Due to excessive power costs, protests were conducted across the nation in various locations, and bills were burnt.
Punjab and Sindh traffic was obstructed by protesters. On August 31, the merchants have called for a statewide strike, and on September 2, the Jamaat-e-Islami will stage a similar strike. The PPP has also announced protests over the rise in power costs.
On Sunday, August 27, the protest against the increase in electricity prices was staged for the third straight day.
In a tweet, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq said that he will stage a countrywide strike on September 2 in opposition to the skyrocketing cost of power. He added that protests against the terrible judgment would take place in the streets from Chitral to Karachi.
According to Jamaat-e-Islami spokesperson Qaiser Sharif, party Ameer Sirajul Haq presided over a significant meeting. Provincial nobility and mayors of significant cities were present. He said that committees had been established for the September 2 countrywide strike, in which participants from all philosophical traditions would take part.
A strike over high power prices has also been called for in September, according to Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, who claimed that 35 million people in Karachi are suffering as a result of high electricity costs.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also showed its intention to demonstrate against the rise in power costs. Nayyar Bukhari, the PPP’s secretary general, has instructed the party members to demonstrate against the power bills.
Nayyar Bukhari claimed that since power rates were upsetting every resident of the country, demonstrations had to be staged at the city, union council, and tehsil levels. He said that PPP employees should start the protest and act as the people’s voice.
Traders call for a national strike:
“All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran” has requested an apology from the caretaker Prime Minister for his statements and has called for a national protest over power costs, price increases, and taxes on August 31.
The traders asked the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice and explain how the small dealers would be able to pay such hefty rates.
Ajmal Baloch, All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran’s President, said during a news conference at the National news Club in Islamabad that the current condition has advanced beyond inflation to destruction.
Baloch continued by saying that the interim Prime Minister should apologize for his remarks that anyone who wants to leave the country should do so. He questioned the government’s claims that merchants were tax evaders.
Ajmal Baloch announced that he is calling a strike. The entire country will be shut down on August 31, he added. He said that since WAPDA staff do not pay for power, tax payers should also not be charged.
Intercity demonstrations:
A Jamaat-e-Islami protest against high power and petrol prices was staged at Karachi’s Five Star Chowrangi. Children and women in significant numbers, including party activists, took part in the march.
The attendees urged the government to lower the cost of gas and electricity. In the meantime, Jamaat-e-Islami also organized a demonstration in Lahore over the rise in power prices.
Another demonstration over the rising cost of power took place in Bahawalpur. Protesters stopped the national highway that connects Sindh and Punjab while yelling anti-government and anti-WAPDA chants and calling for an immediate reversal of the increase in energy rates.
Khanewal’s lawyers also stated protest against rising power costs and high taxes. On this occasion, the lawyers claimed that the current government had violated the impoverished people’s right to life by enforcing harsh taxes and raising power costs.
A electricity meter removal campaign will begin in Azad Kashmir on September 6, according to protestors, who also demonstrated in Bagh Azad Kashmir against the rise in power prices.
Electricity bills were burned in Kotli by performing bands, people burned bills on the Line of Control and people shouted anti-expensive electricity chants.
