"Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal contacted Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch and conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s message regarding negotiations on the petroleum levy.  Liaquat Baloch, while briefing the Jamaat-e-Islami’s information department, said the prime minister had directed Ahsan Iqbal, who heads the government committee on the petroleum levy, to consult with the Jamaat-e-Islami committee and finalize a schedule for a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.

The deputy emir said consultations between the two sides would soon be held to finalize the meeting schedule and discuss the petroleum levy issue. He said the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Hafiz Naeemur Rehman would address the elimination of the levy charge. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman would also discuss IPP agreements and reducing electricity prices with the prime minister. Liaquat Baloch made it clear that the Jamaat-e-Islami’s demand was unequivocal. He said the party’s emir had repeatedly explained that the petroleum levy was an unlawful tax and that the party wanted its complete abolition.

The Jamaat-e-Islami has been campaigning against the petroleum levy charge for two months. In the first phase, roads were blocked at 510 locations, while sit-ins were held at more than 40 locations for five weeks. In the third phase, a super long march from Karachi to Islamabad was launched but paused at the prime minister’s request. Liaquat Baloch expressed hope that the prime minister would honor the assurance given to the Jamaat-e-Islami emir and announce a major relief package soon. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)