JI to stage sit-in outside Governor House tomorrow

The Karachi chapter of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Thursday rescheduled its sit-in protest outside the Sindh Governor House in Karachi to August 3.

The demonstration would address grievances related to agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), the extension of the K-Electric license, tax increases, and inflation. The sit-in was initially planned for July 31 but was postponed due to the martyrdom of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The new date was set after a party meeting, which also decided that protest caravans from across the city would gather at Khizra Masjid before marching to the Governor House. Additionally, the party approved holding funeral prayers in absentia for Ismail Haniyeh across the city on Friday.

JI Karachi Amir Munem Zafar stated that the protest aimed to express solidarity and address ongoing issues. The party demanded the withdrawal of excessive taxes, elimination of the slab system in electricity bills, and the cancellation of unfair agreements with IPPs. Zafar criticised the government for misleading the public regarding IPP capacity charges, citing instances where IPPs were paid billions despite minimal electricity generation. He also condemned the proposed increase in fuel adjustment charges by K-Electric, which he said would further burden Karachiites.

Zafar urged for a forensic audit of K-Electric and IPP accounts and highlighted the dire situation faced by common citizens, including 2.6 million Pakistani children out of school. He called on Karachiites from all backgrounds to join JI's fight against these issues.