ISLAMABAD(National Times)- The government has agreed to abolish the petroleum levy, but is unwilling to surrender its privileges, the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) said on Tuesday, as negotiations between both sides seemed to be reaching their final stages.
Addressing a news conference on Tuesday after a meeting with the government team, acting party emir Liaquat Baloch said that four key points were discussed during the latest round of talks.
He said his party had presented six proposals to provide relief to the masses, including abolishing the petroleum levy, introducing a relief package, reducing public transport fares and extending relief to owners of vehicles with engine capacities above 800cc, as well as the agricultural sector.
“Both sides have acknowledged that abolishing the petroleum levy is essential, while the government has also agreed to provide relief to the agricultural sector and owners of vehicles with engine capacities of up to 1,000cc,” he said.
Mr Baloch said both negotiating teams would prepare working papers on the gradual elimination of the levy and measures to provide relief to the public.
The government would complete its working paper on Wednesday (today), while representatives of both sides would meet again on Thursday to discuss further progress.
He said JI Emir Hafiz Naeem would review the draft agreement before the party announced its future course of action. He stressed that the government must provide further relief to the public and make concrete progress towards abolishing the levy.
He disclosed that he had spoken by phone with the party chief, who is currently in Turkiye, briefed him on the progress of the negotiations and sought his guidance. Upon his return from Turkiye, the JI chief would address party workers online and announce the party’s future strategy, he said.
