Liaquat Baloch said the meeting would focus on the petroleum levy, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman were also scheduled to meet.
The government’s latest contact comes after JI announced plans to launch the third phase of its nationwide protest movement against the petroleum levy on Friday, October 23. The party intends to stage sit-ins in districts across the country.
The government and JI agreed to form negotiating committees in early September after the party announced plans for a nationwide strike. The committees were tasked with recommending measures to reduce the petroleum levy and provide relief to the public.
On September 22, JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced that the party was postponing its long march after a request from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The march convoy had reached Multan at the time.
The prime minister had invited the JI leadership for talks following his return to Pakistan, according to the party chief.
Hafiz Naeem said JI would attend the meeting but would not abandon its protest movement. The campaign seeks to reduce fuel prices, abolish the petroleum levy and provide relief to people facing rising living costs.
As part of its campaign against high fuel prices and inflation, JI had previously staged sit-ins at 510 locations across the country and observed a nationwide shutdown strike.
The party has maintained that it will seek written assurances from the government before deciding on its next course of action.
