The government has again contacted Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) over its protest against the petroleum levy.

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal contacted JI Vice Emir Liaquat Baloch on Friday. He invited the party for another round of talks on the issue.

The government wants to discuss the petroleum levy with JI leaders. Baloch said he would respond after consulting JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.

He also said the party’s protest would continue until the petroleum levy is withdrawn. The JI has maintained this position during its negotiations with the government.

The latest contact came as JI prepared for its planned Islamabad march. The party has announced the march for September 20 over its demand to abolish the levy.

The government and JI have already held several rounds of negotiations. The talks began earlier this month to discuss the petroleum levy and public relief.

The government delegation initially visited Mansoorah in Lahore. It went there to invite the JI leadership for negotiations.

Four later rounds were held in Islamabad. The latest round took place on September 16.

The government again approached the JI after the talks failed to resolve the main dispute. The latest invitation could lead to another round of negotiations.

JI leaders have continued to demand complete withdrawal of the petroleum levy. They have rejected temporary relief measures as a substitute for removing the levy.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has also reiterated the party’s plans for the Islamabad march. He has said the protest movement will continue unless the levy is abolished.

The party says the government has offered financial relief instead of withdrawing the levy. JI has maintained that the levy itself should be removed.

According to figures cited by JI, the government collected Rs1,567 billion through the petroleum levy during the previous year. The party has used this figure while arguing for its demand.

The government has continued to engage with JI despite the ongoing disagreement. The two sides have discussed possible measures to provide relief to consumers.

JI has been holding protests and sit-ins against the petroleum levy in several cities. The party began the campaign in August.

The latest development comes shortly before the planned September 20 march. JI leadership has been finalising arrangements for the event.

The government again seeking talks could provide another opportunity for both sides to discuss the dispute. However, JI has said its protest will continue while the levy remains in place.

The next round of talks is expected to clarify whether the two sides can make further progress. For now, the petroleum levy remains the central issue between the government and JI.

In other news read more about: JI Ends 33-Day-Old Protest in Lahore Without Announcement