Jamaat-e-Islami defers sit-in after successful talks with govt

The Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan has announced to defer its sit-in after successful talks with the government over demands including cutting high power tariff and reviewing agreements with independent power producers (IPPs).

The announcement was made after the conclusion of the 5th round of talks with the government’s negotiation team at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh.

Hafiz Naeem warned that the JI would stage a sit-in again if the government failed to implement on the party’s demands.

He further said the party would hold a rally on Islamabad Highway today (Friday) where the future course of action would be announced.

The IPPs agreements are under the spotlight as masses are paying hefty bills blamed on capacity payments being made to independent power producers.

Addressing the sit-in on the occasion, JI Naib Ameer Liaquat Baloch said that the government agreed to the party’s demand to slap taxes on land-owners, He added the government also consented to reduce the tax on the salaried class in phases.

He further said that Interior Minister Moshin Naqvi and Information Minister Ataullah Tarar signed the agreement on the party’s demands.

Baloch said that the two sides were in harmony in meeting that the government will hold scrutiny of agreements with independent power producers (IPPs).

He added that a task force will be formed for the purpose that will table its report before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within a month.