Govt and Jamaat-e-Islami end tenth round of petroleum levy talks
The government and a Jamaat-e-Islami subcommittee held what was billed as the final round of talks on the petroleum levy on Tuesday. JI deputy amir Liaqat Baloch said afterwards that both sides agreed to give the public relief, while he demanded the levy be abolished immediately.
- Tenth round of talks held on Tuesday, 10 November, after nine earlier rounds.
- Liaqat Baloch said the sides agreed to give the public relief.
- JI demands immediate abolition of the petroleum levy and wider relief.
The government and a Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) subcommittee held the tenth round of negotiations on abolishing the petroleum levy on Tuesday. The meeting had been described beforehand as the final round of talks.
According to Daily Jang, the meeting was hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in the committee room of the Foreign Office. Express News reported that the government team also included Ahsan Iqbal and Rana Sanaullah, while the JI side was led by deputy amir Liaqat Baloch.
Speaking before the meeting, Liaqat Baloch said: "Today is a very important round of talks with the government committee. Nine rounds of talks took place before this, today is the tenth round, and getting relief for the people is the important issue before us." The quote is from Express News and was translated from Urdu.
Daily Jang quoted him as saying that expensive fuel, electricity and gas, together with the tax burden, have become unbearable for people. He also said corruption in government departments is a heavy burden on the national economy, and that ending the levy on oil and the gas import mafia would revive the economy.
After the talks, Daily Pakistan reported that Mr Baloch said the sides had agreed in the meeting that the public would be given relief, and that government work on ending the petroleum levy is continuing.
24 News reported that he demanded the immediate abolition of the levy and expanded relief for the public following the tenth round. An unnamed outlet reported that JI is also seeking fuel relief for vehicles up to 1,000cc and for the agriculture sector.
The reports do not say whether the government has accepted the demand to abolish the levy or when any decision on petrol and diesel prices would be made.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 3 November that the government had refused to end the petroleum levy, as JI said after talks, while agreeing to fuel cost relief for agriculture, public transport and certain vehicles. On 7 November we reported that the final round was set for 10 November. On 10 November we reported that the government collected Rs220 billion in petroleum levy in July and August, against a full-year target of Rs1.676 trillion. Our records show petrol at Rs346 and high-speed diesel at Rs378 per litre on 7 November.
Why it matters for Pakistan
Fuel prices affect commuters, transporters, farmers and households across Pakistan. Petrol was Rs346 per litre and diesel Rs378 on 7 November, so any change to the levy bears directly on what they pay. The levy is also a revenue source for the government, with a full-year target of Rs1.676 trillion. JI's demand for relief for 1,000cc vehicles and agriculture would touch motorcycle and small-car owners and farmers.
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