JI chief opposes fresh polls,
demands ‘Form 45’ be honoured

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has stated that there is no need for new elections in the country and that anyone demanding them might be an agent of someone but is not loyal to the nation.

Speaking at a JI sit-in at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi on Friday, Hafiz Naeem said, “Those imposed on us through Form 47 have caused a dire situation where brothers are killing each other over electricity bills.”

He continued, “Talks of new elections are ongoing, but we oppose this and demand that the government be given to those who have the mandate according to Form 45.”

Hafiz Naeem proposed the formation of a judicial commission based on the evidence from Form 45. “Those with the public mandate should be given governance, and those imposed via Form 47 should be removed,” he asserted.

He criticised those advocating for new elections, whether from the PML-N, PPP, or PTI, accusing them of being agents and not loyal to the country. “They are seeking a share in the spoils of a new election.”

Hafiz Naeem claimed that some parties are clamouring for new elections because they feel they have not received their share and now want a part of the new election process.

He also demanded the government end the IPP business and reduce its expenses to provide relief to the public. “More than 80% of IPPs are owned by government personalities, and over 500 billion rupees are being paid to them from our pockets.”

He criticised the privileges given to a specific class, including free petrol, electricity, housing, and gas, which are funded by the poor. “Payments to IPPs are also extracted from the public through electricity bills.”

The JI chief vowed to continue the sit-in until the privileges given to bureaucrats, military personnel, and judges are ended and agreements with IPPs are terminated. He called for quality education for every child if the government collects taxes.

Hafiz Naeem highlighted the tax disparity, noting that salaried individuals paid Rs375 billion in income tax last year, while large landowners paid less than five billion. “Tax the landlords and remove taxes from salaries and electricity bills.”

Arrests

Police arrested several Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) workers ahead of their planned sit-in against inflation, taxes, and electricity bills at D-Chowk in the federal capital. In response, JI altered their strategy, directing workers to gather at H-8 Bridge while a convoy led by JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman entered Islamabad. Hafiz Naeem arrived at the Islamabad Expressway sit-in to address the participants.

In his speech at the sit-in, Hafiz Naeem stated, “Billions are being embezzled, and the

IPPs are exploiting this country. Our sit-in has commenced. We have one demand from the government: provide relief to the public and shut down the IPPs.”

He further emphasised, “Protest is our constitutional right. Our arrested workers must be released, and the government should not obstruct our path, or we will hold sit-ins from Karachi to Chitral.”

Police blocked all routes to D-Chowk with containers to prevent the sit-in, citing security concerns, and detained several workers in Islamabad.

Police sources indicated that no formal arrests were recorded; individuals were detained to prevent public disorder. No demonstrations had yet reached the press club, where police had stationed vans and personnel.

To stop people from reaching the sit-in, containers were placed at city entry points, and only one lane remained open on major roads, causing long traffic queues and inconvenience for residents.

JI workers blocked one side of Murree Road, threatening to block both sides if routes to D-Chowk were not opened. At H-8 Interchange, workers gathered, some wearing masks of JI leader Hafiz Naeem, chanting slogans against the government. Heavy police presence at H-8 Interchange attempted negotiations with the workers.

JI’s strategy shift included relocating all workers to H-8 Expressway, where sound systems and a stage were set up. Thousands of workers had already gathered, and senior JI leaders started arriving.

Led by Hafiz Naeem, a convoy from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa crossed barriers at Chungi No. 26 to enter Islamabad. Balochistan Assembly member and provincial leader Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch also arrived from Gwadar with supporters.

PTI postpones decision to hold protest in Islamabad

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) postponed its protest on Friday in the federal capital following the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision to reserve its judgment on PTI’s petition seeking permission to hold the protest.

On Monday, PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan called on everyone to “fully participate” in the peaceful protest across the country.

He stated the party’s three demands would be the immediate release of incarcerated PTI leaders and supporters, maintaining peace in the country, and protesting against growing inflation.

Justice Saman Rifat presided over the hearing of the petition submitted by PTI leader Amir Mughal. The party’s request for a protest on 26 July had been denied by the Islamabad administration.

The state counsel informed the court that the federal capital’s administration had refused all political parties’ requests for rallies, highlighting the tense security situation.

Justice Saman inquired about the permission for the PTI protest, suggesting that it be allowed on Monday. She questioned whether the district administration had granted permission to Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) for their protest.

Tarar accuses JI of breaching agreement on sit-in venue

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar accused Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) of breaching the agreement with the government about concluding their protest against inflation with a rally at Liaquat Bagh. However, the government remains open to dialogue, he added.

“When it was agreed to hold the rally at Liaquat Bagh, the march towards Islamabad is incomprehensible,” he said while addressing a press conference alongside Amir Muqam in Islamabad on Friday.

Tarar emphasised that the government is still willing to engage in talks with Jamaat-e-Islami.

Reacting to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s speech at the Bannu rally, Tarar remarked, “We understand his constraints. He reassures in the Apex Committee, but speaks differently in public. After the decision to bring back TTP terrorists, terrorism has increased.”

Tarar criticised the CM Gandapur further, saying, “What should have been done is to outline your actions against terrorism. They have made an agreement with a fake artificial intelligence institution, uncertified by any organisation, which will not benefit the youth.”