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Nearly 800 arrested in Pakistan as PM orders crackdown against Ramadan price hikes

Nearly 800 arrested in Pakistan as PM orders crackdown against Ramadan price hikes
People buying from vendor at Burns road Karachi, Pakistan on March 05, 2025 (Reuters/File)
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Updated 11 March 2025

Nearly 800 arrested in Pakistan as PM orders crackdown against Ramadan price hikes

Nearly 800 arrested in Pakistan as PM orders crackdown against Ramadan price hikes
  • Food prices in Pakistan often surge during Ramadan due to hoarding, speculative pricing
  • Shehbaz Sharif says his administration is committed to providing maximum relief to public
Updated 11 March 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday instructed authorities to take stern action against profiteers exploiting Ramadan price hikes, as officials reported 785 people had been arrested in the federal capital since the beginning of the holy month for price manipulation.
Food prices in Pakistan often surge during Ramadan due to increased demand and supply chain inefficiencies. However, a major factor is hoarding and speculative pricing by traders, who artificially inflate market rates to maximize profits.
Last month, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb warned the government would not spare hoarders, whose actions contribute to annual spikes in the cost of essential commodities during the holy month.
“We are committed to providing maximum relief to the public during Ramadan,” Sharif said during the meeting according to a statement released by his office. “Ensure that no profiteer escapes punishment and no innocent person is wrongfully targeted.”
Sharif, while chairing a meeting on Ramadan price controls, praised Islamabad’s administration for its efforts to regulate food prices and directed authorities to intensify monitoring to ensure that relief measures remain effective.
He also instructed federal ministers and public representatives to personally visit Ramadan markets, utility stores and other designated locations to oversee the availability of subsidized essential goods.
Officials briefed the prime minister on measures taken to curb inflation during Ramadan, saying price magistrates were using an online application to monitor and enforce price control regulations.
The also informed the authorities had conducted 4,915 inspections in Islamabad, leading to 785 arrests and fines totaling Rs728,000 ($2,595) against profiteers since the beginning of the holy month. 

Topics: Ramazan Bazaar PM Shehbaz Sharif

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PM Sharif orders ‘strict legal action’ against hoarders, profiteers in Ramadan
Pakistan
PM Sharif orders ‘strict legal action’ against hoarders, profiteers in Ramadan
Pakistan’s finance chief warns of crackdown on hoarding to control Ramadan food prices
Pakistan
Pakistan’s finance chief warns of crackdown on hoarding to control Ramadan food prices

Pakistan regulator advises oil companies to maintain 20-day stocks as Iran-Israel conflict escalates

Pakistan regulator advises oil companies to maintain 20-day stocks as Iran-Israel conflict escalates
Updated 5 sec ago

Pakistan regulator advises oil companies to maintain 20-day stocks as Iran-Israel conflict escalates

Pakistan regulator advises oil companies to maintain 20-day stocks as Iran-Israel conflict escalates
  • Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority clarifies Pakistan holds “sufficient stocks” to meet current demand
  • Experts have warned of spiraling inflation, oil supply constraints due to ongoing Iran-Israel conflict
Updated 5 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) confirmed on Sunday it has advised oil marketing companies to maintain their mandatory 20-day stock levels, clarifying the country holds “sufficient stocks” of petroleum products as the Iran-Israel conflict intensifies. 

Local media outlets reported this week that Pakistani authorities have accelerated oil imports as the Iran-Israel conflict rages on. The conflict took a turn for the worse early Sunday after the US military struck three sites in Iran, inserting itself into Israel’s war aimed at destroying the country’s nuclear program in a risky gambit that could spark a wider regional conflict. 

Experts have warned of spiraling inflation and global oil supply constraints due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Concern is focused on potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil transits, and weak supply growth from Iran, which produces about 3.3 million barrels per day. Analysts caution any sustained spike could drive up global freight rates, insurance premiums and inflation, particularly in energy‑importing countries like Pakistan.

“The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has confirmed that the country currently holds sufficient stocks of petroleum products to meet existing demand,” OGRA spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi said in a statement.

“However, in view of anticipated future requirements and the prevailing market situation, OGRA has formally advised all Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to ensure the maintenance of their mandatory 20-day stock levels, in line with the conditions stipulated in their respective licenses.”

The spokesperson said OGRA remains committed to monitoring the ongoing situation in the Middle East closely and will continue to take “proactive steps” to ensure national energy security.

Pakistan relies heavily on imported oil, meaning that any sustained spike in prices could widen its current account deficit and push inflation higher at a time when the country is struggling with low foreign reserves and slow growth.

The Israel-Iran conflict started on June 13 when Israel launched a massive wave of attacks targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities but also hitting residential areas, sparking retaliation and fears of a broader regional conflict.

Over 400, mostly civilians have been killed in Iran so far, while Israel has reported 24 civilian deaths in retaliatory strikes by Tehran and over 1,200 injured. 

Pakistan has condemned Israel’s strikes against Iran and has called on world powers to intervene for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East through dialogue and diplomacy. 

Topics: Iran Israel conflict Oil Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority

Pakistan re-elected to OIC’s human rights commission till 2028

Pakistan re-elected to OIC’s human rights commission till 2028
Updated 27 min ago

Pakistan re-elected to OIC’s human rights commission till 2028

Pakistan re-elected to OIC’s human rights commission till 2028
  • Former diplomat Riffat Masood to represent Pakistan at commission, says Deputy PM Ishaq Dar 
  • Commission deliberates on key issues such as women’s rights, Islamophobia, extremism and others
Updated 27 min ago
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been re-elected to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) human rights commission from 2025-2028, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said this week, thanking member states for their support. 

The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) is an expert body with advisory capacity established by the OIC as one of the principal organs working independently in human rights. 

Since it was launched in 2011, the commission has deliberated on important issues such as the rights of women and children, the right to development, combating Islamophobia, extremism and intolerance as well as human rights situations in different countries.

 â€œPakistan has been re-elected today to the OIC-Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) for the period 2025-2028 on the sidelines of ongoing meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul,” Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, wrote on X on Saturday.

Dar said former Pakistani ambassador Riffat Masood will represent Pakistan at the Commission.

“We thank the Member States for their support & commend IPHRC’s vital role in promoting respect for Human Rights globally,” the Pakistani minister concluded. 

At the 51st session of the OIC’s CFM in Istanbul, Dar voiced alarm over escalating tensions in the Middle East, blaming Israel’s military actions in Gaza and recent strikes in Iran for deepening instability and humanitarian crisis in the region.

The high-level conference was held at a moment of crisis for several OIC member states. Two of the bloc’s key countries — Pakistan and Iran — have recently experienced military escalations with regional rivals.

“Israeli aggression against Iran is not an isolated event,” Dar said in his address to the forum on Saturday night. “It is part of a dangerous and consistent pattern of militarism that Israel has demonstrated across the Middle East.”

Topics: Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) human rights commission OIC human rights commission

Dust, paper, and crowds: Inside the Peshawar book bazaar that never runs out

Dust, paper, and crowds: Inside the Peshawar book bazaar that never runs out
Updated 18 min 57 sec ago

Dust, paper, and crowds: Inside the Peshawar book bazaar that never runs out

Dust, paper, and crowds: Inside the Peshawar book bazaar that never runs out
  • Chaka Gali serves students and collectors with used and rare books at affordable prices
  • Booksellers say many visit the lane out of compulsion, not passion, due to financial hardship
Updated 18 min 57 sec ago
WASIM SAJJAD

PESHAWAR: In a narrow alley in the heart of Peshawar’s walled city, the scent of dusty pages lingers in the air as visitors step into Chaka Gali, a book bazaar believed to be even older than Partition that continues to serve students and collectors with stacks of used and rare titles at prices few other markets can match.
Thought to have been there in some form before 1947, the market remains one of the oldest surviving second-hand book bazaars in Pakistan. Its tight street is lined with small, dimly lit shops where wooden shelves sag under the weight of textbooks, novels, encyclopedias and exam guides.
Some titles lie in neat piles. Others are scattered on the ground. Most have passed through many hands.
“Chaka Gali is more than 70 years old,” Abdul Jameel, a bookshop owner in his 50s, told Arab News. “You can see the houses [around]. They are almost older than the partition [of Pakistan and India].”
The market’s offerings cater to a wide range of interests. Textbooks for schoolchildren sit alongside Urdu and English fiction, MBBS manuals, CSS prep guides, and religious literature, all at steeply discounted prices.
“You can find any sort of book here,” Jameel continued. “If you need books for primary school for children [or] course books, they can be found here. If you need general English novels, they are also available. If you require Urdu novels, you can get them from here.”
The books, he said, come from multiple sources. Some are purchased from families clearing out private collections while others are supplied by scavengers who collect discarded books from homes and streets and resell them to vendors in the lane.
He identified Lahore’s famed Urdu Bazaar — a historic hub of Pakistan’s publishing trade — as the third source, noting that it supplies unsold or surplus books to dealers across the country.
Jameel said many of these brand-new but excess titles are passed on to vendors at reduced prices.
This benefits the market’s primary customers who come not for the love of books but because they have no other choice.
“The buyers mainly come from the lower class,” he said. “Those who can’t buy books for children [since they can’t afford them] come and take old books from us.”
Jameel said such buyers arrive in the lane “out of compulsion, not a passion for reading.”
“The craze for reading has almost ended,” he added.
Ismail Khan, another second-hand bookseller in his 30s, said he had worked in the market for 15 years.
He pointed out that the rise of digital learning and online reading has cut into sales, though physical books still hold emotional and practical value for many.
“The sales of old books has declined these days,” he noted. “If you see, many people read ebooks.”
However, he noted some readers prefer the tactile experience of a physical book and aren’t drawn to screens.
He also blamed the shrinking customer base on widespread financial hardship.
“A book that previously cost Rs100 is now available for Rs500,” he continued, adding that many people have lost the capacity to buy new books.
Hasir Mir, one of the regular visitors to the lane, said he is a pharmacy student who has relied on Chaka Gali for his academic needs since school.
“I have bought all books of Grade 8, 9 and 10 
 from here,” he said. “One of the reasons is that the prices here are reasonable compared to other places.”
Beyond affordability, he observed, the market offers an unmatched range of books.
“I can easily find pharmacy-related books here,” he added. “If you are doing IT, ACCA or you are a student of any other field, you can find the books you want.”
For Mir and many others, Chaka Gali is more than just a marketplace — it’s a lifeline.
Visitors to the second-hand market say that in a country where inflation has turned books into a luxury, the lane quietly preserves the belief that knowledge should remain within reach — even if the pages are a little worn.

Topics: Books old city Peshawar Chaka Gali

Pakistan’s foreign minister meets Saudi, Kuwaiti and Kazakh counterparts on OIC sidelines

Pakistan’s foreign minister meets Saudi, Kuwaiti and Kazakh counterparts on OIC sidelines
Updated 22 June 2025

Pakistan’s foreign minister meets Saudi, Kuwaiti and Kazakh counterparts on OIC sidelines

Pakistan’s foreign minister meets Saudi, Kuwaiti and Kazakh counterparts on OIC sidelines
  • Ishaq Dar and Prince Faisal bin Farhan discuss avenues to strengthen ‘strategic cooperation across all sectors’
  • Dar also focuses on enhanced trade and investment in talks with the Kuwaiti and Kazakh foreign ministers
Updated 22 June 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday met his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Istanbul to discuss bilateral ties and strategic cooperation, as he held a series of diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers.
The talks came as the escalating crisis in the Middle East, particularly Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and its recent strikes inside Iran, dominated the agenda of the high-level summit, drawing sharp rebukes from several Muslim countries including Pakistan.
“Delighted to meet my brother, HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on the sidelines of the 51st OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul,” Dar said in a social media post. “We reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly ties between our two countries & explored avenues to further strengthen our strategic cooperation across all sectors.”
https://x.com/mishaqdar50/status/1936410048219001309?s=46&t=x28vcP-XUuQ0CWAu-biScA 
The meeting underscored Pakistan’s close relations with șÚÁÏÉçÇű, which has extended critical financial support to help Islamabad navigate a prolonged economic crisis in recent years. The Kingdom played a key role in unlocking a crucial loan program from the International Monetary Fund and remains Pakistan’s largest source of worker remittances, a major pillar of the country’s economy.
Dar also met Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya to discuss expanding trade and investment ties, amid Pakistan’s efforts to attract Gulf investment and secure more employment opportunities for its workers in the region.
“Met my dear brother Abdullah Al-Yahya, Foreign Minister of Kuwait, on the sidelines of the 51st OIC CFM in Istanbul,” he said. “We discussed Pak–Kuwait bilateral ties, trade & investment, cooperation within OIC, and regional & international developments of mutual concern. Grateful for Kuwait’s steadfast support, especially amidst recent escalations [with India].”
https://x.com/mishaqdar50/status/1936411452463570991?s=46&t=x28vcP-XUuQ0CWAu-biScA 
Dar also held a meeting with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu to reaffirm strong bilateral ties and explore opportunities for regional connectivity.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, the two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, investment and infrastructure, with Dar welcoming a planned high-level visit from Kazakhstan to Pakistan in October 2025 to strengthen the partnership further.
Islamabad has repeatedly highlighted the importance of ties with Central Asian states, offering its southern ports as a gateway for the landlocked region to access international markets through sea trade.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties

New Zealand beat Pakistan 6-2 to clinch FIH Hockey Nations Cup trophy

New Zealand beat Pakistan 6-2 to clinch FIH Hockey Nations Cup trophy
Updated 22 June 2025

New Zealand beat Pakistan 6-2 to clinch FIH Hockey Nations Cup trophy

New Zealand beat Pakistan 6-2 to clinch FIH Hockey Nations Cup trophy
  • Kiwis stunned Pakistan with five goals in first half of one-sided FIH Hockey Nations Cup final 
  • New Zealand promoted to prestigious FIH Pro League after winning second consecutive trophy
Updated 22 June 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: New Zealand ended Pakistan’s bid to clinch the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup title on Saturday, winning the trophy a second consecutive time in Kuala Lumpur after beating the green shirts 6-2. 

It was a one-sided contest right from the beginning, with the Kiwis stunning Pakistan with five goals in the high-octane first half at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium. 

Despite a fightback by Pakistan in the second half of the match, which saw the green shirts score two goals, New Zealand managed to score another and add 6-2 to the final tally. 

“New Zealand’s triumph not only earned them the championship but also promotion to the prestigious FIH Pro League, reaffirming their growing stature in international hockey,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) wrote. 

New Zealand signaled intent from the outset, with two early goals disallowed but persistent pressure finally paying off when Scott Cosslett converted a penalty corner. Jonty Elmes then set up Sam Hiha to double the lead, followed by goals from Dylan Thomas and Sean Findlay — the latter finishing from a difficult angle after receiving a precise aerial pass.

Before the halftime whistle, Scott Boyde capitalized on a rebound from the Pakistani goalkeeper to make it 5-0, giving New Zealand an unassailable lead.

Pakistan’s Moin Shakeel responded with a 33-minute goal, briefly shifting the momentum. 

“Cosslett netted his second goal of the match via a penalty corner in the closing minutes, while Sufyan Khan grabbed a consolation for Pakistan to end the match 6-2,” APP reported. 

France, which lost to Pakistan in the semifinal earlier this week, claimed the bronze medal by defeating South Korea in a shootout, while Wales beat hosts Malaysia for fifth place.

Japan finished seventh with a win over former champions South Africa.

The FIH Men’s Nations Cup was being played in Kuala Lumpur from June 15 to 21 that brought together eight top-ranked teams competing with each other.
Hockey is Pakistan’s national sport.

The national team boasts a proud legacy with three Olympic gold medals in 1960, 1968 and 1984 along with four World Cup titles in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994.

Hockey in Pakistan has faced a sharp decline in recent decades due to administrative challenges, underinvestment and inadequate infrastructure.

Renewed efforts are underway to revive the game with increased government support, youth development initiatives and greater international engagement aimed at restoring Pakistan’s former glory in the sport.

Topics: hockey

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