ISLAMABAD: Jamat-e-Islami (JI), a Pakistani religio-political party, on Saturday vowed to continue its sit-in in Rawalpindi against the rising cost of living and additional taxes imposed in the latest budget, despite the government forming a negotiation committee for talks with the protesters.
The JI, led by Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, announced the sit-in in Islamabad to call for a reduction in power tariff amid soaring inflation and to review Pakistan’s agreements with independent power producers (IPPs).
The party’s caravans entered the capital from different directions as the district administration closed the capital’s Red Zone, which houses top government offices and the diplomatic enclave, with shipping containers and roads leading to parliament.
“Our dharna will continue as long as the government accepts our demands for a significant reduction in inflation and electricity prices,” Aamir Baloch, a JI spokesperson, told Arab News.
“The party chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman will be announcing a fresh strategy for the protests, dharna and engagement with the government today afternoon.”
The government has formed a three-member committee, which includes Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and two senior members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, to hold talks with the JI leadership.
“We are ready for negotiations, but don’t disrupt public life,” Tarar said at a news conference on Friday. “The government’s three-member committee will talk to you. Amir Muqam, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and I will negotiate with you. Whenever you express willingness, we are ready for the negotiations.”
But Baloch said the party would continue its protest and JI chief Rehman would join the sit-in at Zero Point — a major intersection in the city where various key roads and highways connect with each other — on Saturday.
He said thousands of JI workers had already reached the area, despite the government’s “brutalities.”
“The police have arrested dozens of our peaceful workers from D-Chowk,” he said, referring to a key spot close to the parliament building in Islamabad.
“The government wants to incite the peaceful protesters through such strong-arm tactics. It will be responsible for any law-and-order situation, if our workers are not released immediately.”
Police in the capital have deployed additional contingents, including personnel with riot gears, to prevent any untoward incident.
The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Expressway has also been closed with shipping containers near the Zero Point bridge, where the JI protesters have gathered.
Baloch said the party leadership would announce their future course of action after reaching Zero Point.
“One thing is for sure,” he said. “We are here to stay and will definitely stage a sit-in to press the government to meet our legitimate demands regarding inflation and taxes.”
Pakistani religious party vows to continue sit-in in Rawalpindi despite government’s offer for talks
https://arab.news/zj8dw
Pakistani religious party vows to continue sit-in in Rawalpindi despite government’s offer for talks
- Jamaat-e-Islami supporters have been holding a sit-in at a key intersection in Rawalpindi since Friday
- The party wants the government to address cost-of-living crisis, remove additional taxes in the budget
Weather authority forecasts of rains, thunderstorms in northwest Pakistan on Feb. 16-17
- District administrations and rescue agencies have been asked to remain alert to deal with any possible emergency
- The warning comes weeks after heavy snowfall blanketed several areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, cutting off villages
ISLAMABAD: The provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) has forecast rains and thunderstorms in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Feb. 16-17, urging citizens to exercise caution during the forecast period.
Light to moderate rain is expected in Kurram, Bannu, North and South Waziristan, Lakki Marwat and Tank districts, according to the PDMA. Heavy rain and hail are likely in Dera Ismail Khan.
The provincial disaster management authority said it has instructed district administrations and related agencies to remain alert to deal with any possible emergency during this period.
"Citizens are directed to avoid going near weak and under-construction buildings, signboards, electricity poles and solar panels," the PDMA said on Sunday night.
"Instructions have been issued to keep main highways and connecting roads open for traffic at all times."
The warning comes weeks after heavy snowfall blanketed several mountainous areas in KP, blocking roads and cutting off villages.
Khyber, South Waziristan and Swat districts were the most affected, where rescuers evacuated dozens of stranded residents and tourists to safety.
The PDMA urged local administrations to take precautionary measures in view of the threat of flooding in rivers, streams and stormwater drains.
"Citizens are directed to avoid unnecessary travel during bad weather and stay in safe places," it said on Sunday. "Municipal bodies are directed to keep the drainage system clean in view of the threat of landslides and urban flooding."
