Minister says govt to form committee to review JI relief proposals

ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said rising global oil prices and disruptions to supplies amid the Iran-US conflict have left little room for reducing petroleum prices, as the government announced to form a committee to consider proposals put forward by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) for providing further relief to the public.

Addressing a press conference alongside Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah in Islamabad, Iqbal said the world was facing an emergency situation, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz affecting oil supplies and driving up petroleum prices globally.

“Every country is facing difficulties under these circumstances,” Iqbal said, adding that the situation could create economic challenges for any country as governments sought to secure resources for their future needs.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was making efforts to ease the difficulties faced by the public, while the government was providing as much relief as possible within the available resources.

Iqbal said Pakistan was also playing a diplomatic role to help end tensions in the region, adding that de-escalation was necessary to bring oil prices down.

Pakistan had played a diplomatic role between Iran and the United States, he said, adding that the country’s efforts had received international appreciation.

The minister said a JI delegation had presented proposals during its meeting with the prime minister, and the government would examine them before finalising practical measures to provide relief.

He said Shehbaz and JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had agreed to form a committee to consider the proposals.

Iqbal said the government would also consider expanding the scope of the prime minister’s fuel relief scheme, under which millions of people were already benefiting.

He stressed that any additional relief would have to follow a sustainable approach and remain within the country’s available financial resources.

Rana Sanaullah said the government was continuing to provide relief on petroleum products across the country and working on further measures to ease the burden on ordinary citizens.

He said the government had listened carefully to JI’s proposals and attached importance to them, adding that both sides shared the objective of providing relief to the public.

Sanaullah said the prime minister and Field Marshal Asim Munir were making efforts to help bring the conflict involving Iran to an end. He urged all political parties to support Pakistan’s political and military leadership in their efforts to promote peace in the region.

He added that the effects of the Middle East conflict were being felt across the world and said Pakistan’s peace efforts had received international recognition.

Earlier, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said JI would hold its planned Islamabad march in mid-November, ruling out any further postponement despite the government seeking more time to work out relief measures related to the petroleum levy.

The JI chief said the party had presented its proposals to the prime minister but would continue preparations for the march while talks remained inconclusive.