Govt Invites JI to Talks Over Petroleum Levy
The federal government has reopened dialogue with Jamaat‑i‑Islami (JI) after months of stalled negotiations over the controversial petroleum levy. Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal reached out to JI Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch on Friday, inviting the party to a new round of talks scheduled for Saturday. The invitation follows JI’s announcement of a nationwide march slated for September 20, aimed at pressuring the government to abolish the levy and implement broader fiscal reforms.
JI’s leadership, headed by Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, has framed the levy as a crippling burden on the public and the economy. Rehman claims that the party’s proposed reforms could save the national exchequer between Rs3 trillion and Rs4 trillion, citing the high cost of fuel and the impact of non‑productive payments to independent power producers. The party has also called for a reduction in the benchmark interest rate, a cut in guaranteed profit margins for oil marketing companies, and a fixed petrol price of Rs225 per litre.
During a press conference in Islamabad, Rehman criticized the government’s reliance on aggressive levies to meet revenue targets, arguing that the measures disproportionately affect lower‑ and middle‑income households. He emphasized that the upcoming march would be self‑funded and would not involve road blockades or disrupt daily life, including the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). The party also expressed willingness to engage in immediate talks if the government presented actionable proposals, warning that stalling tactics would not be tolerated.
The government’s renewed outreach comes after several rounds of negotiations, the first of which took place in Mansoora, Lahore, and subsequent meetings in Islamabad. The last session was held on September 16. Ahsan Iqbal’s invitation signals a potential shift in the government’s approach, as it seeks to address the public’s growing frustration over rising fuel costs while balancing fiscal responsibilities.
