If demands are not met, sit-in would be converted into a revolution: Hafiz Naeemur Rehman

RAWALPINDI, July 27 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has warned the government that fascist tactics and negotiations cannot go hand in hand and the sit-in can turn in any direction. He said forensic audit of IPPs should be conducted, unfair contracts should be terminated and there should be abolition of export duties and illegal taxes on the salaried. He said the sit-in is a hope for the people across the country, adding they will get relief for the people while women will also participate from tomorrow.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed these views while addressing the participants of the dharna at Murree Road on Saturday afternoon and talking to the media. Naib Emir Liaqat Baloch, Dr. Osama Razi, Mian Aslam, Dr. Atta-ul-Rehman, Secretary General Ameer-ul-Azeem and other leaders were also present on this occasion. On the second day of the dharna, the arrival of various caravans continues.

Emir Jamaat-e-Islami reiterated its demand for the immediate release of the arrested workers and strongly condemned the behavior of the Punjab government. He said that elders of Jamaat-e-Islami were arrested and houses were raided while the cases should be closed against them.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that the committee announced by the government shows its indifference, there is no obstacle from our side, the government should announce a serious and empowered committee within an hour, we will also do it, as long as the workers and the cases do not end, there will be no negotiations. He said the Jamaat-e-Islami wants reduction in electricity tariff, abolition of slab system, reduction of tax on salaried and revision of contracts on IPPs while termination of some of them.

He said that the rulers should end their extravagances, privileges, taxes should be imposed on landlords, the government should explain why it has increased its expenditure by 25% in such worse conditions. Health and education facilities should be provided to the people, quality and free education is the right of every child, why don’t you provide facilities when you take tax, he questioned. He said if demands were not met, the sit-in would be converted into a revolution.

Meanwhile, the emir Jamaat spent the night with the people participating in the sit-in, adding the large number of participants is excited while the arrival of caravans from different parts of the country continues. Emir Jamaat-e-Islami has appealed to the youth, farmers, laborers, businessmen and people belonging to all walks of life to participate in the dharna for their rights, adding Jamaat-e-Islami will not disappoint them.