LAHORE: After a call from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday, Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Thursday postponed Islamabad sit-in till July 26 “out of respect for Ashura.”

He announced the decision to delay the sit-in at a press conference here at Mansoorah. The sit-in plan, originally scheduled for July 12 (today), was reviewed by the JI leadership following appeals from religious scholars.

Rehman also promised to start countrywide tour for public mobilisation to ensure participation in the sit-in. The JI plans to organise awareness camps in all major cities on Friday and sit-ins in major and small cities on July 14.

Rehman said people from Karachi, Balochistan and far-flung areas would start the march towards Islamabad on July 24. He reiterated the demands for reduction in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of slab system for power tariffs and review of agreements with the Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

“The JI sit-in in Islamabad on July 26 is for the rights of the people, against inflation, and unjust taxes imposed in the recent budget,” he told media.

He criticised the government for depriving the masses of basic health and employment facilities and imposing additional taxes on the poor. He said the IPPs were paid billions in the shape of capacity charges.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2024