Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Naeemur Rehman stated on Friday that the party would not end its sit-in until the demands – including renegotiating the power purchasing agreements and action against overbilling – were met.

“The Form 47 government is not ready to give up its perks,” he said while addressing party workers. “Many IPPs will have to be shut down. We will not return without approval of this demand.”

Rehman also demanded that the government show its seriousness in talks with the party by releasing protesters detained on Friday. According to JI spokesperson Qaisar Sharif, 1,150 party supporters have been arrested so far during the protests.

The religiopolitical party shifted its sit-in to Liaquat Bagh after the government asked them to do so.

Addressing the workers, Hafiz Naeem said, “When you did not get tired, I also did not get tired. I will ask you to move forward at any time, but for now, stay here, do not go anywhere.”

Syed Aref Shirazi, the JI’s district chapter chief, has categorically dismissed the information about any discussions with the authorities. He said: “We have not had any conversation with anyone. We were told to shift the sit-in to the Liaquat Bagh venue.”

Shirazi emphasised that the decision to continue the protest would be made by the party’s central leadership. “We have taken to the streets with the people to address their issues, and the sit-in will continue until our demands are met,” he stated.

Many roads in the federal capital were opened after the protesters moved to a different location.

JI stages sit-in at three key points in Islamabad

In response to the ongoing protests by the Jamaat-i-Islami, the federal government has offered to hold talks with the party leadership. This development comes as the JI announced its “plan B” strategy, which includes demonstrations at three key locations in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, despite a ban on public gatherings.

“The JI has revealed its Plan B. After facing obstacles and arrests, the JI hold sit-in across three points [across the federal capital],” the religiopolitical party said in a post on the X platform.

A day earlier, the district administration in Islamabad had imposed Section 144, which empowers authorities to ban the assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period. Violation of the order would result in strict action. A similar order was also put in place across Punjab province from July 26 to 29.

The restrictions were implemented as the capital braced for another political showdown. The JI had announced a sit-in protest at D-Chowk to voice their concerns over rising prices, high electricity bills, and increased income tax.

The PTI-led opposition alliance called for nationwide protests against alleged political victimisation and demanded the release of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Undeterred by the imposition of prohibitory orders, the JI launched a series of protests in the twin cities and claimed that the police have arrested more than a dozen of its activists and local office-bearers.

According to the party, the JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman would lead the protest at Islamabad’s Zero Point while Secretary General Amirul Azim would spearhead a demonstration on Rawalpindi’s Murree Road. A third rally would be held at the 26 Number Chungi area of Islamabad.

The decision to hold multiple protests instead of a single sit-in was made after the party faced “obstacles and arrests” during their initial plans. The party has stated that the demonstrations would continue until their demands are met.

In a video message, Rehman addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the Islamabad Toll Plaza, vowing to persist with the protests. The JI has also shared visuals of its supporters demonstrating in the federal capital.

JI seeks relief for salaried class

“We are not asking for anything for ourselves. The burden on the salaried class should be reduced,” JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said in his address to the participants of the sit-in.

He reiterated the demand for relief in electricity bills.

Federal government invites JI for talks

At a press conference in Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the JI was initially given permission to hold a rally in Liaquat Bagh, and standard operating procedures were agreed upon with the local administration. But the party’s decision to move towards Islamabad “did not align” with the previous arrangement, he added.

Tarar said: “The federal government is ready to form a negotiating team for talks with the JI.” He reiterated that the government’s doors are always open and expressed willingness to engage in discussions with the party.

The information minister defended the government’s economic performance, stating that measures have been taken for the people’s benefit, such as a recent subsidy on power bills.

Tarar assured that the government would listen to the JI’s demands and try to incorporate them into the government’s existing reform agenda.

PTI calls off protest as Red Zone sealed

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf called off its protests planned for Friday while authorities began arresting JI workers.

“We approached the deputy commissioner of Islamabad on July 23 regarding our protest in Islamabad, but there was no decision taken. On July 24, we appealed to the [Islamabad] high court following which the honourable judge suggested [the local administration] allow our protest on Monday,” PTI Islamabad President Amir Masood Mughal said.

In a video message, he said: “In view of the [court’s decision], we are postponing today’s protest.”

The PTI has sought permission for its protest from the Islamabad High Court, which urged the capital administration to allow it on July 29.

Raids, arrests

The PTI alleged that the Punjab police raided the home of PTI leader Raja Basharat in Rawalpindi and arrested over a dozen individuals, including MNA Javed Iqbal in Rahim Yar Khan.

The party claimed that police also raided the home and camp of PTI leader Mehr Naeemullah in Lahore, arresting five of his friends. Naeemullah managed to escape.

Police arrested at least two workers from Express chowk, a short distance from D-Chowk after Friday prayers, according to reports.

In anticipation of the protests, authorities had placed containers at Faizabad, the junction between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, effectively sealing off access to the Red Zone and D-Chowk.

Ahead of the JI’s planned sit-in, Punjab police conducted raids in various areas, arresting several leaders and activists. JI leader Ahmad Salman Baloch claimed that police raided the home of Liaquat Baloch, the party’s deputy emir, and arrested two individuals. Baloch was not present at the time of the raid.

Baloch further stated that a JI rally in PP 169 was also stopped by police. He alleged that the government is panicking and targeting JI leaders’ homes in response to the planned sit-in.

Islamabad police seal Red Zone

Islamabad police have sealed off the Red Zone with containers. Police also raided the home of JI’s central secretary general, Amirul Azim, but failed to arrest him. But his driver, Shokat Mehmood, was arrested and taken into custody.

Containers were placed on the Expressway Zero Point bridge while the capital police were also deployed in the nearby areas.

The Islamabad Traffic Police also issued a plan detailing alternative routes for the public in case certain main arteries were blocked.

Due to the planned protests, the Metrobus service has been suspended between IJP and Pak Secretariat. The service is operational between Rawalpindi Faizabad and the President Station.