Govt plans to abolish PL in next budget

The government has appointed a six-person panel to review Jamaat-e-Islami’s proposal to remove the petroleum levy in the next federal budget, Business Recorder reported. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the group will include three party representatives and three government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and political adviser Rana Sanaullah.

The announcement followed talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. Rehman said the party intends to hold a march in Islamabad in mid-November if the government does not offer significant relief from the levy. Iqbal also said about 12.5 million people currently benefit from the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme.

The committee’s review makes the levy a point of discussion in preparations for the next budget, but the source reports no decision to abolish it. Any change would concern fuel taxation and relief for consumers.