Author: Mehrab Shah Afridi

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said that Pakistan’s leadership is considering early closure of markets to manage the ongoing economic challenges. If implemented, only wedding halls and restaurants would remain open until 10 PM. Speaking on the program Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, Malik said that the Finance Minister is scheduled to meet with the IMF and World Bank next week to discuss the magnitude of the economic shock facing the country. “We need to review the entire economic framework,” he added.Malik highlighted that the United Arab Emirates had deposited $3.5 billion in Pakistan…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that Pakistan is working tirelessly to reduce tensions in the Middle East, engaging in talks and diplomatic efforts as conflict continues between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Addressing a high-level meeting on the regional situation, PM Shehbaz said: “The flames of war in the region have not yet been extinguished; however, as a friend to all parties, Pakistan has been actively working to ease tensions through dialogue at multiple levels.” Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran prompted retaliatory attacks…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Vali Nasr, a prominent Iranian academic based abroad, has stated that Iran has requested guarantees from Pakistan in the event of any future agreement with the United States. In a post on social media platform X, Nasr noted that this concern appears to be linked to the current diplomatic visits in the region. He suggested that Ishaq Dar’s trip to China is aimed at securing assurances from Beijing that Pakistan and its allies would be supported or insulated in the event of any US-Iran agreement. According to Nasr, Iran’s request reflects Tehran’s caution about the…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved the power wheeling auction mechanism, allowing consumers to purchase electricity directly from power plants. According to the decision, buyers will be able to procure electricity through a competitive bidding process under the wheeling framework. The authority said a minimum of one megawatt of electricity must be purchased under this system. Nepra stated that consumers will be required to pay grid charges for using transmission infrastructure, which will be termed as wheeling charges. The mechanism is primarily aimed at industrial consumers and bulk electricity users. The regulator…

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…