JI says long march call is final as talks on petroleum levy end in deadlock

He said the government had approached the party for negotiations following the protests, with the latest meeting being the fourth round of talks. “We will be happy if the people receive relief because of our pressure,” Baloch said, adding that JI was not interested in taking credit for any relief measures.

He said the party had raised concerns over the relief package, particularly the impact on sectors dependent on diesel., the government delegation acknowledged that JI should have been consulted before announcing the measures.

Baloch also referred to previous negotiations concerning independent power producers (IPPs), saying the government had initially rejected JI's proposals but later revised agreements after the party presented its arguments. He further claimed that Energy Minister Owais Leghari had acknowledged the party's position.

The JI leader said the party had raised several other economic and governance-related issues, including the impact of a reduction in the policy rate, refinery profits and the continued presence of ministries at the federal level despite the devolution of certain functions to the provinces. He also criticised the government's governance and alleged corruption in the Benazir Income Support Programme.

Baloch stressed that JI was not demanding withdrawal from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, but wanted measures that would provide meaningful relief to the public.

He said the government had asked for more time to find a solution to the issues raised by the party, but JI had informed the government that its decision to proceed with the Islamabad march on September 20 remained unchanged.