KARACHI: A Pakistani religio-political party protesting against the rising cost of living due to increased power tariffs and additional taxes in the federal budget expanded its sit-in to southern Karachi port city on Saturday, where people camped in front of the Governor House for an indefinite period.
Thousands of supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) started a protest demonstration last month in Pakistan’s garrison city of Rawalpindi, gathering at the historic Liaqat Bagh and demanding that the government review stringent economic measures that have financially burdened the people.
Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar announced the government had formed a committee to negotiate with the protesters and address their legitimate demands, though the talks remained inconclusive, prompting JI chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman to expand the sit-in to Karachi.
JI was scheduled to implement its decision on Wednesday but deferred it after the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in an attack believed to have been carried out by Israel in Tehran.
“Today’s protest is against inflation,” Monem Zafar Khan, the party’s Karachi head leading the protest, told Arab News. “It is against the oppressive billing practices of independent power producers and K-Electric, and the plundering of the public’s pockets that we will not accept under any circumstances.”
“Heavy taxes have been imposed on salaried individuals, taxes have been levied on children’s milk and essential goods are also being taxed,” he added. “These are the issues we have come out to protest today.”
The party’s information secretary, Zahid Askari, described Karachi’s sit-in as a continuation of Rawalpindi’s protest, adding that JI would continue until all issues raised by its leadership were resolved.
“Hafiz [Naeem-ur-Rehman] Sahib is leading the protest in Rawalpindi over the issues facing this nation, demanding an end to the oppression inflicted on the Pakistani people [by the government] and the removal of the new taxes imposed on salaried individuals,” he said.
“Our protest in Karachi is a continuation of the effort,” he added. “This protest will last until our demands are met.”
Pakistani religio-political party expands anti-inflation sit-in to Karachi
https://arab.news/44z59
Pakistani religio-political party expands anti-inflation sit-in to Karachi
- Thousands of Jamaat-e-Islami supporters have already been demonstrating against rising cost of living in Rawalpindi
- The party’s Karachi chapter began its sit-in in front of the Governor House in the Pakistani port city on Saturday
Putin calls Russia’s ties with Pakistan ‘mutually beneficial’
- The Russian President mentions the ties as Pakistan’s new envoy presents his credentials in Moscow
- Pakistan and Russia have strengthened relations in recent years, expanding cooperation in key sectors
ISLAMABAD: Russian President Vladimir Putin has described relations with Pakistan as “mutually beneficial,” according to a social media post by his country’s embassy in Pakistan on Friday, as he met newly appointed Pakistani ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi during a credentials ceremony in Moscow.
Pakistan and Russia have steadily strengthened bilateral ties in recent years while working to further expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy and connectivity.
“We maintain close cooperation with Pakistan, a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the largest regional organization in terms of economic, technological, and human potential,” Putin was quoted as saying in a post on X. “Russia
Pakistan relations are genuinely mutually beneficial.”
In recent years, Pakistan and Russia have pledged to deepen economic ties, explore barter trade and energy deals, and boost people-to-people contacts. High-level visits have also taken place between officials of both countries, highlighting interest in expanding cooperation in technology, agriculture and transport.
Last December, Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Russia and Pakistan were in talks on a potential oil-sector agreement.
Earlier, in May, Pakistan and Russia agreed to establish a steel mill in Karachi, aiming to boost bilateral ties and expand industrial collaboration.
The two countries are also working on the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline, a major infrastructure project aimed at transporting imported gas from Karachi to Punjab to help meet Pakistan’s energy needs.
In 2023, Pakistan and Russia also discussed a deal for the delivery of Russian crude to Pakistan, and talks have continued on broader energy partnerships.
