JI gives government seven days to remove petroleum levy

The government and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) remain at odds over the petroleum levy, with the party granting the government an additional seven days to provide relief and warning that it will resume its long march in mid-November if its demand is not met.

The decision followed a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, during which they discussed abolishing the petroleum levy and providing relief to the public. The government requested seven more days to expand the scope of relief, prompting JI to grant it a final opportunity.

Speaking at a press conference, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said the petroleum levy placed an additional burden on the public and that his party would not withdraw its demand for its removal.

He said the government collected 150 billion rupees a month through the levy, while ordinary people struggled to afford two meals a day and quality education for their children.

JI has temporarily halted its long march but will resume it in mid-November, accompanied by street protests, if the government fails to provide relief within the stipulated timeframe.

The meeting was attended by a government delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Senator Rana Sanaullah and Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani.

The JI delegation included Liaquat Baloch, Syed Farasat Shah and Nasrullah Randhawa.