Sindh Assembly unanimously demands Centre abolish petroleum levy tax

The resolution demanding the abolition of the petroleum levy tax was moved by Jamaat-i-Islami's (JI) lone lawmaker in the house, Muhammad Farooq, as the party stages sit-ins across the country against rising fuel prices.

According to the resolution, the current price of petrol includes an Rs 80 petroleum levy, an Rs 5 climate levy, and an Rs 25.3 per litre margin for oil marketing companies on top of the base price of Rs 238.70. It argued that these levies have led to increased inflation.

Responding to the motion, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said the matter pertained to the federal government and the provincial government could not abolish the tax. The house then unanimously adopted the resolution.

Separately, the session was disrupted by a protest from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) members over the issue of "Sindhudesh", which prevented the Question Hour from being held. The party's Deputy Parliamentary Leader, Taha Ahmed, raised the issue.

The Sindh Assembly session in which the resolution was passed was marked by protests and sloganeering from opposition members. The session was presided over by Speaker Syed Owais Qadir Shah. During the proceedings, members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) protested, chanting slogans including “Sindhudesh namazoor” (Sindhudesh is unacceptable).

Other legislative business included a resolution presented by a Jamaat-e-Islami member to introduce an insurance policy for government teachers. Additionally, the Christian Family Law 2026 was presented in the house by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed.

Following the day's proceedings, the speaker adjourned the session until the following afternoon.

The resolution calling on the federal government to abolish the petroleum levy was passed unanimously by the Sindh Assembly, according to the latest reports from the session.