In partnership with
DAR: US, IRAN TRUST PAKISTAN TO BROKER TALKS AMID HIGH STAKES DIPLOMACY
Profit
Monday, 30 March, 2026 | 10 Shawwal, 1447
Rs 21.00 | Vol XVII No 4 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
g FM DAR SAYS ISLAMABAD READY TO HOST ‘MEANINGFUL’ US-IRAN NEGOTIATIONS
AFTER QUADRILATERAL MOOT BACKS PAKISTAN’S INITIATIVE TO END MIDDELEAST WAR
g SAYS ISLAMABAD ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH REGIONAL,
GLOBAL PARTNERS TO HELP END CONFLICT
g WAR BENEFITS NONE,’
g SAUDI ARABIA, TÜRKIYE, EGYPT ENDORSE DE-ESCALATION,
D
STRUCTURED DIALOGUE TO BRING PEACE ISLAMABAD
SALEEM JADOON
EPUTY Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday said both the United States and Iran had expressed confidence in Pakistan to facilitate talks aimed at ending the ongoing United States-Israeli war on Iran, following “very productive consultations” among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt amid the rapidly escalating Middle East conflict. Speaking in a televised address after a high-level quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad, attended by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt, Dar described the consultations as “candid, constructive and focused on exploring pathways to de-escalation.” “As you know, the purpose of this visit of the foreign ministers was to participate in the second meeting of consultations among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt, which was held today in Islamabad. You may recall that our first meeting was held in Riyadh on March 19, 2026,” he said. Sharing details, Dar said the four foreign ministers held an in-depth discussion on the evolving regional situation and deliberated on “possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war in the region.” He noted that all participants expressed deep concern over the devastating human and economic toll of the conflict. “We agreed that this war is not in favour of anyone and would only lead to death and destruction. The unity of the Muslim Ummah in these challenging times is of utmost importance,” he added. Dar said he also briefed the visiting dignitaries on the prospects of potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad. “The visiting foreign ministers expressed their fullest support to this initiative,” he said, adding that the participants reaffirmed unity to contain the situation, re-
duce risks of further military escalation, and create conditions for structured negotiations. “The foreign ministers advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable pathway to prevent conflict and promote regional peace and harmony. They also called for upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states,” he said.
PM lauds Saudi restraint, vows Pakistan’s full support amid Middle East crisis ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday lauded Saudi Arabia’s “remarkable restraint” amid the ongoing Middle East crisis during a high-level meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Islamabad, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. The meeting came immediately after a quadrilateral ministerial gathering in Islamabad attended by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkiye, reflecting the region’s escalating focus on diplomacy and de-escalation. According to the PMO statement, PM Shehbaz briefed FM Faisal on Pakistan’s extensive diplomatic efforts aimed at mediating the crisis, including initiatives to bring both the United States and Iran to the negotiating table. Islamabad: Foreign Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan
g FM DAR CONDEMNS ISRAELI AGGRESSION, REAFFIRMS
PAKISTAN’S UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR PALESTINIANS
g DENOUNCES GAZA, WEST BANK
The Foreign Office statement followed bilateral talks between Dar and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Islamabad, held ahead of a key quadrilateral meeting involving Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt to deliberate on the evolving Middle East situation. “The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and strongly condemned the continued aggression by Israeli occupying forces in Gaza and the West Bank,” the statement said. Dar also appreciated Egypt’s efforts in facilitating humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza, recognising Cairo’s role in relief and mediation initiatives during the ongoing crisis. During the talks, both sides exchanged views on regional and international developments, with
particular focus on the Middle East. They underscored the urgent need for restraint, de-escalation, and the resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 680 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since a ceasefire with Hamas came into effect in November 2025. The overall death toll since the outbreak of war in October 2023 has surpassed 72,000, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian crisis. Israel has also expanded its military footprint beyond Gaza, engaging in hostilities alongside the United States against Iran, while launching a fresh campaign against Hezbollah, including incursions into southern Lebanon. Pakistan, which does not recognise Israel, has consistently criticised Israeli military actions and alleged ceasefire violations in Gaza. Islamabad has repeatedly called on the international community to intervene, ensure an immediate cessation of hostilities, and guarantee protection for Palestinian civilians in accordance with international law.
nationwide every Saturday and Sunday from April 5, beginning at 12:01am on Saturday and ending at 11:59pm on Sunday. The clarification comes amid heightened public concern over rising fuel prices linked to the global oil crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced a series of austerity measures to ease the burden on the economy, including a 50 per cent reduction in fuel allowances for official vehicles— excluding essential services such as ambulances and public transport— for a period of two months. The government had also directed that 50pc of public sector employees work from home, with exemptions granted to essential service providers. On Friday, a highlevel consultative meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reviewed contingency measures to manage fiscal and external pressures in case of a prolonged
Middle East crisis and worsening global economic conditions. Among the proposals discussed were potential lockdowns, fuel rationing, extended holidays for educational institutions, and reduced working days in the private sector— mirroring public sector policies— along with a broader 50pc work-from-home framework. However, no final decision or official announcement has been made regarding these measures. Earlier, Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah had also indicated that the provincial government was considering a “smart lockdown” as a fuel conservation step. During Friday’s meeting, however, representatives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reportedly opposed the idea of lockdowns, warning that such measures could severely disrupt economic activity and disproportionately impact daily wage earners and private sector workers.
STRIKES DESPITE FRAGILE CEASEFIRE, URGING GLOBAL ACTION TO PROTECT PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS ISLAMABAD
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, reaffirming Islamabad’s unwavering diplomatic and moral support for the Palestinian people, the Foreign Office said. The condemnation comes amid continued Israeli operations despite a fragile ceasefire in Gaza that has been in place since last year. According to Palestinian health officials, two Israeli air strikes on police checkpoints on Sunday killed at least six Palestinians, including a child. Violence in the West Bank — a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967 — has also intensified since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel.
Info ministry debunks fake weekend lockdown alert, warns against misinformation ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Ministry of Information on Sunday firmly debunked a viral notification claiming a “complete and comprehensive lockdown” across the country on weekends, terming it fabricated and urging citizens to rely only on verified sources. In a post on its official factchecking account on X, the ministry shared the widely circulated document stamped with a bold “fake” label, cautioning against the spread of misinformation.“Avoid sharing fake news and false posts. Be a responsible citizen and only trust verified sources,” the ministry said. The undated notification falsely attributed directives to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claiming that additional restrictions were being imposed in view of the ongoing Gulf oil crisis. According to the forged document, a “complete and comprehensive lockdown” was to be enforced
Five civilians, six militants killed in separate Panjgur attacks QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Pakistan condemns Israel’s military operations in Gaza and West Bank
STAFF REPORT
LEADERS WARN, STRESS UNITY OF MUSLIM UMMAH WITH WANG YI, UN CHIEF EXTEND FULL SUPPORT TO PEACE PUSH
Al-Saud calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. “The Prime Minister appreciated Saudi Arabia’s careful handling of the situation and expressed hope for continued regional stability through dialogue and restraint,” the PMO said. FM Faisal shared Riyadh’s latest perspectives on the evolving regional scenario, while PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s “full and unwavering solidarity and support” with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The premier also underscored Saudi Arabia’s leadership role within the Muslim Ummah and highlighted the urgent need for unity among Islamic countries at this critical juncture. He recalled his recent discussions with the Saudi crown prince during their meeting in Jeddah on March 12, emphasizing that both countries agreed to continue close coordination to secure peace and stability in the region.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
At least 11 people, including six militants and five civilians, were killed in two coordinated attacks in the suburbs of Balochistan’s Panjgur district in the early hours of Sunday, officials said. The violence began around midnight, targeting the homes of pro-government tribal residents in the Khudabadan and Ramkan neighborhoods of Panjgur city. The attacks lasted approximately three hours, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Javed Ahmed told Arab News. “Five residents of Panjgur city were killed in the midnight ambushes,” DSP Ahmed told Arab News, adding, “Six terrorists were also neutralized as security forces pursued the attackers.” No group has immediately claimed responsibility, though ethnic Baloch militant groups have a history of targeting tribal leaders and residents perceived as supporting the state. Authorities have particularly blamed outlawed groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army, which continues to receive alleged backing from foreign entities, including India. “The bodies of the civilians were shifted to the hospital and later handed over to their heirs for burial,” DSP Ahmed added. This incident marks the second major attack targeting civilians in Panjgur in just over a month. On February 24, at least six people were killed when gunmen struck near the Pakistan-Iran border, highlighting the persistent security challenges in the district. Authorities said the terrorist groups have increasingly focused on law enforcement personnel and security forces in Balochistan, intensifying attacks on checkpoints, tribal leaders, and government installations. In response, the Pakistani Interior Ministry earlier this month announced the deployment of two wings of the Federal Constabulary paramilitary force, comprising roughly 3,000 troops, to Balochistan.