, resulting in no relief for the public.

He further criticized the PMLN, saying whenever they came to power, they prioritized their own business interests under the guise of mega projects.

He argued that instead of providing solar panels, the government should focus on delivering direct relief to the people.

He also took aim at Asif Zardari, labelling him a representative of the feudal class who evaded taxes.

He asserted that the rulers’ attempts to deceive the youth would fail, as they were making futile efforts to control the younger generation by restricting the social media and freedom of speech.

He criticised the government’s decision to permit intelligence agencies to tap citizens’ phones, labelling it a violation of basic rights.

“What justice is there in institutions interfering with an individual’s privacy?” he said, adding the government must avoid destroying the constitution.

He expressed surprise that this permission was granted by those who claim to be champions of democracy. He said Jamaat-e-Islami was striving to liberate the country from these so-called democratic champions and agents of imperialistic forces.

“The JI sit-in in Islamabad on July 12 is for the rights of the people, against inflation, and unjust taxes imposed in the recent budget.”