Govt, JI agree to form body on petroleum relief, levy reduction

The JI delegation presented its position on the abolition of the petroleum levy and relief for the public. The prime minister said he fully understood the burden placed on the people by the increase in petroleum prices.

He said the government was making vigorous diplomatic efforts to resolve the regional crisis so that the situation could return to normal. He said the current situation was not linked to government policies but to the rise in oil prices amid regional and international developments.

He added that the government was providing relief to the people would continue to do so. The prime minister briefed the delegation on the relief provided so far to low-income groups on petroleum products, saying 12.7 million people had been registered under the scheme.

The meeting agreed that a committee comprising three members each from the government and Jamaat-e-Islami would present final recommendations on two matters: expanding the scope of the ongoing petrol relief scheme so that more deserving people can benefit, and formulating workable proposals for a phased reduction in the petroleum levy in the budget.