LAHORE: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Friday staged protest demonstrations in front of the offices of power distribution companies (Discos) against the high cost of electricity and prolonged loadshedding.

These demos, held in different cities on the call given by JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, marked the 2nd countrywide protest, which was part of a peaceful “national resistance movement” launched by the party.In the city, JI Secretary General Amirul Azim led the protest demo in front of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) head office, attended by a large number of people and JI local leadership.

On the occasion, JI leader Amirul Azim said the government imposed massive taxeson the poor people of Pakistan on the direction of the IMF.

He said the poor nation was paying billions of rupees to the Independent Power Produces (IPPs) because of the agreements signed with them by the “corrupt rulers”.

Mr Azim said a majority of the owners of the IPPs belonged to the ruling elite.

He said the JI has already rejected the budget and would not sit silent until the government provided relief to the masses.

He demanded the government abolish the agreements with the IPPs and end all the taxes imposed in utility bills.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2024