The government and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Tuesday held “candid discussions” on practical measures to provide relief to low-income citizens in petroleum prices.
After a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week, both sides agreed to form a bipartisan committee to expand the government’s ongoing fuel relief scheme in response to JI’s demands for the abolition of the petroleum levy. JI also warned of resuming its postponed march to Islamabad by mid-November if no relief was announced.
Subsequently, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday held a meeting with a JI delegation, led by its Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch, to discuss petroleum prices in the country, according to the Dar-led Foreign Office (FO).
“The two sides held candid discussions on practical measures to provide relief to the common man, with a specific focus on easing the economic burden on low-income citizens,” the FO statement said.
Both sides agreed to continue their consultations over the coming days to formulate a way forward on energy pricing and public relief, it added.
During the meeting, DPM Dar reiterated the “government’s commitment to prioritising public welfare and facilitating ordinary citizens amidst global economic challenges”, the statement said.
He also emphasised that “sustained cross-party dialogue” remained key to addressing national economic challenges “effectively”.
According to the statement, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Adviser to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the finance secretary, and the Petroleum Division’s special secretary also attended the meeting from the government’s side.
JI claims agreement on inclusion of 1,000cc cars in scheme
After the meeting with the government’s team, the JI vice emir also addressed a press conference in Islamabad, according to a press release issued by the party.
During his address, Baloch said that negotiations between the government and JI over the abolition of the petroleum levy and provision of relief to the public had entered their final stage.
“Both sides have acknowledged that abolishing the petroleum levy is essential, while the government has also agreed to provide relief to the agricultural sector and owners of vehicles up to 1,000cc,” Baloch claimed.
The ongoing relief scheme for owners of motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles of up to 800cc was rolled out across the country on Sept 17. PM Shehbaz had announced the subsidies to ease the public’s burden amid rising fuel prices due to the Middle East situation.
While describing the meeting as the final round of negotiations, Baloch said representatives of both sides will meet again tomorrow to discuss further progress.
He said JI had presented six proposals to the government to provide relief to the people.
“These included abolishing the petroleum levy, introducing a relief package, reducing public transport costs and extending relief to owners of vehicles above 800cc and the agricultural sector,” he said, noting that four key points were discussed today.
The JI vice emir said both negotiating teams would prepare working papers on the gradual elimination of the levy and measures to provide relief to the public.
“The government will complete its working paper today, while representatives of both sides will meet again tomorrow to discuss further progress,” Baloch said.
He added that JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman would also review the draft agreement before announcing the party’s future course of action.
He further disclosed that he had spoken by telephone with Rehman, who is currently in Turkiye, and briefed him on the progress of negotiations and sought his guidance.
Baloch maintained that although the government had announced some relief measures, the ruling elite remained unwilling to surrender their privileges.
He criticised the government for allowing oil refineries to earn excessive profits and said there was no solid justification for continuing the petroleum levy.
Under a newly announced arrangement, oil refineries would contribute to the petroleum levy by bearing a monthly cumulative impact of Rs15 billion, according to the government. This would allow a Rs14.71 reduction in the petrol price on consumers’ end.
Baloch affirmed that JI’s primary objective was to secure relief for the people, contending that the government has taken various relief measures due to his party’s negotiations.
He further said that upon his return from Turkiye, Rehman would address JI workers nationwide online and announce the party’s future strategy.
“Our protests will continue, and we will also engage in negotiations because we want to secure relief for the people,” Baloch said.
“If this package does not come in the form of public convenience and substantial relief, Jamaat-i-Islami will fulfil its commitment to the people, and in mid-November, our protest march will set off from Multan towards Islamabad,” Baloch declared.
“Our stance is very clear and unequivocal; we will also exercise the right to protest, but our protest will be peaceful, dignified, and aimed at securing relief for the people, as always.”
JI protests so far
The JI has been demanding for over two months that the Centre abolish petroleum levies, as fuel prices have skyrocketed due to conflicts in the Middle East since March.
The Centre and JI had agreed to form committees in early September — when the latter had planned a nationwide strike — to recommend measures to reduce the levy.
On Sept 20, the party launched a protest march towards Islamabad, warning that if the government failed to abolish the petroleum levy, the protest could turn into one to oust the government.
On Sept 22, the JI emir said his party, whose convoy had reached Multan, was postponing its long march at the request of PM Shehbaz, who had assured the other side of a meeting to discuss the matter.
When PM Shehbaz and Rehman finally met about a month later, they agreed to form a joint committee to recommend proposals for expanding the fuel relief scheme and for a phased reduction in the petroleum levy for the next budget.
The post JI and Dar hold 'candid discussions' on fuel relief, agree to continue talks in coming days appeared first on Dawn – Home.
