Former Yellow Shirt Sondhi Rallies Supporters Outside Israeli Embassy In Bangkok

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a nationwide shutter-down strike after 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, as the party continues its protests against rising petroleum prices and the government’s petroleum levy. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, Hafiz Naeem said the JI’s sit-ins in provincial capitals had entered their eighth day and would continue until the government practically implemented the party’s demands. He rejected the idea of ending the protests solely on the basis of government assurances, saying the party wanted concrete action rather than promises. Hafiz Naeem called for a reduction in petroleum product prices and criticised what he described as excessive government expenditure. He also raised concerns over rising prices of essential commodities, saying flour and sugar mafias were making life difficult for ordinary citizens while farmers were struggling with expensive fertiliser. The JI chief said the nationwide shutter-down strike would be launched after Eid Milad-un-Nabi, which falls on August 26 this year. He warned that the party’s protest movement would not be called off until its demands were implemented. According to Hafiz Naeem, negotiations would no longer be based on requests for protesters to end their sit-ins in exchange for verbal commitments. JI workers have been holding demonstrations since August 16. Sit-ins are being staged outside the Punjab chief minister’s residence in Lahore and at governor houses in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. The protests come as consumers face growing pressure from fuel costs, inflation and high electricity bills. The government has also faced criticism following repeated increases in petroleum prices. The situation has become more challenging amid fluctuations in international oil prices linked to renewed tensions in the Middle East. Authorities have also moved from a 15-day fuel price review to a daily mechanism. The fuel price issue has triggered separate concerns among transporters and petroleum dealers. Earlier this week, the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance suspended a nationwide strike for 40 days after receiving assurances from the federal and Sindh governments regarding several demands, including petroleum pricing. The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has also pressed the government to resolve outstanding issues and honour previous commitments.

MIRPUR, July 26: Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has accused political opponents of attempting to influence the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections before polling. Speaking to journalists in Mirpur, Memon alleged that buses worth Rs200 million were sent to the region a day before polling as part of an attempt to influence voters. He claimed that the move was aimed at creating an impression among voters and affecting their electoral choices. Memon also criticised the Election Commission of AJK. He alleged that the commission had failed to take timely action against what he described as pre-poll rigging. He said the PPP would oppose any attempt to manipulate the election process. The provincial minister also criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. He accused the party of ignoring what he described as unconstitutional and unethical actions. Memon said the final decision in the AJK elections would be made by the people of Kashmir. He urged federal ministers to focus on their official responsibilities. He also called on them to stay away from activities that could interfere with the electoral process. The Sindh minister alleged that attempts were being made to influence voters through buses and trucks before polling. He questioned whether the people of Kashmir could be persuaded through material incentives. Memon said the people of Mirpur were politically aware. He expressed confidence that voters would not be influenced by such offers. He said PPP leaders had reached Mirpur to monitor the election situation. According to him, the party wanted to prevent alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process. Memon also called on the Election Commission to examine the activities of federal ministers during the election campaign. He questioned why action had not been taken over alleged violations of the election code of conduct. The minister specifically asked why federal ministers involved in election campaigning had not faced action. Memon also highlighted the PPP’s position on the Kashmir issue. He said the party had consistently raised the issue at international forums. He praised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for presenting the Kashmir issue before the international community. Memon said he expected voters to support the PPP in the elections. He claimed that voters would reject what he described as smaller political parties. The minister further said Kashmiri voters could not be bought through financial or material incentives. He said people in Kashmir would reject attempts to influence their decisions through such tactics. Memon also questioned why action had not been taken against Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over alleged election-related violations. His comments came a day before the first phase of the AJK general elections. The polling process is set to begin on July 27 in the Mirpur division. The election campaign has intensified ahead of polling. Political parties are making competing claims about the electoral process, while authorities have warned against actions that could disrupt peaceful and transparent elections.