Sirajul announces to stage sit-ins outside governor’s houses against exorbitant power bills
Says Jamaat-e-Islami to knock the doors of Supreme Court for challenging IPPs agreements
LAHORE ( Web News )
Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Sirajul Haq has announced Jamaat-e-Islami’s decision to stage sit-ins outside the four provincial governor’s houses to protest against the government’s decision of not taking back exorbitant power billing.
Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah here on Sunday, Sirajul Haq that Jamaat-e-Islami after obtaining information under Right to Information Act about agreements of Independent Power Producers, would challenge them in the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP).
He further said the Jamaat-e-Islami has also reached a decision about issuing a White Paper regarding the energy sector. He also thanked trade organisations, religious scholars, lawyers, labor unions, transporters, people belonging to other walks of life and the entire nation for making Saturday last countrywide strike successful.
He demanded of the interim government to listen to grievances of the masses while not passing on the decisions of the former governments to the masses and added instead becoming spokesperson for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should be spokesperson for the interests of the masses.
He also demanded the incumbent government to hand over the rule to the elected representatives after holding general elections in the country. Emir Jamaat-e-Islami said that statement of the prime minister has rubbed salt in the wounds of the people and deplored that the caretaker government talks about every issue while putting aside the real issue of holding elections in the country.
Before this, he presided over a meeting of central leadership where office-bearers of centre, provinces and big cities were present. On this occasion, for taking protest movement against inflation forward, a committee comprising Secretary General Amirul Azeem, Deputy Secretary General Azhar Iqbal Hasan, Secretary Information Qaisar Sharif and Emir Lahore Ziauddin Ansari was constituted which will issue schedule of sit-ins after making consultation. All the four leaders were present on this occasion.
“It has become difficult to live in the country in this suffocating environment,” he said, fearing the government may levy tax even on ‘our breathing’. He deplored that the 24 million Pakistanis had to pay bills due to the flawed agreements made with the Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Emir Jamaat-e-Islami maintained the sole beneficiaries of the agreements with the IPPs were the elite class.
Citing a certain official announcement detailing power connections would be severed over non-payment, Sirajul Haq warned that his party would not allow any such move by any power distribution company. He noted if any official of the government wanted to uninstall someone’s electricity meter, the consumer should inform about it to Jamaat-e-Islami as it would ensure protection of his meter.
“Instead of burdening the masses, steps should be taken to prevent power pilferage,” Sirajul Haq, adding that the burden of line losses should not be passed onto the poor populace.