Author: Ahsan Mughal
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Despite the ongoing conflict against Iran and escalating tensions across the Middle East, global gold markets have not witnessed a significant surge in prices—an anomaly that experts describe as highly unusual given historical patterns. Since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, regional instability has steadily mounted, yet the precious metal has remained surprisingly stable. Following the announcement by senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards adviser Ibrahim Jabbari on March 2 regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices skyrocketed past $100 per barrel and global stock markets experienced declines. Gold,…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Gold prices have once again recorded an increase in bullion markets across Pakistan, extending the precious metal’s historic rally amid sustained global demand. According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association, the price of gold per tola rose by Rs1,000, settling at Rs523,762, while the rate for 10 grams increased by Rs857 to reach Rs449,041. The domestic surge mirrors international market trends, with global gold prices climbing $10 per ounce to hit $5,010, maintaining the metal’s position at unprecedented levels. Market analysts attribute the continued upward trajectory to a combination of factors including geopolitical…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: The Meteorology Department has forecasted varied weather across Pakistan during Eid-ul-Fitr, with cloudy skies expected in the upper regions. A new western weather system is likely to enter the country from the evening of March 17, bringing thunderstorms and rain across most areas from March 18 to 20. In Balochistan, rainfall and hailstorms are expected in several districts between March 17 and 20. Upper regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may see rain, while mountain areas could experience snowfall. Punjab and Islamabad are likely to have intermittent rain from the night of March 17 to March 20, with…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Residents of Landhi, Khurramabad, Malir, and Korangi in Karachi reported feeling earthquake tremors. According to the Seismological Centre, the quake measured magnitude 4 with a depth of 10 km, and its epicenter was located 100 km south of Karachi. No immediate reports of damage or casualties have been received. #Karachi #Earthquake #Tremor #Seismic #Pakistan
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Former Sindh governor Kamran Tessori has departed for Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. He is expected to stay in the kingdom for a few days and will also offer prayers at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Speaking before his departure, Tessori thanked the airport protocol staff who came to bid him farewell. Earlier, while talking to media at Governor House Karachi, he remarked that no one remains in a position for life. Tessori also said he was neither a “dummy” nor a silent governor and could reveal who was behind his removal but chose not to do so. Meanwhile,…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced a public holiday for Friday, 13 March 2026, issuing an official notification. All government offices and educational institutions across the province will remain closed. The notification was issued by the Provincial Department of Services and General Administration. #Sindh #Holiday #Karachi #Government #Pakistan
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Senior Nihal Hashmi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has been appointed as the new Governor of Sindh. The decision was announced by the Prime Minister’s Office, with PM Shehbaz Sharif forwarding the summary to President Asif Ali Zardari for approval. PM Sharif met Nihal Hashmi to congratulate him on the appointment. The meeting was also attended by Rana Sanaullah, Ishaq Dar, and other party leaders. Hashmi hails from Karachi and succeeds Governor Kamran Tessori of MQM-Pakistan. A brief political background: Nihal Hashmi served as Adviser for Law and Justice to PM Nawaz Sharif from 1997…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced the immediate implementation of a four-day workweek for government offices, which will now operate from Monday to Thursday. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays will be holidays. Under the new measures, fuel consumption for official vehicles has been reduced by 50%, and 60% of government vehicles will be kept off the roads for the next two months. Purchases of new government vehicles are also banned until June. The notification further prohibits official events, dinners, and iftar parties, and all government meetings are to be held online. Provincial ministers will forego their salaries and…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: : Rain, windstorms and possible hail are forecast in several parts of Pakistan from March 9 to 12, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. The authority warned that hailstorms may occur in Islamabad and upper areas of the Potohar Plateau during this period. Weather alerts have also been issued for Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. According to NDMA, windstorms and light rain are expected in cities including Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Mianwali over the next few days. Light rain is also forecast in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Peshawar, Abbottabad, Chitral,…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: The retail price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has surged to Rs320–350 per kg, according to Ali Haider. In a statement, he said LPG prices have increased significantly from around Rs250 per kg, citing supply shortages in the market. Ali Haider urged the Pakistan government to arrange LPG imports from Russia or Oman to stabilize supply and control rising prices. He added that since the escalation of the Iran conflict, LPG supplies have declined while prices have continued to rise. #LPG #Pakistan #EnergyCrisis #GasPrices #Inflation #FuelPrices #PakistanEconomy #Karachi