Diesel Shortages Intensify Across Thailand, Pumps Run Dry

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) is holding nationwide demonstrations on Friday against the petroleum levy, rising fuel prices and inflation. The party has announced protests and sit-ins in major cities and districts across the country. Demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 4pm. According to the party, protests will be held along hundreds of major roads and highways in around 170 districts. Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi are among the cities where demonstrations have been planned. Several major locations have also been selected for sit-ins. These include Qurtaba Chowk in Lahore, Stop No. 26 in Islamabad, Mian Ghundi Chowk in Quetta and the Toll Plaza in Peshawar. Other protest points include Bosan Road in Multan, the Indus Highway in Karak, CPEC Chowk in Bannu and the Chakdara interchange. JI leaders have warned that the protest campaign could be expanded if authorities attempt to prevent the demonstrations. The party said the number of roads and highways involved could increase significantly. In Karachi, JI leaders said protest caravans would begin moving from several locations at 4pm. These include Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Hub Road, National Highway, Super Highway, Orangi, Korangi, Pakistan Chowk and Sher Shah. The caravans are expected to gather at Mazar-e-Quaid before moving towards Shahrah-e-Faisal. Karachi JI chief Monem Zafar Khan said the demonstrations would continue until the petroleum levy was withdrawn. He said roads along some protest routes could remain closed during the demonstrations. He added that emergency vehicles, including ambulances, would be allowed to pass. JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had called for the nationwide action a day earlier. In a video message, he urged citizens to join the peaceful demonstrations and asked motorists to park their cars and motorcycles on roads at 4pm. The JI leadership has criticised the government over fuel-related taxes and the rising cost of essential goods. The party says ordinary citizens are facing increasing financial pressure because of higher fuel prices and indirect taxation. Hafiz Naeem also claimed that prices of several food items had increased over the past month. He said motorcycle users and other low-income citizens were particularly affected by higher fuel costs. The JI chief argued that people who do not fall within the formal income-tax system are also paying taxes through fuel levies and other indirect charges. He claimed the government collected around Rs1.9 trillion through the petroleum levy during the past year. The party has warned that further taxation could increase the burden on households if the government does not reconsider its policies. JI leaders are calling on citizens to participate in the protests and press the government to withdraw the petroleum levy

Two government officials were martyred and another was seriously injured after terrorists attacked a government vehicle at a joint security check post near the Kohat Toll Plaza on the Indus Highway late Thursday night, officials said. According to police, unidentified armed men opened fire on a customs enforcement vehicle that was carrying out routine anti-smuggling duties at the joint check post. The intense firing caused the vehicle to catch fire, resulting in heavy damage. The officials martyred in the attack were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sajjad-ul-Islam of the Kohat Excise Office and Customs Enforcement Constable Jawad Ahmed of the Peshawar Collectorate. Both officers lost their lives while performing their official duties. Another Customs official, Basirullah, suffered serious injuries during the attack. Rescue teams reached the scene shortly after receiving an emergency call, provided first aid and shifted the injured official to the District Headquarters Hospital in Kohat for further treatment. Rescue personnel also recovered the body of the customs constable from the burnt government vehicle, while firefighters extinguished the blaze to prevent it from spreading further. Soon after the incident, police and security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers. Authorities have started an investigation to determine how the attack was carried out and identify those responsible. Officials said the attack created panic in the area, prompting additional security measures along the highway and surrounding locations. Funeral prayers for ASI Sajjad-ul-Islam were offered near his residence in Kohat. Senior officials from the Excise Department, law enforcement agencies and other government institutions attended the funeral and paid tribute to his services. The Excise Department described him as a dedicated and professional officer who served the department with commitment and courage. Officials expressed solidarity with his family and prayed for the elevation of his rank. Funeral prayers for Customs Constable Jawad Ahmed were also offered at the Custom House in Peshawar. Customs officials, colleagues and family members attended the funeral to pay their final respects. The Customs Department expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its officer, stating that he embraced martyrdom while carrying out his national duty. The department honoured his sacrifice and extended condolences to his family. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of the two officials. He offered condolences to their families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured officer and directed the relevant authorities to arrest those behind the attack. The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism, saying operations against militant groups would continue until peace and stability are fully restored across the country.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott has assured Pakistan that the issue of delays in student visas will be addressed. Marriott gave the assurance during a meeting with Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar. The meeting was held as concerns grow over delays faced by Pakistani students seeking to travel to the United Kingdom for higher education. During the meeting, Tarar raised the issue of delayed visa processing with the British envoy. He conveyed the government’s concerns over the difficulties being faced by Pakistani students. The minister said hundreds of Pakistani students could lose their academic year because of the delays. Many students require timely visa decisions to join their universities and begin their studies according to the scheduled academic calendar. Tarar stressed the importance of resolving the issue at the earliest. He said unnecessary delays could create serious academic and financial difficulties for students and their families. The British High Commissioner assured the minister that efforts would be made to address the matter. The two sides also discussed broader issues of mutual interest. They exchanged views on strengthening institutional communication and cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The meeting highlighted the importance of maintaining effective coordination between the relevant institutions of both countries. Better institutional engagement could help resolve issues affecting students and other Pakistani citizens seeking services in the UK. The assurance comes amid concerns among Pakistani students about securing timely visas for their higher education programmes.

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the low attendance of lawmakers during parliamentary sessions. Speaking to the media outside the National Assembly on Tuesday, Sadiq said some federal ministers had raised the issue of members’ absence with the prime minister. He said the government and lawmakers were now paying attention to improving attendance. The speaker’s comments came after a session of the National Assembly witnessed a low presence of members, with a large number of seats remaining vacant during proceedings. Sadiq said maintaining the required quorum was not solely the responsibility of the speaker. He said both the government and opposition benches had a duty to ensure that their members attended parliamentary proceedings. He expressed hope that attendance would improve when the next session is held, which is expected to take place later this week. According to the speaker, the government had conveyed that it recognised the seriousness of the issue and intended to improve lawmakers’ presence in future sessions. Sadiq urged members from both sides of the House to remain present during proceedings. He said parliamentary sessions provided limited time for debate, questions, discussions and legislation, and lawmakers should make full use of the opportunity. He noted that poor attendance affected both sides of the House. The government could not properly complete its legislative agenda, while opposition members also lost the opportunity to raise issues and scrutinise government policies. The speaker also commented on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s intention to adopt a more active approach towards legislation. Sadiq welcomed the move, saying stronger opposition participation could improve parliamentary accountability. He said constructive pressure from opposition parties could also encourage the government to introduce reforms. Regarding resignations submitted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members from standing committees, the speaker said he had not accepted any of the resignations. He said parliamentary committees were continuing to function and could perform more effectively if opposition members regularly participated in their meetings. Asked about the possibility of the united opposition moving a no-confidence motion against him or Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sadiq said it was a constitutional and democratic right of the opposition. He said the National Assembly would facilitate the opposition if it decided to exercise that right. Sadiq also spoke about efforts to reduce political tensions between the government and opposition. He said several attempts had been made to bring the two sides to the negotiating table. He said he, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the law minister and Rana Sanaullah had repeatedly offered dialogue.