Govt-JI talks on petroleum levy delayed again

Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal contacted Jamaat-e-Islami Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch and conveyed the prime minister’s message., Ahsan Iqbal said the prime minister wanted negotiations on the petroleum levy to be held on Tuesday.

Liaquat Baloch said the government has formed one committee for talks with Jamaat-e-Islami and two separate committees to address the petroleum levy and independent power producers (IPPs). He said talks on the petroleum levy would be held Tuesday, while discussions on IPPs would take place on Wednesday.

The government and Jamaat-e-Islami have already held two rounds of talks in Islamabad over the petroleum levy, but both ended without a final agreement. Jamaat-e-Islami is demanding a reduction or abolition of the petroleum levy and relief for consumers facing high fuel prices, while the government has repeatedly sought additional time to consider various proposals.

More to read: Petition filed in LHC against rising petrol prices. Sources said the third round is expected to focus on Jamaat-e-Islami’s demands and the government’s proposals concerning the petroleum levy. The two sides are also expected to present their positions on matters related to IPPs.

The government negotiating committee includes Ahsan Iqbal, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani. The Jamaat-e-Islami committee is headed by Liaquat Baloch and includes Syed Firasat Shah, Nasrullah Randhawa, Inayatullah Khan, Ziauddin Ansari Advocate, Naveed Ali Baig and Shahid Naeem.

Despite continuing negotiations, Jamaat-e-Islami has kept its protest programme intact and announced a long march towards Islamabad on September 20. The party says it will not end its protest movement without relief for the public from high petroleum prices and other economic burdens.

Progress in the upcoming talks is being closely watched, as failure to reach an agreement in the third round could prompt Jamaat-e-Islami to intensify its protest campaign.