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Pakistan’s petrol dealers have announced an indefinite nationwide strike from August 15 after talks with the government failed to resolve their concerns over the fuel pricing mechanism. The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) said on Thursday that negotiations with government representatives did not produce a breakthrough. The association maintained that its major demand regarding the daily adjustment system for petroleum product prices remained unresolved. PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh said the government was unwilling to change the existing mechanism during the talks. However, officials reportedly assured the dealers that an increase of Rs1.34 in their profit margin would be considered, subject to approval from the federal cabinet. The assurance failed to convince the dealers to withdraw their strike call. According to the association, its delegation left the negotiations following the unsuccessful talks and travelled back to Karachi. An emergency meeting of the PPDA executive committee was also convened to discuss the situation. The association subsequently reaffirmed its decision to shut petrol pumps across the country from Saturday morning. The proposed shutdown could create difficulties for motorists and businesses if it continues for an extended period, particularly as another major transport strike is already affecting movement of goods across Pakistan. The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has also decided to continue its nationwide strike after negotiations with the federal and Sindh governments failed to resolve transporters’ demands. Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan said the strike had entered its sixth day and would continue until the government formally accepted the transporters’ demands and issued the required notification. He accused both the federal and provincial governments of failing to take the issue seriously. Awan said transporters would not end their protest merely on the basis of verbal assurances. At the same time, he appealed to transporters to remain peaceful and avoid blocking roads during the protest. The petrol dealers had initially announced their planned shutdown earlier this week after giving the government a 72-hour deadline to address their concerns. They had warned that the existing fuel pricing arrangement was making it increasingly difficult for dealers to operate their businesses. The dispute centres largely on the mechanism used to determine petroleum prices and the margins available to petrol pump owners. Earlier, another petrol dealers’ body had postponed a planned nationwide shutdown following talks with the petroleum ministry. The dealers had called for reforms to the fuel pricing mechanism and expressed concerns over delays in implementing previously agreed measures.

Pakistani crew members held by Somali pirates have made another emotional appeal for government help. The hostages have been in captivity for more than 100 days. They are seeking urgent action for their release. The crew members are aboard the MT Honour 25. The Palau-flagged oil tanker was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Puntland, Somalia, on April 21. The vessel was carrying between 17 and 19 crew members. Ten of them are Pakistani nationals. Seven Indonesians, an Indian and a Sri Lankan are also among those being held. In newly released video messages, several hostages appeared weak and unwell. They appealed to the Pakistani government to intervene. Yasir Khan, one of the Pakistani hostages, said several crew members had fallen ill. He said they were facing difficulties in obtaining medicines. Khan urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate action. He also appealed to Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. He asked the authorities to secure their release before their health situation became more serious. Khan also appealed to Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. He requested him to continue efforts for the hostages. Another hostage, Hussain Yousuf, said more than 100 days had passed since their capture. He said the crew still had no clear information about when they would be released. Yousuf appealed to the prime minister and Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to intervene. He warned that further delays could lead to serious consequences. The crew has released several messages since the hijacking. In previous appeals, the hostages reported shortages of food, clean water and medicines. Their deteriorating condition has increased concerns among their families. The pirates have reportedly demanded a ransom of around $3 million. However, no confirmed breakthrough has been reported in negotiations. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the government was closely monitoring the situation. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said several government departments were involved in efforts to secure the crew’s release. The process includes the Ministry of Human Rights, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and other relevant agencies. Andrabi said the case was particularly difficult because the hostages were being held in an autonomous region of Somalia. He said local tribal structures and influential figures had also complicated negotiations with the pirates. Pakistan, he added, remained in contact with the Somali government and relevant authorities. It was also coordinating with international organisations involved in the matter. The Foreign Office expressed sympathy with the families of the hostages. It said their concerns were understood and that the case remained a priority. The government said all possible efforts were being made to secure the crew’s release and bring them home safely. The case has also been complicated by uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the tanker. Questions remain over who legally owns the vessel. The person previously believed to be its owner was later reportedly identified as a middleman who had helped hire the crew. Meanwhile, the latest distress messages have renewed pressure for urgent action.