Sheraz Ahmad Sherazi
Jamaat-e-Islami has called on the federal government to abolish what it termed an excessive petroleum levy, arguing that additional taxes and charges are placing an unbearable burden on the public.
Speaking to the media after negotiations with the government at Punjab House, Liaqat Baloch, head of Jamaat-e-Islami’s negotiating committee, said the party was continuing its efforts to secure relief for consumers following its campaign against excessive levies on electricity and petroleum products.
Baloch said Jamaat-e-Islami had staged a 35-day-long march and sit-in before temporarily postponing the protest following contacts from the prime minister and other government ministers. He explained that the proposed meeting between the prime minister and the party’s Ameer had been delayed repeatedly due to parliamentary engagements and the prevailing political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He stressed that the party’s central demand remained the abolition of the petroleum levy, which he described as an additional financial burden on consumers.
According to Baloch, the government was collecting around Rs80 per litre in petroleum levy, while various taxes and other charges were contributing to higher fuel prices. He also claimed that the government had generated an additional Rs100 billion beyond its revenue target.
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader argued that international market fluctuations and developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz were not the only reasons behind rising petroleum prices, maintaining that domestic taxation and government-imposed charges were also significant factors.
He further criticised the absence of diesel subsidies and called for a reduction in the policy interest rate. Referring to the banking sector, he claimed that approximately Rs 50,000 billion was held in banks and raised concerns over interest earnings and the treatment of funds held in current accounts.
Baloch also accused the government of protecting its own privileges while imposing financial pressure on ordinary citizens. He alleged that the government was misleading both the International Monetary Fund and the public, while noting that officials had not rejected the figures presented by Jamaat-e-Islami.
Baloch announced that technical experts from the government and Jamaat-e-Islami would meet within the next two to three days to examine the party’s calculations and determine the scope of possible relief. He said even a flat relief of Rs85 per litre could begin to make a meaningful difference for consumers, while adding that the technical teams would jointly assess where and how much relief could be provided.
However, he clarified that the party was not demanding a flat subsidy on petrol and diesel. Instead, it wanted the government to address the underlying levies and charges contributing to higher fuel prices. He also said the party’s protest would continue and that negotiations had not been declared concluded. Baloch said a meeting between the prime minister and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer could take place next week. He emphasised that such a meeting should produce concrete decisions and meaningful relief for the public rather than serve merely as a photo opportunity.
The upcoming technical discussions are expected to determine whether the government is prepared to offer concessions on petroleum-related charges. For millions of consumers already struggling with rising living costs, the outcome could have implications for transport expenses, household budgets and the prices of essential goods.
The government’s response to the specific financial claims and demands outlined by Liaqat Baloch was not included in the available briefing.