karachi petroleum dealers
|

Karachi petroleum dealers consider options as dispute over strike call looms

Plans for a nationwide closure of petrol pumps entered a new phase after dealers in Karachi refrained from immediately supporting a shutdown call issued by petrol pump owners.

The Petrol Pump Owners Association had instructed fuel outlets to close across the country from midnight following inconclusive negotiations with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik. However, the Karachi Petroleum Dealers Association did not move to align with the closure order due to disagreements between the two bodies.

To address the situation, the Petroleum Dealers Association scheduled an executive committee meeting to consult with counterparts across Pakistan and evaluate the seven-day deadline set by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).

The meeting’s outcome will decide whether the association proceeds with a nationwide strike or pursues alternative methods of protest.

The Petroleum Dealers Association stated that the government has requested an additional week to resolve outstanding demands and assured dealers that its concerns will be addressed.

The association noted that it will consider the government’s request during its internal consultations and formally communicate its final strategy to OGRA and relevant state authorities.

Similar Posts

  • |

    CNN report says Pentagon delayed reporting US troop injuries during Iran conflict

    The Pentagon has been criticised for delaying the public release of information about US military casualties during the ongoing conflict with Iran, with a CNN report claiming that injury figures have often been disclosed days or even weeks after incidents occurred. According to the report, US Central Command initially provided regular updates on troop injuries during the early stages of the conflict but has since stopped routinely announcing non fatal casualties. As a result, the Defence Casualty Analysis System has become the main official source for casualty information, although its updates have reportedly lagged behind events. A Pentagon official told CNN that documenting military injuries can take several days or even weeks because cases must go through medical evaluations and administrative reviews before being entered into official records. The official maintained that the casualty database is updated regularly despite the delays. The report said that since the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in mid June, the database initially recorded one new military death and 14 wounded personnel. The fatality was identified as Navy Commander Gabriel Edwards, a helicopter pilot who was lost at sea in the Arabian Sea on July 1. CNN reported that casualty figures appeared to be added in batches rather than immediately after incidents. One injured Air Force member was reportedly listed in a July 13 update, while another update on July 17 included 10 wounded soldiers and three injured sailors. After CNN published its report, the casualty database was updated again on July 20 with four additional military deaths and 20 more wounded service members. Despite those updates, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the official database still did not fully reflect the total number of injuries. In a statement posted on social media, he said nearly 100 US service members had been injured since July 7, adding that most suffered minor concussions. Parnell defended the Pentagon’s approach to releasing casualty information, arguing that providing immediate details about non fatal injuries could give valuable information to adversaries and potentially place more military personnel at risk. He also said the Pentagon and US Central Command have continued providing regular updates on military operations against Iran. According to Parnell, public statements by President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have also kept the public informed about the objectives and progress of the campaign. The report also highlighted several recent attacks involving US forces in the region. An Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan reportedly killed two American service members and left another missing. In a separate incident in northern Iraq, another US soldier died during the controlled destruction of a downed Iranian drone. US Central Command confirmed that one service member was injured during the Iraq operation. It also said four personnel who were treated in hospitals in Jordan following the airbase attack had been discharged after receiving medical care. Officials added that several other military personnel suffered minor injuries but were able to return to duty after medical evaluation. The latest report has renewed questions about the speed and transparency of casualty reporting during military operations, with critics arguing that delayed disclosures make it more difficult for the public to understand the human cost of the conflict.

  • | | |

    Pakistan’s solar capacity reaches 38,000MW: …

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari has said Pakistan’s solar energy capacity has reached 38,000 megawatts (MW), highlighting the country’s growing shift toward renewable energy and its commitment to reducing dependence on imported fuels. Speaking at the Battery Storage Flexibility 2026 Conference, the minister said the government aims to increase the share of clean energy in Pakistan’s electricity mix to 90% by 2035. He said expanding renewable energy and developing battery storage solutions are key to strengthening the country’s energy security and lowering the import bill for conventional fuels. Leghari said the government is promoting the development of a local battery energy storage industry, encouraging domestic engineering, system integration and battery management software. He added that the Ministry of Industries is finalizing a national policy to support local battery manufacturing. The minister announced that the government is also preparing a National Battery Energy Storage Framework, which will include safety standards, grid connection guidelines and investment regulations to support the growth of the sector. According to Leghari, clean energy now accounts for 55% of Pakistan’s total electricity generation, reflecting significant progress in the country’s transition toward sustainable energy sources. He said a National Steering Committee for Battery Energy Storage Systems has already been established, while technical and regulatory working groups have also been formed to guide policy development and implementation. Leghari further revealed that pilot battery energy storage projects have been approved for electricity distribution companies. The data collected from these projects will help shape future regulatory policies and improve the country’s energy planning. The minister said Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing distributed energy markets and assured investors that the government will provide a clear, transparent and long-term regulatory framework to encourage investment.

  • |

    Saudi Arabia detains more than 14,000 people in nationwide enforcement campaign

    Saudi authorities arrested more than 14,000 people during a week long nationwide campaign targeting violations of residency, labour and border security laws, according to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior. The ministry said joint inspection operations carried out between July 23 and July 29 resulted in the detention of 14,154 individuals. The campaign formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and ensure compliance with the country’s immigration and labour regulations. Official figures showed that 7,103 people were arrested for violating residency rules, while 3,654 were detained for breaching border security laws. Another 3,397 individuals were taken into custody for labour related offences. Authorities said the inspections were conducted across different regions of the Kingdom with the participation of several government agencies. The ministry also reported that 1,418 people were arrested while attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally. Among them, 54 percent were Yemeni nationals and 45 percent were Ethiopian nationals, while the remaining one percent belonged to other nationalities. In addition, security forces detained 23 people who were allegedly trying to leave the country through illegal routes. Authorities also arrested 17 individuals accused of helping violators by transporting, sheltering, employing or concealing people who had breached residency, labour or border security regulations. Officials stressed that anyone assisting illegal entry or providing support to those staying in the Kingdom unlawfully would face strict legal action. According to the ministry, 30,679 people are currently undergoing legal procedures related to residency, labour and border security violations. This group includes 28,187 men and 2,492 women. Officials said 17,903 individuals have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents needed for their return, while 5,424 have been directed to complete travel arrangements. So far, 12,613 people have been deported after completing the required legal process. The Ministry of Interior warned that facilitating illegal entry into Saudi Arabia or providing transportation, accommodation or any other form of assistance to violators is considered a major criminal offence. Those found guilty could face prison sentences of up to 15 years, fines reaching one million Saudi riyals and the confiscation of vehicles or properties used in committing the offence. Authorities also said offenders may be publicly identified as part of the legal penalties. The ministry urged residents to report any suspected violations through emergency numbers designated for different regions of the Kingdom. Officials said public cooperation remains essential in supporting efforts to enforce immigration laws and maintain national security. Saudi Arabia regularly conducts nationwide inspection campaigns aimed at regulating the labour market, strengthening border controls and ensuring that foreign residents comply with the country’s legal requirements. The latest operation reflects the government’s continued focus on enforcing immigration and employment regulations across the Kingdom.

  • |

    Pakistan sets record with 5,438 companies registered in July

    Islamabad – A new business record has been set in Pakistan with thousands of new companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in a single month. Business activity in Pakistan’s corporate sector has witnessed a significant acceleration as the SECP set a new record for the registration of new companies during July. According to official figures, 5,438 new companies were registered across the country in July marking the highest number of registrations recorded in a single month. During the same period, five international companies also established their offices in Pakistan including companies from Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and China. According to the report, 112 newly registered companies have foreign directors on their boards indicating growing foreign investment and international business interest in Pakistan. The newly registered companies include 3,148 private limited companies while Punjab remained at the top with 2,756 new companies registered. This was followed by Islamabad with 1,053, Sindh with 864, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 450, Gilgit-Baltistan with 180 and Balochistan with 135 newly registered companies. IT sector leads new registrations A sector-wise analysis shows that Information Technology (IT) remained the leading sector with 1,008 new companies registered. Other sectors also recorded significant registrations including 845 companies in trading, 638 in services, 348 in construction, 256 in food and beverages, 207 in tourism, 181 in e-commerce, 165 in education, 162 in real estate development and 145 in corporate agriculture. According to business experts, the increasing number of new company registrations reflects growing private-sector investment, business confidence and new economic activity in the country. The rapid growth in registrations in the IT sector is also being viewed as a positive sign for the expansion of Pakistan’s digital economy.

  • | | |

    Two Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon bl…

    Beirut: The Israeli military has confirmed that two of its soldiers were killed during operations in southern Lebanon, underscoring the continued volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border as cross-border hostilities show little sign of easing. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the slain personnel as Major Harel Baron Stock, 34, a commander, and Sergeant Major Tamir Vaknin, 33. The military said both were killed in an explosion that occurred in the Lebanese town of Majdal Zoun, near the border. The IDF added that four other soldiers were seriously wounded in the same incident. The injured personnel were evacuated to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving medical treatment. Israeli authorities did not immediately provide further details on the nature of the explosion or whether it was caused by an explosive device or another form of attack. The incident comes amid continuing Israeli military operations across southern Lebanon, where strikes have intensified in recent months. The border region has witnessed repeated exchanges of fire, increasing fears of a broader escalation that could further destabilize the Middle East. Lebanese media have reported extensive damage in several southern districts following ongoing Israeli attacks. Large numbers of residents have been displaced, although many families have recently begun returning to their homes despite widespread destruction in affected areas. Security analysts say the latest casualties highlight the dangers faced by troops operating in the tense border zone, where military activity and intermittent clashes continue to pose risks to both soldiers and civilians. The deaths of the two Israeli soldiers are likely to renew attention on the fragile security situation along the Israel-Lebanon frontier, as diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions remain limited. With military operations continuing on both sides, concerns persist that any major incident could trigger a wider regional confrontation, further complicating an already volatile conflict.

  • Junk food companies caught suing the laws meant to stop them

    The World Health Organization says something troubling is happening behind the scenes of the global obesity fight. Many of the same companies profiting from junk food sales are also dragging governments to court. Their goal is to block laws designed to curb the crisis. A joint investigation by The Guardian and Lighthouse Reports dug into this pattern. Academics and media groups across four continents took part. Together, they uncovered 235 lawsuits filed against governments over ultra-processed food policies. The cases span 2010 to 2025. Countries hit hardest include Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the US, and the UK. Labelling rules were the most challenged policies. Junk food taxes came next, followed by marketing restrictions. Food companies did not fare well in court. They lost about 75 percent of decided cases. But WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the scoreboard misses the real damage. It is the time these lawsuits consume that hurts most. Combined, the litigation added up to nearly 600 years. Each case dragged on for two and a half years on average. The costs go beyond legal bills. Governments spend billions on healthcare and courtroom battles alike. Tedros calls the resulting hesitation a “regulatory chill.” Long, expensive lawsuits make officials think twice before trying similar reforms. Researchers managed to trace plaintiffs in many of these cases. Of those identified, 38 percent came from just eight companies. The list includes Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Mondelēz, Kellogg’s, Danone, Ferrero, Xignux, and Heartland Food Products Group. Some of these firms went a step further. They asked courts to keep their names hidden entirely. That secrecy tactic is not new. Researchers say it echoes moves once made by tobacco and alcohol companies. Both industries faced similar scrutiny in the past and used the same playbook. Tedros gave credit where it is due. He noted some companies have reformulated their products in good faith. Still, he insists that’s not enough while lawsuits keep piling up. There is also a wealth gap at play. Most legal battles are happening in richer nations. Poorer countries face the same obesity burden. But they have far fewer resources to defend new health policies if challenged in court. The scale of the crisis makes all this urgent. Nearly a billion people worldwide are currently living with obesity, per WHO estimates.

Leave a Reply

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