Govt approaches JI for talks over petroleum prices, levy as party demands ‘complete package’

The Jamaat-e-Islami on Tuesday confirmed that the government had approached the party for talks over its ongoing protests against petroleum prices and the petroleum levy, saying it was ready for negotiations provided the government team came with a “complete package”.

Jamaat-e-Islami spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed Tarabi said the government’s negotiating team had contacted party Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch and offered to hold talks.

According to Tarabi, Adviser to the Prime Minister and Senator Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal contacted Liaquat Baloch on Monday, while former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and Punjab Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique had also contacted him earlier.

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Tarabi said Jamaat-e-Islami had made it clear that it was ready for negotiations, but the government’s team would have to come with a “complete package” outlining what relief it intended to provide to the public on the petroleum levy, electricity prices and inflation.

“We will not merely listen to a briefing. The government’s negotiating team should come with a complete package and explain what relief it intends to provide to the people,” Tarabi said.

He said the party believed in democratic struggle and that its sit-ins were aimed at protecting the interests of the public. He added that the protests would continue if the government failed to provide meaningful relief to the people.

Party sources said the date for formal talks would be decided after Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman returned to Lahore.

Meanwhile, Rana Sanaullah also confirmed the government’s contacts with Jamaat-e-Islami. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had formed a three-member negotiating committee comprising Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal and Bilal Azhar Kayani.

Sanaullah said he had contacted Liaquat Baloch and offered to hold talks at the protest site or at any other mutually agreed venue. He said the government wanted to discuss whether the demands being made by Jamaat-e-Islami could be met.

Jamaat-e-Islami has been staging sit-ins across the country for the last 17 days against petroleum prices and the petroleum levy, demanding relief for consumers.