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Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Naeemur Rehman stated on Friday that the party would not end its sit-in until the demands
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RAWALPINDI ( WEB NEWS )
Negotiations took place between the local leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the district administration in Rawalpindi on Friday night.
The meeting included the Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi, the Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi, and the City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi.
Jamaat-e-Islami has been granted conditional permission to continue their sit-in for two to three days.
The district administration has stipulated that the protest must be conducted without obstructing traffic. Participants are required to ensure that there is no disruption to the flow of traffic on Murree Road.
The district administration has emphasised that the protest should not interfere with traffic movement, in order to maintain public order and convenience.
Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) workers obstructed one side of Murree Road, warning that both sides would be blocked if access to D-Chowk was not restored. At the H-8 Interchange, protesters, some donning masks of JI leader Hafiz Naeem, gathered and chanted anti-government slogans.
In response, a heavy police presence at the H-8 Interchange engaged in negotiations with the demonstrators.
JI’s strategy shifted as they moved their protest to the H-8 Expressway, where they set up sound systems and a stage. Thousands of workers had already assembled, and senior JI leaders began to arrive.
“The Form 47 government is not ready to give up its perks,” he said while addressing party workers. “Many IPPs will have to be shut down. We will not return without approval of this demand.”
Rehman also demanded that the government show its seriousness in talks with the party by releasing protesters detained on Friday. According to JI spokesperson Qaisar Sharif, 1,150 party supporters have been arrested so far during the protests.
The religiopolitical party shifted its sit-in to Liaquat Bagh after the government asked them to do so.
Addressing the workers, Hafiz Naeem said, “When you did not get tired, I also did not get tired. I will ask you to move forward at any time, but for now, stay here, do not go anywhere.”
Syed Aref Shirazi, the JI’s district chapter chief, has categorically dismissed the information about any discussions with the authorities. He said: “We have not had any conversation with anyone. We were told to shift the sit-in to the Liaquat Bagh venue.”
Shirazi emphasised that the decision to continue the protest would be made by the party’s central leadership. “We have taken to the streets with the people to address their issues, and the sit-in will continue until our demands are met,” he stated.
Many roads in the federal capital were opened after the protesters moved to a different location.
In response to the ongoing protests by the Jamaat-i-Islami, the federal government has offered to hold talks with the party leadership. This development comes as the JI announced its “plan B” strategy, which includes demonstrations at three key locations in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, despite a ban on public gatherings.
“The JI has revealed its Plan B. After facing obstacles and arrests, the JI hold sit-in across three points [across the federal capital],” the religiopolitical party said in a post on the X platform.
A day earlier, the district administration in Islamabad had imposed Section 144, which empowers authorities to ban the assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period. Violation of the order would result in strict action. A similar order was also put in place across Punjab province from July 26 to 29.
The restrictions were implemented as the capital braced for another political showdown. The JI had announced a sit-in protest at D-Chowk to voice their concerns over rising prices, high electricity bills, and increased income tax.
The PTI-led opposition alliance called for nationwide protests against alleged political victimisation and demanded the release of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Undeterred by the imposition of prohibitory orders, the JI launched a series of protests in the twin cities and claimed that the police have arrested more than a dozen of its activists and local office-bearers.
According to the party, the JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman would lead the protest at Islamabad’s Zero Point while Secretary General Amirul Azim would spearhead a demonstration on Rawalpindi’s Murree Road. A third rally would be held at the 26 Number Chungi area of Islamabad.
The decision to hold multiple protests instead of a single sit-in was made after the party faced “obstacles and arrests” during their initial plans. The party has stated that the demonstrations would continue until their demands are met.
In a video message, Rehman addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the Islamabad Toll Plaza, vowing to persist with the protests. The JI has also shared visuals of its supporters demonstrating in the federal capital.
“We are not asking for anything for ourselves. The burden on the salaried class should be reduced,” JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said in his address to the participants of the sit-in.
He reiterated the demand for relief in electricity bills.
At a press conference in Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the JI was initially given permission to hold a rally in Liaquat Bagh, and standard operating procedures were agreed upon with the local administration. But the party’s decision to move towards Islamabad “did not align” with the previous arrangement, he added.
Tarar said: “The federal government is ready to form a negotiating team for talks with the JI.” He reiterated that the government’s doors are always open and expressed willingness to engage in discussions with the party.
The information minister defended the government’s economic performance, stating that measures have been taken for the people’s benefit, such as a recent subsidy on power bills.
Tarar assured that the government would listen to the JI’s demands and try to incorporate them into the government’s existing reform agenda.