PESHAWAR: Women affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) staged protest demonstrations in Peshawar and Swabi on Thursday against rising inflation, increasing prices of essential commodities, and higher electricity, gas and fuel costs, calling on the government to provide immediate relief to the public.
In Peshawar, thousands of women and student activists joined a protest rally held by the women wing of the party. The protesting women marched from Hashtnagri to Ashraf Road holding banners and posters and chanting slogans against inflation.
They said that increasing cost of living has made their lives more expensive because essential items have become too costly and unaffordable for most of the families. They demanded from the government reduce the prices of basic food items and electricity and gas bills, and take such steps which will ease the sufferings of people.
On the other hand, another protest was held in Swabi under the aegis of the women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami against increased prices of petroleum products. Party workers and women activists joined the demonstration demanding reduced fuel prices to ease their financial burden.
Addressing the gathering, provincial women’s wing chief Uzma Khatoon and district chief Tayyaba Baji said persistent inflation and repeated increases in petroleum prices had made life increasingly difficult for people across all segments of society.
The speakers said the public could no longer bear the rising cost of living and urged the government to announce immediate reductions in fuel and essential commodity prices. They also reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their campaign for public welfare and called on citizens to participate in a protest and rally scheduled to be held in Swabi Bazaar on August 7.
