COAS vows firm response to terrorism

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said on Thursday that Pakistan would not tolerate use of Afghan soil for terrorism against the Pakistani people. In an interaction here with Shia Ulema, Field Marshal Asim reiterated the resolve to eliminate terrorists and their infrastructure, operating against Pakistan, wherever they might be, through precise, intelligence-based operations. Matters of national security and role of Ulema in societal harmony came under discussion during the interaction, according to a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). Field Marshal Asim underscored the vital role of Ulema in promoting unity, tolerance and national cohesion, particularly in countering misinformation, sectarian narratives and externally-sponsored destabilisation efforts. The army chief highlighted Pakistan's efforts and pro-active diplomacy in seeking regional de-escalation. He emphasised that religious sentiments must not be exploited to incite violence in the country. Violence in Pakistan on the basis of incidents in another country will not be tolerated, he added. The participating Ulema expressed their desire for peace, stability, and condemned violence in the name of religion in strongest terms. They expressed wholehearted support to law-enforcement agencies in bringing about peace and stability in the country, the press release said.

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FO denounces Israeli envoy to India's 'baseless' comments on Pakistan's nuclear weapons

Pakistan on Thursday rejected comments made by the Israeli ambassador to India circulating on social media about Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, terming them a “baseless characterisation”. An interview clip of Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar with Indian news anchor Arnab Goswami has recently been doing the rounds on social media, in which he questioned the former about the Pak-Saudi mutual defence pact in the scenario of the US-Israeli war against Iran. In response, the Israeli envoy said: “I haven’t seen right now … the Pakistani army coming to the defence of Saudi Arabia against Iran.” He added that Pakistan has maintained relations with countries in the Arab world in the past, “including with our enemies". "This is something that we have been contemplating for a long period of time," he said. The Israeli ambassador also stated, “There is one rogue state that already has nuclear weapons. You don’t want to have a second one, it's very clear,” without clarifying which country he was referring to. In a statement issued today regarding what it said was a "video clip circulating on social media of the Israeli ambassador to India", the Foreign Office said: “We firmly reject this baseless characterisation. The real record of aggression and rogue conduct is evident in the illegal occupation, the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and the indictment of Israeli leadership in international courts.” It added that “responsible states uphold international law — not deflect from it.” PR No.7️⃣2️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Statement by the Spokesperson Regarding Video Clip Circulating on Social Media of the Israeli Ambassador to India 🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EyzNw0JhRv — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 19, 2026 Pakistan and Israel have no formal diplomatic relations, with Islamabad maintaining a long-standing policy of non-recognition tied to its support for Palestinian statehood.

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Freedom of movement not absolute: LHC

The Lahore High Court (LHC), setting aside its earlier order allowing former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to travel abroad for Umrah, ruled that the freedom of movement enshrined in Article 15 of the Constitution is not absolute. "Although the Constitution guarantees freedom of movement as a fundamental right, the same is not absolute in nature. The framers of the Constitution have expressly qualified this right by making it 'subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest.' "The constitutional scheme, therefore, recognizes that the right of an individual to move freely must sometimes yield to the larger interest of society, the administration of justice, and the enforcement of law," said a 23-page judgment authored by LHC's Justice Jawad Hassan. An LHC division bench, led by Justice Hassan, heard the federal government's intra-court appeal against a single bench order whereby Sheikh Rashid had been allowed to travel abroad for Umrah. The order held that the authority to regulate the passport of an accused under Section 28-A of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, including permission to travel abroad, lies exclusively with the anti-terrorism court (ATC) seized of the matter. The court observed that the single bench order was passed primarily based on a concession made by a law officer, which was beyond his lawful mandate and contrary to the statutory framework. It held that no estoppel can arise from such a concession, as a statement made without authority cannot override a subsisting judicial command. "Thus, we are inclined to allow this appeal and set aside the impugned order, with the observation that the application of the respondent, filed during the pendency of this appeal before the ATC, which was disposed of without being decided on merits on account of the pendency of this appeal, shall be deemed to be pending before the ATC. "[The appeal] shall be decided on its own merits after hearing both parties, in accordance with law, without being influenced by any observation made herein," the judgment stated. The court noted that in matters relating to criminal proceedings and the administration of justice, restrictions on the movement of an accused person are not uncommon. "Where a person faces trial before a competent court, certain conditions may be imposed to ensure their availability during proceedings and to prevent the possibility of abscondence. "Such restrictions are designed to maintain the efficacy of the criminal justice system and cannot be termed arbitrary merely because they limit the accused's personal liberty to some extent." The court held that the restriction in Sheikh Rashid's case was not an arbitrary administrative measure but was intrinsically connected with ongoing judicial proceedings before the ATC. The judgment emphasized that Article 15 of the Constitution does not confer an unfettered right to travel abroad when a person is facing trial under the Act. Section 28-A of the Anti-Terrorism Act, a lawful statutory provision enacted in the public interest, operates as a reasonable restriction on the exercise of the right guaranteed under Article 15 of the Constitution. "Accordingly, both provisions must be read together and harmoniously construed to maintain a balance between individual liberty and the effective administration of justice." The court reiterated that Article 15 does not confer an absolute right of movement, as it is expressly subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest. Consequently, where such restrictions emanate from lawful authority and are aimed at ensuring the proper administration of justice, they cannot be said to violate Article 15. The judgment explained that when Article 15 is read in isolation, it may appear to grant an unrestricted right of movement. However, when the qualifying phrase - "subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest" - is considered, it becomes evident that Section 28-A of the Anti-Terrorism Act falls squarely within permissible constitutional limitations. "Consequently, Article 15 of the Constitution and Section 28-A of the Act must be read together and harmoniously interpreted. The doctrine of harmonious construction requires that where a constitutional provision and a statutory enactment operate within the same field, the court should interpret them in a manner that gives effect to both rather than rendering either redundant." The court observed that Article 15 lays down the general constitutional principle of freedom of movement, whereas Section 28-A provides a specific statutory framework regulating the movement of persons accused of serious offences. "The latter, therefore, operates as a lawful and reasonable restriction within the meaning of Article 15 of the Constitution. It is also significant that the restriction contemplated under Section 28-A is neither arbitrary nor absolute, as it vests discretion in the court to determine the duration of passport impounding and to consider requests for travel abroad in appropriate circumstances. "Thus, the restriction is regulatory in nature and subject to judicial oversight." The court also noted that Sheikh Rashid had moved a fresh application before the ATC during the appeal's pendency, which was dismissed because the intra-court appeal was pending before the high court. "The respondent was further cautioned to remain careful in future about concealing the present proceedings. Such conduct is significant, as it indicates that he was fully aware of the proper forum for seeking such relief and of the pendency of the present appeal before this court. By approaching the ATC while the matter was sub judice, the respondent appears to have attempted to circumvent the appellate proceedings." The judgment also criticized the role of the law officer, observing that the respondent had bypassed the statutory mechanism and obtained relief through a constitutional petition that was allowed primarily based on a statement made by the Additional Attorney General without proper examination of the statutory framework. "Such conduct undermines the duty of a law officer, whose primary obligation is to assist the court with candour, honesty, and complete disclosure of facts, irrespective of the party being represented," the court observed. The court concluded that the respondent ought to have first availed the remedy available before the ATC instead of invoking the constitutional jurisdiction of the high court in the manner he did.

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Pakistan Day parade called off amid austerity measures

The federal government has called off the Pakistan Day parade scheduled for March 23 due to the ongoing oil crisis and the austerity measures announced following the Middle East tensions, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Tuesday. "In light of the ongoing Gulf oil crisis and the austerity measures announced by the government, it has been decided that the Pakistan Day parade scheduled for March 23 and all associated ceremonies will not be held," the PMO's statement read. The decision was taken in the wake of the recent crisis triggered by disruptions in oil supply following the US-Israel-Iran war, resulting in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Last week, to cope with the situation, the prime minister announced a four-day work week and a work-from-home policy as part of wide-ranging austerity measures. The PMO statement added that the day will instead be observed with dignity and respect through simple flag-hoisting ceremonies. The step is aimed at ensuring that the nation's commitment to the ideals of Pakistan Day, its resilience and unwavering resolve are upheld, while maintaining the broader policy of austerity. "All ministries, divisions and departments are directed to observe the occasion with simplicity and dignity, so that despite limited ceremonies, the importance of the day and its true message remain preserved," it added. Pakistan Day, observed annually on March 23, commemorates the adoption of the Lahore Resolution in 1940 and is traditionally marked by a large military parade in Islamabad attended by the country's political and military leadership.

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First Pakistani vessel carrying oil shipment arrives via Strait of Hormuz

The first Pakistani vessel to transit through the Strait of Hormuz following its closure has entered the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Oman and reached Pakistan’s maritime zone, carrying a consignment of 80 million litres of crude oil. The oil tanker, MT Karachi, crossed the strategically sensitive route after Iran had shut it in the wake of attacks by the United States and Israel. It is the first Pakistani ship to successfully pass through the strait under the prevailing circumstances and enter the country’s territorial waters. The vessel is scheduled to berth at Karachi port on Wednesday. Officials said MT Karachi was granted special permission by Iranian authorities to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, utilising Iranian territorial waters during its passage. The Pakistan Navy provided maritime security to the vessel throughout its journey, ensuring safe navigation through the sensitive corridor. The tanker departed from Das Island port in the United Arab Emirates on February 28. According to international media reports, payment for the crude oil carried by MT Karachi was made in Chinese currency.  

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FBR challengesPHC tobacco firms'de-sealing order

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has approached the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) challenging the Peshawar High Court (PHC) order directing the de-sealing of three tobacco companies. The FBR, through its counsel Hafiz Ahsaan Ahmad Khokhar, has filed a petition before the FCC against the PHC's December 18, 2025 judgment, which directed the revenue authority to de-seal three tobacco companies in the province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Challenging the PHC judgment, the FBR contends that the high court exceeded the limits of its constitutional jurisdiction by entertaining the writ petitions despite the existence of adequate and efficacious alternate statutory remedies provided under Sections 33, 34 and 35 of the Federal Excise Act, 2005, which establish a complete statutory hierarchy for adjudication, appeal, and revision. According to the department, the judgment contradicts the well-settled doctrine of exhaustion of remedies, consistently affirmed by the Supreme Court (including in 2022 SCMR 92), which holds that constitutional jurisdiction cannot ordinarily be invoked to circumvent remedies provided under a special fiscal statute. The petition further submits that the high court interfered at a premature stage of the proceedings, even though only a show-cause notice had been issued and the adjudication process under Section 33 of the Federal Excise Act had not yet culminated in a final determination of liability. The department argues that issuing a show-cause notice merely initiates adjudicatory proceedings and does not constitute a final adverse order amenable to challenge under Article 199 of the Constitution. The FBR has also challenged the high court's interpretation of the statutory expression "reason to believe" contained in Rule 28A(6) of the Federal Excise Rules.

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Aviation sector faces financial woes

Escalating hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States are now sending shockwaves through Pakistan's aviation sector, with commercial flights and pilot training facing unprecedented financial pressures. Jet fuel prices have surged, and aviation gasoline for training planes has followed suit, hitting aspiring pilots the hardest. Industry experts warn that if the trend continued, small aircraft operation could come to a halt. Global fuel markets severely under pressure these days because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, following joint US-Israel attacks that began on February 28. Oil prices have since rise sharply, creating ripples across the globe. In Pakistan, aviation experts say, commercial flight fuel, Jet A-1, has risen by Rs154 per litre, while aviation gasoline, used in smaller training aircraft, has hot up by Rs80 per litre. As a consequence, they say, domestic fare tickets have jumped by Rs10,000-15,000, and international fares by Rs30,000–150,000, as airlines struggle to absorb the sudden cost spike. The price of crucial fuels has transformed the aviation landscape, disrupting both commercial operations. In the past 17 days, over 1,600 flights from Karachi and other airports to Gulf states and beyond were cancelled due to regional instability. For trainee pilots, the financial squeeze is severe. At the Karachi Airport's hangars, the situation is especially concerning, as flying lessons now cost an extra Rs1 million, while reserves of aviation gasoline are estimated to last only a month. Unlike commercial planes, training aircraft rely on aviation gasoline, produced at just five locations worldwide. Imported in 16,000-24,000 litre shipments and 200-litre drums, the fuel now costs Rs670 per litre. "Overnight, everything changed in the aviation industry," said Imran Aslam Khan, CEO of Sky Wings. "The cost of flying training has gone up by nearly Rs1 million, and if fuel prices keep rising, these expenses could jump by another Rs2-3 million." As Middle East tensions persist, Pakistan's aviation sector finds itself navigating both literal and financial turbulence, with the cost of flight reaching new heights long before takeoff.

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