Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal contacts Liaquat Baloch, seeks one day time for negotiations

LAHORE, Sep 13: Federal Minister for Planning, development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal contacted Naib Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Liaquat Baloch and requested one day time for holding third round of negotiations between the government and Jamaat-e-Islami on the issue of petroleum levy. 

According to the statement issued by the Information Department of the JI, the third round of negotiations between the government and JI on the issue of petroleum levy was scheduled for Monday; however now the government has requested holding negations on Tuesday. 

Naib Emir JI Liaquat Baloch informed that Ahsan Iqbal conveyed the message of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif that PM wants negotiations on the issue of petroleum levy be held on Tuesday. Liaquat Baloch said that JI has constituted committee for holding negotiations with the government and government has constituted two committees regarding these matters.

He said that the negotiations on petroleum levy will be held on Tuesday and negotiations on the issue of IPPs will be held on Wednesday. He said that JI will present its stance regarding the abolition of petroleum levy imposed on the masses and on IPPs in electricity sector during the negotiations. Prior to this two rounds of negotiations on petroleum levy have already been held between the government and JI committees. 

The JI committee headed by Liaquat Baloch has given comprehensive suggestions to government for abolition of petroleum levy but so far government has not given any satisfactory reply of these suggestions. Emir JI Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said that matter will not be delayed on the name of negations, the government should abolish the petroleum levy; otherwise march will be carried out towards Islamabad on 20th September.