The government has renewed efforts to negotiate with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) over the petroleum levy as the opposition party prepares to expand its nationwide protest campaign against high fuel costs.
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal contacted JI Vice Emir Liaquat Baloch ahead of a scheduled meeting between government and party negotiating teams in Islamabad on Friday, October 23. The discussions are expected to focus on the petroleum levy and possible measures to provide relief to the public.
Liaquat Baloch also said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman are scheduled to meet as part of the ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute.
Petroleum Levy Protests Put Government Under Pressure
The government’s latest outreach comes as Jamaat-e-Islami prepares to launch the third phase of its nationwide protest movement on Friday. The party has announced plans for sit-ins in every district of the country to press for lower fuel prices and the removal of the petroleum levy.
JI has repeatedly argued that the levy and rising petroleum costs are adding to the financial burden on ordinary citizens. Its campaign seeks government action to ease the pressure on households already struggling with inflation.
The planned demonstrations have added urgency to negotiations between the government and the opposition party, which have been discussing possible relief measures for several weeks.
Government and JI Negotiations Began in September
The two sides agreed to establish negotiating committees in early September after Jamaat-e-Islami announced plans for a nationwide strike over the petroleum levy. The committees were tasked with proposing steps to reduce the financial burden associated with the levy.
However, the negotiations coincided with preparations for a JI long march. On September 22, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced that the party was postponing the march, whose convoy had reached Multan, following a request from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The prime minister had asked the party to delay its march and offered to hold discussions with its leadership after returning to Pakistan, according to the JI chief’s earlier statement.
Hafiz Naeem Says Protest Campaign Will Continue
Although Hafiz Naeem agreed to meet the prime minister, he made clear that the party would not call off its protest movement. Jamaat-e-Islami has continued to demand lower fuel prices and the abolition of the petroleum levy as part of its campaign for public relief.
The party has already organised sit-ins at 510 locations nationwide and observed a shutdown strike to protest rising petroleum costs and inflation.
JI has also maintained that it wants written assurances from the government before deciding its next steps. The outcome of the upcoming talks could therefore play a significant role in determining whether the party proceeds with further demonstrations or adjusts its protest strategy.
For now, the government faces the challenge of reaching an agreement with JI while the party prepares to intensify its campaign against the petroleum levy.
