Pakistan ends first round of talks on petroleum products levy

The first round of talks between the Jamaat-e-Islami party and the federal government on abolishing the levy on petroleum products and providing relief to the public has concluded in Islamabad, Pakistan. The party submitted six proposals to the government committee, and the sides agreed to hold their next meeting on Thursday, Dawn reports. The party's proposals The Jamaat-e-Islami delegation was led by Deputy Emir Liaqat Baloch, while the government side was headed by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal. According to Baloch, the direct levy of 80 Pakistani rupees per litre of petrol and diesel fuel is seriously affecting the national economy. He said the main goal is to provide immediate relief to the public and urged the authorities to reduce government spending. In the party representative's view, the budget has sufficient room for tax relief. Baloch also expressed concern over what he described as unfulfilled government commitments regarding independent power producers and proposed ending the daily revision of petroleum product prices. More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram. Peaceful sit-ins and demonstrations in the country will continue in parallel with the talks, Baloch said. He also stated that the existing subsidy mechanisms have failed to provide relief to the public, while citizens' dissatisfaction is growing over electricity, gas and fuel prices. In his assessment, some government decisions are being made under pressure due to the influence of the International Monetary Fund. The government's position Ahsan Iqbal said the government had invited the party to dialogue in order to receive practical proposals. They will be referred to relevant state institutions for consideration, as they concern several ministries. The authorities plan to openly discuss with Jamaat-e-Islami representatives at the next meeting any points the government considers unrealistic. The minister also said that the government does not seek to increase the burden on citizens. He linked pressure on global economies to regional tensions, including the war by the United States and Israel against Iran, and expressed the view that petroleum product prices would decline after the de-escalation of regional conflicts. Iqbal added that the autonomous State Bank of Pakistan sets the policy rate taking inflation into account. Read us on Telegram and Sends Download our app