Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan’s chief, Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, has called for nationwide relief on electricity bills, urging that the recent price reduction should not be limited to Punjab alone. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, he emphasized that relief should be extended across the country for an entire year, not just for two months. He questioned why Sindh and other parts of Pakistan are not receiving the same reduction in electricity rates and called on Asif Ali Zardari, as a representative of the federation, to address the issue. “If electricity prices can be reduced in Punjab, why not in Sindh?” Naeem asked.
He criticized the government for burdening citizens and traders with excessive taxes and announced a countrywide shutter-down strike on August 28 to protest against high electricity prices and unjust taxation. Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also demanded the cancellation of K-Electric’s license, accusing the company of overbilling and corruption. He warned that if agreements with the government are not honored within 35 days, Jamaat-e-Islami would lead a long march to Islamabad’s D-Chowk from across the country.
Present at the press conference were other Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, including Karachi Ameer Munem Zafar Khan, opposition leader in the City Council Saifuddin Advocate, and members of various trade associations. Engr Hafiz Naeem further criticized all political parties, including PML-N, PPP, and MQM, for supporting K-Electric and contributing to the country’s economic crisis, while also expressing concerns over rising gas prices and the hardships faced by media workers.
