Islamabad: In a recent meeting held in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in discussions with a delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami, led by its Ameer, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, addressing the challenges posed by rising petroleum prices and the government’s relief measures.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the delegation for opting for negotiations concerning petroleum product pricing. He acknowledged the financial strain on the public due to increased petroleum costs and highlighted the government’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the regional situation, which is impacting global oil prices. Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that the crisis stems from external factors rather than domestic policies, affirming the government’s commitment to providing relief within its financial constraints.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister detailed the relief initiatives aimed at supporting low-income groups, revealing that 12.7 million individuals have registered for the relief scheme. A consensus was reached to form a committee with three representatives each from the government and Jamaat-e-Islami. This committee will develop recommendations to enhance the relief scheme’s reach and explore options for reducing the petroleum levy gradually. The government representatives in the committee will include Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah. The Jamaat-e-Islami delegation featured prominent members including Liaquat Baloch and Inayatullah, with several key ministers from the government also present at the meeting.