ISLAMABAD: The district administration on Thursday night sealed D-Chowk by placing containers on the nearby roads and the police arrested more than a dozen activists and local office-bearers of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) ahead of the party’s planned sit-in in the capital against price hike, exorbitant electricity bills and the increase in income tax on Friday (today).

Sources told Dawn that the authorities had already imposed section 144 in the federal capital for the next three days and warned that strict action would be taken against the violators.

The JI has announced that it will stage a sit-in at D-Chowk come what may, while Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Aaeen Pakistan (TTAP), an alliance of the opposition parties in the parliament, has also given a call for the countrywide protest against the alleged political victimisaion of the opposition parties and to demand release of the PTI founding chairman Imran Khan.

The sources in the police said that over a dozen JI workers and some office-bearers had been arrested from Rawalpindi, Attock and adjoining areas in a late night crackdown.

Administration seals D-Chowk; police arrest over a dozen JI activists ahead of planned sit-in

Earlier in the day, the district administration in a statement had stated that Section 144 was already imposed in Islamabad.

“Any kind of protest or rally will not be allowed in the federal capital. No one will be allowed to violate Section 144 and strict action will be taken against the violators,” the statement warned. It stated that additional police personnel had been deputed in the city.

Moreover, the district administration appealed to the residents to avoid taking part in any illegal activity. JI Information Secretary Qaiser Sharif told Dawn that the sit-in will be held against the price hike, exorbitant electricity bills and the increase in income tax slabs.

“We had announced the sit-in on July 12 but a number of religious scholars and the government approached us to postpone the sit-in because of Ashura. So JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on July 11 held a press conference and extended the date of the sit-in to July 26,” he said.

He said the party was demanding the government renegotiate on contracts of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and cancel the agreements.

Mr Sharif said that it was unfortunate that the burden of taxes had been increased on salaries class.

It has become next to impossible to pay electricity bills, adding the income tax should be reduced.

“We have announced to hold the sit-in at D-Chowk and it will be held come what may. Workers of JI cannot be threatened by imposing Section 144. The fact is that our workers and members have started their march through train from Karachi on Wednesday night and rallies are on the way from different cities,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said the sit-in will be led by JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and will not end till the withdrawal of the decisions that have led to the unprecedented price hike. He said a number of JI leaders and workers have already been arrested in different cities.

Meanwhile, TTAP announced to hold the protest after Friday prayers. Former speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser told media that the protest will be peaceful across the country. He said the protest was against inflation, for establishment of peace and release of PTI founder Imran Khan and others from jail.

It may be mentioned that Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday set aside the deputy commissioner’s order issued on July 5, refusing to allow the PTI to hold a rally in the capital on July 6.

The court ordered him to decide on the request in accordance with the law by treating it as pending.

“Since the date of NOC for holding the rally has passed, the application for the grant of NOC by the petitioner shall be deemed to be pending,” ordered Chief Justice Aamer Farooq while disposing of the PTI’s petition.

On July 5, the DC had turned down the PTI’s request to hold a rally on July 6 at any place, including D-Chowk, in view of the law and order situation due to Muharram.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2024