Pakistan

The United States Embassy in Islamabad has canceled all visa appointments scheduled from March 9 to March 13.

• Najafabad ‘double-tap’ airstrike kills 19 civilians seeking municipal services, emergency workers • Bombing of Qeshm Island desalination plant cuts off fresh water to 30 villages THE United States and Israel stand accused of committing “war crimes” in Iran, after a series of recent airstrikes that have killed hundreds of civilians and devastated non-military infrastructure, targeting a water desalination plant, and a park housing emergency responders, hospitals, and schools. The accusations followed a deadly strike on Sunday morning in Najafabad, where local officials reported 19 civilians were killed. Akbar Salehi, the security and law enforcement deputy of the Isfahan Governorate, said fighter jets he linked to the US and Israel struck a local office for traffic and driving services. He added that a second missile targeted the same location minutes later as residents and emergency personnel were attempting to rescue the wounded. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said it has formally requested the Internati...

• Premier stresses ‘sensible use’ of petroleum products during Iran crisis; says burden should be borne ‘judiciously’ by all segments of society • Three fuel shipments expected today, petroleum minister tells Sindh CM; predicts LNG supply disruptions • Finance minister warns monthly oil import bill could rise to $600 million • Punjab CM calls for uninterrupted diesel supply for agricultural use ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to unveil an austerity plan today (Monday) in view of the global fuel crisis, triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran, and the subsequent attacks on oil-producing Gulf states. Last week, the government increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs55 per litre, the highest-ever such hike, as the country felt the first direct economic impacts of the ongoing regional conflict. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier chaired a meeting on Sunday to review the government’s austerity strategy, amid the prevailing situation in the Middle Ea...

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Beijing's envoy visits Kabul; Yue Xiaoyong holds talks with FM Muttaqi; Says China backs peaceful engagement

Several austerity measures to be announced today

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Iranian panel meets to select new supreme leader

Three petroleum shipments are expected to reach Pakistan by tomorrow (Monday), Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik informed a briefing called to discuss rising global oil prices and fuel reserves amid the widening Middle East conflict on Sunday. The meeting attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the finance and petroleum ministers to work with provincial governments on a strategy to conserve and ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products amid fuel shortage concerns sparked by the Israel-Iran war. The federal government delegation offered a detailed briefing to the Sindh CM on the recent price hike and fuel reserves, according to a statement issued by CM House. Finance Minister Aurangzeb told the meeting that Pakistan’s monthly oil import bill could increase to $600 million in the backdrop of the conflict, adding that the government is continuously monitoring global energy markets and preparing alt...

With reserves of 186b tonnes, Thar lignite provides hedge against price shocks

Without reform, licensing overhaul and long-term capital, export targets will remain aspirational

Until court's detailed reasoning, administrative restraint will be wiser revenue strategy

Escalating tensions could disrupt energy markets, deepen economic instability

Structured cooperation, not decoupling, is key to global markets, supply chains and geopolitical stability

Say equal opportunities necessary for development

Supply of medicines, baby milk, and vaccines is likely to be affected by ongoing war in Gulf

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