LAHORE (Lord Media): Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman stated that the government is considering a phased reduction of the petroleum levy. Speaking at a press conference, he mentioned that there have been 9 to 10 rounds of discussions with the government, and Jamaat-e-Islami has prepared a draft with alternative proposals regarding the petroleum levy.

Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman accused the government of using the IMF program as an excuse to delay addressing the levy issue. He suggested increasing the petroleum levy on vehicles over 1800cc and raising their import taxes to provide relief to ordinary citizens.

The Jamaat-e-Islami leader advised the government to extend the petrol relief scheme to vehicles ranging from 800cc to 1300cc, noting that 1300cc cars are also used by the middle class and deserve relief.

He also called for the inclusion of farmers’ tractors and public transport in the petroleum relief scheme. According to him, the government collects 150 billion rupees monthly from the petroleum levy but provides only 26 to 30 billion rupees in relief.

Hafiz Naeem alleged that the government’s claim of providing relief to 15 million people is insufficient, as there are over 25 million motorcyclists in the country. Jamaat-e-Islami will continue its protest movement to pressure the government.

He announced that the protest movement will persist until the complete abolition of the petroleum levy, with public gatherings planned in Quetta on November 22 and at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on November 29.  LORD