Govt Reaches Out to JI to Avert Islamabad March

News Desk
LAHORE:
In a bid to avert escalating political confrontation, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Friday contacted Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch, inviting the religious-political party to a fresh round of negotiations aimed at resolving a deadlock over the contentious petroleum levy.
The government’s renewed diplomatic outreach coincides with JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman finalizing extensive preparations for the party’s planned nationwide protest march toward Islamabad on September 20.
According to JI leadership, Minister Iqbal proposed a formal dialogue session in Lahore on Saturday, featuring a government delegation and a JI committee led by Baloch.
While confirming the receipt of the formal invitation, Baloch maintained a firm stance, stating that he would deliberate with the party chief and senior leadership before issuing a definitive response.
However, he emphatically reiterated that the JI’s anti-inflationary protest movement would persist unabated until the federal administration completely rolls back the petroleum levy.
This latest diplomatic maneuver follows several inconclusive dialogues between federal ministers and JI representatives.
The political standoff highlights mounting economic pressures on the ruling coalition as opposition groups leverage public discontent over soaring utility bills and fuel prices, setting the stage for high-stakes political maneuvering ahead of the weekend talks.