Government Seeks Resolution as Jamaat-e-Islami Protest Persists on Murree Road

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has affirmed their resolve to continue the sit-in protest until their demands are met, asserting that they won’t retreat without securing relief for the people. The protest, initially held at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, has now shifted to Rawalpindi’s Murree Road due to road closures and obstacles.

Thousands of supporters have congregated, demanding the formation of an empowered committee to address their grievances. In response, Minister for Information, Broadcasting, Culture and National Heritage Attaullah Tarar announced on Friday the government’s readiness to negotiate with JI to end the sit-in that is causing inconvenience to the general public.

The government has constituted a three-member negotiation team comprising Engineer Amir Maqam, Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, and Ataullah Tarar to mediate and resolve the issues raised by the protestors. “We are ready to talk for peace, security, and development of the country, which is the main agenda of our government,” the minister stated during a news conference alongside Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Amir Muqam.

He praised JI Chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman as a seasoned and far-sighted leader whose guidance would be crucial for addressing the existing issues within the current framework. In a related development, all Jamaat-e-Islami workers who were previously arrested in Islamabad have been released. Thirty detained workers had been transferred to Kohsar Police Station and Police Station Secretariat but are now free.