Rawalpindi [Pakistan], August 6 (ANI): Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, a senior leader of the radical political party, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, has called a nationwide shutter down strike amid the ongoing protests in Rawalpindi, The Express Tribune reported. During a press conference on the sidelines of the Rawalpindi sit-in, Rehman announced that there would be a series of protests across Pakistan. Rehman said that on August 8, sit-in participants would march on Murree Road, followed by a significant protest outside the Chief Minister's House situated in Lahore on August 11 and another in Peshawar on August 12.
These protests have been going on since July 27 demanding the termination or review of certain agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and demanding a forensic audit of all agreements. The leader, in his statement, highlighted the impact of rising electricity bills on household budgets. He further stressed that charges should reflect the actual cost of electricity.
Taking a jibe at the Pakistan government, Rehman said the government's negotiation committee on the issue of electricity has vanished, saying, "We might have to advertise the disappearance of the government committee". Rehman further noted that the government was troubled as the sit-in disrupted their luxuries, and demanded that the negotiation committee should include the Auditor General of Pakistan, the Chairman of WAPDA, the Federal Chamber of Commerce, and consumer representatives, Express Tribun.