Fazl, Siraj discuss regional situation

Former emir of the JI, Sirajul Haq, called on JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman at his residence, where the two leaders held a detailed discussion on the national and international situation. During the meeting, both leaders expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the region. They also voiced dissatisfaction over rising inflation in the country and the difficult conditions being faced by the public. The leaders strongly condemned the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel, terming it dangerous for peace in the region. They said that such actions could further escalate tensions in the Middle East and worsen the already fragile security situation.

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Pakistan rejects Afghan Taliban claim of successful strike in Wana

The federal government on Sunday categorically dismissed claims by the Afghan Taliban regime that they had carried out a successful strike in South Waziristan's Wana. "The fact is that a rudimentary drone was destroyed over South Waziristan through soft kill measures. No military installation or infrastructure was hit," the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) said in a post on X. 🔎 Fact Check | Ministry of Information & Broadcasting 🟠 Claim (circulated by @MoDAfghanistan2): Afghan Taliban’s so-called Ministry of Defence has claimed a successful strike in Wana. ✅ Reality ◼️ The fact is that a rudimentary drone was destroyed over South Waziristan… pic.twitter.com/7s1zgtwUsV — Fact Checker MoIB (@FactCheckerMoIB) March 15, 2026 The statement came in response to claims by the Afghan Taliban’s 'defence ministry', which said it had successfully struck Wana amid ongoing operations by security forces under Operation Ghazab-Lil-Haq. The statement by MOIB further criticised the Taliban’s announcement as part of a pattern of propaganda and false claims. “The Taliban regime’s claim reflects their established pattern of pushing propaganda and fabricated claims, such as the recent false assertions about shooting down Pakistan Air Force aircraft and capturing pilots, hence cannot be relied upon,” the information ministry said. Read More: Security forces destroy technical infrastructure, storage facility in Kandahar strikes A day earlier, the information ministry had rejected similar claims by the Afghan Taliban regime that it had captured a Pakistani military post and inflicted damage, terming them false, fabricated, and aimed at misleading the Afghan public. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also commented on the matter, saying: “These false claims have no basis or foundation." Tarar added that the damages and losses incurred by the Afghan Taliban and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan were regularly updated by the information ministry with “irrefutable pictorial and video evidence”.

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Afghan Taliban mortar fire kills four civilians in Bajaur: Tarar

Four civilians were killed and a five-year-old child was seriously injured after mortar fire from across the border struck a village in Bajaur district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Sunday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said. In a statement posted on X, he said the attack took place at around 3pm when Afghan Taliban forces fired artillery and mortar shells into the civilian area from across the border. ✅ 15 March 2026 Attack on innocent civilians by Afghan Taliban Regime in Bajaur ▪️ Today on 15th of March 2026 around 1530 hours, Afghan Taliban regime deliberately targeted civilian population through artillery / mortar fire from across the border in Tabesta Letai, Salarzai… pic.twitter.com/M8PdBra2eN — Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) March 15, 2026 Tarar said Pakistani forces had responded to the attack. “A befitting and aggressive response is being given to the Afghan Taliban regime positions and infrastructure responsible for this dastardly act,” he added. The minister said the four victims — Sajid, Ayaz, Riaz and Muaz — were brothers. He added that residents of the area strongly condemned the attack and expressed anger over the targeting of civilians. “This cowardly and heinous deliberate targeting of civilians by Afghan Taliban regime in cohorts with terrorists organisation Fitna-al-Khawarij is not only a grevious violation of international law and basic human values but also reflective of their deep frustration and desperation while facing heavy setbacks on multiple fronts by the Armed Forces of Pakistan through targeted attacks on terrorists and support infrastructures as part of operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” he said. Read More: Security forces destroy technical infrastructure, storage facility and tunnel in Kandahar Earlier in the day while sharing details of Operation Ghazab-Lil-Haq, Tarar said the armed forces had conducted overnight strikes targeting terrorist hideouts in Kandahar and the Chitral sector, destroying a tunnel, technical infrastructure, and equipment storage facilities used by the Afghan Taliban and Fitna-al-Khawarij. Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was launched last month following renewed clashes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, after Afghan Taliban forces fired on multiple locations, prompting swift military retaliation by Pakistan. The neighbouring countries have been engaged in escalating hostilities along the frontier since then. The clashes intensified after Afghanistan launched a border offensive in response to earlier Pakistani air strikes targeting terrorist positions.

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SOE employees to face up to 30% pay cut

Employees of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and autonomous institutions operating under government patronage will face salary cuts ranging from five to 30 per cent as part of the government's austerity drive, with the savings earmarked for public relief. The decision was taken on Saturday at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the impact of rising petroleum product prices and the implementation of austerity measures amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The move expands the belt-tightening measures announced earlier this week after the global oil crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran pushed up fuel prices in Pakistan. "It was decided in the meeting that, like government employees, there will be a 5-30pc cut in the salaries of employees of state-owned enterprises and autonomous institutions under government patronage," the statement said. It added that all funds saved through the austerity measures would be used "only for public relief". The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior officials, while Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial was also present. While reviewing previously announced initiatives, the meeting decided that the four-day work week would not apply to law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and the FBR, which would continue to operate under normal schedules. The participants also reviewed earlier measures, reiterating that a third-party audit would be conducted within two months regarding the decisions to ground 60% of government vehicles and cut 50% of fuel allocations for official vehicles across departments. "The meeting was also briefed on the implementation of the government's complete ban on the purchase of new vehicles and the ban on all other government purchases," the PMO statement added. In addition, the next two months' salaries of cabinet members, ministers, advisers and special assistants (SAPMs) will also be "used as savings for public welfare". The meeting was further informed about the enforcement of a complete ban on foreign visits by ministers, advisers and SAPMs, with teleconferencing and online meetings to be prioritised instead. "The complete ban on foreign visits of government officers, ministers, ministers of state and special assistants will remain in place," PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying. The meeting also decided that corporations and other institutions with government representatives on their boards would not charge participation fees for those representatives, with such amounts to be counted as savings. "The premier also directed all Pakistani embassies around the world to celebrate the celebrations of March 23 with utmost simplicity," the statement added, referring to Pakistan Day. According to the PMO, the prime minister also directed that "the concerned secretaries will implement and monitor all these austerity orders and measures and will submit a report to the review committee on a daily basis". The government's austerity push comes as the US-Iran war, which began two weeks ago, has had a dramatic impact on global and domestic economies after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered sharp increases in fuel prices. Last week, the government raised petrol and high-speed diesel prices by Rs55 per litre, citing a surge in global oil prices. However, on Friday - when new prices were due to be announced under the revised weekly pricing mechanism - PM Shehbaz decided to keep fuel prices unchanged despite the uptick in the international oil market. Petroleum supply review Meanwhile, a committee formed by the prime minister to monitor petroleum prices held a virtual meeting to assess the country's fuel supply situation. According to the Ministry of Finance, the session was chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. "The committee undertook a comprehensive review of petroleum product stock positions across the country and was briefed on the current national inventory of crude oil and refined petroleum products, ongoing import arrangements, and supply chain logistics," the ministry said. Participants were also informed about cargoes currently en route as well as additional shipments being arranged to strengthen national reserves. "The committee noted with satisfaction that petroleum product stocks remain at comfortable levels and that supply chains are functioning smoothly, with adequate arrangements in place to ensure continuity of supply in the coming weeks," the ministry said. The meeting also reviewed developments in global oil markets, which have seen "heightened volatility in recent days due to geopolitical developments in the region". "Members examined international price trends, benchmark crude movements, and refined product market dynamics, and discussed possible external scenarios and their potential implications for Pakistan's energy sector and broader economy. It was noted that the government continues to closely monitor international market developments and is undertaking continuous scenario planning to safeguard domestic energy security and economic stability," the ministry said. Operational arrangements for crude imports, refinery operations and maritime logistics were also reviewed. Authorities briefed the committee on measures aimed at facilitating cargo movements, maintaining optimal refinery throughput and ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of the petroleum supply chain. "The committee emphasised the importance of maintaining close coordination among refineries, oil marketing companies, and relevant government institutions to sustain smooth product flows and nationwide fuel availability," the ministry said. Members were further briefed on the supply outlook for diesel, petrol, aviation fuels and liquified petroleum gas. The committee noted that current supply levels and planned imports were expected to adequately meet domestic demand in the coming weeks. It added that authorities remained actively engaged in monitoring stock levels, shipment schedules and distribution networks to ensure uninterrupted supply. Alongside supply-side measures, the committee also reviewed targeted fuel conservation and demand management options aimed at moderating import requirements during periods of global price volatility. "Various potential measures relating to efficient fuel consumption and public sector conservation initiatives were discussed, with the understanding that responsible consumption can contribute to reducing pressure on imports while supporting broader economic stability," it said. The meeting also reviewed progress on strengthening monitoring mechanisms across the petroleum supply chain, including plans to develop a digital dashboard to provide real-time visibility of stock levels, depots and retail supply conditions. It was agreed that improved data integration and monitoring would enhance oversight and support timely decision-making. Finance Minister Aurangzeb said the government's foremost priority remained ensuring the uninterrupted availability of petroleum products across the country while minimising the burden on the public. "He noted that although global energy markets are currently experiencing significant volatility, Pakistan's supply position remains stable due to proactive planning and close coordination among relevant stakeholders," the ministry said. Aurangzeb added that the committee would continue to closely monitor developments in international energy markets, domestic stock positions and supply chain dynamics on a daily basis to ensure timely policy responses. He reiterated that the government remained fully committed to maintaining market stability, safeguarding national energy security and ensuring uninterrupted supply chains amid the evolving global situation.

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Trump talks of global coalition to secure Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump urged other nations to help secure a vital shipping lane choked off by the war with Iran that showed no signs of slowing on Saturday as strikes hit the US embassy in Baghdad and a major Emirati energy facility, with Iran threatening to reduce US-linked oil facilities to "a pile of ashes" as the two-week-old Middle East war spilled over into a global oil price crisis. Oil prices have surged by 40 per cent as Iran has choked off the vital Strait of Hormuz and attacked Gulf energy facilities. Clouds of black smoke rose on Saturday over Fujairah, home to a major Emirati oil storage and export terminal, AFP journalists saw, shortly after Iran's military warned UAE civilians to avoid port areas. Washington's embassy in Iraq was hit by a drone, security sources told AFP, the second time it has been targeted in the war, and the Emirati consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan was also struck for the second time in a week. Five United States Air Force aerial refuelling aircraft were damaged during an Iranian missile strike on a key military installation in Saudi Arabia, according to US officials familiar with the incident. The aircraft were struck while parked at Prince Sultan Air Base, a major facility hosting American forces in Saudi Arabia. Officials said the attack occurred during a wave of Iranian missile launches targeting US military assets across the region in recent days. Having earlier vowed that the US Navy would "very soon" start escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump appeared to call for reinforcements on Saturday. "Many countries... will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe," he wrote on Truth Social, saying China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK would "hopefully" be among them. US forces struck Kharg Island on Friday, from which nearly all of Iran's oil is exported, with Trump saying they had "obliterated every MILITARY target", though sparing its energy facilities. The strike on Kharg could be a turning point, with both sides escalating the conflict in a bid to force a surrender, analyst Vali Nasr of Johns Hopkins University said on social media. "The end will likely not be Iranian backing off but inflaming the Gulf." Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strikes showed the war was entering a "decisive phase", though he cautioned it would "continue as long as necessary". Yet, despite facing superior US and Israeli firepower, Iran appeared determined to fight on. Blasts were heard by AFP journalists over Jerusalem after the military detected missiles launched from Iran on Saturday. Qatar evacuated downtown areas and intercepted two missiles, with blasts heard by AFP journalists. Hamas urged Iran to refrain from targeting Gulf neighbours, many of which have supported its cause. It was a rare breach between the allies, though Hamas affirmed Tehran's right to defend itself. Iran continued to face heavy bombardment with local media reporting strikes in several provinces through Saturday. Israel's military, meanwhile, warned people in an industrial zone of Tabriz in northern Iran to evacuate, signalling an imminent attack. Iran's health ministry says more than 1,200 people have been killed by US and Israeli attacks, numbers that could not be independently verified, while up to 3.2 million people have been displaced, according to the UN refugee agency. Trump described Iran as "totally defeated" and in search of a deal he was unwilling to consider. More than 15,000 targets in Iran have been hit by the US and Israel, the Pentagon said. A report this week said the first six days alone cost the US $11.3 billion, while 13 military personnel have died in the war. Transition US media raised the possibility of American troops on the ground in Iran, with the New York Times and Wall Street Journal reporting the Pentagon had dispatched the Japan-based amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli to the region along with around 2,500 Marines. In Iran, the country's rulers appeared intent on showing they would survive the war and maintain control, despite their supreme leader Ali Khamenei being killed on the opening day. Iranian foreign minister Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mocked the United States on Saturday, claiming that it was now "begging others" to make the Strait of Hormuz safe again. In a post on X, he said: "Touted US security umbrella has proven to be full of holes and inviting rather than deterring trouble. US is now begging others, even China, to help it make Hormuz safe. Iran calls on brotherly neighbours to expel foreign aggressors, especially as their only concern is Israel." Similarly, Alireza Tangsiri, naval commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said: "The Americans falsely claimed to have destroyed Iran's navy. Then they falsely claimed to be escorting oil tankers. Now they are asking others for reinforcements. Of course, we remind that the Strait of Hormuz has not yet been militarily closed — it is merely being controlled." Araghchi also separately said that US attacks on Kharg island on Friday made it "crystal clear that they are using the territory of our neighbours to attack us by this kind of rockets, and this is absolutely unacceptable". He said the attacks were tracked by Iranian forces. "Now it is clear that they are fired from the UAE — from two locations in the UAE — from Ras Al Khaimah and from a location very close to the city of Dubai. And it is very dangerous that they use highly populated areas to launch rockets against us," Araghchi added. Earlier, President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed to rebuild everything destroyed in air strikes by Israel and the US even better than before as the conflict in the Middle East grinds on. In a post on X, he said: "Fifteen days have passed since the imposed and unjust war, and despite the transportation, communication, and other challenges, thanks to our colleagues in the government, no serious disruption in service delivery to the people has occurred. With the companionship of you noble people of Iran, we will overcome these conditions and rebuild everything they have destroyed even better than before." The comments came after US President Donald Trump said that warships from the American military and other countries were on their way to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remained "open and safe" for traffic. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Saturday for neighbouring countries to expel US forces from the Middle East. The US security umbrella in the region "has proven to be full of holes and inviting rather than deterring trouble," the top diplomat posted on X, adding that Iran called on its neighbours "to expel foreign aggressors". Iran will target American companies in the region if its energy facilities are attacked in the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday. "Our Armed Forces have already answered that they would retaliate if our oil and energy infrastructure are attacked," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told MS NOW. Iran "will attack any energy infrastructure in the region which belongs to an American company or an American company is a shareholder," he added. The US embassy in Baghdad was hit by an attack on Saturday following strikes that killed three members of a powerful Iran-backed group in the capital, security sources said. Iraq, long a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran, was quickly dragged into the Middle East war triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. A cloud of black smoke rose above the US diplomatic mission shortly after the sound of explosions on Saturday morning, an AFP journalist said. Two security officials told AFP the embassy complex was struck by a drone. The US embassy did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment on the incident. It is the second time the US embassy has come under attack in Baghdad since the start of the war.

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K-P urged to prioritise unity over politics

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Friday urged the K-P government to implement the federal government's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and avoid any laxity in enforcing security measures. Speaking to a news channel, he stressed that while Pakistan's armed forces continue to sacrifice their lives for national security, there must be complete cooperation from provincial authorities in implementing counter-terrorism policies. Chaudhry said more than 8,200 personnel had been martyred in the fight against terrorism in K-P, highlighting the scale of sacrifices made by the armed forces.

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Two rudimentary TTP drones successfully intercepted, no infrastructure hit: information ministry

The information ministry said on Friday that security forces had "successfully intercepted" two rudimentary drones of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorist group using electronic countermeasures, adding that no damage to infrastructure was caused. Earlier, security sources said drones were detected at two locations adjacent to Rawalpindi and were neutralised before causing any damage. Officials confirmed that there were no casualties or property damage in the Rawalpindi incident. Airspace restrictions imposed as a precaution were later lifted, restoring normal flight operations.  The Afghan Taliban regime's Urdu X account had claimed targeting a military centre in the federal capital via drones. However, in a post on X, the information ministry rubbished the allegation, saying: "Two rudimentary drones of terrorist FAK, nurtured by Afghan Taliban regime, were successfully intercepted by the Pakistan security forces using electronic counter measures. No military or other infrastructure was hit, other than minor damage due to debris of the forced crashing of drones. "The Taliban regime claim includes no verifiable evidence as always, however fully exposes its established role as master proxy of terrorism harbouring and supporting multiple terrorist organisations such as Indian proxies." Referring to the Urdu account, it said the account and other "Taliban regime official accounts" were "known to regularly proliferate fake news and propaganda". 🔎 Fact Check | Ministry of Information & Broadcasting ✅ Reality ◼️Two rudimentary drones of terrorist FAK,nurtured by Afghan Taliban regime, were successfully intercepted by the Pakistan security forces using electronic counter measures. No military or other infrastructure was… pic.twitter.com/aGfJEAq0XL — Fact Checker MoIB (@FactCheckerMoIB) March 13, 2026 Speculation about the disruptions at Islamabad International Airport had circulated after the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) briefly stated on X, in a post later deleted, that flight operations had experienced a “brief operational adjustment”. Several media outlets subsequently reported that the airport had been closed for flights. However, the PAA later clarified that such reports were “baseless”. “Flight operations at Islamabad International Airport are continuing without interruption and all flights are operating according to schedule,” the authority said, urging the public to rely on official sources and avoid spreading unverified information. The public is advised not to pay attention to unverified or misleading reports and to rely on official sources of the Pakistan Airports Authority for authentic information. — Pakistan Airports Authority (@Pk_PAA_Official) March 13, 2026 Two injured in Kohat Meanwhile, in Kohat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Shafi Jan condemned suspected drone flights in the area, saying police acted swiftly to neutralise the threat. According to a statement issued by the provincial government’s information office, a specialised police team used an anti-drone system to jam the signals of a suspicious drone. The disruption caused the drone’s motor to shut down, forcing it to crash to the ground. Authorities said two individuals were injured when debris from the downed drone fell nearby. The injured were immediately provided medical treatment. Jan said the incident demonstrated the effective use of modern technology by law enforcement, adding that any attempt to destabilise peace in Kohat or elsewhere in the province would be thwarted. The provincial government has recently approved a Rs31 billion package aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the police, Jan said. So far, more than Rs7b has been spent on the procurement of modern weapons, anti-drone jamming systems and other advanced technologies. He reaffirmed that the government remained fully committed to maintaining peace and security across the province. The provincial information adviser also condemned the recent bombing near a police vehicle in Lakki Marwat, saying Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had sought a report from the inspector general of police regarding the incident. “We share the grief of the families of the martyrs and they will not be left alone,” he said.

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