Amid nationwide protests over skyrocketing electricity bills and inflation, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Sirajul Haq on Sunday announced that his party would challenge agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) in the Supreme Court. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Haq stated that the public had expressed during their peaceful protest this week that they do not accept the agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He highlighted the high cost of electricity despite the country being blessed with five rivers, adding that the government would soon raise the electricity tariffs to Rs90 per unit. "We will approach the Supreme Court against the agreements with the IPPs. The burden [of these agreements] is falling on the pockets of the people,” he added. Read: PM did not dismiss power bills as non-issue: Solangi Haq said that Pakistan is being pushed into darkness through artificial agreements, conspiracy to hinder the country’s progress, and the construction of dams. JI leader expressed his dismay over the prime minister's dismissal of inflation and electricity bills as non-issues. He criticised the continuous rise in petrol prices, questioning the government's rationale for imposing additional burden on households. “I want to tell the prime minister that it is the mistake of government to buy expensive electricity. Why are you burdening the masses further with your mistakes,” he questioned. Also read: JI leaders booked for protesting against hike in power prices Haq went on to assert that Pakistan was plagued by a cartel of petrol and diesel profiteers, mercilessly exploiting the populace. The announcement comes as the country is witnessing a nationwide series of protests fuelled by the recent hike in petroleum and electricity tariffs as well as record-breaking inflation. Earlier in the day, a first information report (FIR) was registered in Peshawar against JI leaders for protesting against the increase in electricity prices. According to the FIR, the charges include interference with government machinery, road blockades, causing damage to government property and forcibly closing down shops. The case has been registered against JI leaders including advocate Khalid Gul, Zahid Shah, Tahir Zareen, Haji Qadeer, among others. A day earlier, thousands of traders observed a shutter-down strike at many places in the country. The call came from JI and different traders' associations and was supported by lawyers, with the legal community boycotting courtrooms. Commercial hubs and business centres remained closed in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and other cities across the country, where abandoned bazaars were posted with placards decrying "the unreasonable increase in electricity bills and taxes".
0 Comments