govt increases petrol
| | |

Govt increases petrol by Rs1.63, diesel by Rs1.55

ByJustpaste.in

The government on Tuesday increased the price of petrol by Rs1.63 and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs1.55 per litre, passing on the impact of fluctuating global oil prices following renewed hostilities in the Persian Gulf.

Following the changes, the price of petrol stands at Rs335.81 per litre, while HSD is now priced at Rs388.38 per litre. The government is charging a total of Rs110 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs96 on diesel. The Petroleum Division’s notification said the new prices would be applicable for July 29 (Wednesday).

The diesel price has come down from a peak of Rs520.35 recorded on April 3, after beginning its upward trajectory from Rs281 per litre when the US-Iran war broke out on February 28. Similarly, petrol had peaked at Rs458.41 on April 3 after rising from Rs266 in the first week of March.

Earlier, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that fuel prices would now be fixed on a daily basis due to fluctuations in international market prices. The government had been announcing weekly revisions since early March, alongside conservation measures amid possible oil supply disruptions due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. In April, the federal government also announced targeted relief measures to provide subsidised fuel.

The petroleum minister stated that the cabinet and prime minister had decided to give the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) the responsibility of deciding fuel prices daily based on international market trends. The daily pricing decision was rejected by the All Pakistan Dealers Association, which said it would consider a protest plan this week.

Petrol is mainly used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers, and changes in its price affect the middle and lower-middle classes. Similarly, diesel price changes impact the public at large, as it is primarily used in the heavy transport sector, power plants and large generators. Petrol and HSD are the major revenue earners, with monthly sales of about 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes, compared to just 10,000 tonnes of monthly demand for kerosene.

Similar Posts

  • Thailand Closely Monitoring Thai-Cambodian Border Amid Reports of Tank Deployment, Says NSC

    ByJustpaste.in

    BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand is actively monitoring the situation along its border with Cambodia following reports that China has delivered tanks to Cambodia, some of which have reportedly been deployed near the frontier, according to the National Security Council (NSC). Hun Sen Denies Reports of Foreign Troops in Cambodia NSC Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad described the […]

  • |

    Two missing women, toddler found dead in Dinga pon…

    ByJustpaste.in

    GUJRAT: The bodies of three females, including a two-year-old girl, who had gone missing from the Dinga area a day earlier, were recovered from a pond in Mohallah Chaar Gah , police said. The deceased were identified as Arooj Fatima, Haleema Sadia and two-year-old Ruku Fatima. According to police, all three had gone missing from the jurisdiction of Dinga police station on August 25. Following their disappearance, a kidnapping case had been registered at Dinga police station on the complaint of the family. A search operation was underway when their bodies were found in a pond in Mohallah Chaar Gah. Police said a heavy contingent was deployed at the scene after the recovery of the bodies. Crime Scene Unit personnel and teams of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) also reached the site and collected evidence for further investigation. The bodies were later shifted to a hospital for post-mortem examinations. According to preliminary police findings, the three victims appeared to have died due to drowning. However, police said the matter was still being investigated from different angles and the final cause and circumstances of their deaths would be determined after the completion of medico-legal and forensic procedures. The recovery of the bodies sent shockwaves through the locality, particularly because a kidnapping case had been registered only a day earlier after the three females went missing. District Police Officer Gujrat Faisal Shehzad visited the scene following the recovery of the bodies. He was briefed by police officers and also gathered information from residents of the area about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The DPO directed the officers concerned to conduct a complete and transparent investigation and examine all possible aspects of the case. He said the legal and investigative process should be completed strictly on merit and no aspect of the incident should be overlooked. Faisal Shehzad also met the bereaved family members and expressed his condolences over the deaths. He assured them that police would complete all legal and investigative formalities in accordance with the law. Police officials said the post-mortem reports and forensic examination of evidence collected from the scene would play an important role in determining whether the deaths resulted solely from drowning or whether any other factor was involved. Investigators are also examining the timeline of the disappearance and other circumstances leading up to the recovery of the bodies from the pond. The Dinga police said further proceedings would be carried out in light of the post-mortem findings, forensic evidence and the results of the ongoing investigation. The bodies were handed over for further medico-legal procedures as police continued their investigation into what officials described as a tragic and sensitive case. No final conclusion regarding the circumstances of the deaths had been announced by police at the time of filing this report, while investigators continued to collect evidence and record statements from relevant persons.

  • | | |

    Pakistan faces critical shortage of warehouse faci…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan’s healthcare system is facing a significant logistical challenge, as the country lacks a dedicated warehouse to store emergency medicines and medical kits supplied for disease outbreaks and public health emergencies, according to sources within the Ministry of National Health Services. The revelation has raised concerns about the country’s preparedness to manage essential medical supplies, particularly those intended for large-scale disease prevention and treatment programs. Health Ministry sources disclosed that Pakistan does not even have a designated warehouse for storing medicines purchased under the country’s Hepatitis C elimination initiative. The absence of proper storage facilities has forced health authorities to rely on temporary arrangements that fall short of standard warehousing requirements. According to officials, the District Health Office (DHO) in Islamabad has converted parking areas into makeshift storage rooms to accommodate the growing stockpile of medicines and medical supplies. Temporary structures and storage racks have been installed to protect the supplies until a permanent solution becomes available. While the emergency arrangement has helped address immediate storage needs, officials acknowledge that it is not a long-term replacement for a purpose-built medical warehouse designed to safely store pharmaceutical products and emergency health equipment. The shortage of storage space has become even more pressing following the arrival of hundreds of medical kits donated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Ministry sources said the UN agency recently supplied 742 Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) and Family Planning kits to support Pakistan’s maternal and reproductive healthcare services. However, authorities are struggling to find adequate space to safely store the newly received supplies, creating additional logistical challenges for the health sector. Officials also revealed that medicines for approximately 1.6 million patients have already been procured under the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Elimination Programme. The large-scale procurement is intended to strengthen Pakistan’s campaign against one of the country’s most widespread infectious diseases, but the lack of dedicated storage infrastructure threatens to complicate distribution and inventory management. Health Ministry sources explained that temporary storage rooms were established in 2023, when additional racks and shelving units were installed to accommodate the increasing volume of medicines. These facilities were developed as an interim solution until permanent warehouse infrastructure could be built. Despite these efforts, experts believe that the growing number of medical supplies and emergency response materials requires modern storage facilities equipped with appropriate environmental controls, inventory management systems, and security measures to ensure the quality and effectiveness of medicines. Responding to concerns, Islamabad District Health Officer Dr. Rashida said that the medicines currently being stored in the temporary facilities are not deteriorating or losing their effectiveness. She maintained that health officials are taking the necessary precautions to preserve the supplies under existing conditions. At the same time, Dr. Rashida acknowledged the urgent need for a dedicated warehouse and confirmed that letters have been sent to development partners requesting support for the establishment of proper storage infrastructure. The shortage highlights broader challenges within Pakistan’s public healthcare system, where expanding disease-control programmes and increasing international assistance have outpaced the development of essential logistics and storage capacity. Health officials hope that with support from development partners and international organizations, permanent warehouse facilities can be established to strengthen the country’s ability to respond to public health emergencies and ensure the safe storage and timely distribution of life-saving medicines and medical supplies.

  • | |

    Three injured as rival MQM-P groups clash at party…

    ByJustpaste.in

    KARACHI: Internal differences within Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) intensified on Sunday after supporters of two rival factions allegedly clashed outside the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters in Karachi, leaving at least three people injured. According to reports, tensions between supporters of the groups associated with MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and senior leader Mustafa Kamal escalated following a party meeting. The confrontation turned violent as workers allegedly exchanged slogans, engaged in physical fighting, and pelted stones at each other. Witnesses also reported aerial firing near the Bahadurabad headquarters during the unrest, creating panic in the area. Three people sustained injuries during the clashes. Senior MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar said the dispute erupted after a meeting of party leaders at the Bahadurabad office. Speaking to the media, he alleged that supporters of one faction assaulted MPA Ejaz-ul-Haq and party leader Zakir. He further claimed that party leaders Mangla Sharma and Sabeen Ghori were also mistreated during the incident. MQM-P leader Amin Ul Haque alleged that one party worker was injured in the firing, while several others suffered injuries due to stone-pelting. He also claimed that extensive vandalism took place inside the party office and that the office’s DVR recording system was taken away. Amin Ul Haque said the matter had reached a point where it could no longer be ignored and called the incident deeply concerning for the party. Meanwhile, Dr Farooq Sattar later arrived at the Bahadurabad headquarters following the clashes as senior party leaders attempted to assess the situation and address the growing internal crisis.

  • | |

    Three prisoners seek private hospital treatment in…

    ByJustpaste.in

      Three prisoners have approached the Islamabad High Court seeking relief similar to that granted to the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, regarding treatment at a private hospital. The petitions were filed before the Islamabad High Court, with the applicants requesting permission to be transferred from prison to a private medical facility for treatment. The prisoners have specifically asked the court to allow them to receive medical care at either Shifa International Hospital or Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital. The development comes amid continued legal discussions over the medical treatment of prisoners and the circumstances under which an inmate may be allowed to receive treatment outside a prison hospital or government medical facility. During the proceedings, the Islamabad High Court sought a response from the relevant prison authorities by August 27. The court has directed the jail administration to explain its position regarding the requests made by the three prisoners. The court also ordered the superintendent of Adiala Jail to submit the medical reports of the petitioners. These reports are expected to help the court assess the prisoners’ medical conditions and determine whether their requests for treatment at private hospitals have sufficient grounds. Justice Muhammad Asif issued a two-page written order in connection with the petitions. In the order, the court directed the relevant parties to submit para-wise comments before the next hearing. The applicants have argued that they require medical treatment that may not be adequately available within the prison system. Their petitions seek permission to be transferred to either Shifa International Hospital or Quaid-e-Azam Hospital so that they can receive treatment from specialists and access facilities available at private medical institutions. The court has not yet issued a final decision on whether the prisoners will be allowed to move to a private hospital. Instead, it has sought medical documentation and responses from the prison authorities before considering the matter further. The medical reports from Adiala Jail will be particularly important in determining the nature and seriousness of the applicants’ health conditions. The court is expected to examine whether their medical needs justify treatment at a private hospital and whether such a transfer is appropriate under the applicable legal and prison regulations. The petitions also highlight broader questions concerning prisoners’ access to healthcare and the circumstances in which courts can intervene to ensure that inmates receive appropriate medical attention. The applicants’ request for relief similar to that provided to Imran Khan has placed the issue before the Islamabad High Court for judicial consideration. Their lawyers are seeking comparable treatment arrangements based on the medical needs of the petitioners. Under the court’s latest directions, the prison authorities are required to respond by August 27. The superintendent of Adiala Jail must also provide the petitioners’ medical reports, while all concerned parties have been asked to submit their detailed para-wise comments before the next hearing. Following the submission of these documents, the court will have an opportunity to review the medical evidence and the authorities’ position before deciding the applications. For now, the three prisoners remain in custody, and no final order allowing their transfer to a private hospital has been issued. The next hearing is expected to provide greater clarity on whether the applicants will be permitted to receive treatment at Shifa International Hospital or Quaid-e-Azam Hospital. The case could also become significant for future requests by prisoners seeking specialised medical treatment outside jail facilities, particularly where serious health concerns are raised and comparable relief has previously been granted in individual cases.

  • | |

    Bilawal vows fight back after AJK election loss

    ByJustpaste.in

    PML-N secures 23 of 45 seats to form AJK government Information minister says rigging claims need real evidence Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said the countdown for the federal government has begun. He made the statement after his party won fewer seats than expected in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. The PPP has called the polls rigged. The PML-N government at the centre relies on support from several parties. The PPP remains its main ally. But during the AJK elections, the PPP repeatedly claimed the polls were unfair. The PML-N has won a simple majority to form the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The party secured 23 out of 45 seats. This was confirmed by Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the prime minister on political affairs. Bilawal addressed PML-N directly in a video message. He asked if they could hear a sound. He said it was the countdown for the federal government beginning. He also announced a public gathering in Bagh district. He called on supporters in Poonch to prepare for a rally on August 10. He told them to get ready for his arrival. Bilawal described the elections as neither free nor fair. He called them rigged, and used strong words like bullet elections and bloody elections. Despite the results, he praised his party workers. He said the PPP had won nine seats despite the difficult circumstances. He vowed to reclaim seats he said had been stolen in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad. He said the PPP would continue its struggle and would not lose courage or leave the field. Sindh minister and senior PPP leader Sharjeel Inam Memon issued a similar warning shortly before Bilawal spoke. Memon said the countdown for the federal government had begun. He claimed PML-N had given ballot papers to its candidates two days before voting, working together with the Election Commission. Memon also alleged that the administration was ignoring complaints from the current president and prime minister of AJK. He called it historic rigging. He questioned whether top PML-N leaders, including Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and Maryam Nawaz Sharif, had genuinely won their own seats in the 2024 elections. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar responded on Monday. He said accusations of rigging should not be made without solid evidence. He urged the PPP to show political maturity and accept the election results. His comments came a day after the second phase of voting was held in Muzaffarabad Division and refugee seats. Unofficial results showed PML-N leading in five constituencies, while PPP had won two. In the first phase, PML-N had already secured nine of the thirteen seats in Mirpur Division, with PPP winning four. Tarar said PPP should have worked harder, as it did during the Gilgit-Baltistan elections. He questioned the evidence behind Memon’s claims and said accusations should not be made without proof. He said the people of AJK voted for the party that focused on development. He advised PPP to reflect on its own performance in Sindh instead of blaming others. Tarar praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for congratulating PPP after its win in Gilgit-Baltistan. He called it an example of political tolerance. He said PML-N ran a united and strong campaign in AJK, led by Nawaz Sharif, which helped secure the party’s victory.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *