Islamabad, March 9 – Amid the ongoing petrol crisis in Pakistan, the Islamabad Police has detained several women leaders and supporters of the Women’s March, a protest against the government’s handling of the situation. According to the police, the women had gathered at the G-7 Police Station, demanding permission to hold a peaceful march, but were dispersed by the authorities.
The police claim that the Women’s March organizers had failed to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Deputy Commissioner, while the women’s group had submitted their application a month ago. The development comes as the government faces mounting criticism for its handling of the petrol crisis, which has led to a surge in fuel prices and economic hardship for the people.
Pakistan has urged the international community to focus on creating a more effective, modern, and robust Commonwealth, capable of addressing the complexities of the global environment. Meanwhile, a Pakistani worker’s father has appealed to the government for assistance after his son got stranded on a ship in the Gulf.
In related developments, the government has announced that 60% of government-owned vehicles will be taken off the roads to conserve fuel. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the government is taking a comprehensive approach to ensure the security of major sea routes and maintain the continuity of energy supply.
Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, has announced measures to mitigate the economic hardships caused by the ongoing conflict in the region. The measures include banning the use of government fuel for provincial ministers until the petrol crisis is resolved.
In a separate development, schools in Balochistan have been closed until March 23 due to the prevailing situation. The decision was taken after a notification was issued by the authorities.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Salmam Akram Raja, has condemned the government’s handling of the situation, saying that the region has descended into barbarism, and it’s time for Pakistan to assert its role. Dr. Farooq Satar, the leader of the United National Movement, has criticized the government for increasing the prices of petroleum products without consulting anyone, calling it a “price hike bomb”.
In a separate incident, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the team of the tournament for the 2023 ICC T20 World Cup, with Shahid Afridi’s son, Farhan, topping the list. The news comes as the US has reportedly failed to implement its military strategy in Iran, modeled after Venezuela, according to a British newspaper.
In a separate incident, a military helicopter crashed in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of two UAE military personnel.
