Skyrocketing power bills draw protests near Pakistan's capital

29/7/2024 19:27

        Protests over skyrocketing power bills shut down a major road into Pakistan's capital on Monday as some 3,000 supporters of a major Islamist party continued a sit-in despite pouring monsoon rains.
        
        The protesters, who are demanding that the government withdraw taxes on electricity to offset price hikes, have occupied a road in the garrison city of Rawalpindi since Friday, as police prevent them from heading to the capital Islamabad. Amid widespread anger over rising prices, such protests could spread.
        
        Hoisting the white, blue, and green flags of the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, the protesters chant: "This cruel increase in electricity bills is not acceptable."
        
        The government has met with protest leaders, but given no indication that it is considering accepting their demands.