The government and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) have agreed to form separate expert committees to discuss measures for reducing the petroleum levy and providing relief to consumers.
JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah announced the decision at a press conference in Lahore following a meeting between government representatives and JI leadership.
Ahsan Iqbal said the government would constitute an expert committee, while the JI would form a separate team to discuss practical measures for reducing the petroleum levy.
“The government will happily act upon recommendations put forward by these committees,” he said, adding that both sides agreed on the need to provide relief to the public.
The minister said the government would present its position before the committees and consider their recommendations. He also stressed that national interests, internal peace and stability would remain the government’s priority.
According to Iqbal, the JI assured the government that it would not put forward any demand contrary to the country’s interests.
The government currently collects Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.
Speaking at the press conference, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the party and government had discussed the petroleum levy and other public issues during their meeting.
He said Thursday marked the 19th day of JI sit-ins against the petroleum levy at more than 20 locations across the country.
Rehman said the protests were aimed at highlighting issues affecting ordinary citizens and were not driven by any personal agenda. He maintained that consumers were bearing an excessive tax burden on petroleum products.
The JI chief said his party had agreed to form an expert committee headed by Liaquat Baloch. The committee will include Naveed Ali Baig, Ziaddun Ansari, Nasrullah Randhawa and Farasat Shah.
Rehman said the JI’s primary demand was the abolition of the petroleum levy and a reduction in petroleum prices.
He added that the party had assured the government it would not make “obstinate demands”.
The JI chief said the government delegation had requested the party to postpone its sit-ins, but the JI had decided to continue the protests while negotiations with the government proceeded.
Meanwhile, Rana Sanaullah said the government and JI committees were expected to reach a workable solution within two weeks.
He said the government would act on the recommendations presented by the committees.
The JI had announced on August 16 that it would hold sit-ins in all provincial capitals to protest the petroleum levy.
