Dar, JI discuss fuel prices and relief for low-income citizens

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday held talks with a Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) delegation on rising petroleum prices and measures to reduce the financial burden on the public.

The delegation was led by JI leader Liaquat Baloch. The discussions focused on practical steps to expand fuel subsidies and provide relief to low-income households amid global economic uncertainty.

According to the Foreign Office, both sides agreed to continue consultations in the coming days to develop proposals on energy pricing and public relief.

Dar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritising public welfare and protecting ordinary citizens from the impact of economic challenges. He also stressed the importance of continued dialogue between political parties to address the country’s economic difficulties.

The meeting was attended by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the finance secretary and the petroleum secretary.

The latest talks follow an agreement reached between the government and JI on October 27 to establish a six-member committee to prepare recommendations on expanding the existing petrol relief scheme and gradually reducing the petroleum levy.

The committee comprises three representatives each from the government and JI. It has been tasked with examining ways to extend the Prime Minister’s fuel relief programme to more deserving people and develop proposals for reducing the additional burden on consumers.

JI has been campaigning against the petroleum levy since August, demanding its abolition and a reduction in fuel prices.

The party organised demonstrations and sit-ins in several cities, including outside governors’ houses in provincial capitals on August 16. It argued that the levy was adding to the financial difficulties of people already struggling with inflation.

During negotiations on September 7, JI presented six proposals to the government but maintained its protest campaign as talks failed to produce a breakthrough.

JI subsequently announced a long march towards Islamabad, which began on September 20. The protest was temporarily suspended after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted the party leadership and requested more time for negotiations.

The party later gave the government 10 days to abolish the petroleum levy and provide meaningful relief, warning that it could resume its march towards Islamabad in mid-November if its demands remained unaddressed.