petrol pump strike
| | | |

Petrol pump strike deferred after govt deal

The planned nationwide strike by petrol pump owners and petroleum dealers has been postponed after successful negotiations with the federal government. The decision came following fresh talks between government officials and representatives of petroleum dealers, ending a deadlock that had raised concerns over possible fuel supply disruptions across the country.

During the meeting, the government assured petroleum dealers that their concerns would continue to be addressed through dialogue. However, officials made it clear that the federal government has no plans to increase dealers’ profit margins to 8%, rejecting one of the key demands raised by the dealers.

Officials said the proposed system of daily fuel price adjustments is intended to bring greater transparency and efficiency to Pakistan’s petroleum supply chain. They maintained that the new pricing mechanism would improve market operations and ensure a more transparent process for consumers and industry stakeholders.

The negotiations were attended by Chairman of the Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association Humayun Khan, Vice Chairman Atif Butt and other representatives of petroleum dealers. After detailed discussions, both sides agreed to continue consultations instead of moving ahead with the planned strike.

Following the successful talks, the Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association and the Dealers Association officially announced the postponement of their nationwide protest. The decision removed the immediate threat of fuel shortages that could have affected transport, businesses and the general public.

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik thanked petrol pump owners and dealers for choosing dialogue over confrontation. He said the government values the role of petroleum sector stakeholders and remains committed to resolving outstanding issues through mutual consultation.

The minister said Pakistan has been facing difficult regional circumstances in recent months, creating economic challenges and uncertainty. He added that the prime minister is fully aware of the hardships being faced by citizens and is committed to protecting the public from additional financial burdens.

Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government has already provided subsidies worth hundreds of billions of rupees to support consumers. He added that a targeted subsidy mechanism has been developed to ensure assistance reaches those who need it most. He also acknowledged the cooperation extended by oil refineries and petroleum sector organizations in maintaining fuel supplies.

The minister said the issue of dealers’ profit margins will be discussed further with all stakeholders. A summary on the proposed margin revision will be presented before the federal cabinet for consideration. He also announced that the impact of the daily fuel pricing system will be reviewed jointly with petroleum organizations after two weeks to assess its effectiveness and address any concerns.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Coalitional fallout as violence and electoral fraud claims mar Azad Kashmir elections

    A bitter clash between federal coalition partners has erupted over the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, following the death of a political worker and mutual allegations of voter fraud. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) condemned the killing of 35-year-old party worker Mukhtar Younus during polling in Nikyal, Kotli. Addressing a joint press conference, Sindh Local Governments Minister Saeed Ghani directly blamed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate and supporters for the shooting, stating, “The way this election campaign was conducted, the result is that bullets are being fired today… Our workers are dying.” Ghani heavily criticised the Election Commission for failing to enforce code of conduct rules and accused the Punjab government of attempting to influence voters by promising public buses during the campaign. He also took aim at PML-N President Nawaz Sharif’s comparative statements regarding Sindh and Kashmir, asserting: “When you say ‘this is Kashmir, not Kashmore’ or ‘this is Mirpur, not Mirpur Khas’, you hurt the people of Sindh… Perhaps that is why people say the PML-N is not a national party but a Punjabi party.” Rejecting the accusations, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari presented video footage alleging that a PML-N candidate discovered bags of pre-stamped ballot papers at the home of a PPP candidate in Kotli. Pointing out the contradiction, Bokhari remarked, “Yesterday they said they would not let rigging happen. Today they are rigging.” Defending her party’s track record, Bokhari argued that public transit is a basic necessity and noted that the promised buses for AJK had not yet begun operating. She maintained that voters in the Mirpur division were turning out despite boycott calls, seeking Punjab-style developmental projects such as electric buses, housing, and youth scholarships. Addressing queries regarding Nawaz Sharif’s interest in the region, Bokhari clarified that the former prime minister does not seek an official title, but simply wishes to offer development guidance to AJK due to his Kashmiri heritage.

  • | |

    Ahaan Panday, Sharvari film gets release date

    A major update has emerged about Ahaan Panday and Sharvari’s upcoming untitled film with director Ali Abbas Zafar. Yash Raj Films has officially announced that the romantic action entertainer will hit cinemas on March 26, 2027, during the Good Friday weekend, giving fans a release date for one of Bollywood’s most anticipated upcoming projects. The film marks the first on-screen collaboration between Ahaan Panday and Sharvari. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and backed by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner, the project has been generating significant buzz since it went on floors earlier this year. The announcement has further heightened expectations following Ahaan’s successful debut and Sharvari’s growing popularity in the industry. Apart from Ahaan and Sharvari, the film also features Bobby Deol and Aaishvary Thackeray in pivotal roles. According to reports, the project is a romantic action drama that blends high-octane action sequences with an emotional love story. Much of the film has been shot across the United Kingdom, with the makers aiming to deliver a visually grand cinematic experience. The announcement comes at a time when Ahaan Panday’s career is receiving widespread attention after the success of Saiyaara. Industry insiders believe Yash Raj Films is positioning the young actor as one of its next leading stars, with the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial expected to further establish him in Bollywood. Sharvari, meanwhile, continues to strengthen her impressive film lineup. The actress has earned praise for her recent performances and is currently attached to several major productions. Her pairing with Ahaan has already sparked curiosity among moviegoers, with many eager to see the fresh on-screen chemistry between the two stars. For Ali Abbas Zafar, the film marks his reunion with Yash Raj Films after years. The filmmaker previously delivered successful films for the studio and is returning with another large-scale commercial entertainer. Fans are expecting the director’s signature blend of action, romance and emotionally driven storytelling. The official release date announcement has been welcomed enthusiastically on social media, with fans expressing excitement about the cast and the collaboration between Yash Raj Films and Ali Abbas Zafar. Although the film’s title remains under wraps, the latest update confirms that audiences can expect to see Ahaan Panday and Sharvari together on the big screen on March 26, 2027, making it one of the most awaited Bollywood releases of the year.

  • |

    President approves military and civil honours

    President Asif Ali Zardari has approved several summaries sent by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, including military honours for 1,172 personnel of the armed forces and civil armed forces. The approved honours recognise the services and contributions of personnel from various ranks and institutions. The awards will acknowledge their dedication, professionalism and service to the country. President Zardari also approved the summoning of separate sessions of Parliament on August 17. The National Assembly will meet at 5pm, while the Senate will convene at 4pm. In another significant decision, the president approved a special 100-day remission in the sentences of prisoners on the occasions of Independence Day and Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ. The concession will provide eligible prisoners with relief in their sentences under the applicable rules and conditions. President Zardari further approved national civil awards for citizens from various fields in recognition of their outstanding contributions and services. The honours cover individuals who have made notable contributions in their respective areas and brought recognition to the country. The approvals form part of the president’s constitutional responsibilities and reflect the government’s efforts to recognise public service, honour outstanding contributions and provide relief to eligible prisoners on important national and religious occasions.

  • |

    ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ Ratko Mladic dies at 84 in…

    THE HAGUE: Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb military commander convicted of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity over some of the worst atrocities of the Bosnian war, has died at the age of 84 while serving a life sentence in The Hague. Mladic died in a United Nations detention facility in the Netherlands after suffering several strokes and a prolonged deterioration in his health, Serbian state broadcaster RTS reported. A UN official also confirmed his death. His death was reported on Thursday, August 27, and comes more than three decades after he became one of the most notorious figures of the 1992-95 Bosnian War. Known internationally as the “Butcher of Bosnia,” Mladic commanded Bosnian Serb forces during the conflict that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia. His name became inseparable from the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, when more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were killed after the town had been designated a UN-protected safe area. The killings at Srebrenica are regarded as the worst atrocity in Europe since the Second World War. International judges later concluded that Mladic played a central role in the operation, including the forcible removal of civilians and the execution of thousands of men and boys. The massacre was followed by attempts to conceal evidence, with victims buried in mass graves and, in some cases, their remains later moved to secondary locations. Mladic was indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in 1995 but remained at large for another 16 years. He was finally arrested in Serbia in May 2011 and transferred to The Hague. In 2017, the tribunal convicted him of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and sentenced him to life imprisonment. His appeal was rejected in 2021, leaving the life sentence intact. Throughout his trial and appeal, Mladic denied responsibility for the crimes and repeatedly attacked the tribunal’s legitimacy. He remained an admired figure among some Serbian nationalists, even as survivors and victims’ families continued to regard him as a symbol of the violence inflicted on Bosnia’s Muslim population. In his final years, Mladic’s family and lawyers repeatedly sought permission for him to receive treatment in Serbia or be released on humanitarian grounds because of his worsening health. Those requests were rejected. RTS reported that a recent request to allow him to spend his final days at home was also turned down. His death closes the life of one of the most infamous commanders of the Balkan wars, but the wounds left by Srebrenica and the wider Bosnian conflict remain deeply embedded in the region’s history.

  • |

    India cricketer Abishek Porel arrested over rape allegations

    KOLKATA: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel has been arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with a case involving allegations of rape and other sexual offences, with a court remanding the 23-year-old cricketer to three days of police custody. Porel was arrested on Monday night and produced before the High Court the following day. The development comes as police investigate allegations made against the emerging cricketer. The allegations have not been proven in court. The case was filed on June 23. During an earlier hearing on July 14, the court was informed that police needed to take further steps to seize electronic devices allegedly linked to the accused. According to court proceedings, investigators were seeking the devices because they allegedly contained obscene photographs of the complainant. The court directed police authorities to continue efforts to apprehend the individuals concerned and seize the devices to prevent the alleged material from being circulated. During the August 11 hearing, the court was informed through a message from the officer in charge of Mogra Police Station that one of the respondents had been arrested on the night of August 11. Police subsequently sought additional time to complete the required legal and investigative procedures. Porel, who bats left-handed and keeps wicket, has emerged as one of India’s promising young domestic cricketers. He has represented Bengal and has played 32 first-class matches, while also featuring in 35 Indian Premier League games. His most recent competitive cricket came during the 2026 IPL season, when he appeared in four matches for Delhi Capitals before the tournament concluded. The arrest is likely to draw significant attention because of Porel’s growing profile in Indian cricket. However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and no conclusion about his guilt can be drawn from the arrest alone. The police investigation is expected to focus on the allegations, the electronic evidence mentioned in court and statements from those involved in the case.

  • Welfare pharmacy seal-off adds to poor patients’ woes

    GUJRAT: The District Health Authority (DHA) has shut down the medical store of the Patients’ Welfare Association at Jalalpur Jattan Civil Hospital following the recent visit of Punjab Secretary for Health and Population Nadia Saqib, a move that has drawn concern from patients, civil society representatives and local residents. The medical store, which had been providing medicines to poor and needy patients on a welfare basis, was closed after Secretary Nadia Saqib’s visit to Gujrat last week. Medical stores at THQ hospitals in Kharian and Kunjah were also closed following the health secretary’s directions, according to official sources. The Health Department’s position is that medicines should not be distributed without a Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) report. Officials said the Jalalpur Jattan store was sealed because the medicines available there did not have the required DTL reports. They maintained that the department could not allow medicines to be provided to patients without ensuring their quality through the prescribed testing process. However, the closure of the patients’ welfare association’s medical store has raised concerns among local residents, particularly because the association had been supplementing the medicines officially provided by the hospital and helping poor patients who could not afford medicines from private pharmacies. Sources said the official medicine budget of Jalalpur Jattan Civil Hospital was already very low, even when compared with hospitals functioning at the THQ level. Local authorities had therefore engaged civil society and philanthropists to supplement the officially provided medicines and facilitate poor and needy patients. The development has also triggered protests by civil society representatives, who have demanded immediate attention to the shortage of medicines and other healthcare facilities at the hospital, particularly now that the welfare pharmacy is no longer operational. Representatives of the Patients’ Welfare Association have also urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take notice of the situation and ensure the establishment of a proper THQ hospital at Jalalpur Jattan, permission for the resumption of medicine provision through appropriate channels, and an increase in the hospital’s medicine budget. The association’s representatives have also criticised the frequent changes of medical superintendents at Jalalpur Jattan Civil Hospital and demanded more medical officers and other staff to improve healthcare services. Jalalpur Jattan was upgraded as a tehsil headquarters by former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in 2022. Despite being the second major urban centre of Gujrat district, the tehsil has yet to get a THQ-level hospital for its population of around 700,000, according to local sources. The issue has become particularly sensitive for residents because the Patients’ Welfare Association had emerged as an important support system for poor patients seeking treatment at the civil hospital. While the Health Department insists that medicines must undergo the required testing process before being distributed, local residents argue that the closure has further reduced an already limited source of medicines for needy patients. The situation has now put the spotlight on both the quality-control requirements for medicines and the broader shortage of healthcare resources at Jalalpur Jattan Civil Hospital.

Leave a Reply

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