Pakistan: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party calls for nationwide protests Sept. 29 over electricity prices

The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party has called for sit-in protests along highways in district headquarters across Pakistan Sept. 29 to demand the reduction of electricity prices. Organizers have not announced specific venues or timings. Activists are likely to gather from the afternoon at major intersections. Dozens to hundreds of people may participate in any demonstration. The largest gatherings are likely in Sindh Province, mainly in Karachi, where demonstrations will occur along 10 arterial routes such as Hub River, Manipur, Shahrah-e-Faisal, and Shahrah-e-Quaideen roads, as well as the M-9 motorway and N-5 national highway.

Additional and/or related protests are likely in the coming days, especially at popular protest sites like government buildings, press clubs, public squares, and monuments. Heightened security measures such as police deployment, security cordons, road closures, and traffic diversions are probable near protest sites. Localized transport disruptions are likely, especially if demonstrators attempt to block traffic along affected highways. Activists may clash with security forces and/or rival groups. Police may also attempt to forcibly disperse any disruptive gathering, potentially prompting further retaliatory demonstrations. Violence may disrupt business operations in the vicinity.