Govt seeks more time from JI as petroleum levy abolition demand gains urgency
Government asks JI for more time
The government has requested additional time from Jamaat-e-Islami over the petroleum levy abolition demand.
The request came during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI Chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman.
According to sources, the government wants more time until the situation surrounding the PTI long march is resolved.
Government officials assured the JI chief that efforts would be made to address the party’s demands. The JI petroleum levy demand remains one of the key issues discussed between the two sides.
JI refuses to wait longer
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman reportedly made it clear that the party does not have more time to wait.
The JI chief demanded practical action instead of further verbal assurances from the government.
The party has been pressing for petroleum levy abolition and wants the government to take concrete steps towards fulfilling its earlier commitments.
The JI petroleum levy demand includes the complete removal of the levy, with the party saying that verbal promises are not enough.
JI to announce next move
The Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to announce its next course of action on October 7 during its Gaza March.
The announcement could provide a clearer picture of whether the party will continue waiting for government action or adopt a new strategy.
The petroleum levy abolition issue has remained one of the key demands raised by the JI during its protests and political campaign.
The government’s request for more time has therefore placed the petroleum levy issue at the centre of renewed political discussions.
JI had earlier paused long march
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman had earlier paused the JI’s long march after it reached Multan.
The decision came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the JI chief that the government would address the party’s concerns after returning to the country.
The JI had already carried out nationwide protest sit-ins before launching the long march.
Also Read: PTI long march begins from Lakki Marwat as Sanaullah warns against Islamabad entry
Those sit-ins continued for around one month and focused on several public demands, including relief from rising costs and changes in government policies.
The JI petroleum levy demand remained an important part of the party’s campaign during this period.
Political pressure increases
The government is now facing pressure from both the JI and the PTI amid the ongoing political situation.
The request for more time comes as authorities are also dealing with the PTI long march.
For the JI, petroleum levy abolition remains an important issue, and the party wants the government to move beyond assurances.
The government will now have to respond to the JI petroleum levy demand while also managing the wider political situation.
