Escalating Conflict
Iran has vowed “harsh revenge” over the assassination of security chief Ali Larijani and the commander of paramilitary force Basij, Gholamreza Soleimani, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claiming it has already launched attacks on Israel in response. In a statement, the IRGC has said it struck more than 100 targets in the latest wave of missile attacks over the past 24 hours.
Discounted Oil
Russia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev has said Moscow is ready to provide discounted oil to Pakistan amidst an ongoing supply crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict. Addressing media in Islamabad, Khorev urged Islamabad to formally approach his country, and also criticized the U.S. and Israel for intensifying the crisis through their use of force against Iran.
Austere Celebration
The Government of Pakistan has decided to cancel the planned Pakistan Day parade for March 23 as part of austerity measures adopted amidst the Gulf crisis. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the occasion would be marked with “dignity and reverence through a simple flag hoisting ceremony” in line with broader belt-tightening measures.
No Imminent Threat
A senior U.S. counterterrorism official has resigned from his post, maintaining Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States and the war was started due to pressure from Israel and “its powerful American lobby.” He likened the conflict to the Iraq war, stressing he could not support sending the next generation to fight a war that offers no benefit for the American people.
Nationwide Crackdown
The federal government has launched a major crackdown against money-laundering and hawala-hundi networks, vowing zero leniency against any individuals or institutions involved in illegally transferring funds abroad. A meeting co-chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb decided overseas remittances will be sent strictly through banking channels.
Tragic Loss
A third Pakistani national has been killed in the United Arab Emirates due to falling debris from an intercepted ballistic missile in Abu Dhabi. The Gulf state’s government maintains air defense systems are successfully intercepting missiles, but fragments of debris have resulted in the deaths of seven people, including three Pakistanis.
Bank Holiday
The State Bank of Pakistan has announced that banks and financial institutions nationwide will remain closed for four consecutive days, from March 20-23, in light of official Eid holidays, the weekly Sunday break, and the Pakistani Day holiday. Earlier, the federal government had announced two official holidays for Eid, March 20 and March 21.
Mass Displacement
A fresh report issued by the United Nations human rights office has urged Israel to halt immediately its dramatic settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, raising concerns of “ethnic cleansing” with over 36,000 Palestinians displaced in a single year. The report warned the mass expulsion amounted to unlawful transfer prohibited under international humanitarian law.
Tragedy Averted
Officials have confirmed that an explosion occurred on a railway track in Shikarpur shortly after the passage of the Jaffar Express traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, adding investigations are underway to ascertain whether the explosion was an act of sabotage or caused by other factors. The officials have said all necessary measures to maintain security on railway tracks would be taken.
Trust Deficit
A cluster of ancient coins excavated from Mohenjo Daro has yet to be dispatched to a lab in Karachi to establish their age, as officials say they believe the object might be stolen or damaged in the process. The object was discovered in 2023 but has remained in stasis, with officials demanding the lab at Mohenjo Daro be upgraded rather than relying on the lab in the provincial capital.