Govt assures phased reduction in petroleum levy, says Hafiz Naeem
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said the government has assured the party that it will consider gradually reducing the petroleum levy following several rounds of negotiations.
Speaking at a news conference in Lahore on Wednesday, Hafiz Naeem said nine to 10 rounds of talks had been held with the government on the issue.
He said Jamaat-e-Islami had submitted its final draft and technical proposals to the government, but the latter was using the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme as an excuse to delay a decision.
Presenting alternative proposals, the JI chief demanded higher petroleum levies and import duties on vehicles with engine capacities above 1,800cc, arguing that such vehicles were primarily used by the ruling and privileged classes.
He also called on the government to restrict public officials from using vehicles above 1,300cc and reduce the privileges enjoyed by those in power.
Criticising the government’s petrol relief scheme, Hafiz Naeem demanded that its coverage be expanded from vehicles up to 800cc to those with engine capacities of up to 1,300cc.
He said 1,300cc vehicles were a necessity for salaried and middle-class families, who regularly paid income tax.
He also urged the government to extend relief to farmers using tractors, public transport operators and more than 25 million motorcyclists.
According to the JI chief, the government was collecting around Rs150 billion in petroleum levy every month but providing relief worth only Rs26 billion to Rs30 billion.
Reiterating his party’s commitment to continue its protest until the petroleum levy was completely abolished, Hafiz Naeem announced public rallies in Quetta on November 22 and at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on November 29.
He also criticised what he described as cartels in the country’s oil refineries, sugar, flour and gas sectors, as well as among independent power producers (IPPs).
JI launched sit-ins against the petroleum levy on August 16 and a nationwide strike on September 3. On September 22, the party temporarily postponed its planned “Super Long March” towards Islamabad following a request for negotiations by PM Shehbaz.