LAHORE: Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has contacted Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Vice Emir Liaquat Baloch as government and party representatives prepare to hold negotiations in Islamabad on Friday over the petroleum levy.
JI Vice Emir Liaquat Baloch said the meeting would focus on the petroleum levy issue. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also scheduled to meet JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman as part of efforts to resolve the matter.
The government's renewed approach comes after JI announced plans to begin the third phase of its nationwide protest campaign against the petroleum levy on Friday, October 23. The party has planned sit-ins in districts across the country to press for relief from rising fuel prices.
The government and JI had agreed in early September to establish negotiating committees to recommend measures for reducing the petroleum levy. The agreement came as the party prepared to launch a nationwide strike over rising fuel costs.
On September 22, JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced the postponement of the party's long march after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requested a delay and invited the party leadership for talks. At the time, the march's convoy had reached Multan.
The JI chief said the party would accept the prime minister's invitation for negotiations but would continue its protest campaign until its demands were addressed. The movement aims to secure public relief through lower fuel prices and the abolition of the petroleum levy.
As part of its campaign against rising fuel prices and inflation, JI had previously organised sit-ins at 510 locations nationwide and observed a countrywide shutdown strike.
The party has maintained that it wants written assurances from the government before deciding on its next course of action.
