The first round of negotiations between delegations from Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the federal government regarding the abolition of the petroleum levy and provision of relief to the public concluded on Monday in Islamabad, with the former submitting six key proposals to the government committee and agreeing to hold the next session on September 10.
The JI delegation was led by Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch, accompanied by Deputy Secretary Syed Farasat Shah, KP North Emir Inayatullah Khan, Lahore Emir Zia-ur-Rehman Ansari, Islamabad Emir Nasrullah Randhawa, Al-Khidmat CEO Karachi Naveed Ali Baig and Shahid Naeem. The government side was headed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, alongside Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani.Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Baloch stated that they presented six detailed proposals to the premier’s designated team, emphasising that the direct 80-rupee petroleum levy per litre on petrol and diesel was severely impacting the national economy.
He clarified that peaceful sit-ins and protests across the country would continue while negotiations proceeded.
