JI women’s wing joins protest outside Sindh governor’s house

Karachi: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) women's wing joined a protest outside the Governor's House on Monday, marking the second day of their demonstration against a petroleum levy and controversial agreements with independent power producers (IPPs). Led by Karachi JI women's wing chief Jawadan Faheem, the protest featured women carrying party flags and placards demanding the removal of the petroleum levy and the cancellation of IPP deals.

JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar addressed the crowd, reiterating the party's position that the levy must be abolished and IPP agreements terminated. Zafar highlighted that the JI would persist in its pursuit, urging the government to heed their demands. He pointed out that over Rs1,566 billion had been collected from citizens via the petroleum levy in the previous fiscal year, with the burden falling disproportionately on media workers, laborers, motorcyclists, food delivery riders, and the middle class.

Zafar criticized the government's spending, citing a Rs11 billion aircraft purchase for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and a Rs90 million vehicle for Senate chairman. The JI also expressed concern over 7.8 million children in Sindh being out of school, accusing the ruling authorities of neglecting fundamental rights. Sindh Assembly member of JI, Mohammad Farooq, and Karachi secretary Taufiquddin Siddiqui addressed the gathering, emphasizing the need for reduced petrol prices and the termination of the petroleum levy, alongside a decrease in food prices.

Farooq criticized the government's handling of the situation, stating that if the rulers failed to address the people's demands, they should resign. Jawadan Faheem emphasized that the women of Karachi had joined the sit-in due to the perceived incompetence of the rulers, who she claimed were burdening citizens with the cost of their extravagance.

Faheem warned of the potential imposition of a new tax on breathing and pledged continued participation in the protest until petrol prices dropped to Rs225 per litre. The JI announced plans for a students' session on Tuesday, the third day of the protest, followed by a women's session on Wednesday, August 19, to be attended by women from across Karachi.