Sirajul Haq, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer, addressed a youth convention in Rawalpindi, urging the whole nation to participate in a countrywide strike as a protest against inflation and inflated electricity bills. Haq criticized the ruling government for driving the country into a severe crisis and making its economy and politics reliant on the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He expressed his disapproval of the caretaker premier seeking permission from the IMF before providing relief to the nation, stating that this appeared to be protecting the IMF’s interests. According to Haq, the political parties of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) have made the Pakistani nation slaves to the IMF. He emphasized that they refuse to accept such slavery.
Previously, on August 27, JI announced a countrywide strike to be held on September 2 to protest against the increase in electricity prices, which has been met with public outcry. JI spokesperson Qaiser Shareef stated that committees have been formed for the strike and peaceful protests against inflation will continue for the next five days.
In Lahore, on August 31, the business community also announced its participation in the shutter down strike on September 2. Mujahid Maqsood Butt, President of the Traders Association, declared that markets across Lahore will remain closed to protest against the inflated electricity bills and rising inflation in the country.