{
  "id": 8292079,
  "title": "Govt reaches out to JI, invites party to another round of talks to break deadlock",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/govt-reaches-out-to-ji-invites-party-to-another-round-of-talks-to-8292079",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T18:52:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2030918/govt-reaches-out-to-ji-invites-party-to-another-round-of-talks-to-break-deadlock"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal reached out to Jamaat-i-Islami Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch, extending an invitation for further discussions on the party's demand to abolish the petroleum levy. This development occurred as JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman finalized preparations for a march on September 20 in Islamabad, protesting the levy. Baloch stated he would respond to the invitation after consulting with party leaders, emphasizing that the JI's protest actions would persist until the petroleum levy is eliminated.\n\nThe government and the JI have engaged in multiple rounds of talks to resolve the impasse. The most recent session took place on September 16 in Islamabad. The JI claims that its proposed fiscal reforms could potentially save the national treasury between Rs3 trillion and Rs4 trillion. Rehman criticized rising fuel costs and excessive taxation during a press conference, highlighting the disproportionate impact on lower- and middle-income households. He proposed abolishing the petroleum levy, eliminating non-productive payments to independent power producers, and fixing petrol prices at Rs225 per litre.\n\nRehman also called for a three percentage point reduction in the benchmark interest rate, arguing that each percentage point reduction could save the exchequer approximately Rs574 billion. The JI's demands for economic relief include cutting interest rates, eliminating bank profits, and implementing systemic changes to the economy. The party's march on September 20 will involve caravans from various regions of Pakistan, with no plans for road blockades or disruptions to daily life.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Friday contacted Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch and invited the party to another round of talks over its demand for the abolition of the petroleum levy. The government’s renewed contact came as JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman finalised preparations for the party’s Sept 20 march on Islamabad against the levy. According to the JI,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Govt reaches out to JI, invites party to another round of talks to break deadlock",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/govt-reaches-out-to-ji-invites-party-to-another-round-of-talks-to",
        "published": "2026-09-18T18:52:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}