Govt, Jamaat-e-Islami to hold talks on petrol levy abolition on October 23

Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal held a telephone conversation with Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Deputy Amir Liaquat Baloch, during which they discussed negotiations over the abolition of the petroleum levy.

Baloch said the meeting of the government’s and Jamaat-e-Islami’s negotiating teams had been scheduled for October 23 in Islamabad.

He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman were also scheduled to meet during the joint session of the negotiating committees.

Baloch said Jamaat-e-Islami would hold nationwide peaceful protests on Friday, October 23, demanding the abolition of the petroleum levy.

He said negotiations and protests would continue side by side, adding that the objective was to provide relief to the public and keep economic activity moving.

The government and Jamaat-e-Islami are pursuing talks over the party’s demand for the removal of the petroleum levy, which contributes to the cost of fuel.

JI threatens to resume protests over petroleum levy

Earlier in October, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned that the party could resume its protest campaign from Multan if Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif fails to honour his commitment to address the burden of high fuel prices.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi on October 5, Hafiz Naeem rejected the government’s fuel relief package, insisting that abolishing the petroleum levy was the only meaningful way to provide relief to consumers.

He claimed the government’s monthly relief package benefited only 20% to 25% of the population, while public transport users were being excluded. He also questioned the government’s decision to announce Rs26 billion in monthly relief while collecting around Rs150 billion through fuel-related charges.

“The relief package is not the real relief; the abolition of the levy is,” he said, adding that JI had submitted proposals for removing the levy.

Hafiz Naeem said the prime minister had contacted him by telephone during a visit to the United States and promised to review the issue after returning to Pakistan. Following that assurance, JI postponed its long march from Karachi after it reached Multan.

The JI chief urged Shehbaz to fulfil his commitment, warning that the party had not abandoned its demand and could restart its demonstrations. He said the government must end what he described as an unfair financial burden on the public.

JI has been staging protests across the country since mid-August against the petroleum levy following significant increases in petrol and diesel prices. The party argues that the government’s relief measures are insufficient and has called for a reduction in fuel costs through the removal of the levy.

The petroleum levy is part of the government’s revenue measures under its commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to the report, petrol carries Rs114 per litre in taxes, including an Rs80 levy, while diesel carries Rs100 per litre in taxes and duties, including a Rs77.28 levy. Both fuels also face an additional Rs5 per litre climate support charge.

Hafiz Naeem said the party would decide its next course of action after October 7, when it had set a deadline for its activities related to Gaza.