Pakistan sets record with 5,438 companies registered in July

  Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has urged the federal government to address the ongoing unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) through dialogue, stressing that reconciliation is the only path to a lasting solution. In a video message shared on the party’s X account on Saturday, Fazlur Rehman called on the government and state institutions to recognise the seriousness of the situation instead of responding with force. He said authorities should work to restore peace and stability rather than allowing further bloodshed. “The government and state institutions must understand the gravity of the crisis. Instead of turning our homeland into a place of violence, they should focus on healing divisions through meaningful dialogue,” he said. His remarks came after violent clashes were reported in Rawalakot between law enforcement personnel and protesters affiliated with the banned Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Reports circulating on social media claimed multiple casualties and injuries, with both security officials and the JAAC alleging loss of lives. Fazlur Rehman said the JAAC’s sit-in had continued for more than two months. He recalled that after tensions intensified on June 5, the committee had formally requested him to mediate between the protesters and the government. According to him, he accepted the role and remained in contact with both sides through JUI-F AJK chief Maulana Saeed Yousaf Khan and Sardar Kamran Azam Khan. The JUI-F chief expressed concern over the situation faced by residents of AJK, saying people expect their government to protect them rather than leave them living in fear. He alleged that women, children and families had endured months of insecurity while the authorities failed to address their concerns. He further claimed that force had been used against unarmed protesters and alleged that, according to the information available to him, the death toll had reached around 80 people. However, no official confirmation has been issued regarding that figure. Despite the violence, Fazlur Rehman appealed to the JAAC leadership and protesters to remain peaceful and avoid any action that could worsen the situation. He urged them to allow more time for mediation efforts, expressing hope that a fair and lasting political settlement could still be achieved. He also criticised the government’s approach, claiming that although the protesters had shown confidence in his mediation efforts, the authorities had not taken the initiative seriously and had instead relied on force rather than negotiations. Warning of wider implications, Fazlur Rehman said the movement had gained support across Kashmir as well as among Pakistanis and the Kashmiri diaspora, particularly in Europe. The recent violence has drawn condemnation from political parties and human rights organisations. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed deep concern over reports of deaths and injuries, stressing that maintaining law and order should never come at the expense of the right to life or the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression. The commission called for a prompt, impartial and independent investigation into the incidents. Opposition parties, including PTI, also demanded an independent judicial inquiry into the clashes, while other political groups criticised what they described as the excessive use of force against protesters. The current dispute is linked to long-standing demands by the JAAC, which has been seeking constitutional and governance reforms in AJK. Among its key demands are the abolition of 12 reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly allocated to Kashmiri refugees and the removal of the existing quota system. Although the government and the JAAC reached an agreement after protests last year to establish a high-level committee to review the issue of refugee seats, negotiations have since stalled. The JAAC continues to insist on abolishing the reserved seats, while the government remains opposed to the proposal.

  The government has reduced the price of petrol while increasing the price of high-speed diesel, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division. The Petroleum Division has formally announced changes in the prices of petroleum products, with the revised rates taking effect from midnight. Under the new pricing structure, the price of petrol has been reduced by 94 paisa per litre, while the price of diesel has increased by 54 paisa per litre. Following the revision, the new price of petrol has been fixed at Rs324.98 per litre, compared with the previous rate. Meanwhile, high-speed diesel will now be available at Rs382.79 per litre. According to the notification, the revised prices of petroleum products will be applicable for August 13 and will come into effect from 12am tonight. The latest adjustment comes just a day after the government made another revision to petroleum prices. On the previous day, petrol had been reduced by Rs1.70 per litre, while the price of diesel had been increased by Rs1.39 per litre. The repeated adjustments in petroleum prices come amid fluctuations in international oil prices and changes in domestic pricing factors. Petrol and diesel prices are closely watched in Pakistan because changes in fuel rates can directly affect transportation costs, electricity generation, industrial activity and the prices of everyday goods. The government has also reduced the price of kerosene oil. According to the notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the price of kerosene oil has been cut by 41 paisa per litre. Following the reduction, the new price of kerosene oil has been set at Rs289.27 per litre. Kerosene oil is used by households and other consumers in areas where access to conventional gas or other energy sources can be limited. Any change in its price can therefore have an impact on household energy expenses.   Alongside the change in the retail price of diesel, the government has also increased the petroleum levy imposed on the fuel. According to OGRA, the petroleum levy on diesel has been increased by Rs1 per litre. Following the increase, the levy on diesel now stands at Rs77.28 per litre. The petroleum levy on petrol, however, has remained unchanged at Rs80 per litre. Similarly, the levy on kerosene oil has also been maintained at Rs20.36 per litre. The latest revision means consumers will see a marginal reduction in the price of petrol and kerosene oil, while diesel users will face a slight increase. Although the changes are relatively small on a per-litre basis, fuel price revisions can have a broader impact on the economy because diesel is widely used by public transport, commercial vehicles, agriculture and the industrial sector. The government is expected to continue reviewing petroleum prices in line with prevailing market conditions and other relevant pricing factors. For consumers, the latest notification provides a mixed outcome, with petrol and kerosene becoming slightly cheaper while diesel has become more expensive. The revised rates will remain applicable from August 13, with implementation beginning at midnight.