JI, Govt Held Nearly 10 Rounds of Talks Over Key Demands: Liaquat Baloch

ISLAMABAD: Senior Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Liaquat Baloch has revealed that his party and the federal government have engaged in nearly ten rounds of extensive negotiations aimed at resolving major public grievances, most notably soaring electricity tariffs, heavy taxation, and crushing inflation.

Speaking on the progress of the dialogue, Baloch stated that representatives from both sides held structured sessions to review the implementation of commitments previously agreed upon following widespread protests. The discussions primarily focused on forensic audits of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), the rationalization of power bills, and relief for salaried individuals who have borne the brunt of unprecedented economic hardship.

The extensive engagement between the religio-political party and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration comes against the backdrop of sustained public discontent over escalating living costs. Political analysts observe that while the federal authorities have attempted to de-escalate tensions through structured parleys, meeting JI’s economic demands remains a delicate balancing act under Pakistan’s ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) stabilization program.

Baloch emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami expects concrete and visible outcomes rather than mere verbal assurances, warning that the party reserves the constitutional right to return to the streets if commitments are breached. Technical committees tasked with reviewing power contracts and taxation benchmarks are slated to conclude their consultations in the coming days.