JI would exert pressure on the govt to retract the recent electricity price hikes: Sirajul Haq

KANDHKOT/KASHMORE, August 30 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Sirajul Haq led the peace march in Kandhkot on Wednesday.

The march was held to divert the government’s attention towards the deteriorating law and order situation in the area, marked by the presence of dacoit gangs and the distressing surge in kidnapping-for-ransom cases.

During the march, he called upon the government to take immediate action and ensure the safety and protection of the people of Sindh. A large number of people participated.

Sirajul Haq expressed deep concern over the rampant issue of dacoits in Sindh. He said the problem had left the people in a state of sleeplessness, as incidents of daily kidnappings and killings were plaguing the region. He said that within the span of a year, a staggering 400 cases of ransom-based kidnappings had been reported in the Kashmore district alone. He held the former government of the PPP accountable for the prevailing situation, emphasizing that its 15-year rule over Sindh had failed to deliver much-needed peace and security to the people.

He urged the law enforcement agencies and security forces to emerge from their inaction and vigorously confront the menace posed by the dacoits. Stressing the paramount responsibility of the ruling authorities to safeguard citizens, he lamented that it appeared the authorities were shielding the criminals instead. He said that if the government did not promptly fulfill its duties, the JI would lead marches on Islamabad and Karachi.

Sirajul Haq also called upon the public to effectively support its strike call against the exorbitant electricity bills. He announced that a nationwide strike would be staged on September 2, aimed at drawing attention to the issue. He asserted that the JI would exert pressure on the government to retract the recent electricity price hikes. Instead of burdening the poor, he urged the government to address the rampant issues of electricity theft and line losses in the power distribution system. He demanded an end to the unjust provision of free electricity to the bureaucracy.

Sirajul Haq called upon the PDM, the PPP and the PTI to issue apologies to the nation for entering agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that ultimately inflicted hardships on the poor population. He clarified that the caretaker government’s jurisdiction did not extend to raising electricity tariffs. The caretaker administration, he stated, should actively collaborate with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure that elections are conducted within the stipulated 90-day timeframe.

He announced that the JI had plans to approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan to challenge the inflated electricity bills.