In a crucial attempt to prevent a large-scale demonstration, a team of government representatives arrived in Mansoorah, Lahore on Saturday night to engage in discussions with the Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI). The talks come just before the party’s scheduled march to Islamabad, aimed at protesting against the petroleum levy imposed by the government.
Background on the Protest
The government currently imposes a tax of Rs114 per litre on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel. In response, JI has been organizing sit-ins across major cities like Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi since mid-August, demanding the levy be abolished.
According to a post by JI on social media platform X, the government delegation included Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, and Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq. They were welcomed by JI Deputy Emir Liaqat Baloch.
Inside the Negotiations
Visuals from the meeting showed Iqbal and Sanaullah entering the negotiation area alongside Baloch, where they joined other JI leaders including Acting Secretary General Nazir Ahmad Janjua, Special Assistant Umer Idris, and Lahore chief Ziauddin Ansari.
Despite these negotiations, JI remains firm on proceeding with the march unless the government meets their demands to abolish the petroleum levy. JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has stated that protest caravans will head to the capital on Sunday, emphasizing that the party will not back down.
Government’s Stance and Preparations
The government, supported by a ruling from the Islamabad High Court that prohibits activities restricting movement, is prepared to prevent any disruption caused by the rallies in the federal capital. Rehman assured that the protests would remain peaceful and warned against any government action to hinder their activities.
He also criticized the government’s fuel relief package, which includes a Rs100 per litre subsidy for certain vehicles, as insufficient. Rehman argues that the relief should be considered a right rather than a privilege, especially given the substantial impact of petroleum prices on essential goods.
Criticism of Economic Policies
Rehman has voiced strong criticism of the government’s economic policies, accusing them of avoiding necessary structural changes to ease the financial burden on citizens. He emphasized that the government’s reliance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a cover for not providing adequate relief to the public.
The JI chief also raised concerns about the influence of powerful groups in the sugar and wheat sectors, suggesting that these groups are affecting governmental decisions, thus impacting the prices of essential food items.
Rehman further questioned the payments to independent power producers and regasification plants, pointing out the ongoing challenges with gas shortages.
Path Forward
Negotiations between the government and JI have been ongoing since September 7, with both sides forming committees to explore solutions for reducing the petroleum levy and offering public relief. Rehman remains optimistic that the protest movement will compel the government to adopt necessary economic reforms, potentially saving trillions for the national treasury.
