Pakistan, US renew Fulbright partnership for five …

The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance has announced an indefinite nationwide strike after talks with the federal and Sindh governments failed to resolve their demands. Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan made the announcement at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, saying transporters would keep their vehicles off the roads from August 8 until the government formally accepted their demands through official notifications. Awan said a meeting held on Friday included senior officials from both the federal and Sindh governments, including the communications minister, communications secretary, National Highway Authority chairman, inspector general of motorways, Karachi commissioner, transport secretary, excise secretary and senior traffic officials. However, the talks failed to produce an agreement. He said the alliance would observe a peaceful wheel-jam strike by parking trucks and trailers instead of blocking roads. However, he warned that transporters could move their vehicles onto roads if authorities tried to intimidate or arrest their leaders during the protest. According to Awan, vehicles carrying import and export containers will continue operating until August 10 to allow cargo already in transit to reach its destinations. The transporters have also formed a committee to negotiate with the government. Awan warned that if their demands were not accepted within two days, the protesters would march towards the governor houses in all provinces. He said the committee would not negotiate with officials who had previously made commitments to transporters but failed to fulfil them. Awan also called for the resignation of the federal petroleum minister, Punjab’s transport and mass transit minister and the Punjab senior minister. Highlighting the financial pressure on the transport sector, he claimed that a single trailer pays around Rs2.4 million in annual toll taxes while transporters also face e-challans, adding to their difficulties. He warned that the ongoing dispute could negatively affect the national economy and urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the crisis. Other transport leaders, including Malik Sher Khan, Ghulam Yasin and Nadeem Akhtar Arain, also attended the press conference. Meanwhile, the All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association urged the Ministry of Petroleum to review the mechanism used to determine fuel prices. In a letter sent to the petroleum minister on August 7, the association’s vice chairman expressed concern over delays in implementing agreements reached between the government and petrol pump owners.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has rejected reports about the meeting between party founder Imran Khan and Noreen Niazi. He said several fabricated reports were being circulated about what was discussed during the meeting. Speaking about the matter, Barrister Gohar said he contacted Noreen Niazi by phone after her meeting with Imran Khan. However, he said she did not share details of the conversation or explain what had taken place during the meeting. According to Barrister Gohar, Noreen Niazi had made it clear that she would not discuss the meeting outside. She had also decided not to speak publicly about the details of her interaction with Imran Khan. Barrister Gohar said there was no truth in reports claiming that Imran Khan had spoken against PTI leadership. He specifically clarified that the PTI founder had not made any remarks against Sohail Afridi or other members of the party leadership. He said the reports being circulated about the meeting were misleading and should not be treated as factual. Barrister Gohar maintained that the details being attributed to the meeting did not reflect what had actually been discussed. The PTI chairman also said Noreen Niazi appeared to be happy after meeting Imran Khan. However, he noted that there were certain matters discussed during the meeting that could not be shared publicly. He said some information remained private because of the nature of the meeting. Barrister Gohar therefore urged people not to rely on unverified reports or speculation regarding the interaction between Imran Khan and Noreen Niazi.