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PAKISTAN, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA PUSH FOR ‘MAXIMUM RESTRAINT’ AMID ESCALATING MIDDLE EAST CRISIS Friday, 6 March, 2026 | 16 Ramazan, 1447
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PM SHEHBAZ HOLDS TELEPHONIC TALKS WITH INDONESIAN PRESIDENT PRABOWO SUBIANTO AND MALAYSIAN PM ANWAR IBRAHIM BRIEFS REGIONAL LEADERS ON SECURITY SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN’S COUNTERTERROR EFFORTS
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 241 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
LEADERS AGREE TO JOINTLY URGE RESTRAINT, DIALOGUE AND DIPLOMACY TO DEFUSE TENSIONS
CONDEMN ISRAELI STRIKES ON IRAN AND ATTACKS AFFECTING GULF STATES
DAR STRESSES URGENT DE-ESCALATION IN TALKS WITH UK AND CANADIAN DIPLOMATS
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China intensifies mediation efforts, to send special envoy to ME
PM Shehbaz briefs JI delegation on diplomatic efforts
BEIJING
ISLAMABAD
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ISLAMABAD
saleem Jadoon
AKISTAN, Indonesia and Malaysia on Thursday agreed to jointly urge “maximum restraint” by all parties and stakeholders involved in the intensifying crisis in the Middle East, as Islamabad stepped up diplomatic outreach to help defuse rising regional tensions. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate telephone conversations with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during which they discussed the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East and broader regional developments. During his conversation with President Subianto, the prime minister expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in the
Middle East. “Both leaders agreed to work together to urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, while pursuing sincere and serious initiatives to resolve all outstanding differences through constructive dialogue and diplomacy,” the PMO said. Premier Shehbaz also strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran, as well as the subsequent attacks targeting other brotherly Gulf countries. He further briefed the Indonesian president on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach to Gulf nations aimed at easing tensions and preventing further escalation of the crisis. The prime minister also informed President Subianto about recent developments concerning Afghanistan, where Pakistan is currently conducting Operation Ghazab Lil Haq against the Afghan Taliban regime and terrorist groups. The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days to coordinate their positions on the evolving situation.
Pakistan slams Canada–India uranium deal, warns of strategic imbalance in South Asia ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan on Thursday expressed concern over a newly announced uranium supply agreement between India and Canada, describing the arrangement as another countryspecific exception in civil nuclear cooperation that could undermine global non-proliferation norms. India and Canada earlier this week signed a series of agreements covering cooperation in critical minerals as well as a long-term uranium supply deal aimed at supporting India’s nuclear power programme. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the uranium supply agreement as a “landmark deal," saying it would ensure long-term fuel supply for nuclear energy while the two countries would also collaborate on small modular reactors and advanced reactor technologies. Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan had taken note of the agreement with concern. “This arrangement represents yet another countryspecific exception in the field of civil nuclear cooperation,” he said. The spokesperson pointed out the irony of the development, recalling that India’s Smiling Buddha nuclear test—conducted using plutonium produced in a Canadian-supplied reactor meant for peaceful purposes—had directly led to the creation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
staff report
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that China is deeply concerned about the current tense situation in the Middle East and recently has intensified its mediation efforts. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held phone talks with foreign ministers from Russia, Iran, Oman, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, etc, exchanging indepth views on the regional situation, emphasizing that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be abided by, and opposing the wanton use of force in international relations, she said during her regular briefing when asked about what efforts China has made to mediate and de escalate the situation and what work it will carry out in the next stage, amid ongoing military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran and continued escalation of regional tensions. Wang pointed out that military operations must be stopped immediately to return to dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible, avoid further escalation of tensions and spillover of conflicts.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a briefing with a delegation from Jamaat-eIslami (JI) regarding ongoing geopolitical tensions, according to sources. The meeting, which took place on Thursday, focused on informing the JI delegation about the steps Pakistan has taken in response to the current regional situation. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the JI delegation was updated on Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives and efforts to address the evolving geopolitical landscape. Officials stated that the briefing aimed to provide clarity on Pakistan’s position and the measures being undertaken to safeguard national interests. During the session, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to pursuing diplomatic channels in order to manage and de-escalate tensions. The PMO emphasized that Pakistan remains engaged with relevant stakeholders and is actively working to promote stability in the region.
Escalation in the Middle East Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after United States and Israeli air strikes last week assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with several senior Iranian officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from
Iran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
ContInuEd on PagE 03
govt chalks out ‘action plan’ to protect fuel supplies as Middle East crisis spirals ISLAMABAD
staff report
The federal government on Thursday finalised a “national action plan” aimed at conserving fuel amid potential disruptions in oil supplies due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The measures under consideration include distance learning, workfrom-home arrangements, and weekly revision of petroleum prices starting March 8, according to official sources. The plan was formulated during consultations with the provinces at a meeting of the cabinet committee on monitoring petrol prices, set up by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to assess the impact of regional tensions on domestic fuel supplies. The action plan will be presented to PM Shehbaz on Friday. Subject to his approval and final adjustments, it will then be submitted to the federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for formal approval and implementation. Back-to-back meetings of the three forums are scheduled Friday, reflecting the urgency of the situation. Informed sources said the contingency measures were also discussed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During Thursday’s cabinet committee
meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, federal ministries and provincial representatives highlighted lessons learned from similar conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee noted that, aside from health precautions, most contingency measures—including work-from-home, distance learning, and car-pooling—could be revived from next week to save fuel, energy, foreign exchange, and reduce financial pressure on both the federal budget and household budgets. Energy Sector Preparedness
An official handout said the meeting also reviewed national preparedness measures, assessed petroleum product stock positions, and examined broader developments in the energy sector amidst the evolving regional and global energy situation. “In line with preparedness planning, the committee examined a phased menu of fuel conservation measures, drawing on protocols from prior national emergencies to support demand management if required, while carefully calibrating communications to avoid undue alarm,” the statement said.
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first wild polio case of 2026 confirmed in Sujawal, Sindh KARACHI
staff report
The National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication (NEOC) has confirmed the first case of wild poliovirus in Pakistan for the year 2026. According to official statements, the case was detected in a four-yearold child residing in the Bello Union Council of Sujawal District, Sindh. NEOC officials reported that the case was identified through the polio surveillance network and subsequently confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. The confirmation was made public on Thursday. Polio is described as a highly infectious and incurable disease that can result in lifelong paralysis. Health authorities emphasize that the only effective protection against polio is the administration of repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine to every child under the age of five during each vaccination campaign, in addition to the timely completion of all essential immunisations. In a press release, the NEOC stated, “The Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) is already analysing the best response to tackle and prevent further transmission.” The statement also noted that, despite ongoing challenges, efforts to eliminate the threat of polio in Pakistan and globally remain within reach. The PEI continues to intensify its activities in response to the latest case. Officials have not released further details regarding the specific circumstances of the case or the immediate response measures being taken in Sujawal District. However, the confirmation of this case underscores the importance of sustained vaccination efforts and vigilant surveillance to prevent further spread of the virus.
‘CEaSEfIrE only aftEr vErIfIablE aCtIon’
Pakistan warns Afghan Taliban as border tensions escalate PESHAWAR
staff report
A senior Pakistani security official has said the Afghan Taliban leadership is fully aware of Islamabad’s concerns and demands, stressing that any move toward dialogue or a ceasefire would require “verifiable steps” from Kabul. Relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have deteriorated sharply in the four years since the group returned to power. Tensions surged after Pakistan carried out overnight strikes on suspected terrorist camps in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktika provinces on February 22. The strikes were followed by cross-border attacks by Afghan Taliban fighters, prompting Pakistan to launch Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on February 26. While briefing journalists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Inter-Services Public
Relations headquarters, the senior official said the Taliban regime was well aware of Pakistan’s position. “If they want dialogue or a ceasefire, they must take verifiable steps,” the official said, adding that Pakistan’s foremost priority remained national security. “Pakistan does not wish to attack anyone.” The official noted that the PakistanAfghanistan border remained the only international border effectively guarded by one side, claiming that militant elements on the Afghan side were being provided shelter and facilitation. Despite the ongoing operation, the official maintained that Pakistan was exercising restraint to avoid civilian casualties. “Civilian population has not been targeted in any operation carried out by Pakistan,” he said, adding that strikes were limited to terrorist camps and military targets. According to the official, Pakistan had
targeted areas where militants were receiving weapons, resources and technical support. He also revealed that Pakistani forces had destroyed 36 militant posts inside Afghanistan that were allegedly being used to launch attacks against Pakistan. Referring to previous diplomatic efforts following clashes in October, the official said three countries had attempted to mediate between Islamabad and Kabul. “These countries accepted the evidence provided by Pakistan and acknowledged that Pakistan’s concerns were valid,” he said, while lamenting that no meaningful change had been observed from the Afghan Taliban. He further alleged a clear nexus between terrorism and crime in Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban of harbouring several militant organisations and acting as a “master proxy” for them. Initially, Pakistan had targeted camps of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the official said. However, he
claimed that the Afghan Taliban responded by attacking Pakistani border posts established to prevent militant infiltration.
Operations inside Pakistan aimed at dismantling militant networks and eliminating terrorists are also ongoing, he added.