RAWALPINDI: On the ninth day of its sit-in at Liaquat Bagh, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) observed Saturday as a solidarity day with the people of Palestine and held a rally at Committee Chowk, demanding the government support the Palestinians at the international level.

The rally was led by JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Naib Emir Liaquat Baloch, Mian Aslam and others. A large number of people attended the rally. The participants were carrying placards and chanting slogans against the Israeli brutalities in Gaza.

Addressing the rally, the JI chief criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for not attending the funeral of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar.

“Our ruling elites are afraid of the US and Israel and have failed to attend the funeral prayer of Haniyeh. Time has come to get rid of the coward leadership,” he said.

JI emir criticises PM for not attending Ismail Haniyeh’s funeral in Qatar

He also shared with the participants his observations after attending the funeral prayer of Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar and said the Palestinians were united and ready to face Israel to get the revenge. He said all Muslims should stand up for the cause of the Palestinians who are facing brutalities of the Israeli forces.

Earlier, addressing a press conference at Liaquat Bagh, the JI chief said that after failing two rounds of talks, the government’s negotiating committee had been ‘missing’ without giving any response.

“If the government committee finds our demands unworkable, then sit and talk in front of the media. People will not pay the capacity charges to IPPs. The slab system should be abolished in electricity bills and rulers should use 1300cc vehicles and stop enjoying free electricity, petrol and other incentives. Similarly, we want to eliminate unnecessary taxes imposed on traders and salaried classes. The government should abolish taxes on food items as well as stationery,” he said.

Using cricket terminology about negotiations, the JI emir said, “We have options of bouncers and Yorkers. We are playing with line and length. When it’s our turn to bat, people will know how to win.”

He said JI workers and supporters were peaceful but when the time would come they will reach D-Chowk and no one can stop us. “Now, those with Form 47 have been imposed on us. Our politics is focused on obtaining relief for the masses. Whether anyone likes it or not, we will not leave until we get our rights,” he said.

JI naib emir Liaquat Baloch, Mian Aslam, Secretary General Amirul Azeem, Deputy Secretary General Azhar Iqbal Hassan, Secretary Information Qaiser Sharif, JI Punjab emir Javed Kasuri and Punjab north chief Dr Tariq Saleem were also present.

The JI chief said his party had presented seven demands to the government.

“We have given a roadmap to the government,” he said, adding the JI sit-in had become the centre of hope for the entire nation.

“People are not able to pay electricity bills, the whole nation is behind the sit-in. The enthusiasm of the participants is in front of everyone; our morale is high and we are not tired,” he said. The rulers, he added, will have to end their luxuries and privileges and give relief to the masses.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2024