In the Middle
Pakistan, along with Turkiye and Egypt, has reportedly facilitated a five-day ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, with President Donald Trump announcing Washington would not target Iranian energy and power infrastructure. However, concerns persist that Israel’s ongoing strikes could derail the peace efforts, as Tel Aviv has continued its bombardment.
Torturing Palestinians
Francesca Albanese, the U.N.’s special rapporteur on the rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, has warned that the world has given Israel “license to torture Palestinians.” She said life in the occupied territories was “a continuum of physical and mental suffering.” Presenting the report to the U.N. Human Rights Council, she said most world governments had allowed this.
Urging De-escalation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, has stressed the need for dialogue and diplomacy amongst all neighboring countries to settle their differences. During the call, the premier conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the “brave Iranian people in the wake of the ongoing hostilities” and expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the conflict.
Conditions Conveyed
Iran has outlined six conditions that must be met before Tehran agrees to end hostilities against the U.S.: guarantees to prevent the recurrence of war; closure of U.S. military bases in the region; payment of reparations; end to wars across all regional fronts; establishing a new legal framework for the Strait of Hormuz; and prosecution and extradition of media figures deemed hostile to Iran.
Delayed Flood Response
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has said that of the more than 19,500 schools damaged by the 2022 floods in the province, the government is reconstructing and repairing over 5,000 of them under provincial, federal and donor-funded programs. The initiative, he claimed, would restore educational facilities for more than 1.4 million students.
Oil Prices
The U.S. pause in hostilities against Iran has moderated rising fuel prices, but Brent Crude continues to fetch over $100/barrel, leading to high prices at gas stations globally. Analysts warn that if the conflict persists, it could trigger a fuel supply disruption that would take years to counter, potentially damaging the global economy on a massive scale.
Fuel Levy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a Rs. 200/liter increase to the levy on high-octane fuel, used primarily in luxury vehicles. The move is expected to generate Rs. 9 billion in monthly savings for the government. Following the notification, the ex-depot price of high-octane fuel was raised to a minimum of Rs. 305.37/liter. Previously the levy on high-octane fuel was Rs. 100/liter.
Criticizing Judges
In a post on X, PTI founder Imran Khan’s son Kasim said his father had urged him to relay a message slamming Pakistan’s judges, maintaining they should be “ashamed” of themselves. The message claimed Khan’s wife, Bushra, was being treated inhumanely and blamed judges for failing to ensure justice in society. “They [judges] have sold their souls for their paid personal privileges,” he alleged.
Ongoing Treatment
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has undergone a third eye procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, with doctors declaring his vision satisfactory following a detailed examination, according to hospital authorities. In a statement, the hospital said the procedure was carried out at an operation theater under strict medical protocols and precautionary measures,.
Telecom Merger
The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority has granted technical approval for the merger of Telenor Pakistan and Ufone. The NOC granted by the PTA allows Ufone to implement the integration process on the backend, converging their spectrum. The matter will now proceed to the Islamabad High Court for legal approval, following which the two entities will effectively merge.