KARACHI: The Pakistan petroleum dealers’ association decided to call off their token strike on Monday.

Earlier, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association suspended the supply of petroleum products and announced a strike in Karachi due to a proposed increase in petroleum prices. The association warned that the strike may soon spill over into other parts of the country if its demands are not met.

Resultantly, a large number of people came out on the streets on Rashid Minhas road, in Nazimabad and Shahrah-e-Faisal road in Karachi following the announcement of a strike by petroleum dealers. The protesters clashed with the police and rangers personnel who tried to control of the situation.

The demonstrators blamed the pump owners for halting supplies fearing a possible increase in the petrol prices today.

Long queues of vehicles were seen in the city outside the few stations still running.

10 to 13 per cent increase in petroleum prices expected

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) had advised a 10 to 13 per cent increase in prices of petroleum products. The government is likely to announce the decision today.

According to sources, the finance ministry has endorsed the recommendations made by OGRA.

OGRA authorities said an increase in the prices is necessary according to levy collected two months ago, whereas six to seven per cent increase should be made in accordance to the levy collected in current situation.

Sources informed that the government is providing a subsidy of Rs15 billion on petroleum products and it will have to give an additional subsidy of Rs10 billion if current prices are not increased.

CNG prices revised

Ogra has revised its CNG prices keeping in view the Gross Calorific Value (GCV). The new prices will become effective from March 1.

Four different prices will be followed in the country’s four provinces. CNG prices will rise in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and in areas from Attock to Jhelum. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, CNG will be available at Rs57 per kilogramme.

In inner Sindh and Balochistan, CNG will be availabe at Rs55.2 per kg. In Punjab and adjoining areas, CNG will now be available at Rs53.45 per kg.

According to All Pakistan CNG Association, OGRA’s revised prices will raise gas prices in 2,600 CNG stations and reduce them in 500 gas stations across the country.

Tonight, we experienced the live performance of Pakistan’s rising heart throb, the Bachana fame artist ‘Bilal Khan’. Along with him, there were three more Underground Bands Syed Zia Uddin Quadri, Nuts n Bolts, Redemption & Infinity who also performed pretty well. Here we have just received and processed some Exclusive Pictures of the event.

Post and Pictures via Pakium.com

WASHINGTON: A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck various parts of Pakistan, the US Geological Survey reported on Tuesday.

It said the quake, initially reported as a magnitude 7.3, was very shallow at a depth of 6.3 miles (10 km). It struck 34 miles (55 km) west of Dalbandin at 1:23 a.m. local time on Wednesday (2023 GMT on Tuesday).

The Pacific Tsunami Center said the onshore quake had not triggered a tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

A major quake of this magnitude is capable of causing widespread and heavy damage.

Geo TV reporter Wali Khan Babar was shot and killed in Karachi this evening, shortly after covering gang violence in the city, according to several Pakistani journalists. At least two assailants intercepted Babar’s car at 9:20 p.m., shooting him multiple times in the head and neck, Geo TV Managing Director Azhar Abbas told CPJ. One assailant spoke to Babar briefly before opening fire, Abbas said.

Voice of America journalist Fazal Aziz, speaking to CPJ from Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where Babar’s body had been taken, said doctors told him the journalist had been shot five times.

“Wali Khan Babar’s death is the latest in a string of targeted attacks on journalists in Pakistan. The government has not addressed the problem in any meaningful way,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. “Pakistan has rapidly emerged as an area of extreme risk for reporters. They are targeted from all sides in the country’s disintegrating security situation.”

Babar was driving home after filing a report about gangland clashes in eastern Karachi. He had been covering a police search that ensued after a shooting in the area earlier in the day, his colleagues say.

Pakistan was the deadliest country in the world in 2010, according to CPJ data. The country also ranked 10th on CPJ’s Global Impunity Index, which spotlights countries where journalists are regularly slain and authorities fail to solve the crimes.

KARACHI: Police on Friday lodged an FIR into the murder of Wali Khan Babar, reporter of Geo News, who was gunned down in a targeted attack last night in Liaquatabad.

The FIR No. 08/2011 was registered on the complaint of deceased brother Muhammat Khan Babar at Super Market Police Station.

Babar, 29, was the first reporter to die in the line of duty in Pakistan in 2011.

Investigation officer Khatim Khan Marwat told Geo News that police have found five cases of spent 9mm bullets, adding that fingerprints have also been taken from the vehicle. He added that further investigation is underway.

*Wali Khan Babar Facebook Page*

KARACHI: A group of students from Karachi Grammar School and other schools made history when they set a new Guinness World of Records by accommodating 19 persons in a Smart Car.

This historic event took place at DHA Creek Club, Karachi in front of a Jury and reported worldwide Wednesday in the presence of Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khoro who was chief guest on the occasion.

The group led by Aymen Saleem Yousuf squeezed into a standard Smart Car to smash the record ealier set by the Climb Fit Team of Australia when 18 students compressed into a standard Smart Car at the Warringah Mall, Sydney Australia on January 25, 2010.

The jury comprised of Nisar Khoro, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig Advisor to Prime Minister, Sharmila Farooqui Advisor to CM Sindh on Information, former cricket captain Waseem Akram, former hockey captain and olympian Islahuddin and Ishtiaq Baig Hon. Consul General of Morocco.