Government, JI talks end without breakthrough on long march

JI says will continue with march

The fifth round of talks between the government and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) concluded on Saturday without a final agreement on the party’s demands, including the withdrawal of the petroleum levy, as differences over its planned long march remained unresolved.

The government delegation asked the JI to postpone the long march in view of security threats, while the party maintained that the protest would continue until the petroleum levy was withdrawn.

The talks were held at JI headquarters in Mansoorah. The government team comprised Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Senator Rana Sanaullah and Punjab Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique. The JI delegation included Deputy Emir Liaqat Baloch, acting Secretary General Nazir Ahmad Janjua, Special Assistant Umair Idrees, JI Lahore Emir Ziauddin Ansari and Information Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Tarabi.

لاہور۔ جماعت اسلامی اور حکومت کے درمیان مذاکرات کا پانچواں دور ختم ۔

لاہور: حکومتی وفد میں وفاقی وزیر احسن اقبال، رانا ثنااللہ ،صوبائی وزیر خواجہ سلمان رفیق شامل تھے

لاہور: نائب امیر لیاقت بلوچ ، قائم مقام سیکرٹری جنرل نذیر احمد جنجوعہ ، معاون خصوصی عمیر ادریس امیر جماعت اسلامی… pic.twitter.com/OX7TScCNV0

— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) September 19, 2026

During the meeting, the government delegation cited security concerns and requested the JI to defer the long march. Government representatives also assured the party that practical measures would be taken soon to provide significant relief to the public.

The government team said Pakistan was facing pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that an IMF delegation was also expected to visit the country soon.

Liaqat Baloch said the long march would remain necessary until the petroleum levy was abolished. He called on the government to take practical steps to address public demands, warning that protests and the long march would proceed otherwise.

According to Baloch, the “Super Long March” would begin from Karachi on Sunday under the leadership of JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, as scheduled.

🚨 کل اسلام آباد مارچ کا آغاز ہے!
آج امیرِ جماعت کا اہم ترین خطاب ہوگا — بس کچھ ہی دیر میں!#JI_SuperLongMarch pic.twitter.com/iImHb7K34O

— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) September 19, 2026

Earlier, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the federal government had contacted the party to discuss the issue of the petroleum levy, but negotiations would only proceed if the government presented a formal and serious proposal for abolishing it.

JI has been protesting against the petroleum levy and fuel prices for several weeks. The government and the party have held several rounds of talks, but the levy remains a key point of disagreement.

Speaking at a press conference at Mansoorah, Rehman said the JI would not abandon its planned long march to Islamabad merely because Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced what he described as a nominal relief package.

“The government has contacted us again. If it comes with a formal and serious proposal to abolish the petroleum levy, only then will talks take place,” he said.

Read: Govt cracks whip as PTI, JI gear up for capital marches

During the press conference held at the JI Lahore headquarters, the JI emir pledged to hold the long march as per the party’s announced schedule.

He warned the government against attempting to obstruct the march, saying any attempt to create hurdles would have serious consequences. Rehman also criticised the use of containers to block roads and called restrictions on opposition parties’ protests “contrary to constitutional rights”.

“The government can resolve the issue by simply withdrawing the levy,” he suggested, while stating that the party would otherwise be left with the only choice of mobilising the public to coerce the government to reduce fuel prices.

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The countdown to the Islamabad Super Long March has begun. A grand public gathering will be held in Karachi today, followed by the launch of the Super Long March tomorrow under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman.… pic.twitter.com/PiJxVmrnmc

— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) September 19, 2026

The JI chief asserted that the surging fuel and power rates were driving up the cost of everyday goods. He also lamented that the sharp increase in transport fares was burdening citizens beyond their capacity.

In view of the rising inflation, he said, JI had proposed a 3% reduction in interest rates but allegedly the government refused to accept the suggestion.

Criticising “excessive government expenditure”, Rehman called on the Punjab government to sell off the luxury jet used by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to give relief to the common people.

CM Maryam recently took the Rs9billion aircraft on a personal trip to the United Kingdom and paid Rs27.1 million in expenses to the national exchequer after many citizens and politicians protested over its illegitimate use.

Rehman also alleged that the existing economic system was only benefiting the ruling elite and allied business owners.

Turning back to call for protests, Rehman said peaceful demonstrations were a constitutional right of all political parties, adding that his party supports Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s peaceful protests. He also revealed that PTI backs the JI’s stance on the petroleum levy.

Read more: CM Afridi meets opposition leaders as PTI readies for Sept 27 protest

“We will reach Islamabad with the full support of the people and hold those accountable for unduly burdening the masses,” he said.

JI has announced September 20 as the date for commencing its long march towards Islamabad if the government refuses to meet its demand of withdrawing the petroleum levy.

A statement issued by the party today said JI’s caravan will depart from Karachi by train on Sunday night and reach Sukkur on Monday. A day after that, it is expected to arrive in Multan.

JI spokesperson said that the caravan will go to Lahore by road on September 23, from where the movement will be extended to the rest of Punjab on September 24.