JI stages sit-in outside CM house in Lahore

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore (JI) is holding a sit-in at the Lahore Chief Minister’s (CM) House against electricity price hikes.

In a brief address at the protest rally outside the Chief Minister’s House, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Deputy Amir Liaquat Baloch said that preparations for the gathering are in full swing, with convoys arriving from all directions to participate in the event. He stated that people from all walks of life would be present at the rally.

He emphasised that if minorities are safe in Pakistan, it will pave the way for progress, noting that Islam is the greatest advocate for minority rights. He added that Islam does not permit coercion in religious conversions.

Liaquat Baloch also congratulated Arshad Nadeem on winning the gold medal, stating that Nadeem’s hard work is proof of the potential within the nation. He asserted that if sports are promoted in the country, it would lead to advancement in every sport.

JI leader Amir Ziauddin Ansari in a press conference on Saturday announced that, following the call from Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, a protest against the increase in electricity bills will take place outside the Chief Minister’s House in Lahore tomorrow. This sit-in is expected to evolve into a large public rally.

He emphasised that the administration should support rather than hinder this peaceful protest. He asserted that peaceful protest is a constitutional right, and called on the Punjab government and IG to ensure security for the protesters and to implement a traffic plan for the public.

Ziauddin Ansari noted that they have already provided written notice to the administration regarding the protest. The protest will proceed as planned tomorrow without exception. He emphasized that the accountability of the rulers will continue until the public receives relief, clarifying that the Jamaat-e-Islami Amir has only postponed the sit-in, not canceled it.

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He added that the rulers have been given a deadline to meet the demands, and there has been no negotiation or compromise. It is widely known that these rulers had promised the public 300 free electricity units even before coming to power.

The Jamaat-e-Islami leader further assured that, unlike in previous times, there will be no mockery or deceit with the public.