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TEHRAN VOWS ‘EYE FOR AN EYE’ AS ATTACKS, COUNTERATTACKS ESCALATE ACROSS MIDDLE EAST
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Wednesday, 11 March, 2026 | 21 Ramazan, 1447
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IRAN TARGETS US AND ISRAELI ASSETS IN BAHRAIN, KUWAIT, UAE, AND SAUDI ARABIA AMID RISING TENSIONS
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IRGC DEPLOYS MISSILES WITH WARHEADS OVER ONE TONNE, REJECTS US CLAIMS OF PROGRAM DESTRUCTION
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 246 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
PENTAGON RAMPS UP STRIKES ON IRANIAN TARGETS; US FORCES HUNT MINE-LAYING VESSELS AND NAVAL ASSETS SUPREME NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WARNS TRUMP: ‘ASHURA-LOVING NATION OF IRAN DOES NOT FEAR PAPER THREATS’
Pakistan condemns Israeli strikes on Lebanon, warns of deepening regional crisis
China, Pakistan, Gulf FMs stress de-escalation as Islamabad steps up diplomacy in Middle East
staff report
staff report
ISLAMABAD
I
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV agencies / staff report
RAN continued its counterattacks on US and Israeli targets across the Middle East, including strikes in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, as tensions escalate following President Donald Trump’s warning that Iran would be hit “TWENTY TIMES HARDER” than previous strikes. According to Iranian and regional reports, the latest wave of attacks has intensified the ongoing war, which has already pushed the Middle East into a highly volatile security crisis, with casualties mounting on multiple fronts. Iran Rejects US Threats, Boosts Missile
Deployment A top Iranian security adviser responded sharply to Trump’s remarks, stating: “The Ashura-loving nation of Iran does not fear your paper threats.” Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) rejected US claims that its missile program had been crippled, asserting that Tehran is now deploying projectiles in larger numbers with warheads weighing over one tonne. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday would mark “the most intense days of strikes against Iran since the start of the war,” signaling Washington’s determination to escalate military pressure.
Petroleum Minister ‘assures’ no further price hike, pledges govt to absorb ‘global oil shock’ ISLAMABAD
staff report
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik on Tuesday assured the public that no further increases in petroleum prices are expected, stressing that the government has committed to absorbing any future price shocks stemming from the ongoing Middle East crisis. Speaking in an interview on a television channel, Malik defended the recent price hike, noting that the substantial increase was unavoidable due to extraordinary circumstances in the international oil market, but he emphasized that significant further increases are unlikely in the coming days. “The prime minister has decided that after this increase, the government will do everything possible to ensure that any future rise in global petroleum prices is buffered through austerity measures, energy conservation, budget contingencies, or targeted taxation,” Malik said. “I believe that within a reasonable time frame, there won’t be much change in domestic fuel prices.” Recent Price Hike and Government Response Last week, the government announced an increase of Rs55 per litre for petrol and diesel, triggered by surging international petroleum costs amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has significantly disrupted global supply lines, affecting fuel availability and prices worldwide. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking on Monday, acknowledged that petrol prices were likely to rise internationally, but assured the public that the government would strive to shield citizens from the full impact of these increases through fiscal and administrative measures. Government Measures to Protect Consumers Minister Malik stressed that the government had resolved to absorb the impact of price fluctuations to prevent additional hardship for the public, while ensuring stable fuel supplies across the country.
ISLAMABAD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan) on Tuesday strongly condemned Israel’s continued military aggression against Lebanon, warning that the escalating attacks could further aggravate the already fragile security and humanitarian situation in the region amid intensifying tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel. In an official statement, the Foreign Office said the Israeli actions violated international law and undermined efforts by the Lebanese government to maintain peace and stability in the country. “The Israeli actions, which are in contravention of international law, are undermining the efforts of the Government of Lebanon to ensure peace and stability and have the potential to further exacerbate the ongoing security and humanitarian crises in the region,” the statement said. The remarks came as tensions across the Middle East surged following joint US-Israeli strikes inside Iran that assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday appreciated Pakistan’s constructive efforts to promote de-escalation and stability in the Middle East during a call with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, following heightened tensions after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, the Foreign Office said. Pakistan’s leadership has intensified its diplomatic engagement to help manage tensions, particularly between Iran and the Gulf states. In a post on X on Tuesday, the Foreign Office said FM Dar held a telephonic conversation with Wang Yi, during which both leaders stressed the importance of deescalation and underscored the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the UN Charter. “FM Wang Yi appreciated Pakistan’s constructive efforts aimed at promoting deescalation and stability in the region,” the FO said.
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PM orders strict austerity enforcement, energy-saving measures ISLAMABAD
saleem jadoon
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed all federal ministries and divisions to strictly implement the government’s austerity and energy conservation measures, and ordered a third-party audit of the steps taken by government departments to assess their impact and ensure transparency and effectiveness, state media reported. “The prime minister also approved making Friday the weekly additional holiday as part of a broader strategy aimed at conserving energy and reducing government expenditures,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Chairing a review meeting at the Prime Minister’s House on the implementation of austerity and energy-saving initiatives, the premier said the government was making every possible effort to keep the national economy stable despite difficult international circumstances. Emphasizing the need to maintain economic stability despite prevailing regional and global challenges, the prime minister said Pakistan must pursue disciplined financial management and responsible energy use, state media reported. He stressed that the effective implementation of austerity and energy conservation measures was essential for achieving this objective. The prime minister informed partici-
pants that a special committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had been constituted to oversee the implementation of these measures. The committee, he added, would review progress on a daily basis and submit regular reports to the government. Directing strict compliance with the policy, the prime minister instructed all federal ministries and divisions to fully enforce simplicity, austerity and energy-saving measures within their respective departments. He further directed ministries and institutions to send photographs of vehicles taken off the road under the austerity policy to the Cabinet Division as part of monitoring and documentation of the measures. The meeting was also informed that
ministries would submit daily and weekly reports to the special committee regarding the implementation of energysaving initiatives and workforce management measures. Additionally, the prime minister asked ministries to send reports to the Prime Minister’s Office detailing the steps taken to make workfrom-home arrangements more effective. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior government officials.
PM, President extend greetings to Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has conveyed his congratulations to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and expressed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Iran. According to an official statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sent his felicitations to Supreme Leader Khamenei, highlighting the deeprooted ties between Pakistan and Iran. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to enhance cooperation with Iran in various fields, including political, economic, and cultural spheres. President Asif Ali Zardari also extended his good wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader. The president expressed hope for the continued progress and prosperity of the Iranian people under Khamenei’s leadership. Both Pakistani leaders underscored the importance of close collaboration between the two neighboring countries, emphasizing shared values and mutual interests. The official statements reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding support for Iran and the aspiration to further deepen bilateral engagement. Pakistan and Iran share a history of diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations. The recent messages from the country’s top leadership come at a time when both nations are seeking to expand cooperation and address regional challenges together. PM Shehbaz message also highlighted significance of maintaining strong ties with Iran.
Pakistan raises $507 Million in 5G Auction as Jazz, Ufone, Zong secure spectrum ISLAMABAD
ahmad ahmadani
Pakistan on Tuesday raised $507 million in its long-awaited 5G spectrum auction, as telecom operators Jazz, Ufone and Zong secured frequencies to roll out next-generation mobile services across the country, marking a significant step toward faster internet and enhanced digital connectivity. The much-anticipated 5G spectrum auction, organized by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), concluded after three rounds, raising $507 million through the sale of 480 MHz of spectrum out of a targeted 597 MHz, with three major telecom operators—Jazz, Zong and Ufone—securing frequencies to roll out next-generation mobile services across the country. The results were announced by PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman at a ceremony attended by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar, and Finance Minister Muhammad Au-
rangzeb, who formally inaugurated the auction process at the start of the event. According to the PTA, the auction included spectrum across multiple bands. The authority offered around 600 MHz of spectrum, out of which 480 MHz was successfully sold. This included two lots in the 700 MHz band, all five lots in the 2300 MHz band, all 19 lots in the 2600 MHz band, and 22 out of 28 lots in the 3500 MHz band. In terms of allocation among operators, Jazz emerged as the largest buyer, securing a total of 190 MHz of spectrum. Its acquisitions included 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz band, 70 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, 50 MHz in the 2300 MHz band, and 20 MHz in the 700 MHz band. Ufone acquired 180 MHz of spectrum, including 120 MHz in the 3500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band. Meanwhile, Zong secured 110 MHz in the auction. The assignment stage, to determine specific frequency positions within each band, will be held on 12th March, 2026. Speaking on the occasion, IT Minister
Shaza Fatima Khawaja congratulated stakeholders and the nation, describing the successful 5G spectrum auction as a major milestone for Pakistan’s digital future. She said the government had made around 600 MHz of spectrum available for auction, adding that the process was conducted live to ensure transparency, in line with the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The minister noted that Pakistan had reached a “choking point” in terms of spectrum availability, and the newly released spectrum would significantly improve internet quality and digital connectivity across the country. The IT Minister said 5G services are expected to be launched in five major cities by the end of the year, while consumers could start experiencing improved mobile internet speeds within the next few months as telecom operators begin network upgrades following the auction. She also highlighted that spectrum vacated by the armed forces and other institutions played a crucial role in enabling the
auction, making additional bandwidth available for commercial telecom services. Addressing the ceremony, Information Minister Atta Tarar also congratulated the nation, saying that the entire world witnessed Pakistan’s transparent 5G spectrum
bidding process. He said the successful auction demonstrated that when the public and private sectors work together, the economy moves forward, describing the online bidding process as a reflection of confidence in government policies.