JI rejects fuel relief package, vows to march on Islamabad

• Baloch-led JI delegation meets government team.
• JI leader says technical talks held on IPPs, levy.
• Kayani says govt taking steps to broaden tax base. 
  

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami on Tuesday categorically rejected the government’s special fuel relief scheme, saying that the package cannot be a substitute for the petroleum levy.

Speaking to the media following a delegation-level meeting with the government’s team, comprising ministers Ali Pervaiz Malik, Azam Nazir Tarar and Bilal Azhar Kayani in Islamabad, JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch said: “The JI and the government had held technical negotiations on independent power producers (IPPs) and the petroleum levy.

During the meeting, Petroleum Minister Malik and Energy Minister Awais Leghari briefed the JI delegation on the petroleum sector, fuel availability and the system for determining petroleum prices based on a seven-day rolling average.

“We have made it clear that the levy should be abolished,” he said, adding that ending the levy could provide Rs103 per litre relief on petrol.

The government’s team had been told to inform Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that “our march will head towards Islamabad”, while describing the premier’s relief initiative as “deception”.

The politico-religious party had announced a march towards Islamabad on September 20 to protest against the petroleum levy.

A statement issued by the government following the meeting, however, said that the politico-religious party “welcomed” the fuel relief measures while calling for a permanent solution to basic issues.

The petroleum minister said the government was taking comprehensive measures to protect consumers and ensure fuel availability.

“Targeted subsidies are being provided for motorcycles, Qingqi rickshaws and small cars,” the minister added.

He said targeted subsidies were an effective means of delivering relief to deserving segments. The government had ensured uninterrupted fuel supplies during the recent crisis, Malik told the JI delegation.

For his part, Kayani said the government was taking steps to broaden the tax base and promote direct taxation.

The ministers assured the JI delegation that its recommendations would be conveyed to PM Shehbaz, read the statement.

In order to provide targeted relief to vulnerable segments of the society, PM Shehbaz on Sunday launched a special relief scheme providing Rs100 per litre discount on petrol for motorcyclists, rickshaw and chingchi owners and drivers of vehicles up to 800cc.

Under the relief scheme, owners and users of motorcycles, rickshaws and other two and three-wheeled vehicles will receive Rs100 per litre relief on up to 20 litres of petrol per month.

Owners of small vehicles up to 800cc engine capacity will receive Rs100 per litre relief on up to 30 litres of petrol per month.