Jamaat-e-Islami Launches Peaceful National Resistance Movement Against High Power Costs and ‘Anti-People’ Budget
In response to the call from JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has initiated the first phase of a “peaceful national resistance movement” against soaring electricity costs and the recently introduced budget, which they have termed “anti-people.”
According to a JI press release, large crowds gathered in rallies across major cities in Punjab, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Multan, as well as various smaller towns and cities in the province. Demonstrations were also held in Sindh, KP, and Balochistan.
The protesters expressed their dissatisfaction with the “IMF-imposed” budget and escalating utility bills, calling for immediate relief. Key figures leading these protests included JI vice-Emir Liaqat Baloch in Rawalpindi, Secretary General Amirul Azim in Gujrat, JI south Punjab Emir Rao Zafar at the Multan Press Club, Punjab Central Emir Javed Kasuri in Kasur, JI city Emir Ziauddin Ansari Advocate in Lahore, JI Emir Awais Qasim in Sargodha, and JI Emir Rana Tuhfa Dastgir in Sheikhupura.
Speakers at these events condemned the government for what they described as complete subservience to the IMF, resulting in a harsh and anti-poor budget. They argued that the government lacks credibility and legitimacy and vowed that JI would continue its struggle for the people’s rights.
In a related development, a delegation from the Young Doctors Association, led by its president Dr. Atif Ch, met with JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman at Mansoorah. The doctors informed the JI leader about the current situation in hospitals following the fire incident at Sahiwal hospital and presented their demands.
Mr. Rehman expressed support for the doctors’ demands and urged them to avoid causing hardship for patients during their strike. The doctors assured him that patient care would not be affected by their protest. He criticized Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for the handcuffing of doctors after the Sahiwal hospital fire, calling it a fascist act and a disgrace to medical professionals.
He demanded a public apology from the chief minister and called for a dialogue between the doctors and the government to resolve the issues causing suffering for the people. Additionally, he called for a transparent inquiry into the hospital fire incident and an audit of the funds being utilized for the renovation of hospital buildings across Punjab.
