As the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) sit-in at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi enters its seventh day, party chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman reiterated on Thursday that the sit-in will continue until their demands are met.
Speaking to the gathered crowd, Rehman emphasised that the path to resolution for the rulers is straightforward—accept the demands put forth by JI.
“Twenty-five crore people and overseas Pakistanis have pinned their hopes on this sit-in,” Rehman declared, calling on the nation to rise against what he termed as 'terrorist' influences of America and Israel and their proxies in Islamic countries.
He slated the current administration, accusing them of being beholden to foreign powers and out of touch with the needs of the Pakistani people.
Rehman underscored that the sit-in, which is protesting against the high cost of electricity and rampant inflation, would not end without a clear commitment from the government.
“The straightforward path for the rulers is to accept the demands, otherwise, we will announce our plan of action in two days,” he warned.
The JI leader also called for transparency in negotiations, suggesting that talks be held in front of the media to ensure accountability. He praised the resilience and support of the people, noting that the sit-in had already made a significant impact.
"This sit-in has become a historic event, and you have made it successful,” Rehman stated.
He criticised the economic policies of the government, pointing out the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens due to high electricity bills, unemployment, and factory closures.
Rehman accused a select few in the government of perpetuating corruption and looting the nation's resources. “A certain class hides each other's corruption, and they are responsible for the destruction of every institution,” he said.
Rehman also targeted the lavish expenditures of bureaucrats, politicians, and military generals, calling for an end to their royal privileges.
He cited the misuse of government resources and the burden placed on the public to finance these luxuries. “We demand that no vehicle above 1300 cc should be used by officials. What is stopping this, Shahbaz Sharif?” he questioned.
Touching on international matters, the JI emir criticised the government's handling of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline and its adherence to American dictates, which he argued were detrimental to Pakistan's interests.
He also condemned the lack of action against Israel and the United States, accusing them of perpetuating terrorism against Muslims globally.
Rehman concluded his speech with a call to action, urging Pakistanis to mobilize across Islamabad, Pindi, Sindh, and Karachi. “We have decided not to play games; we made a wise decision, and now we must challenge all political parties,” he asserted. He warned that if the government continued to delay addressing their demands, the sit-in would be prolonged, and a new movement would emerge.
