Jamaat-e-Islami Delegation Meets Federal Ministers Over Fuel Relief

A delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami met Federal Ministers Ali Pervaiz Malik, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Bilal Azhar Kayani to discuss fuel prices, petroleum levies and economic relief measures. Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government had ensured uninterrupted fuel supplies across the country during the recent crisis and welcomed Jamaat-e-Islami’s appreciation of the government’s fuel-relief measures. The delegation was briefed on the petroleum pricing mechanism based on a seven-day rolling average, while Liaquat Baloch called for a reduction in the petroleum levy and permanent solutions to fundamental economic issues.

Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government was taking comprehensive measures to protect consumers and ensure fuel availability, including targeted subsidies for motorcycles, Qingqi vehicles, rickshaws and small cars. He described targeted subsidies as an effective mechanism for delivering relief to deserving segments of society and said refinery upgrades would help reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products. Azam Nazeer Tarar said providing relief to the public remained the prime minister’s priority, while Bilal Azhar Kayani said the government was working to expand the tax base and promote direct taxation. The ministers assured the Jamaat-e-Islami delegation that its recommendations would be conveyed to the prime minister.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said at a press conference in Karachi that the party’s sit-ins were continuing in 40 cities. He announced that a public gathering would be held in Islamabad on September 20 and called for the elimination of interest in accordance with the Constitution. Hafiz Naeem said the fuel crisis could not be resolved without abolishing the petroleum levy and questioned why the government was not reducing interest and policy rates. He also demanded that the financial accounts of those in power be made public, accused rulers of refusing to end their privileges, and alleged corruption within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).