Next round of JI-govt talks on petroleum levy rescheduled for Tuesday

LAHORE: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and the government have rescheduled their third round of talks on abolishing the petroleum levy to take place on Tuesday, September 15, following a request from the administration, the party announced on Sunday. Initially set for Monday, the negotiations were moved up due to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's intervention, JI claims.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal relayed the government's message to JI Vice President Liaquat Baloch, according to the statement. Baloch revealed that the discussions on issues related to independent power producers (IPPs) would occur on Wednesday. The JI intends to voice its position on the petroleum levy and IPPs during the talks.

Thus far, two rounds of negotiations have taken place. The deliberations commenced after both parties agreed to establish committees of experts to explore recommendations for lowering the petroleum levy and alleviating public burdens. Currently, the government imposes Rs114 per liter tax and duties on petrol, and Rs100 per liter on diesel.

During the first session on September 7, JI presented six primary proposals to the government committee, emphasizing that the "direct Rs80 petroleum levy per liter on petrol and diesel severely impacts the national economy." Baloch clarified that peaceful protests and sit-ins across the nation would persist while negotiations continued.

The government's latest engagement with the party began in response to the sit-ins against the petroleum levy in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, and numerous other locations throughout the country, initiated by JI since August 16. On Saturday, JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman cautioned the government that the ongoing protest would march to Islamabad on September 20 if the levy was not repealed.