RAWALPINDI: A significant number of participants present at the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) sit-in at Liaquat Bagh have come from central and southern districts of Punjab and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and many of them have vowed to resist the increase in power tariffs and heavy taxes imposed by the government in the federal budget.

As the protest entered its second day, Murree Road remained closed to traffic from Marrir Chowk to Committee Chowk, with containers placed on the artery that passes through the heart of the garrison city. As a result, business activities in the area were affected.

A three-member delegation of the government comprising Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Energy Awais Leghari and MNA Tariq Fazal Chaudhry met the JI leadership at the sit-in venue on the Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh, late Saturday night and extended an invitation for talks.

Tarar requested JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman to end the sit-in. However, the top JI leader categorically rejected the request, saying that the protest would continue till acceptance of all the demands.

A JI spokesman said that Hafiz Naeem had rejected all possibilities to end the sit-in without acceptance of demands. “Certainly, we will hold talks but there will be no compromise on our demands,” he quoted Hafiz Naeem as saying.

The government delegation later held a brief meeting with JI Vice Emir Liaquat Baloch and traders leader Muhammad Kashif Chaudhry.

To start with the agenda of demands,Liaquat Baloch said:

• The government should give 50 percent relief to consumers using electricity upto 500 units monthly.

• It should end Petroleum Development Levy on all the petroleum products and withdraw increases in prices of these products.

• 20 percent reduction in prices of food commodities, electricity and gas tariffs.

• Renegotiate agreements with IPPs, particularly end clause of agreement on making payments in US dollar.

• Reduction in taxes etc on agriculture and industrial sectors.

• Ensure incentives to industrial sector, trade and investment.

• Withdrawal of increase in taxes on the salaried class and imposition of taxes on privileged class.

• Cut in non-development expenses by 35 percent.

• Withdrawal of all taxes on stationery and other items used in education and training of children.

Later, the minister for information said that formal talks process with the JI leadership would start on Sunday (today). “The JI leadership will constitute a committee to start the process of talks with the government,” he said.

Earlier, in the day, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a telephonic conversation with JI Vice Emir Liaquat Baloch to discuss the party’s demands as it continues its demonstration against soaring inflation and exorbitant electricity bills.

About 3,000 people, mostly workers, were present at the protest site in the morning, with the JI leadership conspicuous by its absence. Though the party had installed tents in the park for the protesters, the participants chose to occupy the road to register their protest.

For water, a stall had been set up by some philanthropists at Liaquat Bagh but mostly protesters were buying water from nearby shops and vendors who had installed their stands near the park, seemingly to cater to the needs of the protesters.

JI Rawalpindi leader Malik Azam said the local chapter of the political party was providing three meals a day to the participants. “We have also provided carpets [to the sit-in] with the help of local workers and supporters so the people can sit on the ground and offer their prayers without any problems,” he said.

The JI leader said the local supporters of the party were busy making arrangements for the protesters which is why their number was smaller compared to those who had come from other parts of the country.