Pakistan

CM orders strict measures to curb stray dogs

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Young visitors from villages drive surge in sales in Multan

Victim had complained of abuse a day before incident, says father

On the 24th day of the US-Israeli war on Iran, President Donald Trump’s decision to defer planned strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure by five days introduced a tactical pause in an otherwise escalating conflict, essentially extending the 48-hour ultimatum into a more uncertain holding phase. The shift from threats of “obliteration” to claims of “productive conversations” appeared less the result of any Iranian concession and more a unilateral recalibration by Washington. Tehran has denied any real engagement and maintained its position that any strike on its energy infrastructure would trigger wide retaliation across US- and Israeli-linked targets in the Gulf, including energy, desalination and critical systems, alongside a potential full closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The pause, therefore, reflects a delay in decision rather than a change in positions. Pressures driving the adjustment Multiple pressures appear to have driven this adjustment. The economic cost of the war is rising sharp...

Pakistan has emerged as one of several regional countries being credited in diplomatic circles for contributing to efforts aimed at easing tensions between the United States and Iran, as signs of de-escalation begin to surface.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday predicted rainfall and thunderstorms across the country from March 24 to March 30 with “occasional gaps”. In a press release, the Met Office said, “A western disturbance is likely to approach southwestern parts of Balochistan on March 24 (evening/night) and likely to intensify from the night of March 27 and may persist till March 31.” Balochistan Under the influence of this weather system, the press release said, in Balochistan, “rain-wind/thunderstorm with few heavy falls (with isolated hailstorm) is expected in Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Makran Coast (Gawadar, Pasni, Ormara) Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin, Kalat, Sibi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Quetta, Loralai, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Mastung from March 24 (evening) to March 25 (night) and from March 27 (night) to March 29 (morning) with occasional gaps.” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it predicted that “rain-wind...

Israel should extend its border with Lebanon up to the Litani River deep inside the country’s south, Israel’s finance minister said ​on Monday as Israeli troops bombed bridges and destroyed homes in the area in an escalating military assault. The comments by Finance Minister ‌Bezalel Smotrich were the most explicit yet by a senior Israeli official on seizing Lebanese territory in a fight that Israel claims targets Hezbollah. Lebanon was pulled into the regional war on March 2 when Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel. Since then, Israel has ordered all residents to leave the area south of the Litani River as it pummels the area with air strikes, ​terming it a Hezbollah stronghold. Lebanese authorities say the Israeli air and ground assault has killed more than 1,000 people, and more than a ​million have been driven from their homes, with Israel having ordered residents to flee swathes of the country. ‘The new Israeli border must be the Litani’ Smotrich told an Israeli radio programme that the military campaig...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone call with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, during which he stressed the “urgent need” for collective efforts for de-escalation in the Middle East and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. The phone call took place as the ongoing war in the Middle East entered its fourth week. It began on February 28, with the US and Israel launching strikes on Iran, which also resulted in the assassination of then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During the war, Gulf countries have also come under attack, and while Tehran accepts responsibility for some of the retaliatory attacks targeting US bases and assets, it denies having a role in others. Nevertheless, the developments have strained ties between Iran and Gulf nations. According to the statement issued by the PM’s Office (PMO), the premier conveyed his “serious concern” to Pezeshkian over the “dangerous ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region” during Monday’s phone call. “In view of this grave situation, the pr...

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday declared Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan as ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February after his “stellar display with the bat” at the recent T20 World Cup. In a press release, the global cricket body said, “Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has grabbed the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February 2026 owing to a stunning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in Sri Lanka.” “The highest run-getter of the marquee event finished with 383 runs in seven matches (six innings) at an average of 76.60, which included two hundreds and as many half tons. “The hard-hitting right-hander had a superb run at the global event, boasting a strike rate of 160.25 while breaking a longstanding Virat Kohli’s record of most runs at the T20 World Cup in a single edition,” the ICC said. Farhan has become the first male Pakistani player to achieve this title since pacer Haris Rauf in November 2024. He was also the only Pakistani player included in the 12-member Team of the Tournamen...

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday visited the residence of the bereaved family in the Township following the death of an eight-year-old girl, Mehar Qaiser, who died after being bitten by a stray dog the previous day, and announced financial assistance along with administrative measures to address the.

The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended Eid-ul-Fitr and Nowruz greetings to the Iranian President and the brotherly people of Iran.

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari on Monday met with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik at Bhutto House, Naudero.

Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, on Monday extended his warmest felicitations to the leadership and the people of the country on the auspicious occasion of Pakistan Day.

Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Monday congratulated the nation on the occasion of Pakistan Day, describing 23 March as a timeless symbol of “unshakeable resolve, loyalty, and national solidarity.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday imposed an immediate ban on the use of high-octane fuel in government vehicles.

LARKANA: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday directed the government to prioritise public relief, minimise the burden of petroleum prices and ease economic pressure on citizens during a high-level meeting at Bhutto House, according to the press release. The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, along with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Faryal Talpur and Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah. According to officials, the participants reviewed the overall law and order situation, the country’s economic outlook, and developments in the energy sector, including petroleum product pricing. The interior minister briefed the president on ongoing counterterrorism operations and border security. The meeting also discussed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as a detailed overview of broader regional security challenges. The finance and petroleum ministers...

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to President Asif Ali Zardari on the occasion of Pakistan Day, saying he is ready to work with the president to build an even closer Sino-Pak community with a shared future in the new era. President Xi highlighted the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan this year, as well as the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan. He expressed hope that both sides would carry forward their traditional friendship, enhance strategic communication and alignment of development strategies, and move forward together on their respective paths to modernisation. He lauded the Pakistani government on steadfastly safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity, overcoming various risks and challenges, and advancing national development, as well as making contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. As a close friend, China is sincerely pleased with Pakistan’s development...