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

The government wants to resolve the dispute through negotiations with the party. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal contacted JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch on Friday night.

Iqbal invited the JI leadership for another round of talks on Saturday. Baloch said the party would respond after consulting JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.

He also said the protest would continue until the petroleum levy is withdrawn. The latest government contact comes ahead of the JI’s planned Islamabad march.

JI has announced a long march toward Islamabad for September 20. The party is demanding the withdrawal of the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL).

Multiple Rounds of Talks Held

The government and JI have already held several rounds of negotiations. The first government delegation visited Mansoora in Lahore.

The delegation invited the JI leadership for negotiations over the petroleum levy. Four further rounds were later held in Islamabad.

The latest round took place on September 16. However, the talks did not resolve the main disagreement over the levy.

The renewed contact comes as JI continues preparations for its September 20 march. The party has also maintained its nationwide campaign against the petroleum levy.

JI has been holding sit-ins and demonstrations in several cities. The party says these activities will continue until its main demand is addressed.

JI Maintains Demand for Levy Withdrawal

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has repeatedly called for the complete withdrawal of the petroleum levy. He has also linked the demand with the party’s planned Islamabad march.

The JI leadership has rejected the government’s proposed relief measures as an alternative to removing the levy. The party says the levy itself should be abolished.

According to figures cited by Hafiz Naeem, the government collected Rs. 1,567 billion through the petroleum levy during the previous year.

The government has proposed relief for consumers amid pressure over fuel prices. However, the two sides remain divided over the petroleum levy.

Islamabad March Planned for September 20

JI has finalized preparations for its planned march toward Islamabad. The party has said the march will proceed unless the levy is withdrawn.

The planned protest comes after weeks of demonstrations in different parts of the country. JI has maintained that its campaign will continue during the negotiations.

The government’s latest invitation could lead to another round of talks between both sides. Liaquat Baloch is expected to consult the JI leadership before giving a response.

The outcome of the latest contact could determine whether further negotiations take place before September 20. For now, JI’s planned Islamabad march remains scheduled.

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The government and JI therefore continue to negotiate while the party maintains its protest campaign. The central disagreement remains the demand for withdrawal of the petroleum levy.