On Monday, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Naib Emir Liaqat Baloch announced that the party will hold a nationwide shutter-down strike on August 28 to pressure the coalition government into providing relief for the public.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Baloch explained that the decision, made with the support of the trader community, is in response to rising inflation, high electricity costs, and excessive taxation.

Read more: JI Protest Persists as Government forms Committee to Address Concerns

Baloch warned that any attempt by the government to suppress the strike could lead to widespread unrest. He reminded that his party previously staged a 14-day protest in Rawalpindi and reached an agreement with the federal government for inflation relief, which included a one-month deadline to review contracts with independent power producers (IPPs). The JI is demanding that the government adhere to this agreement.

Baloch also suggested the possibility of a long march to Islamabad if necessary, and noted that the party had only postponed its sit-in after the agreement was signed.

JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman had previously announced a protest, planning to join forces with trader groups. This strike follows the party’s recent successful negotiations with the government to address issues such as high power tariffs and IPP agreements.