Govt, JI agree to form committees to recommend reduction in petroleum levy

The federal government and Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI) on Thursday agreed to constitute committees to recommend measures for reducing the petroleum levy and providing relief to the public. JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah announced the decision at a press conference in Lahore. Addressing the press conference, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said a government delegation had met the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leadership in Lahore. He said the government would constitute an expert committee and had asked the JI to form a similar committee to jointly discuss measures for reducing the petroleum levy. “The government will happily act upon recommendations put forward by these committees,” Iqbal said, adding that both the government and JI agreed that relief should be provided to the public. “We requested them [JI] to form a team, and then we will negotiate on practical recommendations for relief,” he said. The government would also present its position and take action on the recommendations put forward by the committees, the minister added. “Pakistan’s interest is a priority,” Iqbal said, adding that the government would not allow any foreign element to exploit internal instability. “We have to work together for internal peace and stability.” According to the minister, the JI had assured the government that it would not make any demand that was against the country’s interests. More to follow