Ahsan Iqbal seeks one-day extension for Jamaat talks

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has sought another day to hold the next round of

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has sought another day to hold the next round of negotiations with Jamaat-e-Islami over the party’s demands, particularly regarding the petroleum levy and independent power producers (IPPs).

Ahsan Iqbal contacted Jamaat-e-Islami’s negotiating delegation and spoke with its head, Naib Emir Liaquat Baloch, requesting an additional day to prepare for the third round of talks between the government and the religious political party.

According to a spokesperson for Jamaat-e-Islami, Ahsan Iqbal also conveyed a message from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Liaquat Baloch during the telephone conversation. The prime minister said that negotiations on the petroleum levy would be held on Tuesday.

The spokesperson said that the government and Jamaat-e-Islami have agreed to hold separate discussions on the party’s key demands. Talks concerning the petroleum levy will take place on Tuesday, while negotiations on IPPs will be held on Wednesday.

The discussions are part of ongoing efforts by the government to address Jamaat-e-Islami’s concerns over rising electricity and fuel costs and other economic issues affecting the public.

Liaquat Baloch said the government had constituted three separate committees for the negotiations. One committee has been tasked with conducting overall talks with Jamaat-e-Islami, while separate committees have been formed to discuss the petroleum levy and IPP-related matters.

The Jamaat-e-Islami leader said the government’s decision to seek additional time would allow the relevant committees to further examine the party’s demands before the next rounds of negotiations.

The talks come amid growing public concern over high fuel and electricity prices. Jamaat-e-Islami has been pressing the government to take measures to provide relief to consumers and reduce the financial burden on ordinary citizens.

Both sides are expected to continue consultations in the coming days, with the petroleum levy and IPP agreements likely to remain among the key issues under discussion.