Author: Asghar Ali Mubarak

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: The government is considering the possibility of a smart lockdown as regional tensions rise and concerns grow over a potential fuel crisis.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari to review the evolving situation and decide the country’s next steps. The meeting is expected to be attended by senior leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the finance minister, and the petroleum minister. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also expected to participate in the discussions.Sources said the agenda includes a detailed briefing on the possible implementation of a smart lockdown to manage…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has warned it may shut down petrol pumps across the country if its demands are not met. In a letter sent to Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, the association requested an urgent meeting, stating that a previous letter sent on March 6 had received no response. The association said the petroleum sector was facing serious operational and financial challenges, including pricing issues and sudden policy changes. It urged the government to include industry stakeholders in policymaking, adding that the issues faced by around 14,000 to 15,000 petrol pump owners…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is ready to host meaningful negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing regional crisis. In a statement, the prime minister said facilitating dialogue would be an honour for Pakistan, adding that negotiations were essential for peace and stability in the region and beyond. He said Pakistan was prepared to support efforts for a comprehensive settlement, subject to the consent of both the United States and Iran, and would be willing to play a constructive role in facilitating outcome-oriented talks. Sharif added that Pakistan welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts to…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke on Monday. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s iron resolve. The nation stood firm against terrorism’s menace. Actions inside Afghanistan targeted that goal alone. No half measures clouded the fight. Dar addressed the nation on Pakistan Day. Austerity gripped the land tight. Regional conflicts cast long shadows. Economic ripples hit home hard. Political tremors shook the frame. Yet he urged steadfast hearts. Unity, faith and discipline formed the shield. Together, Pakistan would navigate the storm. The people nodded grim but sure. Conflicts engulfed the region. Middle East…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: President Donald Trump called on Tuesday for an immediate halt to military strikes on Iran. His words echoed the quiet diplomatic push by Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt. These nations worked behind the scenes to cool tensions in the Middle East. Sources close to the matter revealed intense exchanges. Over the past two days, messages flew between the US and Iran. The goal stayed clear: avert full-scale conflict. Stabilize the volatile region. Pakistan led the charge with back-channel talks. Turkey and Egypt lent strong support. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took the front seat. He steered Pakistan’s…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed concern over what he described as the use of shared water resources as a weapon by India. In his message on World Water Day, he said the occasion highlights the theme of water and gender, drawing attention to access to clean water as a fundamental right. Zardari noted that many communities in Pakistan rely on unsafe water sources, while the lack of clean water and sanitation disproportionately affects women and girls, who spend significant time fetching water. He stressed that ensuring safe water supply should be a national priority…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar has said that global oil prices could rise further in the coming days, urging the nation to adopt a collective strategy for savings and energy conservation. Speaking at a joint press conference with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Atta Tarar said the government was already taking steps to manage the situation, noting that a planned increase of Rs150 in petrol and Rs250 in diesel prices was prevented this week. He said pricing in Pakistan was linked to international markets and stressed the need to reduce fuel consumption. Ali Pervaiz…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that Israel is no friend and can only be confronted through a joint strategy, emphasizing that the great sacrifices of martyrs form a strong foundation for the nation’s defence. Speaking to Samaa TV on Saturday, the minister noted that the Muslim Ummah is presently undergoing trials, with Muslims in Palestine, Sudan and Kashmir at the forefront of suffering. On the occasion of Eid, Khawaja Asif stressed the importance of remembering the martyrs of the war against terrorism and their families, adding that the survival of the Islamic world lies…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: The government is expected to announce a weekly revision in petroleum product prices, with sources indicating that the federal government absorbed a burden of 23 billion rupees for the week of March 14 to maintain prices unchanged. The government had kept petrol and diesel prices steady from March 14 to 20, bearing the cost through price differential claims. According to sources, on March 14 the government had prevented an increase of 49 rupees 63 paise per litre in petrol and 75 rupees 5 paise per litre in diesel. For the upcoming week, the government may…

Pakistan’s army chief highlighted the nation’s determined diplomatic push to ease regional tensions while warning against cross-border threats By Asghar Ali Mubarak RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s top military leadership reaffirmed its commitment to national security and vowed not to tolerate the use of Afghan territory for attacks against its citizens. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, delivered the message during an interaction with leading Ulema of Fiqa-e-Jafria at Rawalpindi. The meeting, which focused on national security and the role of religious scholars in promoting societal harmony, saw the Field Marshal underline Pakistan’s resolve to…