JI, govt set to hold talks tomorrow amid protests

JI, govt set to hold discussions tomorrow against the backdrop of protests.

Key points

• Kalbe Ali Published September 6, 2026 Updated September 6, 2026 08: 34am.
• Addressing the national economic crisis, Mr Rehman observed that Pakistan's total debt has reached Rs110, 000bn, with annual interest payments standing at Rs8, 000bn.
• Kalbe Ali is a senior staff reporter for Dawn based in Islamabad, with almost 20 years of field reporting experience.
• He remarked the protests additionally saved the national exchequer Rs4, 300 billion in negotiations with independent power producers and prevented petrol rates from surging higher.
• Reaffirming backing for peaceful democratic protests, including those by the Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf, he vowed that JI would keep up public pressure until concrete economic relief is delivered.

Kalbe Ali Published September 6, 2026 Updated September 6, 2026 08: 34am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Party warns of nationwide wheel-jam strike if demands face delays; notes protests will continue alongside negotiations Hafiz Naeem claims demonstrations forced cuts in power, fuel costs; announces 50 million-signature campaign for economic relief.

While warning that JI will launch a nationwide "wheel-jam" strike if the administration delays approving public demands for economic relief, ISLAMABAD: Formal negotiations between the administration and Jamaat-I-Islami will commence on Monday, the party's chief confirmed on Saturday.

Addressing a news conference in the federal capital alongside JI deputy chief Mian Muhammad Aslam and Islamabad Emir Nasrullah Randhawa, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated that sit-in protests nationwide will continue simultaneously with the discussions.

Mr Rehman levelled severe criticism at the current administration and bureaucracy, describing the administration as an unconstitutional "Form-47 arrangement" that imposes the burden of its inefficiency and extravagances on the public through heavy taxation.

Highlighting that JI's protests have completed 21 days with active sit-ins at dozens of locations-including 20 sites in Balochistan and Swat-he maintained that public pressure forced electricity rates down by Rs10 to Rs12 per unit.

Addressing the national economic crisis, Mr Rehman observed that Pakistan's total debt has reached Rs110, 000bn, with annual interest payments standing at Rs8, 000bn. He argued that a 3pc cut in the central bank's policy rate would eliminate the need for the petroleum levy altogether.

Criticising systemic corruption, Mr Rehman pointed out Rs1, 300bn in annual losses due to Federal Board of Revenue incompetence and condemned ongoing payments to re-gasification plants even when liquefied natural gas is not supplied.

In practice, the JI chief additionally drew attention to governance failures in social sectors, citing recent incidents at Pims and a 50 per cent failure rate in Punjab province's ninth-grade exams.

Mr Rehman criticised the key political parties of Sindh, describing them as opportunistic.

He remarked they have left the real matters of Karachi unaddressed, adding that these grievances are driving the residents of that city to demand a separate province.

Announcing future intends, Mr Rehman stated that JI will launch a signature campaign targeting 50 million citizens to push for structural relief, local body governance and a reduction in bread costs to Rs10.

Reaffirming backing for peaceful democratic protests, including those by the Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf, he vowed that JI would keep up public pressure until concrete economic relief is delivered. Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2026.

Kalbe Ali is a senior staff reporter for Dawn based in Islamabad, with almost 20 years of field reporting experience. As well as religious affairs, he covers a diverse range of topics, including the internet, IT and telecom sectors.

Taken together, the developments around JI, govt set to hold talks tomorrow amid protests point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.