KARACHI: The Jamaat-i-Islami on Sunday held a big rally on New M.A. Jinnah Road against inflation and unemployment, and described the K-Electric and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan “part of mafia”. It also accused the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government of taking dictation from the IMF.

       The rally was organised on the call of JI chief Sirajul Haq. JI activists and people from all walks of life joined in the rally.

       The protesters, carrying placards and banners, chanted slogans against rising inflation and rulers. They also raised slogans against the interest-based economic system in the country.

       The party holds a rally against price hike, inflation and unemployment

       Addressing the rally, JI Karachi chief Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman talked about a wide range of issues that cause inflation and unemployment.

       Inflation, unemployment hit 98pc people

       He said that protest demonstrations were being held across the country on the appeal of the JI chief. “The issue of inflation and joblessness affects the kitchens of almost 98pc populace in the country”.

       Rejecting what is being orchestrated as “promising figures” issued by the government, he termed them “fake and fabricated” arguing that the impact of the same figures did not reflect on the daily life of the masses.

       “The recent budget has been passed on the direction of IMF and affected the common man in a very adverse manner,” he said.

       Hafiz Rehman also talked about “under the table” conditions put up by the IMF and linked the recently passed family bill with the secret conditions, saying that the legislation was “contradictory to the Islamic principles”. He said such types of draft laws would not be tolerated.

       The JI leader also raised questions over, what he called, a fake impression that the gap between imports and exports had reduced.

       He strongly criticised frequent increase in petroleum prices and power tariffs.

       ‘MQM-P ruined city of lights’

       Highlighting the plight of Karachi, he said that the country’s commercial capital was being discriminated against to gain political points.

       He said that the MQM-P recently offered to the JI a joint struggle to secure Karachi’s future.

       He reminded the MQM-P that it was currently part of the federal government enjoying treasury benches in the National Assembly and had also remained part of the Sindh government for long but failed to take any solid measures to secure the rights of Karachiites.

       He accused the MQM-P of supporting those who had notified the “fake” results of the population census in which Karachi’s population was “halved” in official papers.

       He said the MQM-P was part of the mafia that ruined the city of lights.

       “The KE, a private mafia company, has been overcharging for long because the founder of the company, wanted by several countries under multiple offences, is enjoying the support of PTI leaders,” the JI leader said.

       He said previously the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and MQM did the same and now the PTI was taking the same route when it came to the KE.

       Other JI leaders including Osama Razi, Munim Zaffar and Younus Sohan also spoke.

       Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2021