Govt, JI talks end inconclusively as Islamabad seeks delay in long march over security threats

Govt, JI discussions end inconclusively as Islamabad seeks delay in long march over security threats.

Key points

• Ahmad Fraz Khan Published September 19, 2026 Updated September 19, 2026 10: 19pm.
• JI Acting Secretary General Nazir Ahmad Janjua, Vice Emir Dr Usama Razi and Deputy Secretary Azhar Iqbal Hassan were additionally present at the press conference.
• The administration delegation included Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah and Punjab Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique.
• The administration levies Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.
• "A public rally will be held in Karachi on Saturday night, before the caravans set out for Islamabad on September 20, " he remarked.

Ahmad Fraz Khan Published September 19, 2026 Updated September 19, 2026 10: 19pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

LAHORE: The fifth round of discussions between the administration and the Jamaat-I-Islami (JI) concluded on Saturday, with the administration seeking the postponement of the party's planned long march due to security threats.

Notably, the administration delegation included Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah and Punjab Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique.

Meanwhile, the JI delegation comprised Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch, Acting Secretary General Nazir Ahmad Janjua, Special Assistant to the JI Emir Umair Idrees, JI Lahore Emir Ziauddin Ansari and Information Secretary Shakeel Ahmad Tarrabi.

During the discussions, the administration delegation requested the JI to postpone the long march in view of security threats.

Nevertheless, Baloch stated the long march would remain necessary until the levy imposed on the public was withdrawn.

For context, the administration levies Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel. The JI has been staging regular sit-ins in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and dozens of other locations nationwide since August 16 to protest the levy.

Notably, the administration delegation assured the JI that extraordinary relief would shortly be provided to the individuals. It additionally stated the administration was under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and that an IMF delegation was anticipated to visit Pakistan shortly.

Baloch remarked the administration must take practical steps to address the people's demands; otherwise, the JI would definitely proceed with its protest and long march.

As per the schedule, the "Super Long March" under the leadership of the JI emir would commence from Karachi on Sunday, he remarked that.

Discussions between the JI and the administration began on Sept 7 and have so far comprised four inconclusive rounds. The fifth round on Saturday additionally concluded without an agreement.

Earlier, the party dug its heels in over its planned march, refusing to call it off unless the administration abolishes the petroleum levy, with party chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announcing that protest caravans from nationwide would commence moving toward the capital on Sunday.

"If the rulers cannot abolish the levy, we cannot call off our march, " Rehman remarked at a press conference in Mansoorah, setting the stage for a potential standoff with the authorities.

For context, the administration, equipped with a recent Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruling against activities that curtail the freedom of movement, is determined to prevent rallies from disrupting traffic and the normal flow of life in the federal capital.

Rehman promised peaceful protest and cautioned the administration not to take any action against the protesters.

Meanwhile, the JI chief pressed the administration to present a concrete proposal for abolishing the petroleum levy, noting the party had already rejected the government's fuel relief package as inadequate.

Under the government's current relief scheme, eligible motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws and cars up to 800cc are to receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre, subject to specified monthly limits.

Rehman remarked relief was not a favour but a right of the residents, accusing the administration of avoiding structural measures to reduce the burden on consumers, saying petroleum costs had a direct impact on the cost of essential commodities nationwide.

He asserted that up to Rs107 per litre was being collected as petroleum levy on petrol, along with other taxes.

For context, the JI chief criticised the administration for failing to curb corruption and what he described as "excessive official expenditure", saying office-holders should reduce their own spending instead of asking the individuals to produce sacrifices.

To absorb the economic impact of renewed tensions in the Middle East, the administration has reintroduced austerity measures, reducing fuel provision for official vehicles by 50 per cent for a period of three months.

According to Rehman, the JI's protest movement had entered its 35th day, with more than 25 sit-ins continuing nationwide. He remarked the party had held peaceful demonstrations in 42 cities and maintained that the movement had now become a national matter.

"We are marching for the individuals with their backing. There is no question of turning back, " he remarked, insisting that the number of sit-ins was being gradually reduced as part of the JI's strategy for the Islamabad march.

Notably, the JI chief remarked the administration had again contacted the party for discussions, but repeatedly sought more time.

"If the government does not listen to talks, it will have to listen to public pressure, " he remarked.

On the PTI's protest planned for September 27 for its incarcerated founder Imran Khan, Rehman remarked peaceful protest was a constitutional right of every political party and that containers should not be placed to block PTI demonstrations.

While the PTI had additionally backed the JI's right to do so, he remarked the JI backed the PTI's right to peaceful protest.

On negotiations, Rehman remarked the administration had repeatedly asked the JI to submit suggestions, although, he argued, it was the government's responsibility to address public grievances.

He recalled that his party had already presented proposals during previous rounds of discussions, but the administration did not accept them.

Rehman additionally criticised the government's economic policies, calling for a reduction in interest rates and questioning the State Bank of Pakistan's autonomy. He argued that the government's role in appointments to the central bank raised questions regarding its independence.

He further accused the administration of using the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an excuse for withholding relief from the public while continuing what he described as lavish official expenditure.

Citing foreign travel by senior authorities and expenses incurred at official meetings, the JI chief called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to sell her official aircraft. It he valued at Rs11 billion.

Turning to the sugar and wheat sectors, the party chief alleged that powerful groups and cartels were influencing administration decisions on imports and exports, further alleging farmers were not receiving adequate costs for wheat and sugarcane, contributing to higher food rates.

He additionally criticised payments to independent power producers (IPPs), saying Rs1.8 trillion was being paid in capacity payments. He further questioned payments to regasification plants despite what he described as gas shortages.

On Friday, Rehman asserted the party's protest movement aimed to press the administration for immediate economic relief, asserting that the national exchequer could save between Rs3 trillion and Rs4 trillion if the authorities adopted the party's proposed fiscal reforms.

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.

For now, govt, JI talks end inconclusively as Islamabad seeks delay in long march remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.