| | | |

Petrol pump owners announce nationwide strike over…

The All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association (APPPOA) has announced a nationwide strike beginning Wednesday night after negotiations with the government over the proposed daily petroleum pricing mechanism ended without an agreement.

The decision was announced following talks between representatives of the association and a government delegation led by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik. The discussions focused on the government’s plan to introduce daily fuel price adjustments, but both sides failed to reach a consensus.

Speaking after the meeting, APPPOA leaders said the proposed pricing system was unacceptable and would seriously affect the financial stability of petrol pump owners across the country. They argued that the new mechanism would create uncertainty for businesses already operating on narrow profit margins.

Association officials said nearly 15,000 petrol pumps across Pakistan are expected to remain closed if the strike goes ahead, warning that the shutdown could disrupt fuel supplies nationwide.

Vice Chairman Nauman Ali Butt said petrol dealers wanted petroleum prices to continue being revised on a monthly basis rather than daily. He also pointed out that dealers’ commissions had not been increased for the past three years despite rising operating costs.

APPPOA Chairman Humayun Khan said petrol pump owners were already facing financial pressure due to regulatory requirements, policies of oil marketing companies and increasing business expenses. He argued that daily price revisions would benefit oil marketing companies while placing additional risks on retail dealers.

According to the association, frequent price changes could create confusion in the market and make inventory management more difficult for petrol pump operators.

The association also criticised the government for introducing the policy without consulting key stakeholders. It urged authorities to suspend the daily pricing mechanism, increase dealers’ commissions and involve petrol pump owners in future policy decisions.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) said it would hold a meeting of its executive committee on Wednesday to decide whether it would also join the nationwide strike.

PPDA representatives acknowledged that discussions with government officials and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) had taken place. They said OGRA officials sought additional time to review the concerns raised by dealers before making further recommendations to the government.

The government maintains that the new pricing mechanism is intended to improve transparency and ensure domestic fuel prices reflect changes in international oil markets more quickly. Under the proposed system, petroleum prices would be updated daily using a rolling average of global market prices.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Alex Cooper’s drink company reportedly shutting …

    Alex Cooper’s venture into the beverage industry may be coming to an end. The Call Her Daddy host’s Unwell Beverage business is reportedly shutting down after less than two years on the market. According to a Bloomberg report cited by People, the company is expected to end its beverage operations after releasing a final collection of Halloween-themed drinks this fall. Neither Cooper nor Target, the brand’s main retail partner, has publicly confirmed the report. (People.com⁠) The reported closure marks an unexpected turn for a business that Cooper created after noticing what she believed was a gap in the hydration market. The idea for Unwell Hydration came to her while she was on her 2024 Unwell Tour. Cooper said she often struggled to find hydration and energy drinks that felt designed for women rather than men. She wanted to create something convenient for people with busy lifestyles while also offering lower-sugar options. Cooper previously explained that she would often feel exhausted while traveling and performing. She said many of the drinks she found either tasted unpleasant or contained more sugar than she wanted. That experience helped inspire the concept behind Unwell Hydration. (People.com⁠) The beverage line was developed in partnership with Nestlé and officially launched in 2025. It initially focused on electrolyte drinks before expanding into additional products, including Unwell Focus, Unwell Protein and Unwell Energy. The products were primarily sold through Target stores and online. (People.com⁠) Cooper’s goal was to bring her huge female audience into a category that had traditionally been associated with sports and performance. The company’s branding was closely connected to the wider Unwell media network, which Cooper has continued to expand through podcasts, entertainment projects, merchandise and other ventures. However, the beverage business reportedly struggled to establish a long-term position in an increasingly crowded functional-drinks market. The Cut noted that the brand moved from its original hydration focus into protein and energy products, potentially making its overall identity less clear to consumers. (The Cut⁠) The reported shutdown does not mean Cooper’s larger Unwell business is disappearing. Her media company continues to operate across several areas, and recent reports indicate that Unwell itself has secured new investment that values the broader company at around $500 million. (TMZ⁠) For now, fans may still see Unwell beverages on shelves as retailers sell through their remaining inventory. The final Halloween-themed release could become the brand’s last major product launch. While the drink company may have had a short run, Cooper’s attempt shows how quickly major digital creators are moving beyond social media and podcasts into consumer products—and how difficult it can be to turn a huge online following into a lasting beverage brand. (People.com⁠)

  • | |

    Mir Raza Murder case takes new turn as police prep…

    The investigation into the murder of young Karachi resident Mir Raza has taken a significant turn after investigators prepared a list of 10 people who had allegedly lent money to the deceased. According to investigative sources cited by Express News, Mir Raza had borrowed more than Rs50 million (Rs5 crore) from the 10 individuals. Investigators have decided to question the people on the list as part of efforts to determine whether the victim’s financial dealings were connected to his death. The details obtained by Express News show that one lender, identified as Abid, had allegedly given Mir Raza more than Rs17.5 million (Rs1.75 crore). Another individual, identified as Muni, had reportedly lent him Rs500,000 (Rs5 lakh). Authorities have compiled the financial information concerning all 10 lenders and are expected to question them about their dealings with Mir Raza, including the nature of the loans, outstanding amounts and their last interactions with the deceased. The financial trail has emerged as an important part of the investigation following questions surrounding Mir Raza’s death. His body was recovered from Gulistan-e-Johar on July 29, 2026. The death was initially allegedly presented as a suicide, but concerns were later raised following protests and observations by the police surgeon. On August 8, the body was exhumed for a fresh medical examination. An eight-member medical board subsequently prepared a report detailing its findings about the cause of death. Following the medical team’s report, the government changed the investigation team. A new team was formed under the leadership of Aamir Farooqi. Two additional members were also included in the team following a request submitted by Mir Raza’s parents and lawyer. The latest development indicates that investigators are now examining not only the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death but also his financial relationships and outstanding debts. Questioning the 10 lenders could help investigators establish whether any financial dispute, pressure or other connection may have played a role in the case. However, the identities of most of the lenders and the exact amounts allegedly owed to each person have not been publicly disclosed in the available report. The investigation remains ongoing, and the financial information alone does not establish that any lender was involved in Mir Raza’s death.

  • Thailand to revoke visas of troublemaking tourists amid growing concerns

    BANGKOK, Thailand – Tourism authorities have announced that the government will revoke the visas of foreign tourists who cause trouble and disrupt public order, following reports of inappropriate behaviour by some visitor groups, particularly Israeli tourists, in key tourism areas including Phuket and Koh Samui, the Bangkok Post reported. Two Swedish Men Arrested In Bangkok […]

  • | |

    Justin Herbert gushes over fiancée Madison Beer a…

    Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is embracing one of the happiest moments of his life after announcing his engagement to singer Madison Beer. Just days after sharing the exciting news with fans, the NFL star opened up about his future wife, describing their relationship as everything he has ever hoped for. Herbert spoke warmly about Beer while appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio during Chargers training camp in El Segundo, California. The interview came shortly after the couple revealed their engagement on social media, giving fans a rare glimpse into the quarterback’s personal life. Known for keeping his relationships private, Herbert appeared more open than ever as he reflected on his love for the Grammy-nominated singer.  The 28-year-old quarterback admitted that he is still taking in the excitement of becoming engaged. Smiling throughout the interview, Herbert described Beer as his “forever teammate” and said she has completely changed his life for the better. He explained that finding someone who supports him both on and off the football field has been one of the greatest blessings he has experienced.  Herbert also praised Beer’s kindness, intelligence and unwavering encouragement. Despite their demanding careers, he said they have built a relationship based on trust, communication and mutual respect. According to the quarterback, those qualities have strengthened their bond and made him confident that they are ready to begin the next chapter of their lives together.  The couple announced their engagement on July 28 through a joint Instagram post featuring romantic photographs of Herbert proposing in a picturesque outdoor setting surrounded by flowers. Beer simply captioned the post, “Meet my fiancé,” as congratulations quickly poured in from fans, fellow athletes and celebrities.  Their romance first became public in 2025 after the pair were spotted together at sporting events and later confirmed their relationship with a sideline kiss before one of Herbert’s games. Since then, they have continued to support each other’s careers, with Herbert attending several of Beer’s performances and Beer regularly cheering him on during Chargers games.  Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh also shared his happiness for the newly engaged couple, noting that Herbert lights up whenever he talks about Beer. The coach offered some lighthearted marriage advice while praising the quarterback’s excitement and sincerity.  As Herbert prepares for another NFL season, he is also looking forward to married life with the woman he describes as his greatest supporter. While football remains a major focus, the quarterback made it clear that his engagement has brought a new sense of happiness and perspective. With a successful career on the field and a wedding on the horizon, Herbert believes he has found the perfect partner to share life’s biggest moments, making this one of the most memorable chapters of his journey so far.

  • | | |

    Parliament should focus on Pakistan’s real c…

    Pakistan is an Islamic republic whose Constitution defines not only the structure of the state but also its ideological foundation. It explicitly states that the country should create an environment in which Muslims can live their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. Against this constitutional backdrop, it is surprising that the issue of women wearing the abaya—or an Islamic financial institution including the abaya in its employee dress code—has become a matter of concern for a parliamentary committee. This naturally raises an important question: Who is setting the country’s priorities, and are these truly the issues that deserve Parliament’s attention? Pakistan continues to face pressing challenges, including rising inflation, unemployment, an unequal tax system, a struggling economy, and serious shortcomings in education and healthcare. These are the issues that directly affect the daily lives of millions of citizens. If a parliamentary standing committee, whose primary responsibility is financial oversight, chooses to focus instead on the dress code of Islamic banks, it is reasonable for the public to question whether legislative priorities are aligned with the country’s most urgent needs. The debate also raises questions about consistency. Critics have objected to the abaya as part of an institutional dress code, yet there is little discussion about uniforms in many government departments that follow Western styles of dress. Women serving in the police, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and several other public institutions are commonly required to wear trousers and shirts as part of their official uniforms. If clothing is to become a matter of parliamentary debate, then similar standards should apply across the board. Selective criticism can create the perception of bias. Supporters of Islamic dress codes argue that the issue extends beyond clothing itself and reflects broader concerns about cultural and religious identity. From this perspective, the concern is not simply about the abaya but about a mindset that views visible expressions of religious identity as obstacles to modernization. They question whether institutions with an Islamic identity should be expected to abandon their traditions in the name of progress. This leads to a broader debate: Who defines what it means to be modern? Does modernization necessarily require reducing the public expression of religious values or adopting Western cultural norms? For institutions operating within Pakistan’s Islamic banking framework, supporters argue that their identity is rooted not only in financial principles but also in ethical and religious values. If such institutions adopt internal policies that comply with Pakistani law and reflect constitutional and religious principles, they contend that those choices should be respected. The discussion also draws comparisons with international examples. In countries such as France, restrictions on religious clothing have generated significant criticism from human rights advocates. Supporters of religious freedom argue that Pakistan, which was established with a distinct religious and cultural identity, should carefully consider whether adopting similar approaches is consistent with its own constitutional framework and historical foundations. Ultimately, the central argument is that Parliament should devote its time and resources to addressing issues that directly affect governance, economic stability, and public welfare. Matters of personal attire, religious belief, and institutional identity, many argue, should not become subjects of unnecessary official intervention when the country faces far more pressing social and economic challenges.

  • |

    Global food prices hit three-year high in July

    Global food prices reached their highest level in three years in July. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said global food prices rose significantly due to weather conditions and the Iran-US war reaching a three-year high. The FAO Food Price Index tracks monthly changes in international prices of major food commodities. According to the index, global food prices rose to 131.1 points in July compared with 130.3 points in June. This was the highest level recorded since January 2023. The FAO’s chief economist had told a news agency in recent days that the world was once again facing food price inflation due to the wars in Iran and Ukraine as well as the El Niño climate phenomenon which can affect crop production. El Niño is a climate pattern in which a large part of the Pacific Ocean becomes unusually warm contributing to an increase in global temperatures. According to the international organization, wheat prices increased by 5.8% resulting in an overall 3.4% increase in commodity prices. Wheat exports through the Black Sea were affected while rising temperatures disrupted crop production in major wheat-growing regions. The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index increased by 2% reaching its highest level since June 2022. Vegetable oil prices rose due to the Iran war and increased demand for biodiesel. Sugar prices increased by 5.6% amid weather-related concerns in Europe and Asia. However, meat prices declined by 2.8%.

Leave a Reply

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