JI ends sit-in after agreement with govt on IPP, tax issues

RAWALPINDI: The Jamaat-i-Islami has suspended its two-week sit-in following a deal with the government to form a task force. This task force will address issues related to independent power producers (IPPs), lower electricity bills, and reduce taxes for the salaried class.

The agreement was reached in the early hours of Friday after the fifth round of negotiations at the Jamaat-i-Islami’s protest site in Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi.

Despite this, JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated that the sit-in is only deferred, not ended. He cautioned that the party would monitor the government’s commitments closely and resume the sit-in if the promises were not fulfilled.

The task force established as part of the agreement is expected to complete its report within a month and a half and present it to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Moreover, JI’s naib emir, Liaqat Baloch, addressed the crowd alongside Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, announcing that the government had agreed to meet JI’s demands following a 14-day sit-in by its workers.

Mr. Baloch highlighted that the task force will audit IPP agreements and include foreign experts to ensure transparency. He stressed the importance of monitoring the energy sector to offer further relief to consumers.

“The IPP issue is a major problem for Pakistan’s economy,”  “The government acknowledged JI’s efforts in highlighting this issue. A committee will also be established to address tax issues for the business community and agricultural tax for large landowners, with relief measures for farmers.”Mr Baloch said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that both the government and JI are committed to providing public relief, with plans to reduce electricity bills soon.

“We aim to make the country prosperous,” he said, praising JI’s peaceful approach to achieving their demands.

Additionally, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar added that JI’s demands align with PML-N’s agenda. He mentioned that the PML-N government had already provided relief to consumers using up to 200 units of electricity, with Rs50 billion allocated for this purpose.

Discussions between JI and the government resumed on Tuesday after a five-day break. It was agreed that the government would respond to the party’s demands in writing by Wednesday, after which JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman would decide the future of the sit-in.

The JI delegation, led by Liaqat Baloch and including Amirul Azeem, Syed Farasat Shah, and Nasrullah Randhawa, attended the meeting along with Hafiz Naeem. The government delegation, led by Mr. Naqvi, also included Information Minister Tarar.

Earlier, during a press conference at the Rawalpindi sit-in, Hafiz Naeem criticized what he described as a “double, triple” tax system and insisted on having any agreement with the government documented in writing.

“It’s absurd that the salaried class pays taxes on their salaries and then faces additional taxes on essentials like flour, sugar, lentils, ghee, and matchboxes,” the JI chief said, expressing concern that public frustration could escalate.