ISLAMABAD: Negotiations between the federal government and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) over the petroleum development levy concluded without any agreement on Tuesday, with both sides maintaining their respective positions, sources said.
According to sources, the government has declined to withdraw the petroleum levy, leaving the issue unresolved during the latest round of discussions.
The meeting was held at the Foreign Ministry in the office of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
The government’s negotiating team said it had already provided maximum possible relief to consumers on petroleum prices and was making efforts to offer further concessions.
Government representatives also pointed out that domestic fuel prices were linked to international market rates, which were currently on the rise.
Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal and Rana Sanaullah represented the government during the negotiations.
The JI delegation comprised Liaquat Baloch, Sayed Farasat Shah and Nasrullah Randhawa.
Following the meeting, the JI negotiating team continued consultations on the government’s position and was expected to brief party chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on the outcome of the discussions.
