Negotiation committees from the federal government and the opposition will convene in Islamabad on 23 October. Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal initiated contact with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Vice Emir Liaquat Baloch to facilitate the discussions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to hold a meeting with JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman during this period. Protests will involve sit-ins across every district in the country.
Both the federal government and JI reached an agreement in early September to establish these committees. Hafiz Naeem announced on 22 September that the party was delaying its long march.
The long march convoy had previously arrived in Multan. Naeem stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requested the party to postpone the march and invited the leadership to talks.
The JI previously staged sit-ins at 510 locations and observed a shutdown strike. The party seeks to provide public relief by abolishing the petroleum levy and reducing fuel prices.
JI will request written assurances from the government before determining its next steps.
