JI submits six proposals as first round of talks with govt concludes

JI submits six proposals as first round of discussions with govt concludes.

Key points

• Ahmad Fraz Khan Published September 7, 2026 Updated September 7, 2026 11: 53pm.
• Ahmad Fraz Khan is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn with four decades of experience in the field.
• "The primary objective remains providing immediate relief to the public, " Baloch continued, urging rulers to cut state expenditures as sufficient budgetary margin exists to accommodate tax relief.
• Addressing the media, Iqbal remarked that the administration had invited JI for discussions to seek its actionable suggestions.
• Last week, the administration and JI agreed to form committees comprising experts to discuss recommendations for reducing the petroleum levy and providing relief to the public.

Ahmad Fraz Khan Published September 7, 2026 Updated September 7, 2026 11: 53pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

ISLAMABAD: The first round of discussions between Jamaat-I-Islami and the federal administration on abolishing the petroleum levy and providing relief to the public concluded in Islamabad on Monday, with the party submitting six key proposals to the administration committee. Both sides agreed to hold the next round on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the JI delegation was led by Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch and comprised Deputy Secretary Syed Farasat Shah, KP Emir Inayatullah Khan, Lahore Emir Advocate Ziaur Rehman Ansari, Islamabad Emir Nasrullah Randhawa, Naveed Ali Baig and Shahid Naeem.

Meanwhile, the administration side was headed by Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and included Prime Minister's Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani.

Addressing the media after the session on Monday, Baloch stated they had presented six detailed proposals to the prime minister's team, emphasising that the "direct Rs80 petroleum levy per litre on petrol and diesel is severely impacting the national economy".

He clarified that peaceful sit-ins and protests nationwide would continue while negotiations proceeded.

Baloch additionally expressed concern over unfulfilled administration commitments created during previous negotiations regarding independent power producers (IPPs), adding that daily petroleum pricing should be discontinued.

According to He additionally, the current subsidy structures had failed to deliver and provide relief to the public.

Baloch remarked it was encouraging that the administration had always given priority to negotiations. He reiterated that dialogue was the only solution and remarked JI additionally understood that protests were not a solution.

Nevertheless, he informed the administration that public frustration was increasing due to rising electricity, gas and petrol costs.

In practice, the party leader further remarked, "We know that we are caught in the IMF's grip and that many decisions are being taken by the government out of compulsion."

Addressing the media, Iqbal remarked that the administration had invited JI for discussions to seek its actionable suggestions. It had now been formally received.

In practice, the minister continued that the gathering had been convened to review JI's proposals regarding the petroleum levy in detail, adding that there were certain national economic realities that could not be denied.

He observed that the relevant administration institutions would review the recommendations and that any impractical points would be discussed openly with JI during the upcoming session.

For context, the planning minister remarked the administration never wanted to overburden citizens, but global economies had been disrupted by regional tensions, including the US-Israeli war on Iran. "Petroleum prices would naturally ease once regional conflicts de-escalate, " he continued.

He stressed that the administration and all stakeholders were concerned concerning the public interest and that the administration did not want to impose any further burden on the individuals.

"If any relief can be provided to the people in any way, we will be very happy ourselves, " he remarked.

As the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) was autonomous in this regard, responding to a question regarding the policy rate, he stated the administration did not determine it. He continued that the SBP's policy board decided the policy rate after taking inflation into account.

Iqbal additionally unveiled the next course of action, saying JI's proposals concerned various ministries and that the views of the relevant institutions would be sought on them.

He remarked a second round of negotiations would be held within three days after feedback was received from the relevant institutions.

Ahmad Fraz Khan is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn with four decades of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio includes coverage of agriculture, the energy sector, and religio-political parties. He can be discovered on X at @AFKhan.

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