JI Protests Against Petroleum Levy Enter 20th Day, Talks With Government Set for September 7

The development comes after a nationwide strike on September 3, during which a government delegation met Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman at the party’s Mansoorah headquarters in Lahore.

During the meeting, the government and Jamaat-e-Islami agreed to hold consultations at the expert level on practical proposals to reduce the petroleum levy and provide relief to the public. However, Jamaat-e-Islami made it clear that its protests and sit-ins would continue alongside the negotiations.

Jamaat-e-Islami Deputy Emir and head of its negotiation team, Liaquat Baloch, said the government and Jamaat-e-Islami negotiation committees would meet in Islamabad on September 7.

Speaking in Lahore, Baloch said the party’s negotiation team would include Inayatullah Khan, Farasat Ali Shah, Ziauddin Ansari, Nasrullah Randhawa and Naveed Ali Baig.

He said the talks would focus on finding solutions to public issues and reducing the burden on people. Baloch said progress would depend on the government’s seriousness and how quickly it takes practical steps to address the party’s demands.

He stressed that Jamaat-e-Islami’s sit-ins and protests were not aimed at achieving any personal or political interests but were being held to raise public issues.

The party has described the petroleum levy as an additional financial burden on the public and has demanded that the government reduce it and provide immediate relief to consumers.

According to Jamaat-e-Islami, protests and sit-ins are continuing in several cities across the country. The party has said that demonstrations will continue until its demands are accepted.

Baloch again made it clear that the talks with the government would not lead to an end to the protests.

He said Jamaat-e-Islami would continue its sit-ins, protests and public gatherings across the country while negotiations with the government move forward.

The September 7 meeting is expected to focus on the government’s proposals and the possibility of practical measures to reduce the impact of the petroleum levy and other economic pressures on the public.