LAHORE: Railways and Aviation Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique said on Sunday that the nation was facing the consequences of wrong decisions of former prime minister Imran Khan and his incompetent and ineligible government. Citing the example of Pakistan Railways (PR), he said the PTI government increased deficit of the railways to Rs 45 billion, which is only one department. Saad said that Imran Niazi always denigrated the Constitution and used foul language against those who do not toe his line. Saad Rafique asked if its was not an unconstitutional act to call an institution to intervene in politics? He said that Imran Khan now wanted the establishment not to remain ‘neutral’ which itself was a violation of the Constitution.

The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) on Sunday announced that it will be going on a nationwide strike as of July 18, shutting down petrol stations all over the country, in the wake of rising oil prices. The PPDA chairman Abdul Sami Khan, in a statement, said that it was not possible to continue petroleum sales at the current rate. He announced that petrol pumps will remain closed following July 18 until the margin on petroleum products is increased. The officials lamented that the current margin of 3.5 per cent was not sustainable. Earlier, the government had been charging zero petroleum levy and general sales tax on petroleum products to absorb the impact of the hike in global oil prices and depreciation of the rupee against the dollar.

Petroleum Dealers Threaten to go on Countrywide Strike From July 18Petroleum Dealers Threaten to go on Countrywide Strike From July 18Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has threatened to observe a countrywide strike from July 18 in favor of their demands. PPDA chairman Abdul Sami Khan said they will observe a countrywide strike on July 18 and won’t reopen the fuel stations until their demands were accepted including an increase in their commission. Petroleum dealer’s association leader said the increase in fuel prices is not benefiting them; they are worried due to the increasing cost of doing business. PTI government promised to increase commission by 4pc till June, but the promise was not fulfilled, Abdul Sami Khan said. Petroleum Dealers Association chairman Abdul Sami Khan said they do not want to take such a decision that ultimately create problems for the masses, but they are facing hardships in doing business, which should be resolved.

He said that, IGP Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan had categorically ordered all zonal officers to curb the crime in their respective areas and arrest those involved in looting innocent people. Following these directives, a Sabzi Mandi police team arrested three accused namely Amjad Ali, Inam and Muhammad Sadiq involved in possessing illegal weapons and recovered two 30-bore pistols with ammunition and one dagger from their possession. Likewise, Koral and Shahzad Town police team arrested two accused during snap-checking namely Faizan Mehmud and Muneeb ur Rehman and recovered one 30-bore pistols with ammunition and one iron punch from their possession. Moreover, Shams Colony police team arrested an accused involved in drug peddling namely Syed Liaquat Afridi and recovered 1,320 gram hashish from his possession. Cases have been registered against the nominated accused and further investigation is underway.

IIOJK, by all international laws, treaties and opinions, is not India’s land, despite any desperate attempts by the Indian parliament to pretend so. It is a disputed region, as evidenced by the strong dissent of its residents to the Indian administration, and the oppressive dictatorial tactics the Indian state has to exercise over the people. The intent is not to bring prosperity to the region-if that had been the case, the Indian state would not have imposed bans and restrictions on the area’s internet or banned several schools and educational institutions. It is to force legitimacy through settler colonialism on a disputed area, in parallels to how Israel tramples on Palestine. The G-20 is a premier forum for international economic cooperation- it cannot let itself get involved unnecessarily in or enable an illegal occupation.

Federal Minister of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Abdul Qadir Patel Saturday urged nation to strictly follow health guidelines during Eid-ul-Azha holidays and avoid unnecessary movements to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Public should avoid mass gatherings and follow all the protocols and SOPs such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance, he said while talking to PTV news. The minister also appealed to religious scholars to ensure social distancing at mosques and urged the public to avoid hugging and shaking hands after Eid prayers. “The government is doing its best, but people must also take precautions while slaughtering animals on Eid, he said, adding, precaution is the best way to avoid this deadly disease”. He advised the citizens to ask their butchers to wear gloves and wash hands after sacrificing the animals.

While it is understandable, that price of petrol and edible oil etc. is linked with what prevails in the international market, it is the contradiction of low taxation on real estate profits and cigarette sales that does not conform to international practice, which is shocking. Even the IMF would have no objection to giving selective subsidies to the poor if Pakistan raises enough revenues to meet expenditures. this elite capture is dominant and is reflected in every budget that has been passed for decades. Pakistan has never adopted the Jinnah Doctrine, which was the basis for the creation of a modern democratic welfare state.

Over the years, Iranian women have made significant achievements in education, health, and political mobilisation. The tenure of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government was the most defining period for the political elite and the women’s rights movement. By that time, Iranian women were polarised in terms of their ideology; the conservatives and the Reformists. The female population’s high literacy rate enabled Iranian women to mobilise and lobby more vigorously for their socio-political rights from different political governments. The history of Iranian women’s resilience also leaves solid messages for the state and society of Pakistan regarding its gender policy preferences.

A 12-member delegation of British Sikh soldiers visited Pakistan this week, expressing their appreciation for its efforts to preserve the two most holy sites of Sikhism and other historical places related to Sikh religious leaders. In the first such visit, the delegation of British Sikh soldiers visited all of the important Sikh religious and historical sites in Pakistan. In a message to the Indian Sikh community, Harvey said: "I will ask the Indian Sikh community to come here and see the facilitation. The Indian province of Punjab shares 425 kilometers (264 miles) with the Pakistani province of Punjab. During their visit, the Sikh soldiers also presented guidebooks on the Defense Sikh Network, an official organization representing Sikhs within the UK Ministry of Defense.

While referring to a statement of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other political leaders, Imran said no premier ever in the world has called his nation “beggars”. The PTI leaders have set-up screens in major cities across the country including Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad, and Sukkur among others to live telecast his speech. Earlier today, the PTI leaders had alleged that the incumbent government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was interfering with the rally preparations. Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed claimed banners with statements against PTI chief Imran Khan were hung in Rawalpindi prior to the party rally. It nodded that the participants shall not indulge in violence or clashes.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, while paying tribute to the martyrs of police and other law enforcing agencies, said the existing peace and tranquility in the country was a result of their supreme sacrifices. The minister said that today’s ceremony was organized to acknowledge the splendid services and sacrifices the martyrs rendered for the nation, besides announcing that the government would look after their families. Despite the financial constraints, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed to pay the pending dues worth Rs 1.22 billion to the martyrs’ families before June 30, 2022, he added. “Our country was achieved through a long struggle and unmatched sacrifices rendered by our elders, and we would not let anybody jeopardize it,” he added. Earlier, the minister, upon his arrival to the Islamabad Police Lines, visited Yadgar-e-Shuhada (Martyrs Monument), laid wreath and offered fateha.

Petrol is mostly used by two, three and four-wheeler vehicles, while diesel is mostly consumed by the industrial and agriculture sectors. The demand for petrol decreased to 702,000 tons in June compared to 776,000 tons in May. The increase in prices came following the complete withdrawal of subsidies on sales of petroleum products and imposition of petroleum development levy. It has imposed the levy of Rs10 per litre on petrol and Rs5 per litre on all other petroleum products including diesel with effect from July 1, 2022. Cumulatively, in the entire fiscal year 2022, which ended on Thursday, the petroleum product sales surged 16% to 22.59 million tons compared to the prior fiscal year.

In the Indo-Pacific it has the QUAD, in the South Pacific, AUKUS, in the GMER, I2U2 (Israel, India, US, UAE) and in the SCAR, a Quadrilateral Dialogue, where it might engage Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Will it be poised against Iran, China, both or all assumed adversaries? Will they readily share the same collective/national interests, strategic aims, objectives and desired end states or as enunciated by the US? It is thus perfectly located to pursue US interests in both the Indo-Pacific and the GMER; therefore, its accorded roles in the QUAD and I2U2. It must note the inherent contradictions in the I2U2 which will lead to a veritable clash of interests over itself and its nuclear programme, the BRI-CPEC, Iran, China, India, Kashmir, Palestine et al.

Ramna Saeed, a 20 years old young leader from Gujranwala, received Diana Award for her work against sexual harassment. Faryal Ashfaq, a 22 years old girl from Lahore, has bagged the Diana Award for fighting against gender-based violence in Pakistan. According to the Diana Award Roll of Honour 2022 website, in 2016, Alizey established the ‘Ruhil foundation’ to combat food poverty, delivering 5,500 monthly food parcels and 10,000 meals. According to the Diana Award Roll of Honour 2022 website, from only knowing a few words of English, Arqam is now a multi-national and international award-winning speaker and youth leader. Granted to those dedicated to working with communities, the Diana Award honours young people aged between 9 to 25 who work to improve the lives of others.

It is unfortunate that once again, politicians have been unable to resolve a political crisis within the parliament or in committees, and the decision has inevitably ended up in the courts. Therefore, such a decision is likely to be appealed to a higher forum, and thereon, this political crisis, which benefits nobody and holds back the progress of the province, continues indefinitely. It is useful to view the matter of the chief minister position in the Punjab Assembly, and the subsequent case in the Supreme Court from that perspective. There has been a lot of litigation regarding the current makeup of the Punjab Assembly, and the decision always appears to offend one party. PTI was outraged by the Lahore High Court’s decision to declare the election of PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz as Punjab chief minister void and order a recount of votes excluding the dissidents of ex-premier Imran Khan’s party.