Traders’ groups and the general public launched large-scale protests against rising electricity rates and excessive taxes with big rallies taking place in Karachi and other regions of the nation on Friday.
The Karachi demonstration, which was also supported by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), called for a reduction in ever-increasing electricity tariffs and other levies imposed through power bills.
On the occasion, trade leaders and Jamaat-e-Islami delegates aired their worries.
Protests Against Over Charged Electric Bills
“We reject the excessive charges collected by K-Electric in our electricity bills,” a trade leader said, adding that JI always takes a stand on people’s problems.
اٹک کے شہریوں کا بھاری بھرکم بجلی کے بلوں کے خلاف احتجاج،قیمتی سامان بیچ کر بجلی کے بل جمع کرا رہے ہیں، مظاہرین۔۔۔!!! pic.twitter.com/eqCTtN3UXK
— Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) August 25, 2023
“We are witnessing a situation where people are forced to starve and struggling to make ends meet while KE is sending electricity bills amounting to thousands and even in lacs,” he added.
In a speech to the demonstrators, JI’s Karachi Amir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman warned that if the government continues to burden the population, the situation will worsen.
Jamaat-e-Islami Protest Against K-Electric
“Our struggle is against the white-collar mafia in KE,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to representing the interests of the people.
He said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) were in power when KE was privatized.
“We were told that electricity would become cheaper, but the opposite happened,” he continued.
جماعت اسلامی کی اپیل پر کے الیکٹرک کےخلاف شاہراہ فیصل پر عوامی احتجاج pic.twitter.com/iRRUacpojm
— Syed Anwarullah Hussaini (@syedova26117291) August 25, 2023
People would rise and agitation would grow, according to Hafiz Naeem, if the government continued to support the KE’s injustices.
“If even a single trader is arrested, we will fill the jails. The government should realise that when traders take to the streets, it signifies the onset of an economic crisis,” cautioned Atiq Mir, Chairman of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad.
He stated that a revolution had begun in Karachi and urged everyone to join the protests. He went on to say that, except from JI, no other political party was now siding with them.
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