The Jamaat-e-Islami called off nationwide protests against inflated power bills on Saturday as it gave a deadline to the government for providing relief.

“The government should provide relief till midnight,” JI Ameer Sirajul Haq told a public gathering in Lahore’s Mall Road. “If relief is not provided then I will give the next plan in Mansoora, Lahore tomorrow [Sunday].”

Roads were closed in major cities of the country and businesses shut as JI called for a nationwide shutdown over inflated electricity bills. Traffic delays on the National Highway.

Dozens of political activists burnt tyres and closed major roads in Karachi early morning on Saturday as the city headed for a shutdown. The lawyers also boycotted the courts in Karachi.

The Jamaat-e-Islami has called for a nationwide strike today to protest inflated electricity bills.

The trader community held a shutter-down strike in most parts of Islamabad against inflation and excessive electricity bills, however, few shops were open in Aabpara market.

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People have been holding demonstrations across the country for a week, demanding electricity prices to be slashed. The caretaker government, however, has refused to do so, saying any such move would be in breach of a loan agreement with the IMF.

On Saturday morning, dozens of people took to the National Highway near Quaidabad and Gulshan e Hadeed. They burnt tyres halting traffic on the busy highway. Trucks carrying goods and leaving or entering the city formed long queues.

Read: How many taxes are you paying in electricity bill?

The red Peoples Bus Service buses also did not ply on the road.

A similar situation was witnessed in other parts of the city. Protestors left burning tyres in the middle of the road in the Patel Para area.

Protests and strikes in major cities of Sindh

The protesters engaged in a pitched batter with the police at the National Highway in the city. They pelted stones at the law enforcement agencies who were forced to back off.

Protesters in Orangi Town No. 5 blocked traffic as they protested against the hyperinflation in the country and worsening living conditions.

Dawood Chowrangi in Landhi Town was blocked by the enraged protesters. The commuters were returning back amid blocked roads.

Karachi Bar Association called for a strike and directed the lawyers to not appear in the courts.

Markets and businesses were closed across Hyderabad and Jacobabad cities of Sindh as the traders called for a shutter-down strike against the hike in petroleum products prices and rising inflation.

In Sukkur, business activities were at a standstill after JI and the trader community called for a strike over the increasing prices of petrol.

Hearing-impaired were also among those who protested against the inflation. They held placards in Khairpur to register their protest against petrol and electricity price hikes. Business centres were also closed in Bandin city.

Punjab

In Lahore, JI workers protested on Mall Road of Lahore. They were holding placards and chanted slogans against the previous government and the caretaker government.

The traders in Sialkot city of Punjab observed a strike as they demanded relief for the common people.

The lawyers’ community in Jehlum boycotted the courts while the traders observed a shutter-down strike.

Markets in Faisalabad, Jahanian, Raiwind and Gujranwala were closed amid a countrywide call for protests.

Protests and strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

JI workers in Peshawar forced the owners to shut down shops on Ashraf Road as they protested against the inflation. Some workers entered the Bus Rapid Transit Peshawar route and attempted to stop the buses.

They blocked traffic on GT Road and also threw burning tires on the BRT route.

In Landi Kotal of KP, protesters carried out a protest march toward the Press Club. They chanted slogans against the government while demanding relief for the masses.

Citizens participated in the protest at Swabi of KP. Jahangira road was blocked for all traffic as protesters bashed the interim government and Water and Power Development Authority over the exorbitant price of electricity.

Read: PESCO orders removal of green number plates from vehicles amid protests

A day earlier, tailors in the Azad Kashmir region staged a protest demonstration with their sewing machines against power companies over escalating costs of energy and additional taxes on electricity bills.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said things are difficult in terms of electricity bills but that there is no crisis in Pakistan.

Talking to senior journalists in Islamabad on August 31, the PM added that while the issue exists, it is also being ‘magnified’ as all political parties are campaigning.