JI rejects fuel relief scheme, demands levy abolition

The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has firmly rejected the Prime Minister Shehbaz's newly announced Fuel Relief Scheme, stating that it cannot provide a substitute for the complete abolition of the petroleum levy. On Tuesday, JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch led a delegation consisting of Syed Farasat Shah, Nasrullah Randhawa, Inayatullah Khan, and Ziauddin Ansari, in discussions with the government in Islamabad. This marks the third round of talks between the two parties.

PM Shehbaz had introduced the relief scheme on Sunday, aimed at mitigating the impact of rising global oil prices on users of motorcycles, rickshaws, and vehicles up to 800cc. The JI delegation met with the government's representatives, namely Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Energy Minister Awais Khan Leghari, Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani.

During a press conference, Baloch vehemently rejected the Rs100 petrol relief, insisting that the JI's protest movement would persist until the petroleum levy was completely abolished. He argued that government taskforces and progress in negotiations with independent power producers (IPPs) were mere distractions meant to divert public pressure. Baloch contended that taxes and levies had burdened consumers with an additional Rs130, and reducing this burden would offer genuine relief to the public.

The JI leader criticized the ruling elite for their unwillingness to cut their own expenditure and accused successive governments of favoring influential groups, including the sugar mafia. Regarding the IPP issue, Baloch highlighted that the government had informed the JI delegation about the finalization of matters concerning 54 IPPs, with negotiations on another 36 IPPs at an advanced stage. He questioned why the benefits of these savings had not been passed onto the public.

Baloch also raised concerns about the utilization of funds collected under the climate support levy, alleging that the money had not been spent for its intended purpose. He warned that the government would not be able to evade public pressure until the petroleum levy was abolished, as people from different parts of the country were heading towards Islamabad.