Profit NO FURTHER HIKE IN PETROL, DIESEL PRICES AMID GLOBAL OIL SURGE: PM In partnership with
Saturday, 14 March, 2026 | 24 Ramazan, 1447
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 249 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PREMIER SHEHBAZ REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO RELIEVE THE PUBLIC AND EASE BURDEN ON COMMON MAN
THANKS TO TIMELY POLICYMAKING, AUSTERITY MEASURES, AND FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE, GOVT TAKING EFFECTIVE STEPS TO MANAGE SITUATION, SAYS PM
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ISLAMABAD
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STRESSES GOVT HOLDS FUEL PRICES STEADY TO SHIELD PUBLIC FROM INTERNATIONAL MARKET’S SHOCKS
SAYS ADEQUATE CRUDE OIL SUPPLIES SECURED THROUGH DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC MEASURES, LAUDING PROVINCIAL GOVTS FOR SUPPORTING CENTRE’S AUSTERITY MEASURES
Pakistan, Saudia agree to work together for regional peace, stability
saleem jadoon
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced that the government has decided not to increase petroleum prices this time, despite rising international oil rates, reaffirming its commitment to relieve the public and ease the burden on the common man, state media reported. “The decision has been made to ease the financial burden on the general public, and as per my promise, the government will provide relief to the people wherever possible,” said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in an official statement quoting the premier. The government had recently raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per litre, citing surging global oil costs linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Under the revised rates, petrol now costs Rs321.17 per litre, while diesel has risen from Rs275.70 to Rs335.86 per litre. The prime minister highlighted that the global economy is under pressure due to regional conflicts, which could have a profound impact on Pakistan. “But the government has decided not to increase petroleum prices further, to reduce the burden on the common man,” he added. He said that thanks to timely policymaking, austerity measures, and financial discipline, the government was taking effective steps to manage the situation. He also praised provincial governments for supporting the
JEDDAH/ISLAMABAD staff report
Centre’s austerity measures. The premier emphasized that, due to the efforts of Pakistan’s diplomatic and economic teams, adequate crude oil supplies are available to meet the country’s needs. “The federal and provincial governments are working together to ensure that no one is charged more than the price set by the government,” he added, praying that the global situation stabilizes and fuel prices ease. This announcement comes a week after
Finance Minister highlights IMF engagement and economic reforms in Senate briefing ISLAMABAD:
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Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb informed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognized Pakistan’s recent macroeconomic achievements and ongoing reform efforts. The committee meeting, chaired by Saleem Mandviwalla, addressed a range of economic issues, including the impact of regional conflicts and regulatory measures affecting parliamentarians. During the session, lawmakers expressed concerns over what they described as ‘surveillance’ of parliamentarians and their families under the guise of regulatory compliance. In response, Aurangzeb defended the government’s banking restrictions, stating that these measures are necessary to prevent Pakistan from being placed back on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. The finance minister stated that the IMF review mission had appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan up to February. He added that both parties have agreed to continue discussions, particularly regarding the potential effects of the ongoing Middle East conflict on Pakistan’s inflation, revenue, and current account. Aurangzeb noted that the review would also cover external financing, inflation trends, revenue generation, the current account balance, and the performance of remittances, all in the context of recent regional developments. He emphasized the importance of maintaining economic stability, describing it as ‘hard-earned,’ and reiterated the government’s commitment to engaging with the IMF and friendly countries to advance economic reforms. The minister assured the committee that all regulatory actions are aligned with international standards and are crucial for safeguarding the country’s financial system.
the Rs55 per litre increase, which followed the war in Iran that disrupted global oil supply. In response, the government had also introduced a series of austerity measures to cope with the situation. The next petrol price review, originally scheduled for Sunday, March 15, could be brought forward, but officials indicated on Thursday that no further increase is expected.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Pakistan would always “stand firmly” with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and strive for their “mutual desire for peace” in the region, state media reported. Premier Shehbaz reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during a meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah in the wee hours of Friday, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The PMO statement said, “Prime Minister of Pakistan held a restricted meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah today.
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663 Afghan Taliban fighters killed in 'Operation Ghazab Lil Haq', says Tarar ISLAMABAD
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Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Friday that 663 Afghan Taliban operatives have been killed and more than 887 injured during the ongoing Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, launched in response to what he termed “unprovoked action” from across the Pakistan– Afghanistan border. The operation was initiated nearly two weeks ago following renewed clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan after Afghan Taliban forces allegedly opened fire on multiple locations along the frontier, prompting a swift military response by Pakistani forces. Tensions between the two neighbours escalated after Afghanistan launched a border offensive in response to Pakistani air strikes carried out in February. Islamabad maintained that the strikes targeted terrorist hideouts and accused Kabul of failing to act against militant groups operating from its territory—an allegation rejected by the Taliban administration. Providing details of the operation on his X account, Tarar said Pakistani security forces had destroyed 249 check posts and captured another 44 during the campaign. He added that 224 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns belonging to Afghan Taliban forces had also been destroyed. According to the minister, around 70 locations across Afghanistan were targeted in air strikes, focusing on militant infrastructure and operational bases.
Two rudimentary TTP drones intercepted, shot down near Rawalpindi: Security sources ISLAMABAD
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Pakistani security forces successfully intercepted and neutralised two rudimentary drones near Rawalpindi on Friday using electronic countermeasures, security sources confirmed. No casualties were reported, and the airspace, which was temporarily closed as a precaution, has now been reopened, the security sources said. The Ministry of Information posted on X that the drones belonged to terrorist group Fitna al-Khawarij, allegedly nurtured by the Afghan Taliban regime. The statement said that “no military or civilian infrastructure was damaged, aside from minor debris from the forced
“In Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar, terrorists and their support infrastructure, including logistics bases and camps, were targeted,” he said. Tarar also released a video which he said demonstrated that Pakistani forces conducted “precise strikes” only against installations linked to terrorism. “No civilian population or civilian infrastructure was targeted, contrary to claims made by officials and media of the Afghan regime,” he stated. Meanwhile, Pakistan reiterated its de-
crashing of the drones,” dismissing claims by the Afghan Defence Ministry suggesting the Faizabad military centre had been hit, resulting in casualties and material loss. “The Taliban regime’s claim includes no verifiable evidence and exposes its established role as a proxy supporter of terrorism, harbouring groups such as Fitna al-Khawarij (linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and Fitna al-Hindustan (terrorist organisations in Balochistan),” the ministry said. It added that the Taliban’s official accounts regularly proliferate fake news and propaganda, citing previous false claims about Pakistan Air Force aircraft being shot down.
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mand for verifiable assurances from Kabul that Afghan territory would not be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan. During his weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad had yet to receive such guarantees. “Since these assurances have not been provided, Pakistan will continue to follow its existing policy,” he said, adding that the country reserved the right to respond in self-defence against cross-border attacks.
Nehal Hashmi sworn in as Sindh's 35th governor KARACHI
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Senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) Nehal Hashmi took oath as the 35th governor of Sindh during a ceremony held at the Governor House in Karachi on Thursday. The oath was administered by Zafar Ahmed Rajput, Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court. The ceremony was attended by several key government officials, including Syed Murad Ali Shah, Senior Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ulHassan Lanjhar, the chief secretary of Sindh, Salman Abdullah Murad, and Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho. A Karachi-based lawyer and politician, Hashmi previously served as a member of the Senate of Pakistan from March 2015 to February 2018. Born on January 28, 1960, in Karachi, he began practising law in the late 1980s and is known for handling criminal and constitutional cases. During his student years, he founded the All Pakistan Youth League and later entered active politics in the 1990s. He joined the Pakistan Muslim League (N) in 1992 and served as an adviser on law, justice and human rights to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from 1997 to 1999. Hashmi has represented clients in several highprofile legal cases, including matters involving Nawaz Sharif before the National Accountability Bureau and proceedings related to the Murtaza Bhutto case. He was appointed president of PML-N Karachi in 2012 and later became the party’s general secretary in Sindh in August 2014. In 2015, he was elected to the Senate on a Punjab seat on the PML-N ticket and remained active in raising civic issues concerning Karachi.