ISLAMABAD: Lamenting the lack of progress in resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Prime Minister Imran Khan acknowledged the suffering of the Kashmiri people in an address to the nation on Tuesday.
His comments were made on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day which is observed across Pakistan on February 5 every year.
“Seven decades have passed and the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir remains unresolved,” PM Khan said, adding that “Kashmiris have been fervently demanding an end to India’s illegitimate rule, spanning more than 70 long and bloody years.”
He added that according the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Jammu and Kashmir, a report filed by the body echoed Pakistan’s repeated calls to the international community to take stock of “India’s brutal use of pellet guns, indiscriminate firing, use of human shields and promulgation of the draconian Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA) that are making lives of the people in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir a living hell.”
Meanwhile, President Arif Alvi, said that this year offers an opportunity to pay tribute to the unparalleled commitment of the Kashmiris for the attainment of their legitimate right to self-determination.
“On this fay, the Government of Pakistan and its people demonstrate to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters and the world-at-large that we have not forgotten the long-pending dispute of Jammu and Kashmir,” a statement released by his office read.
“The entire Pakistani nation stands with its Kashmiri brethren in their valiant struggle to achieve the legitimate right to self-determination. It is our firm belief that the Kashmiris will succeed in their struggle,” it added.
Kashmir Solidarity Day was created to commemorate the strong resolve of the Kashmiris in achieving their right to self-determination and is treated as a public holiday in Pakistan.
PM addresses nation as Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed across Pakistan
PM addresses nation as Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed across Pakistan
- Dispute between Islamabad and New Delhi remains unsolved even after seven decades, premier says
- Entire nation stands by its Kashmiri brethren, president says
Pakistan PM orders action against fuel hoarding amid Iran conflict supply fears
- Sharif asks authorities to shut down petrol pumps involved in any attempt to create artificial shortages
- Government says it holds adequate fuel stocks despite shipping risks as Strait of Hormuz tensions rise
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday ordered authorities to take strict action against fuel hoarders and shut down petrol pumps involved in any attempt to create artificial shortages, as anxiety grows over potential supply disruptions from the widening conflict involving Iran.
Sharif issued the directive during a high-level meeting on petroleum supplies, where officials briefed him that Pakistan currently holds sufficient fuel reserves to meet domestic demand despite the volatile regional situation.
The move comes as Pakistan steps up contingency measures following fears of supply disruptions linked to the escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
The concerns stem partly from disruptions in tanker traffic after the Strait of Hormuz — a key global oil chokepoint between Iran and Oman through which much of Pakistan’s imported crude typically transits — was shut following rising hostilities in the Gulf.
“The prime minister directed provincial governments to take strict legal action against hoarders of petroleum products,” Sharif’s office said in a statement after the meeting.
“Any petrol pump involved in the reprehensible practice of creating artificial shortages should be immediately shut down, its license revoked and legal action initiated,” it added.
Earlier this week, Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) allowed oil marketing companies to temporarily regulate supplies to retail outlets to discourage hoarding and maintain stability in fuel distribution.
Sharif instructed the petroleum minister to visit provinces and coordinate with their administrations to develop a strategy for conserving petroleum products and ensuring their uninterrupted supply to the public.
The prime minister further ordered the creation of a digital dashboard to monitor the movement of petroleum products and share real-time data with provincial authorities to improve oversight of fuel transportation and distribution.
