Islamist Party Protest in Rawalpindi Amid Electricity Cost Surge

ISLAMABAD – In a significant display of dissent, hundreds of supporters from the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan party initiated a sit-in protest in Rawalpindi late Friday. This action follows the detention of numerous party members by authorities, who aimed to thwart their planned rally in Islamabad, citing security concerns. The protest is primarily focused on the government's recent substantial hike in electricity costs, which has sparked widespread outrage across the nation. The Jamaat-e-Islami party had originally intended to gather near the parliament building in Islamabad to demand the withdrawal of the increased electricity tariffs. Many citizens have expressed frustration, noting that their electricity bills now exceed their monthly salaries. Naeem-ur-Rehman, the party leader, addressed the crowd in Rawalpindi, indicating his commitment to continue the sit-in for an extended period if necessary. Authorities have justified the rise in electricity fees as a requirement to fulfill conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during negotiations for a new $7 billion loan agreement for Pakistan, reached earlier this month. The government's decision to raise electricity costs has been met with significant backlash, as citizens struggle to cope with the financial burden. As the sit-in continues, the situation remains tense, with the potential for further escalations in protests as the party seeks to amplify its demands against the government's economic policies.