Pakistan is facing a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by the global surge in fuel prices. The country’s dairy farmers have been hit hard by the rising costs of milk production, with the price of a liter of milk in Karachi increasing to 320 rupees. The Dairy Farmers Association has written to the Commissioner, stating that a loss of 70 rupees per liter is unsustainable.
The association has called for a reduction in transportation costs and a decrease in the prices of petroleum products. However, the Pakistan Railways and transporters have increased their fares, further adding to the woes of the dairy farmers.
In other news, Islamabad police have detained several women protesting for their rights, sparking outrage from the opposition and human rights activists. Sialkot-based MQM-P leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has called for an end to politics as we know it, saying that those who have understood politics as a means to an end are no longer needed.
Meanwhile, the federal minister for petroleum, Ali Haider Zaidi, has met with the Sindh chief minister to discuss the rising fuel prices. The meeting comes as the country grapples with the highest fuel prices in the region.
The federal minister for defense, Khawaja Asif, has said that Pakistan has been trying to maintain good relations with Afghanistan for the past three years, but to no avail. The country’s relations with its neighbor have been strained due to the ongoing conflict.
Former finance minister Miftah Ismail has accused the government of favoring oil companies over the people. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has released a message on International Women’s Day, praising the bravery of Pakistani women.
In a separate development, the Islamabad police have arrested four suspects in a crackdown on organized gangs and criminals. The operation comes as the country continues to face challenges on its western border.
The UAE has said that it is not involved in any conflict or tension, while Iran has claimed that it has not started a war, but rather responded to attacks. The UAE has also reported four deaths and several injuries in Iranian attacks.
