ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Deputy Emir Liaqat Baloch on Tuesday demanded the immediate abolition of the petroleum levy and expanded relief for the public following the tenth round of negotiations with a government committee.
Speaking to journalists, Baloch said nine rounds of talks had already taken place, and the latest meeting was particularly important for securing relief for the public.
He said the government had acknowledged challenges in the supply of petroleum products due to the prevailing global situation.
Baloch said both sides had agreed on the need to expand existing relief measures.
He said Jamaat-e-Islami had proposed extending the relief scheme to vehicles with engines of up to 1,000cc and the agricultural sector.
The JI leader said the government had accepted that the demand to abolish the petroleum levy was legitimate.
He said it was the government’s responsibility to engage with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure the continuation of relief measures.
Baloch demanded immediate and tangible relief for the public, saying the government was unwilling to reduce its own extravagant spending.
He said the public was bearing the burden of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) failures.
The JI leader said his party had demanded the immediate abolition of the petroleum levy during negotiations.
He said the government had promised to present a future course of action regarding the abolition of the levy.
