Pakistan: Jamaat-e-Islami party to hold nationwide protests June 28 over power shortages

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party plans to hold rallies outside electricity distribution company offices nationwide the afternoon of June 28 to denounce load shedding. JI's stronghold area of Karachi will almost certainly see the highest number of rallies, with events likely to attract up to a few thousand people. Smaller gatherings are probable in major urban centers. Significant disruptions are unlikely in non-urban areas and across Punjab Province, where a ban on unauthorized public gatherings is active.

Additional unannounced rallies are possible in the coming weeks due to persistent utility distribution issues. Popular gathering spots include offices of electricity and water distribution companies, government buildings, public squares, press clubs, major intersections, and prominent monuments. Demonstrations may involve hundreds of people, and typically occur on Friday afternoons.

Authorities will almost certainly monitor protests and move to disperse overly disruptive crowds. Localized transport disruptions are likely near gathering sites; officials may impose traffic curbs near well-attended rallies, particularly in Karachi. Clashes between police and activists are possible. Large demonstrations may also result in localized business disruptions.