According to a report by Dawn, the Pakistani government and the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) party have agreed to form a joint committee to evaluate expanding the national fuel relief scheme and addressing demands regarding the petroleum levy. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced the decision during a press conference in Islamabad following talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.
The development follows demands from JI for the government to eliminate the petroleum levy. Rehman warned that his party would conduct a protest march to Islamabad in mid-November if a major relief package is not announced before then.
What happened
Iqbal explained that the committee will comprise three government representatives—himself, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and political adviser Rana Sanaullah—alongside three members from JI. The committee members representing JI were not specified in the source; please check the official notice. The panel is expected to finalize plans to widen the relief scheme to cover more eligible citizens and draft proposals to phase out petroleum levies for the upcoming budget.
Key facts
- The fuel subsidy scheme was introduced on September 17 to support owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, and vehicles up to 800cc.
- Around 12.5 million citizens currently receive subsidies under the initiative, with government officials expecting coverage to reach 20 million.
- JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated that while both sides agree on extending relief, disagreements remain over the exact procedures and modalities.
- Government representatives attributed rising domestic fuel costs to international oil price spikes caused by crisis conditions in the Middle East.
Why it matters
According to Dawn, the government is attempting to balance public relief against fiscal constraints, emphasizing that relief measures must be targeted and financially sustainable. While acknowledging the right to political protest, government officials urged internal stability and highlighted ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing regional tensions to help lower global energy prices.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 27, 2026 · Photo by PRATEEK JAISWAL on Unsplash
