The federal government has renewed efforts to negotiate with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) over the petroleum levy as the party prepares to intensify its protest campaign. The latest move comes ahead of the third phase of nationwide demonstrations, which will begin on October 23.
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal contacted JI Vice Emir Liaquat Baloch as both sides prepared for fresh negotiations in Islamabad. According to Baloch, government and JI negotiating committees will meet on Friday to discuss the petroleum levy.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman are also scheduled to hold a meeting. The discussions aim to address the party’s demands for relief from rising fuel costs and the abolition of the petroleum levy.
JI Announces Third Phase of Nationwide Protests
JI has announced sit-ins across all districts of the country from October 23 as part of its campaign against the petroleum levy. The party plans to continue its demonstrations until the government addresses its demands for public relief.
The renewed government contact follows JI’s announcement of the next protest phase. However, the upcoming negotiations could provide another opportunity for both sides to find common ground.
The government and JI had agreed to establish negotiating committees in early September. The committees were tasked with recommending measures to reduce the petroleum levy after the party planned a nationwide strike.
Why Did JI Postpone Its Long March?
On September 22, Hafiz Naeem announced that JI would postpone its long march at the prime minister’s request. The protest convoy had already reached Multan when the party decided to delay its plans.
At the time, Shehbaz Sharif had invited JI’s leadership for talks following his return to Pakistan. Consequently, the party agreed to postpone the march while keeping its protest campaign active.
Hafiz Naeem made it clear that agreeing to talks did not mean abandoning the movement. Instead, JI maintained its demand for lower fuel prices and the abolition of the petroleum levy to ease the financial pressure on the public.
JI Demands Written Assurances From Government
Before the latest round of negotiations, JI had already organised sit-ins at 510 locations nationwide. The party also observed a shutdown strike as part of its campaign against rising fuel prices and inflation.
Despite these demonstrations, the party has continued pressing the government to provide meaningful relief. Moreover, JI has maintained that it wants written assurances before deciding its next course of action.
Friday’s meeting will therefore be significant for both sides as the government seeks renewed dialogue and JI prepares its next phase of protests. Whether the negotiations produce an agreement remains uncertain, while the party’s planned sit-ins are scheduled to begin on October 23.
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