Report: ANI
Islamabad — Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman on Tuesday demanded the complete abolition of the petroleum levy during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House, warning that the party would proceed with its planned Islamabad March in mid-November if meaningful relief was not provided to the public.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Hafiz Naeem said the Prime Minister had sought another seven to ten days for further consultations between government and Jamaat-e-Islami committees on measures to provide relief. The party agreed to the additional time, while insisting that the government must not delay relief any further.
He said the government was considering a phased reduction of the petroleum levy, whereas Jamaat-e-Islami wanted its complete abolition. He stressed that a nominal reduction of a few rupees per litre or temporary relief would not resolve the issue.
Hafiz Naeem said Jamaat-e-Islami had presented alternative proposals supported by economic data and documentation. He argued that the government should expand the scope of its relief package and ensure that reductions in petroleum prices were fully passed on to consumers.
He claimed that the government collected around Rs150 billion monthly through the petroleum levy, while its announced relief package amounted to Rs26 billion, later revised to Rs32 billion. He said the difference highlighted the need for more substantial relief, particularly for low-income and middle-class households.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief warned that if the government failed to take concrete steps, the party would intensify protests and continue preparations for the Islamabad March. He said negotiations and public demonstrations would proceed simultaneously, adding that the party wanted a peaceful resolution to the issue to avoid further political and economic instability.
Criticising the government’s economic policies, Hafiz Naeem said the public should not bear the burden of additional taxes and financial difficulties. He also raised concerns over petroleum pricing mechanisms, refinery profit margins and the impact of international oil prices on consumers.
He cited previous protests by Jamaat-e-Islami over petroleum levy increases and diesel prices, saying public pressure had previously compelled the government to reconsider certain decisions.
The JI chief also highlighted challenges facing agriculture, including wheat and cotton production, disparities between official and market LPG prices, and gas load-shedding. He urged the government to address these issues alongside the petroleum levy.
On Islamabad’s local government elections, Hafiz Naeem welcomed the announcement of the polls but called for reforms to prevent horse-trading and ensure genuine democratic representation.
The government delegation at the meeting included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Ali Pervaiz Malik, Senator Rana Sanaullah, Ahad Cheema and Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani.
The Jamaat-e-Islami delegation included Naib Ameer Liaquat Baloch, Deputy Secretary Syed Farasat Shah, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leaders Inayatullah Khan and Islamabad Ameer Nasrullah Randhawa, among others.
Hafiz Naeem reiterated that Jamaat-e-Islami would continue to press for the abolition of the petroleum levy, an expanded relief package and effective measures to reduce the burden of inflation on the public.
