Negotiations between the government and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) over the petroleum levy and public relief entered their final stage on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, during a meeting in Islamabad between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and a JI delegation led by acting JI emir Liaquat Baloch. Both sides agreed to continue consultations in the coming days on energy pricing and public relief. The petroleum levy has not been abolished by this meeting, and the talks remain ongoing.
The Foreign Office said Dar and the JI delegation held “candid discussions” on practical measures to provide relief to low-income citizens facing petroleum prices. The government team also included Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Adviser on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah, while the JI team included Liaquat Baloch, Syed Farasat Shah and Nasrullah Randhawa.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Baloch said the talks were in their final round, that four basic points were discussed, and that both sides would meet again on Wednesday, 4 November, to discuss further progress. He said JI presented six proposals, including abolishing the petroleum levy, a relief package, and relief for public transport, vehicles above 800cc and the agriculture sector. According to Baloch, the government had agreed to relief for the agriculture sector and owners of vehicles up to 1,000cc. That relief claim is Baloch’s statement only; it is not a confirmed government announcement.
Baloch also said JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, who is in Turkiye, would review the draft agreement before the party announces its future course of action. JI has warned it could resume its postponed march from Multan in mid-November if no substantial relief is announced.
The latest round follows an agreement on 27 October 2026, when the government and JI agreed to form a six-member committee, with three members from each side, to finalise recommendations on expanding the existing petrol relief scheme and preparing proposals for a phased reduction in the petroleum levy. JI has campaigned against the petroleum levy since August 2026.
Note: The image above is an AI-generated illustration related to this story, not a photograph of the meeting.
Sources: Dawn, Express Tribune and Business Recorder (3 November 2026) — Dawn: https://www.dawn.com/news/2041856 ; Express Tribune: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638455/dar-reaffirms-govts-commitment-to-public-relief-in-meeting-with-ji-delegation ; Business Recorder: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40447217/govt-ji-talks-on-petroleum-levy-removal-enter-final-stage