KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has announced a protest movement after Eid-ul-Fitr against worsening law and order, rising electricity bills, and alleged sugar and wheat mafias. He stated that the party would organise rallies across all provinces.
The JI chief made the announcement while addressing the media at Idara Noor-e-Haq in Karachi alongside central, provincial, and local leaders on Monday.
He described Eid as a divine reward after Ramadan but lamented the dire situation in Palestine, where Israeli airstrikes targeted children even on Eid days. He warned that Israel would soon face divine retribution.
Hafiz Naeem criticised the US for supplying arms to Israel and accused both the government and opposition of prioritising relations with Washington instead of condemning its actions.
He also highlighted deteriorating security conditions in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, blaming the government for failing to take unifying steps.
He suggested that Pakistan should engage in dialogue with Afghanistan to stabilise the region.
Diamer-Basha Dam affected people hold Eid prayers at protest camp
Previously, JI had announced a nationwide protest on January 17 over high electricity tariffs. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Hafiz Naeem questioned why economic indicators like stock market growth were being celebrated while petrol and food prices remained high.
He reiterated concerns over independent power producers (IPPs), stating that despite government claims of negotiating with them, electricity bills continued to soar.
He alleged that the government was destroying industries while funnelling Rs2 trillion to IPPs, exempting them from income tax while salaried individuals were burdened with it.