The Karachi chapter of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) held a large protest demonstration on Saturday in Liaquatabad against the IMF-dictated budget, which they claimed had further marginalised the poor.
A significant number of traders and residents participated in the protest, carrying placards and banners while chanting slogans against the ruling regime. Leaders from various market associations also addressed the participants. JI Karachi Ameer Munem Zafar delivered a keynote address lambasting the government for its flawed and anti-people policies. He criticised the budget for favouring feudal lords and capitalists while exacerbating the plight of the salaried class and small traders in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Zafar announced plans to intensify the protest drive against the budget, scheduling another demonstration in the city for Monday. He demanded the government revoke the license of K-Electric, accusing the utility of acting as a mafia in Karachi and contributing to issues like load shedding and high utility bills. Zafar called for a forensic audit of K-Electric's accounts to address alleged wrongdoing.
The JI leader highlighted that inflation, lawlessness, and poverty were not limited to Karachi but had gripped the entire country. He announced the JI's intention to initiate a sit-in protest in Islamabad on July 12, pledging to continue until their demands were met.
Traders' leader Atique Mir voiced strong support for the JI's movement against inflation, urging the masses to join in demanding their rights. He emphasised the necessity of collective action in facing the challenges posed by governmental policies. During the protest, various speakers criticised the government's failure to provide adequate support to Karachi's traders despite their significant contributions to national tax revenues. They also highlighted rising electricity prices and other economic challenges facing ordinary citizens.
In a separate event, the JI amir addressed a reception honouring Karachi journalists, where he underscored the party's commitment to defending media freedom amidst what he described as ongoing governmental pressures and societal unrest. Zafar reiterated JI's longstanding advocacy for rights movements in Karachi, including their efforts to safeguard journalists' rights and promote media freedom. He condemned the increasing incidence of street crimes and urged the government to take immediate action.
The JI leader concluded by reaffirming their determination to stage a decisive sit-in against the IMF-dictated budget in Islamabad. He criticised what he perceived as the government's disregard for the hardships faced by ordinary citizens and pledged to continue their struggle until justice was served.