The government and Jamaat-i-Islami on Tuesday agreed to form a joint committee to propose measures for expanding the existing fuel subsidy scheme and gradually reducing the petroleum levy.
The JI, however, has warned of marching to Islamabad next month if a relief package was not announced.
The decision was taken during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman at the Prime Minister’s House, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The six-member committee will comprise three representatives each from the government and JI. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and the prime minister’s adviser Rana Sanaullah will represent the government.
PM Shehbaz informed the JI delegation that 12.7 million people had registered under the fuel subsidy programme, which covers motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc.
He said the government understood the public’s financial difficulties and was providing relief within its available resources.
JI reiterated its demand for abolishing the petroleum levy to ease the burden of rising fuel prices. The party had postponed its planned Islamabad march last month following the prime minister’s offer of talks.
