JI defers sit-in for a month after agreement with govt

RAWALPINDI: The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Thursday deferred its sit-in and protest for a month after reaching a written understanding with the government on the revision of agreements with IPPs and reduction in power tariffs and taxes on industries and salaried class.

JI Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman made this announcement on stage in the presence of Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar and Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi. Naeem, however, announced to stage a public meeting on the Islamabad Expressway on Friday (today), in Peshawar on August 12 and a public meeting in Multan on August 16.

He warned that if the agreement concerning revision in agreements with the IPPs was not implemented within 30 days and the clause of the agreement regarding reduction in electricity tariffs and taxes was not fulfilled within 45 days, then the JI would restart its protest and keep the option of march towards the Parliament House and other options open.

Tarar and Naqvi represented the government in the final rounds of talks on the 14th day of the sit-in. The JI team comprised Liaquat Baloch, Amirul Azeem and Nasrullah Randhawa. The fifth and final round of talks was held inside the container on Murree Road.

According to the agreement read out by Liaquat Baloch before the participants of the sit-in and media, a task force comprising government people and experts would be constituted which would finalize its recommendations in 30 days and ensure implementation. Similarly, the government would make arrangements for reduction in power tariffs and taxes on the salaried class and industries in 45 days. Baloch said in order to ensure implementation of the agreement, the JI leadership and government would continue to hold a series of meetings.

Naqvi said negotiations with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) were carried out with the blessings and approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “The prime minister has given us clear instructions that the Jamaat should be given respect,” he said. Tarar said the demands of Jamaat were the agenda of the government. He said both the teams held meetings with good intentions saying the government would fulfill the agreements reached with the JI negotiating team. “Our rounds of talks with Jamaat will open more avenues for relief for the general public,” he said. “We will remain in touch and fulfill the agreement reached with Jamaat-e-Islami,” Tarar concluded.