LAHORE: Jamaat-iIslami (JI) emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has demanded a forensic audit of independent power producers (IPPs) and the public disclosure of their agreements.

He said that the JI sit-in in Islamabad, scheduled for July 26, would not conclude until the government provides relief to the masses.

In a statement issued from Mansoorah on Saturday, Mr Rehman said that the majority of the IPPs are owned by those currently in government. He said that a few ruling families are exploiting the masses and transferring their money to foreign countries.

According to Mr Rehman, people are paying billions in capacity charges to IPP owners every month, with some IPPs being paid without producing a single unit of electricity.

Mr Rehman said thatthe per-unit tariff in Pakistan is 18 cents, compared to 4 cents in China and 8 cents in India. He said that there are more than a dozen types of taxes included in electricity bills. Furthermore, he criticized the government for ending subsidies on gas bills and increasing the petrol levy to Rs70 per litre. He said the ruling elite enjoys free electricity, petrol, and gas.

He condemned the government for imposing massive taxes on the salaried class in the recent budget while exempting the civil and military bureaucracy. He also noted thatfeudallordsin Pakistan never pay taxes.

Mr Rehman said that the JI sit-in is being held for the rights of the people and against this injustice. He said that the sit-in would continue until the government provides relief in terms of electricity and ends unjust taxes.

The JI has no objection to any political party joining the sit-in and assured that the protest would be peaceful. He appealed to the masses to join the sitin for their rights.