PESHAWAR: Several Jamaat-i-Islami activists were booked by the police here on Sunday allegedly for blocking traffic, burning tyres and forcefully shutting down shops in the provincial capital on Saturday.

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       The FIR, registered at Shaheed Gulfat Hussain police station, under sections 436, 341, 148, 149, 153 and 506 against seven JI activists says that the police received a call about a protest by JI activists against inflated electricity bills.

       The protesters blocked Ashraf Road and were forcefully shutting down shops where at the same time threatened burning the shops for refusing to joining the strike, the FIR said, adding that the protesters were chanting slogans inciting people against the government.

       Police later nominated Khalid, Bahrullah, Zahir Shah, Tahir Zareen, Haji Qadeer, Umar Khan, Noor Ghulam and others for leading the protesters and blocking the road, burning tyres and also climbed over the BRT fence.

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       On Saturday, JI held protests against inflated electricity bills due to which the bazaars, business activities remained suspended. Traders also held demonstrations in various bazaars and localities to protest an increase in taxes.

       The lawyers also supported the protest call and they boycotted the court proceedings in protest against inflation. Transport on the roads remained very thin, creating difficulties for the commuters to reach their destination.

       Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2023