ISLAMABAD: The government and Jamat-e-Islami (JI) on Tuesday agreed to form a six-member committee to recommend measures to expand the ongoing petrol relief scheme for low-income groups and explore a phased reduction in the petroleum levy.
The decision was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a JI delegation led by its chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.
The committee, comprising three members each from the government and JI, will prepare final recommendations on widening the relief scheme to cover more deserving people and developing workable proposals for a gradual reduction in the petroleum levy in the upcoming budget.
The prime minister nominated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah to represent the government on the committee.
During the meeting, Sharif thanked JI for opting for negotiations on the issue of petroleum prices.
The JI delegation called for the withdrawal of the petroleum levy and measures to provide relief to the public.
Acknowledging the burden of rising fuel prices on the people, the prime minister said the government was fully aware of the difficulties faced by the public, particularly low-income households.
He said the recent increase in petroleum prices was linked to regional and international developments rather than government policies.
He added that the government was making diplomatic efforts to help resolve the regional crisis and restore normality.
Sharif said the government was providing relief to the public within its financial capacity and would continue to do so.
He also briefed the delegation on the assistance extended to low-income groups under the existing petroleum relief scheme.
According to the prime minister, 12.7 million people have so far registered under the scheme.
The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, State Minister for Finance Bilal Kayani and other senior officials.
The JI delegation included Liaquat Baloch, Syed Farasat Shah, Nasrullah Randhawa and Inayatullah.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026