Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has given the government seven to 10 days to provide public relief and make progress towards petroleum levy abolition. He also confirmed that the party’s planned Islamabad long march would take place in mid-November. Hafiz Naeem announced the deadline after meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The meeting focused on rising living costs, petrol prices, the government’s relief package and the proposed removal of the petroleum levy. Hafiz Naeem said the discussions took place in a constructive atmosphere, with JI representatives and federal ministers also attending. He added that the government had requested additional time to finalise relief measures through committees.
According to the JI chief, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately requested seven to 10 days to work on the proposals. The party agreed to allow the government this time. Hafiz Naeem said the government had also agreed to expand its existing relief package and provide additional assistance to the public, while proposing a gradual phase-out of the petroleum levy.
However, Hafiz Naeem said JI wanted the petroleum levy abolished completely rather than reduced by a small amount. He warned that the party would accelerate preparations for its Islamabad long march if the government failed to announce further relief or make meaningful progress within the agreed period. He added that the protest would not be postponed.
The JI chief described the government’s relief package as inadequate compared with the revenue collected through the petroleum levy. He said the government was collecting around Rs150 billion monthly through the levy, while the announced relief package was valued at Rs32 billion. He also cited Rs26 billion during his remarks, leaving a discrepancy in the figures he provided.
Hafiz Naeem argued that low-income and middle-class households were bearing a significant share of the levy’s burden. He demanded lower petrol prices, an expanded relief package and the removal of additional taxes, including customs duties and the climate support levy. He also called on the government to improve tax collection and administrative performance instead of passing the cost of inefficiency and corruption to citizens.
JI has rejected a reduction of only Rs25 or Rs35 per litre, insisting on the complete abolition of the petroleum levy. Hafiz Naeem said a party committee comprising Liaquat Baloch, Farasat Shah, Nasrullah Randhawa and Naveed Ali Baig would continue negotiations with the government. Although the government says its relief package will benefit 10 million people, JI maintains that more substantial support is needed. The party plans to hold its Islamabad long march in mid-November if its demands remain unmet.
