Government Forms Negotiation Team Amid Religious Party's Inflation Protest in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Protest caravans of the Pakistani religious party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) entered the federal capital on Friday, planning to stage a sit-in against rising living costs and new taxes from the latest budget. The government has formed a negotiation committee to engage with the JI leadership.**

Led by Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, JI announced the sit-in to demand a reduction in power tariffs amid soaring inflation and a review of Pakistan’s agreements with independent power producers. The party's caravans entered Islamabad from various directions, prompting the district administration to close the Red Zone—a sensitive area housing top government offices and the diplomatic enclave—with shipping containers, blocking main routes to the Parliament House.

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar addressed the situation in a news conference, stating, "We are ready for negotiations, but don’t disrupt public life." He announced that the government had formed a three-member committee, including him and two senior members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, to talk to the JI leadership. “Whenever you express willingness, we are ready for the negotiations,” he added.

Despite this, JI's spokesperson in Islamabad confirmed the protest would continue. "Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman will be joining the sit-in at Zero Point shortly," Aamir Baloch told Arab News, referring to a major intersection where key roads and highways connect. Baloch reported that thousands of JI workers had already gathered, despite what he described as the government’s "brutalities." He claimed police had arrested dozens of peaceful workers from D-Chowk near the parliament building, warning that the government would be responsible for any law and order issues if the workers were not released immediately.

To prevent any untoward incidents, the police have deployed additional contingents, including riot gear, and closed the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Express Highway near the Zero Point bridge, where JI protesters have gathered. Baloch said the party leadership would announce their agenda after reaching Zero Point. “One thing is for sure,” he stated. “We are here to stay and will definitely stage a sit-in to press the government to meet our legitimate demands regarding inflation and taxes.”

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