JI and Dar hold 'candid discussions' on fuel relief, agree to continue talks in coming days

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and a Jamaat-i-Islami delegation met on Tuesday to discuss ways of easing fuel costs for lower-income households, Dawn reported. The Foreign Office said the sides would keep consulting in the coming days on energy pricing and public relief, without announcing a final decision.

JI vice emir Liaqat Baloch said negotiations were nearing completion and claimed the government had accepted relief for agriculture and vehicles up to 1,000cc. The government’s existing scheme covers motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles up to 800cc, while the parties are preparing papers on a possible gradual reduction of the petroleum levy. The government says refineries will bear a monthly cumulative levy impact of Rs15 billion, enabling a Rs14.71 reduction in petrol prices for consumers; JI warned it could resume a march towards Islamabad in mid-November if relief proves insufficient.