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PAKISTAN OFFERS TO MEDIATE AFTER US-ISRAEL STRIKES ON IRAN, URGES DE-ESCALATION
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Thursday, 19 March, 2026 | 29 Ramazan, 1447
ATTA TARAR SAYS PAKISTAN READY TO PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN MEDIATING REGIONAL TENSIONS g ISLAMABAD ENGAGED IN DISCUSSIONS WITH VARIOUS PARTNERS, AS WE HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED BALANCE IN RELATIONS: MINISTER g
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 254 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
EXPRESSES ‘DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN DE-ESCALATING SITUATION’ IN IRAN AND PREVENT FURTHER INSTABILITY IN REGION g ISLAMABAD EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH IRAN, HIGHLIGHTING HISTORICAL, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC TIES
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PM discusses regional situation with Oman, Kuwait leaders, stresses dialogue for peace ISLAMABAD
saleem jadoon
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
NFORMATION Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that Pakistan is ready to play a pivotal role in mediating regional tensions following the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel. “Pakistan is engaged in discussions with various partners, and we have always aimed to maintain balance in relations. I believe we are in a position to play a mediation role with countries in the region,” he said during an interview with Al Jazeera. The information minister expressed Pakistan's “desire to participate in de-escalating the situation” in Iran and to prevent further insta-
bility in the region. He emphasised that, due to these long-standing ties, Pakistan is always ready to assist whenever necessary. The current Middle East conflict erupted on February 28 when US and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iran. The attacks quickly escalated, with Iran retaliating through drone and missile strikes targeting US assets and allied interests across the Gulf. Pakistan has maintained a cautious but supportive stance, calling for restraint and dialogue while avoiding direct involvement. Islamabad has expressed solidarity with Iran, highlighting historical, cultural, and economic ties. Officials have engaged in diplomatic efforts, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as
Opposition leaders to decide on talks and protest strategy, says Barrister Gohar ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has stated that the decision regarding negotiations with the government and the party's protest strategy will be made by the opposition leaders collectively. PTI chairman defers key decisions to opposition leadership Speaking to the media, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that it is the opposition leaders who will ultimately decide the course of action regarding both the dialogue process with the government and the protest movement. He indicated that these critical decisions are not being taken unilaterally but will be the result of consultations among opposition figures. The PTI chairman's remarks come at a time when political tensions between the ruling coalition and the opposition remain elevated, with the party continuing to press its demands through both parliamentary and street channels. The statement suggests that PTI is seeking a unified opposition stance before committing to either continued negotiations or an escalation of protests. Barrister Gohar's comments reflect the broader political landscape in Pakistan, where the opposition has been weighing its options between engaging in dialogue with the government and maintaining pressure through public demonstrations. The dual-track approach of talks and protests has been a recurring feature of PTI's political strategy in recent months. By placing the responsibility of this decision on the collective opposition leadership, the PTI chairman appears to be signalling that the party values consensus-building among its allies before making any major political move.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday discussed the evolving regional situation with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Mubarak Al Sabah, expressing Pakistan’s solidarity and support for the peoples of the two brotherly nations, according to statements issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Premier Shehbaz Sharif received a telephonic call from Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to deliberate on the evolving regional situation. “During the warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders exchanged greetings on the auspicious occasion of Eid, conveying their best wishes for peace, prosperity, and wellbeing to the peoples of both countries and the Muslim Ummah,” the PMO said. While expressing Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Oman over the loss of precious lives and injuries in recent attacks, the prime minister emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and constructive dialogue. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the longstanding
foreign minister, holding regular calls with relevant regional leaders to urge de-escalation. Last week, Dar also held telephonic conversations with his counterparts from several Gulf
fraternal relations between Pakistan and Oman. In this context, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his invitation to Sultan Haitham to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his convenience, while warmly accepting the Sultan’s gracious invitation to visit Oman at a mutually convenient date. PM expresses condolences to Kuwaiti Crown Prince; reaffirms Pakistan’s solidarity In a separate conversation, the prime minister condemned in the strongest terms the attacks on Kuwait, expressing condolences for the loss of precious lives and praying for the early recovery of the injured, the PMO Media Wing said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Mubarak Al Sabah, reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity and support for the brotherly people of Kuwait. He stressed the need for all regional countries to work together to maintain peace, stability, and resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy. During their cordial exchange, the two leaders conveyed Eid ul Fitr greetings and extended best wishes for peace, prosperity, and well-being to the people of Pakistan, Kuwait, and the broader Muslim Ummah.
states and other countries, stressing the importance of de-escalation and emphasising the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
FM Dar arrives in Riyadh to push for ‘swift end’ to Middle East conflict RIYADH
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday to participate in the Consultative Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers from Arab and Islamic countries, where he is set to advocate for a swift end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Foreign Office (FO) said. In a statement, the FO said FM Dar was received upon arrival by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, along with senior representatives of the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry. The Middle East conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. In retaliation, Iran targeted US assets and bases in Gulf countries. Amid rising tensions, the FO described Pakistan’s role as that of a “bridge builder”, promoting dialogue and stability in the region. According to an earlier FO statement, Dar travelled to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. He will attend the meeting from March 18 to 19 alongside foreign ministers of regional countries. During the sessions, he will express Pakistan’s full support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of all brotherly nations, and call for an immediate cessation of all attacks on their territories. The FO added that Dar will reiterate Pakistan’s call for a swift end to hostilities
and advocate a return to dialogue and diplomacy. He is also expected to highlight Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach and its commitment to playing a pivotal role in resolving the grave security crisis confronting the region. According to Reuters, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is also attending the Riyadh meeting to discuss regional developments. This marks the third high-level visit from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia amid the ongoing tensions. On March 7, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir met Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud to discuss Iran’s attacks on Saudi Arabia. On March 12, Prime Minister Shehbaz
Sharif held a restricted meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where he expressed Pakistan’s full solidarity and support and agreed to work together for regional peace and stability. Saudi Arabia has been one of the countries targeted in Iran’s retaliatory campaign. Since the outbreak of hostilities, PM Shehbaz Sharif and FM Dar have maintained continuous communication with regional and international leaders, repeatedly calling for de-escalation and dialogue. On Monday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi thanked the Government and people of Pakistan for extending strong solidarity and support to Iran amid aggression from the United States and Israel.
Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft till April 24 ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) has extended airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft till April 24, according to a fresh notice to airmen (Notam) issued on Wednesday. The authority stated that Pakistan's airspace would remain closed to all aircraft registered in India. The restriction would also continue to apply to aircraft operated, owned, or leased by Indian airlines or operators, the Notam said, adding that it also covered Indian military flights. Both flight information regions affected Pakistan's airspace is divided into two flight information regions (FIRs) — Karachi and Lahore, according to a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) document from 2022. The Notam applies to both the Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) FIRs, effectively barring Indian aircraft from all Pakistani airspace. The fresh Notam was issued days before the previous one was set to expire on March 23, ensuring there would be no gap in the enforcement of the airspace restrictions against Indianregistered and Indian-operated aircraft. Background to the airspace closure India and Pakistan have closed their airspaces to each other's airlines since tensions between the two neighbouring countries escalated. The mutual airspace bans have remained in place, with both sides periodically extending the restrictions through successive Notams.
‘Pakistan Targeted Ammo Depot’: DG ISPR dismisses Afghan claim of hitting drug rehab centre ISLAMABAD
staff report
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Wednesday rejected what he described as “ridiculous” claims that Pakistan had targeted a drug rehabilitation centre in Afghanistan, clarifying that the military had struck an ammunition storage depot. The remarks came after the Taliban regime’s deputy spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, claimed on Tuesday via X that an airstrike had hit the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, reportedly killing up to 400 people. Pakistan forcefully dismissed the allegations, calling them “entirely baseless” and part of a wider pattern of misinformation aimed at distorting facts. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had earlier emphasised that the strikes were “precise, deliberate, and professional,” targeting only military and terrorist infrastructure linked to attacks inside Pakistan. Meanwhile, a United Nations Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan (UNAMA) report cited to Reuters put the death toll in the alleged incident at 143. Addressing the matter during an interview on the private television programme Capital Talk, Lt-Gen Chaudhry said: “They’re saying there was some drug rehabilitation centre there.
Someone ask them—why build a drug rehab centre in the middle of an ammunition storage? Which hospital in the world is located beside missiles and ammunition? It was never there.”
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Pakistan announces Eid ceasefire in 'Operation Ghazab Lil Haq' ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan on Wednesday announced a temporary halt in its ongoing “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” targeting militant elements across the border in Afghanistan, citing the upcoming Eidul Fitr holidays and requests from friendly countries. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the pause would take effect from midnight March 18/19 and continue until midnight March 23/24. The decision, he noted, was made in good faith and in line with Islamic traditions, following mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye. The operation was launched last month after a surge in cross-border tensions, triggered by firing from Afghan Taliban forces on multiple Pakistani positions, which led to swift retaliation. Hostilities escalated further when Afghanistan responded to earlier Pakistani air strikes targeting militant hideouts. Despite the temporary ceasefire, Tarar made it clear that Pakistan would respond decisively to any provocation. He warned that the operation would immediately resume with greater intensity if there were any cross-border attacks, drone strikes or terrorist incidents inside Pakistan.