ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The federal government and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Monday formally began negotiations over the petroleum levy as the party presses for relief from rising fuel costs.
A JI delegation headed by the party’s deputy emir Liaqat Baloch joined the talks with the government’s negotiating team.
The JI delegation includes Syed Firasat Shah, Nasrullah Randhawa, Inayatullah Khan, Ziauddin Ansari Advocate, Naveed Ali Baig and Shahid Naeem.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal is leading the government team, which also includes Rana Sanaullah Khan and Ali Pervaiz Malik.
During the negotiations, Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to present proposals seeking the abolition of the petroleum levy and outline possible measures to reduce or eliminate its financial burden on the public.
The party will also formally convey its position to the government on fuel taxation and the impact of the levy on consumers.
The opening of negotiations represents a significant development in the dispute after JI maintained pressure on the government through protests and sit-ins against the petroleum levy and rising cost of living.
The outcome of the talks will be closely watched as the two sides seek to determine whether an agreement can be reached on providing relief to consumers without disrupting the government’s revenue requirements.