Pakistan unveils major construction reforms to boo…

Pakistan’s national hockey team secured an impressive 4-3 victory over South Korea in the third Test match to complete a dominant 3-0 clean sweep in the Pakistan-South Korea Hockey Test Series. The thrilling encounter was played at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad under the supervision of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). The final match of the series showcased Pakistan’s determination and fighting spirit. South Korea started the game aggressively and took an early lead through Kim Hyung Jin in the 10th minute. The visitors maintained their advantage throughout the first half, going into the break with a 1-0 lead. Pakistan responded brilliantly in the second half with an outstanding comeback. Hayat Zakaria leveled the score in the 32nd minute, giving the home side much-needed momentum. However, South Korea quickly regained the lead when Yang Ji Hoon scored in the 33rd minute. The contest remained highly competitive as Pakistan continued to attack. Rana Waheed Ashraf equalized in the 45th minute before Kim Yong Bok restored South Korea’s advantage in the 50th minute. Refusing to give up, Pakistan displayed remarkable resilience as Abdul Rehman scored in the 55th minute to make it 3-3. Just two minutes later, Shahid Hanan netted the winning field goal in the 57th minute, completing an unforgettable comeback and sealing a 4-3 victory. The win marked Pakistan’s third consecutive success against South Korea in the Test series, highlighting the team’s growing confidence and improved performances. The clean sweep is expected to boost the morale of the national squad as it prepares for upcoming international competitions. Federal Ombudsman Naveed Kamran Baloch attended the match as the chief guest and appreciated the exciting contest as well as the commitment shown by both teams. At the closing ceremony, Pakistan Hockey Federation President Mohiuddin Ahmad Wani presented a commemorative shield to the chief guest. Several prominent hockey personalities, including PHF Development Committee Chairman Olympian Hassan Sardar, Selection Committee Chairman Olympian Samiullah Khan, and Pakistan Sports Board Director General Yawar Hussain, were also present at the event. Pakistan’s impressive performance throughout the series reflects the team’s positive progress and offers renewed hope for the revival of the country’s rich hockey tradition. The comprehensive 3-0 series victory serves as an encouraging sign for Pakistan hockey and demonstrates the squad’s ability to compete at a high international level.

  The Pakistan Goods Transporters Association has raised serious concerns over the volatile and unpredictable daily adjustments in petroleum prices, stating that such frequent fluctuations make it impossible for the transport sector to continue operations smoothly. In a press conference held in Lahore, association officials, led by President Nabeel Mahmood Tariq, articulated a series of demands and grievances that have been mounting over recent months, warning that without immediate government intervention, the entire logistics and supply chain network could face severe disruption. Addressing the media alongside other senior office-bearers of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Association, Nabeel Mahmood Tariq emphasized that the transportation industry is the backbone of the national economy, responsible for moving essential commodities, industrial raw materials, and consumer goods across the length and breadth of the country. However, he argued that the current pricing mechanism for petroleum products—which has seen almost daily revisions—has created an environment of extreme uncertainty for fleet operators. Unlike larger corporate entities, most truck owners and small transport companies operate on thin profit margins, and without a stable fuel pricing framework, they are unable to quote competitive rates to clients or plan their operational budgets effectively. Tariq pointed out that many transporters have already started grounding their vehicles, as each trip now carries the risk of financial loss if fuel prices rise unexpectedly mid-journey. Beyond fuel prices, the association president laid out a comprehensive list of demands aimed at reducing the financial burden on the sector. First and foremost, he called for an immediate end to unnecessary customs checking at various inter-provincial checkpoints. According to Tariq, these intrusive and repetitive inspections not only cause long delays—sometimes stretching into hours—but also open the door to harassment and bribery, which further inflate the cost of doing business. He urged the federal and provincial governments to streamline customs procedures and adopt a more efficient, technology-driven system that would expedite the movement of goods without compromising security or revenue collection. Another major point of contention raised by Tariq was the recent increase in toll taxes on highways and motorways. He demanded that this hike be rolled back completely, arguing that transporters are already struggling with rising maintenance costs, spare part prices, and tyre rates. The additional toll burden, he said, is simply unsustainable and forces many operators to take longer, less safe alternative routes, which ultimately hurts the overall efficiency of freight movement. Turning his attention to provincial policies, particularly in Punjab, Tariq called for the establishment of new, modern truck terminals across the province. He noted that existing truck stands and loading points are outdated, overcrowded, and lack basic amenities for drivers and helpers. New truck yards, equipped with proper parking, resting areas, workshops, and loading/unloading facilities, would not only improve working conditions but also reduce traffic congestion in urban centers. He also strongly condemned the 300 percent increase in token tax imposed on commercial vehicles in Punjab, labeling it as punitive and counterproductive. He demanded that this excessive tax hike be withdrawn immediately, asserting that it disproportionately affects small owner-operators who form the majority of the association’s membership. In a significant announcement, Nabeel Mahmood Tariq declared that the association fully supports the wheel-jam strike (hunger strike) called for August 8, which has been organized by various transport unions across the country to pressure the government into addressing these long-standing issues. He clarified that this is not a political move but a last-resort measure to draw attention to the existential crisis facing the transport industry. He warned that if the government fails to respond positively before that date, thousands of trucks, trailers, and tankers will park on the roads, effectively paralyzing the movement of food, medicine, fuel, and industrial goods. Such a strike, he cautioned, would have catastrophic consequences for an already fragile economy, leading to shortages, price hikes, and factory closures. Concluding his address, Tariq appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the chief ministers of all provinces to personally intervene and hold urgent consultations with transport representatives. He reiterated that the industry is not asking for subsidies or charity, but merely for a predictable policy environment, fair taxation, and the elimination of corrupt practices at checkpoints. He expressed hope that the government would act wisely and avert a crisis that benefits no one except speculators and hoarders. The press conference ended with a unanimous resolution passed by the association leaders, vowing to continue their struggle peacefully but firmly until all their legitimate demands are met. The coming days, they warned, will be decisive for the future of Pakistan’s transport sector and, by extension, its entire supply chain.