Pause Extended
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 10-day pause on U.S. strikes against Iran’s energy plants, citing a “request from the Iranian government.” The pause extends the previous 5-day pause that was to end on March 27 and will now persist until April 6. In his announcement, Trump claimed negotiations with Tehran are proceeding well, and dismissed reports suggesting otherwise as “fake.”
Volatile Pricing
Oil prices saw another drop on Friday after a volatile week over the U.S. president’s announcement that talks with Iran are going “very well.” A day earlier, amid fears of further escalation following Iran’s reported rejection of a peace plan, prices had risen once more, with the volatility prompting analysts to question whether Trump’s statements are a means to manipulate the markets.
United Front
Pakistan’s top civil-military leadership has endorsed a unified approach through consensus and institutional coordination to protect the country’s security, economy and food supply amid evolving regional challenges triggered by the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. The meeting also stressed that policy decisions must prioritize stability while safeguarding the interests of the public.
Go-Between
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that Pakistan, along with Turkiye and Egypt, is relaying messages between the United States and Iran, facilitating indirect talks in a bid to end the ongoing Middle East conflict. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the development to the U.S. cabinet, saying Islamabad was playing an important role as mediator.
Looming Crisis
The government is considering placing RLNG-fired power plants with a cumulative capacity of over 3,600MW on preservation mode amidst ongoing difficulties in securing LNG at affordable rates during the Iran war. Reportedly, the government may implement several hours of load shedding nationwide if supply disruptions persist.
Visible Frustration
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson has said recent reported remarks of Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar “betray a deeper sense of frustration.” He told a weekly press briefing that Pakistan does not believe in such “megaphone theatrics” and prefers an approach anchored in “restraint, decorum and not in rhetorical excesses.”
Empowering NADRA
A Senate committee has passed a government bill allowing the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to impound CNICs of individuals for up to two months as part of measures aimed at “swiftly” acting against “criminals” who evade court proceedings. Authorities maintain the legislation balances state security with citizens’ procedural rights.
Mounting Toll
A fourth Pakistani national has been killed in the United Arab Emirates amidst Iran’s ongoing missile bombardments on the Gulf state. Authorities said the latest casualty occurred from debris following the interception of a ballistic missile by air defense systems. The Embassy of Pakistan has said it is coordinating closely with U.A.E. authorities to support the bereaved family and facilitate repatriation.
Sabotaging GSP+
The PTI has rejected allegations from government ministers that Imran Khan’s son, Kasim, attempted to sabotage Pakistan’s GSP+ status with the European Union, which grants the country lower tariffs on exports. The party has claimed Kasim’s testimony at a United Nations event solely aimed to highlight his father’s health and did not harm Pakistan’s national interests.
Senator No More
The Election Commission of Pakistan has disqualified PTI’s Murad Saeed as senator over his conviction in a case related to the May 9, 2023 riots. Consequently, a general seat in the Senate from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has been declared vacant. Despite being elected in July 2025, Saeed had yet to take oath, as he remains in hiding.