{
  "id": 12507266,
  "title": "Govt, JI to finalise talks schedule on petrol levy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/govt-ji-to-finalise-talks-schedule-on-petrol-levy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T00:37:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40442964/govt-ji-to-finalise-talks-schedule-on-petrol-levy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "LAHORE, Pakistan: In a recent development, Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has reached out to Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch, passing on a message from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concerning discussions on the petroleum levy. Baloch revealed that the prime minister had instructed Ahsan Iqbal, the head of the government committee addressing the petroleum levy matter, to work in tandem with the JI committee and establish a joint schedule for a meeting between the two parties. He informed that the government and JI committees would soon engage in consultations to finalize the schedule and deliberate on the petroleum levy issue.\n\nBaloch also disclosed that the proposed meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman would primarily revolve around the abolition of the petroleum levy. Additionally, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman is expected to converse with the prime minister on matters pertaining to agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) and the reduction of electricity prices. Baloch emphasized that the JI's stance on the petroleum levy remains clear and unambiguous, having consistently maintained that it is an unjust tax and should be completely abolished.\n\nThe JI has been protesting against the petroleum levy for the past two months. In the initial phase, roads were blocked at 510 locations, with sit-ins persisting at over 40 locations for a span of five weeks. In the third phase, the JI initiated a \"Super Long March\" from Karachi towards Islamabad, which was temporarily halted at the prime minister's request. Baloch expressed optimism that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would adhere to the assurances provided to Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman and announce a substantial relief package for the public in the near future.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has contacted Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch and conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s message regarding talks on the petroleum levy. According to Baloch, the prime minister had asked Ahsan Iqbal, who heads the government committee on the petroleum levy issue, to coordinate with the JI committee and finalise a mutually agreed…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}