Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced plans to hold sit-ins across Pakistan from August 16.
The decision was made during a party meeting held on Saturday. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman chaired the meeting.
Leaders from all provinces and major cities joined the meeting through video link. They discussed the party’s upcoming protest campaign and Independence Day activities.
The party had earlier planned to hold the sit-ins on August 9. However, the schedule was changed because of Independence Day celebrations.
JI will now begin its nationwide sit-ins on August 16.
Sit-Ins Planned Across Four Provinces
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said protests would be held simultaneously across all four provinces. According to the announced plan, a major sit-in will take place outside the Chief Minister’s House in Lahore.
The party expects a large number of workers to participate in the Lahore protest. Sit-ins will also be held outside governor houses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan.
Hafiz Naeem said the party would also celebrate Independence Day as part of its activities. He called on the government to address the issues raised by the party.
The JI chief also referred to demonstrations held at 510 locations on Friday. He said protesters demanded the removal of the levy and a reduction in petrol prices.
JI Raises Issue of IPPs
Hafiz Naeem also discussed Jamaat-e-Islami’s previous campaign against independent power producers, known as IPPs. He said the party had raised its voice over the issue and presented its demands to the government.
JI has previously focused its campaigns on electricity costs and other economic issues affecting the public. The August 16 sit-ins will form part of the party’s latest nationwide protest campaign.
Hafiz Naeem Welcomes Defence Agreement
During the meeting, Hafiz Naeem also welcomed the reported defence agreement involving Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia.
He said such cooperation could help reduce dependence on countries viewed as unfriendly. The Jamaat-e-Islami chief suggested expanding the agreement to include other Muslim-majority countries.
He named Qatar, Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia and Indonesia among the countries that could be included. Hafiz Naeem said broader participation could help create a strong bloc among Islamic countries.
In other news read more about: Peshawar Bans Baajas and Fireworks Ahead of Independence Day
Meanwhile, the party is preparing for its August 16 demonstrations across Pakistan. The planned sit-ins are expected to take place in several major cities and provincial capitals.
