Author: Mehrab Shah Afridi

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has announced that Pakistan is prepared to play a mediating role between Iran and the United States to help de-escalate the mounting tensions in the region. Speaking to Arab media, Tarar highlighted Pakistan’s historical experience in successfully brokering resolutions to conflicts, expressing Islamabad’s willingness to facilitate dialogue between the two adversarial nations. “Pakistan has previously played a successful mediation role in resolving disputes,” Tarar stated, while also condemning attacks on Iran and expressing solidarity with Gulf countries. The minister’s remarks come at a critical juncture as Iran and Israel engage…

By Merab shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has confirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces conducted successful airstrikes under Operation Ghazab-e-Lilhq on the night of March 16, targeting military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar that were involved in sponsoring terrorism. Addressing a news conference, Tarar stated that two locations in Kabul serving as technical support structures and weapons storage facilities were destroyed, with subsequent explosions clearly indicating the presence of large ammunition depots at the targeted sites. The minister further revealed that Pakistan’s military also struck four military installations in Nangarhar province that were patronizing terrorism, destroying their associated…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review measures aimed at ensuring economic stability and providing relief to the public amid rising global tensions. The prime minister said consultations are ongoing on further steps to support citizens given the evolving global situation. He noted that timely government decisions have ensured the continuous availability of petroleum products across Pakistan. Economic stability and public relief remain the government’s top priorities, he added, emphasizing that all measures are being taken with both immediate and long-term goals in mind. National-level austerity and savings measures have…

Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: The Population Council, in collaboration with the Information Service Academy (ISA) and UNFPA, convened a Media Coalition Meeting in Islamabad on 13 March to strengthen journalists’ role in advancing Pakistan’s National Action Plan on population under the Council of Common Interests (CCI). The meeting brought together senior journalists, communication experts, and public sector representatives to explore how evidence-based reporting can improve accountability and public understanding of demographic challenges. Established in 2018, the Media Coalition has grown to over 60 members from print, TV, radio, digital, and local language outlets, producing more than 2,000 stories on population,…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: In response to escalating tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Pakistani government is considering reviewing petroleum prices weekly instead of the current 15-day cycle. The move aims to better manage rising global oil prices and potential supply disruptions. More details: https://metro-morning.com/pakistan-faces-fuel-shortage-concerns-amid-middle-east-tensions/ A meeting chaired by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb assessed the country’s fuel situation. Officials confirmed that Pakistan currently holds 25 days’ worth of petrol and diesel reserves. The government has also instructed the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to issue new tenders and requested Saudi Arabia…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has approved a 35 paisa per unit increase in electricity prices for a three-month period from March to May, placing an additional burden of around Rs 8.67 billion on consumers. The increase will apply to all consumers of K-Electric as well as distribution companies (DISCOs) across the country. According to the official notification, the adjustment is part of the second-quarter tariff revision for the current financial year. Nepra said the hike is intended to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and to help cover rising operational and fuel costs faced by…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) announced on Monday that the final results of the CSS 2025 examination have been postponed. The commission said the outcome will now be released in April, following the determination of final vacancies. In an official notice, the FPSC explained that the exact number of successful candidates will be finalised only after the 54th Common Training Programme (CTP) begins. The training programme is scheduled to start on March 27, 2026, at the Civil Services Academy in Lahore. The commission noted that the delay is due to the pending confirmation of…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: The government has slightly reduced the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) nationwide, effective from March 1, according to an official notification. The LPG price has been lowered by Rs0.21, bringing the cost of a domestic cylinder down by Rs2.52 to Rs2,664.88, compared with Rs2,667.40 in February. The revised rates apply across the country. #LPGPrice #PakistanEnergy #GasPrices #HouseholdCylinder #FuelUpdate #PakistanNews #EnergyNews #March2026Update

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s recent military operation against the Afghan Taliban has left the militant group reeling, according to official statements. Information Minister Fawad Ataullah Tarar reported that Operation Ghazb-ul-Haq, launched in retaliation to cross-border attacks, inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces. Speaking on the social media platform X, Tarar said at least 415 fighters were killed and more than 580 injured, marking one of the most intense escalations along Pakistan’s western border in recent years. The operation, he said, involved targeted airstrikes at 46 locations within Afghanistan, focusing on Taliban positions and infrastructure. Authorities claimed that 182…

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, has underscored closer ties between Islamabad and Tehran, describing the two countries as “brotherly neighbors” united by geography and shared regional concerns. He emphasized cooperation as crucial amid rising tensions across South Asia and the Middle East. By Mehrab Shah AfridiISLAMABAD: Political changes across the region are drawing Pakistan and Iran into closer alignment, Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said during a public discussion on bilateral relations and long-term regional partnership. “We can choose our friends, but we cannot choose our neighbors,” he noted, stressing that the two countries are destined…