Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and the federal government will hold talks on Friday over petroleum levy reductions and further high-level contacts. The discussions will also set a schedule for a proposed meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.
The negotiating committees will meet at Punjab House in Islamabad, according to a JI statement issued Thursday. The meeting followed a telephone conversation between JI Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Iqbal heads the government’s negotiating committee, while Baloch represents the party.
Read more: JI announces third wave of anti-levy protests across country
JI has demanded the abolition of petroleum levies for more than two months. The party cites charges of Rs114 per litre on petrol and Rs100 on diesel. It says conflicts in the Middle East have pushed fuel prices sharply higher since March.
Despite Friday’s negotiations, JI plans peaceful protests at district headquarters across Pakistan. Baloch said the demonstrations would press the government to remove what the party calls unjust petroleum levies. He also said the party would continue its campaign alongside talks.
نائب امیر جماعت اسلامی پاکستان لیاقت بلوچ اور وفاقی وزیر احسن اقبال کے درمیان ٹیلیفونک رابطہ
ٹیلیفونک رابطے میں حکومت اور جماعت اسلامی کی مذاکراتی ٹیموں کا مشترکہ اجلاس 23 اکتوبر کو اسلام آباد میں طے پایا ہے۔
اس اجلاس میں وزیر اعظم شہباز شریف اور امیر جماعت اسلامی حافظ نعیم الرحمن کی ملاقات طے کی جائے گی، جس کا بنیادی مقصد پیٹرولیم لیوی کے خاتمے کے حوالے سے تبادلہ خیال کرنا ہے۔
علاوہ ازیں جماعت اسلامی کی طرف سے 23 اکتو بر جمعہ کو پیٹرولیم لیوی ٹیکس کے خاتمے کے لیے ملک گیر احتجاج کا بھی اعلان کیا گیا ہے
عوام کو پیٹرولیم لیوی پر ریلیف ملنے تک حکومتی سطح پر مذاکرات اور عوامی سطح پر احتجاج کا سلسلہ ساتھ ساتھ جاری رہے گا۔
#لیوی_بھتہ_نامنظور #HafizNaeemUrRehman
— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) October 22, 2026
Baloch argued that reducing petroleum levies and payments to independent power producers could ease pressure on households, farmers, industries, traders and small businesses. He said lower costs could support economic activity and create employment opportunities. JI also claims its proposals consider the limits imposed by the IMF programme and national budget.
Read more: JI announces third wave of anti-levy protests across country
The party has warned that it could restart its long march from Multan if the government rejects its demand. JI postponed its march towards Islamabad on September 22 after Prime Minister Shehbaz requested a pause and promised a meeting. On Wednesday, the party alleged that the government had made no further contact about the proposed meeting.
The dispute follows earlier protests and negotiations over fuel levies. JI announced sit-ins in provincial capitals on August 16 and called a nationwide strike for September 3. Both sides later formed committees to recommend possible reductions. Friday’s meeting will test whether the negotiations can produce progress on the party’s demand.