Punjab Government Decides to Release Arrested JI Workers

The government of Punjab has decided to release the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) workers who were arrested during protests against exorbitant electricity bills and inflation, ARY News reported citing sources. The decision was made on the recommendation of the federal government.

According to sources within the Punjab government, the third round of talks between the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the government could not be held as the latter asked for more time to resume negotiations. The talks were scheduled for Thursday, but the government’s committee did not turn up. The JI has given the government a two-day deadline, warning of a country-wide expansion of the protests if their demands are not met.

JI Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said they will wait for a few days for a positive response from the government, adding that their protests would be expanded afterward. “We would announce a march call,” he stated. He further emphasized that their movement is aimed at saving people from the exploitation by Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

The JI’s sit-in against exorbitant electricity bills and inflation has entered its seventh day, with negotiations between the government and the party remaining at a stalemate. The government’s negotiation team, comprising Information Minister Atta Tarar, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Amir Muqam, held two inconclusive rounds of talks with the JI’s team led by Vice Chief Liaquat Baloch.

The JI has presented ten demands and sought Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s guarantee on the ongoing talks, insisting that any agreement reached must bear the PM’s signature. Their demands include the end of the Petroleum Development Levy on all petroleum products, a 20% reduction in prices of food commodities, electricity and gas tariffs, and renegotiation of agreements with IPPs, among others.