JI rejects govt statement, denies welcoming petrol relief package

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has rejected the government’s petroleum relief measures, with party negotiating committee chief Liaquat Baloch saying the impression that JI had accepted the package was “false and baseless.”

Baloch said the party’s demand remained the abolition of the petroleum levy, arguing that temporary relief measures could not replace the levy. He said JI had made its position clear during negotiations and would continue its protest campaign against the levy.

He said JI’s protest against the petroleum levy was scheduled for September 20, adding that the party would proceed with its planned march towards Islamabad if its demand was not accepted.

Baloch also criticised the government’s proposed relief, saying it would not provide meaningful benefits to the public.

He argued that abolishing the levy could reduce production costs and support economic activity.

Referring to negotiations with independent power producers (IPPs), he said matters involving 55 IPPs had been finalised and claimed the agreements had resulted in savings of Rs4,600 billion. He questioned why the alleged savings had not been passed on to the public.

Baloch reiterated that JI would continue its campaign, saying the party’s demand was focused on providing relief to the people through the abolition of the petroleum levy.