ISLAMABAD: Talks between the Pakistan government and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) over the petroleum levy ended without an agreement on Wednesday.
JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch said the party had made it clear that its planned Islamabad march on September 20 would go ahead.
The fourth round of talks took place at Punjab House in Islamabad. The discussions focused on the petroleum levy and measures to provide relief to consumers.
JI Rejects Government Relief Plan
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Baloch said JI had demanded the complete abolition of the petroleum levy.
He said the government’s relief measures would not provide lasting relief to the public.
Baloch said JI did not seek credit for any relief offered by the government. He added that the party would welcome relief if it genuinely benefited consumers.
However, he said the current scheme had failed to address sectors that depend heavily on diesel.
The government had also acknowledged that it should have consulted JI before announcing the relief measure, according to Baloch.
The government has previously defended its targeted fuel relief scheme as a way to support vulnerable consumers.
JI Says Protests Continue Across Pakistan
Baloch said JI’s protest against the petroleum levy was continuing across the country.
He said sit-ins and demonstrations were taking place at 45 locations on Wednesday.
According to Baloch, the government offered talks after the protests continued across Pakistan.
He said Wednesday’s meeting was the fourth round of negotiations between the two sides.
The talks began on September 7 after the government and JI agreed to discuss proposals related to the petroleum levy and public relief.
Baloch Cites IPP Negotiations
Baloch also referred to negotiations involving independent power producers (IPPs).
He said JI had previously held talks with the government on the issue.
According to Baloch, the government initially rejected some of JI’s proposals. He said later discussions led to changes in agreements with IPPs.
Baloch said Energy Minister Awais Leghari had acknowledged that some of JI’s arguments were valid.
He also questioned why the financial savings from IPP agreements had not translated into greater relief for consumers.
Earlier reports said the government had briefed JI on progress involving IPP agreements and negotiations.
JI Calls for Lower Interest Rates
Baloch said reducing the policy rate by three percentage points could save hundreds of billions of rupees.
He also questioned government spending and the continued presence of federal ministries whose functions had already moved to the provinces.
He called for changes in government spending and economic management.
Baloch also criticized the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
He alleged that corruption had affected the programme. These were his allegations, and he did not provide independent evidence for them during the press briefing.
JI Says Islamabad March Is Final
Baloch said JI had not asked the government to leave the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.
Instead, he said the party wanted changes that could reduce the financial burden on consumers.
He added that the government had requested more time to find a solution to the dispute.
However, Baloch said JI had made its position clear.
“Our call for the Islamabad march is final,” he said.
JI has planned the march for September 20 as part of its campaign against the petroleum levy and high fuel costs.
The latest development leaves the government and JI without an agreement on the party’s main demand for the withdrawal of the petroleum levy.
