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IRAN DEFIANT AMID US-ISRAEL STRIKES AS TRUMP DEMANDS ‘UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER’
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Saturday, 7 March, 2026 | 17 Ramazan, 1447
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AT LEAST 1,332 KILLED IN US AND ISRAELI ATTACKS, WITH SCHOOLS HIT NEAR TEHRAN AS WAR ENTERS 7TH DAY
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ISRAEL BOMBS WESTERN IRAN TO ASSIST KURDISH GROUPS IN CONTROLLING BORDER TOWNS, CLAIMING OVER 400 TARGETS DESTROYED
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 242 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
IRGC LAUNCHES 23RD ROUND OF STRIKES TOWARDS ISRAEL, KEEPS TARGETING MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN GULF COUNTRIES
QATAR EXPECTS ALL GULF ENERGY PRODUCERS TO SHUT DOWN EXPORTS WITHIN WEEKS IF IRAN CONFLICT CONTINUES
Dar, Iran’s FM voice concern over regional situation
PM condemns attacks on Nakhchivan during call with President Aliyev
staff report
staff report
ISLAMABAD
M
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV agencies / staff report
ASSIVE explosions rocked multiple locations across Iran on Friday as the conflict entered its seventh day, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claiming it has launched a fresh round of strikes, while US President Donald Trump demanded “unconditional surrender” from Tehran, warning that no deal would be reached without it. The Revolutionary Guard announced the latest strikes in a statement carried by Tasnim News Agency, according to Al Jazeera. Israel targeting western Iran to aid Kurdish groups Reuters, citing unnamed sources, reported that Israel is conducting airstrikes on western Iran to assist Iranian Kurdish groups in taking control of border towns. Both the US and Israel have re-
portedly been encouraging Kurdish factions to launch an insurrection against the Iranian state. Israeli jets have also bombed southern and eastern Lebanese towns, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, as tensions escalate further. The Israeli military confirmed that missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel, while Iran continued to target Gulf countries from the UAE to Qatar and Bahrain. Late Thursday night, Tel Aviv itself came under combined drone and missile attacks. Casualties and damage At least 1,332 people have been killed in US and Israeli attacks on Iran since Saturday. The semi-official Fars News Agency reported that two schools were hit by missiles in Parand, southwest of Tehran. Iranian forces also claimed responsibility for an attack on a US base in Bahrain, reportedly causing deaths and injuries, according to Tasnim News Agency, citing the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi have expressed concern over the evolving regional situation as the conflict in the Middle East continues. According to sources, both officials discussed the ongoing developments and highlighted the need for continued engagement between their countries. During their conversation, the two diplomats agreed to maintain contact and remain in touch regarding the situation. Reports suggest that the discussions focused on the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its implications for the broader region. Officials said that both sides underscored the importance of close coordination and dialogue in light of the current circumstances. The exchange comes as regional tensions remain high, with various stakeholders monitoring the situation closely.
oversees Iran’s armed forces during wartime. Al Jazeera could not independently verify the report, and the US has yet to comment. Israel claims over 400 targets hit The Israeli military stated it struck more than 400 targets in Iran, including ballistic missile launchers and unmanned aerial vehicle storage facilities, according to Al Jazeera. In Shahroud, western Iran, Israeli forces said they destroyed a truck transporting air defense systems. The army released an aerial photo
ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned the drone attacks on the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, which targeted innocent civilians, during a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. The prime minister assured the Azerbaijani leadership of Pakistan’s full solidarity and support for the brotherly people of Azerbaijan during this difficult time, according to a PMO news release. During the call, PM Shehbaz Sharif apprised President Aliyev of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts following the ongoing crisis in Iran and the Gulf region. PM Shehbaz visits Mohsin Naqvi’s residence to inquire about his health Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the residence of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday to inquire about his health.
showing a truck on an unidentified road. Iran has not immediately responded to the claim. Diplomacy appears stalled Officials say it is evident that neither the US nor Iran is ready for negotiations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that mediators should first speak to those who initiated the war. “Our priority now is to preserve our beloved nation and defend the country,” he said.
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Govt drops ‘petrol bomb’ as petrol, PM directs provinces to act against diesel prices raised by Rs55/litre those creating artificial fuel shortage ISLAMABAD
staff report
The federal government on Friday night announced a steep increase of Rs55 per litre in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel amid escalating tensions in the Middle East that have severely disrupted global energy supply lines. The decision came as the regional situation deteriorated following air strikes by the United States and Israel last week that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, along with several senior Iranian officials. The strikes triggered retaliatory military action by Tehran, expanding the conflict across the region. In response, Iran launched attacks on American military bases in several Gulf states and announced the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, effectively halting the movement of oil supplies through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. The disruption pushed global crude prices toward their sharpest weekly rise since the extreme volatility witnessed during the COVID-
19 pandemic in 2020. Amid the unfolding crisis, Pakistan—which relies heavily on imported energy—has come under significant economic pressure. The government has begun reassessing its energy strategy as the regional conflict shows no immediate signs of easing. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Ishaq Dar, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Ali Pervaiz Malik outlined the government’s response to the rapidly evolving situation. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik formally announced the fuel price increase, stating that the rates would now be reviewed on a weekly basis given the volatility in global oil markets. Praising Shehbaz Sharif for guiding the energy sector during the crisis, Malik said the region was facing extraordinary circumstances as a conflict that began in a neighbouring country had now engulfed much of the Middle East. “The fundamental issue we face is that we do not know how long this crisis will persist,” Malik said.
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ISLAMABAD
saleem jadoon
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed provincial governments to take strict legal action against those hoarding petroleum products and ordered that any petrol pump found creating artificial shortages be immediately closed, its licence cancelled, and legal proceedings initiated, state media reported. The premier also instructed the Ministry of Petroleum to coordinate with provincial governments, prepare a comprehensive strategy for conserving petroleum products, and ensure their uninterrupted supply to the public. The instructions were issued during a high-level meeting on petroleum products presided over by the prime minister, according to a handout issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Pakistan. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif directed that strict legal
measures be taken against anyone hoarding or creating artificial shortages, emphasizing that no tolerance would be shown toward violations. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar; federal ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Ahsan Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Awais Leghari; State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad; and the chief secretaries of Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The PMO statement said the Ministry of Petroleum presented a detailed briefing on national petroleum stocks, highlighting that sufficient reserves are available to meet the country’s requirements despite the regional tensions affecting supply chains. The prime minister further directed the creation of a real-time monitoring dashboard for the
movement and transportation of petroleum products, with data to be shared with provincial authorities to ensure smooth distribution and transparency. The meeting comes as the US and Israel’s war with Iran enters its sixth day, disrupting global supply chains, with passage through the Strait of Hormuz paralyzed. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told the meeting that there is no immediate fuel shortage in Pakistan, but the situation could worsen if the conflict continues. Pakistan has formally requested Saudi Arabia to provide an alternative oil supply route via the Red Sea to maintain the country’s fuel supply chain. A day earlier, the government decided in principle to introduce weekly petroleum pricing from March 8, to pass on additional costs such as heightened insurance, freight, and war premiums to consumers.
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Central govt debt rises to Rs79.32tr in January 2026 ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan’s central government debt reached Rs79.32 trillion in January 2026, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan. This marks a significant increase from the Rs72.12 trillion recorded in January 2025, reflecting a rise of Rs7.2 trillion, or approximately 10 per cent, over the past year. Sources indicate that the increase in central government debt was primarily driven by domestic borrowing, which continues to form the majority of the federal government’s liabilities. Reports suggest that domestic debt accounted for about 71 per cent of the total central government debt as of January 2026. Within the domestic debt category, long-term borrowing remains the dominant component, according to available data. The central government’s domestic debt rose to Rs55.98 trillion in January 2026, up from Rs50.24 trillion in January 2025. This represents an increase of around Rs5.73 trillion over the calendar year. Month-on-month figures also show an upward trend, with Arif Habib Limited noting a 1 per cent increase in central government debt compared to the previous month. The data highlights a continued reliance on domestic sources to meet the government’s financing needs. State Bank of Pakistan figures, as cited by sources familiar with the matter, underscore the ongoing growth in government borrowing and the predominance of domestic debt in the overall structure. The information reflects the latest available trends in Pakistan’s central government debt as of January 2026.