A fifth round of talks between the Pakistani government and Jamaat-e-Islami ended without an agreement, as the government urged the party to postpone its planned march over security concerns, while the Islamist party said its protests would continue until fuel taxes are fully withdrawn.
As reported by IRAF, citing The Express Tribune, government and Jamaat-e-Islami delegations concluded their latest round of negotiations on Saturday night without reaching a breakthrough.
Government officials cited security concerns and the possibility of tensions in the capital as they called for the Islamabad march to be postponed. Jamaat-e-Islami rejected the request, saying its protests would only end if taxes on petroleum products were completely abolished.
The party’s leaders said fuel taxes were placing a direct burden on low-income groups and described their continuation as unacceptable.
They also warned that the Islamabad march would go ahead with broad public participation and said they would not back down in the face of government pressure.
During the talks, government officials also pointed to external pressures, saying the International Monetary Fund was preparing to send a new delegation to Pakistan.
According to the officials, the IMF wants fuel taxes to remain in place as part of its economic reform program, while the government is facing difficult financial conditions.
Jamaat-e-Islami, however, said that “the demands of the people take precedence over any external pressure” and vowed to continue its protests until its demands are met.
The dispute comes as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has also announced plans for a major march toward the capital on September 27.
PTI has said the protest is aimed at opposing political arrests and restrictions on party activities, while also demanding free and transparent elections.
PTI leaders have accused the federal government of “systematic repression of the opposition” and said thousands of people would be mobilized for the march.
Meanwhile, Islamabad courts have issued separate orders in recent days restricting routes leading to the capital for protest marches and blocking the passports of several PTI leaders.
The measures underscore the sensitivity of the country’s judicial authorities to the recent political mobilization.
