ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir Ambassador Yousef M. Al-Dobeay urged India on Wednesday to reverse its August 5 decision to deprive the disputed Himalayan territory of its limited autonomy and put the entire population of the region under a security lockdown, said an official handout circulated by the presidential secretariat in Muzaffarabad.
According to the press release, the special envoy made the statement during a media interaction that followed his meeting with Azad Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan.
Al-Dobeay arrived in Pakistan along with a six-member delegation on Monday to witness the ground realities in Kashmir.
During his interaction with the media, he noted that the territorial dispute between India and Pakistan had always remained at the top of the OIC agenda, adding that its resolution was imperative for peace and security in South Asia.
He also urged the administration in New Delhi to bring an immediate end to the ongoing curfew in Kashmir and restore the fundamental rights of its people.
Al-Dobeay pointed out that the OIC had always favored a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
The Azad Kashmir president recognized the support rendered by the international organization of Muslim countries, noting that India was afraid of its 57 members and their diplomatic backing to the independence movement in Kashmir.
He recalled his recent meeting with the OIC secretary general in Jeddah wherein he had requested for a visit of a special delegation of the organization to Kashmir.
Khan said that the six-member team was visiting the region in response to that request, adding that people on both sides of the Line of Control had high hopes of the inter-governmental Islamic organization.
Visiting OIC delegation urges India to reverse Kashmir move
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Visiting OIC delegation urges India to reverse Kashmir move
- Asks New Delhi to end security lockdown, restore rights of Kashmiris
- Azad Kashmir President Masood Khan says people on both sides of the LoC expect great things from the OIC
Pakistan orders four-day workweek, shuts schools to save fuel amid Middle East oil crisis
- The development comes as ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran disrupt oil supplies in Strait of Hormuz, push prices past $119 a barrel
- Islamabad bans government purchases, cuts fuel allocation for vehicles as well as workforce in public and private offices by 50 percent
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced austerity measures, including a four-day work week, cuts in government expenditures and closure of schools, to offset the impact of rising global oil prices due to an ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Global fuel supply lines have been disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies nearly a fourth of world oil consumption, after Tehran blocked it following United States-Israeli strikes on Iran and counterattacks against US interests in the Gulf region.
Oil prices surged more than 25 percent globally on Monday to $119.50 a barrel, the highest levels since mid-2022, as some major producers cut supplies and fears of prolonged shipping disruptions gripped the market due to the expanding US-Israeli war with Iran.
In his televised address on Sunday night, Sharif said global oil prices were expected to rise again in the coming days but vowed not to let the people bear their brunt, announcing austerity measures to lessen the impact of fuel price hikes.
“Fifty percent staff in public and private entities will work from home,” he announced, adding this would not be applicable to essential services. “Offices will remain open for four days a week. One-day additional off is being given to conserve oil, but it would not be applicable to banks.”
Sharif didn’t specify working days of the week and the government was likely to issue a notification in this regard.
He said a decrease of 50 percent was being made in fuel allocation for government vehicles immediately for the next two months, but they would not include ambulances and public buses.
“Cabinet members, advisers and special assistants will not draw salaries for the next two months, 25 percent salaries of parliamentarians are being deducted, two-day salaries of Grade 20 and above officers, or those who are paid Rs300,000 ($1,067) a month, are being deducted for public relief,” he said.
Similarly, there will be 20 percent reduction in public department expenses and a complete ban on the purchase of cars, furniture, air conditioners and other goods, according to the prime minister.
Foreign trips of ministers and other government officials will also be banned along with government dinners and iftar buffets, while teleconferences and online meetings will be given priority.
“All schools will be off for two weeks, starting from the end of this week, and all higher education institutions should immediately begin online classes,” he said.
Sharif’s comments were aired hours after Pakistani authorities said the country had “comfortable levels” of petroleum stocks and the supply chains were functioning smoothly, despite intensifying Middle East conflict.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said three oil shipments were due to reach Pakistan this week, state media reported.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Navy (PN) launched ‘Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr’ to safeguard national energy shipments, the Pakistani military said on Monday, amid disruptions to critical sea lanes due to the conflict.
The navy is conducting escort operations in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing. It is fully cognizant of the prevailing maritime situation and is actively monitoring and controlling the movement of merchant vessels to ensure their safe and secure transit.
“With approximately 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade conducted via sea, the operation aims to ensure that vital sea routes remain safe, secure, and uninterrupted,” the ISPR said on Monday. “Currently, PN ships are escorting 2 x Merchant Vessels, one of which is scheduled to arrive Karachi today.”
