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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SC hears review plea on PTI founder's defence right

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Ayesha Malik, on Thursday heard a review petition filed by the PTI founder against the termination of his right of defence in a defamation case. During arguments, the PTI founder's counsel Ali Zafar told the court that under the law, a plaintiff must file an application to have the defendant's right of defence struck off. He said no such request had been filed in the present case. The trial court had taken suo motu notice to terminate the defence despite having no legal authority to do so, he argued. Sitting on the bench, Justice Hashim Kakar observed that the PTI founder had submitted his initial reply four years late. Justice Malik asked whether the trial court had taken any action or imposed a fine over the delay in submitting the reply. Zafar responded that although the court had the authority to proceed against the defendant for not filing a reply, that power was never exercised.

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Sindh slams the brakes on spending

The Sindh government has tightened austerity measures further in a bid to prepare for potential energy challenges, unveiling a series of cost-cutting and energy-saving steps aimed at reducing government expenditures while maintaining essential public services. In this regard, an important meeting of the Austerity Committee, chaired by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, was held on Thursday. During the meeting, participants held detailed discussions on the efficient use of energy, reducing government expenditures, and improving resource management without affecting public service delivery. The committee decided to cut fuel allocations for government officers by 50%, while 60% of government vehicles will be grounded. However, this decision will not affect the operational vehicles, including police mobiles, ambulances, fire brigade vehicles and other essential service vehicles. سینئر وزیر سندھ شرجیل انعام میمن کی زیر صدارت قائم کفایت شعاری کمیٹی کا اہم اجلاس منعقد ہوا، جس میں صوبائی وزراء سعید غنی، سید ناصر حسین شاہ، ضیاء الحسن لنجار، مکیش چاولہ سمیت متعلقہ حکام نے شرکت کی۔ اجلاس میں فیصلہ کیا گیا کہ سرکاری افسران کو فراہم کیے جانے والے فیول میں 50… pic.twitter.com/j7M3jeAYuY — Sindh Information Department (@sindhinfodepart) March 12, 2026 The secretary of general administration has been authorised to ground government vehicles and directed to submit daily reports to the committee. A formal proforma will also be prepared to record the registration numbers and details of the grounded vehicles. The committee made it clear that if any department violates these instructions, the concerned vehicle may be taken into custody. To ensure implementation, a monitoring committee comprising secretary of general administration and the secretary excise has been formed. The committee will compile a comprehensive list of all grounded vehicles. The meeting also reviewed the scrutiny and recovery of vehicles allocated to government projects, known as project vehicles. Committee members directed that details of all such vehicles be obtained and that steps be taken to recover them at the earliest, with a report to be submitted. Additionally, it was decided that government offices would operate normally for four days a week, while Fridays will be designated as work-from-home. Furthermore, all schools across the province will remain closed from March 16 to March 31, although examinations will continue according to their scheduled timetable and will not be postponed. Addressing the meeting, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the aim of these decisions is to reduce energy consumption without affecting public services, and all departments must strictly implement the austerity measures. Provincial ministers Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, and Mukesh Kumar Chawla, along with other relevant officials attended the meeting.

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'Citizens free to question state policy'

People cannot be stopped from disagreeing with or dissenting from the government under any law, as long as they remain within the boundaries set by the Constitution, legal and political experts have opined. As the government has openly warned people against dissenting from its current foreign policy, arguing that it creates confusion among friendly states about Pakistan's stated position, political and legal analysts have termed the move a "crude form of repression". They say such measures are often a hallmark of fascist and totalitarian regimes. The state treats dissent as the first stage of mutiny and therefore spares no effort to suppress it, they said, adding that the government cannot coerce its people into pledging allegiance to its policies as citizens have every right to question and dissent from state policy. Former Supreme Court judge Wajihuddin Ahmed said the claim that the Constitution does not permit people to question state policy, particularly regarding the country's foreign relations, is incorrect and reflects ignorance of the basic principles of the Constitution. He said people can disagree with any decision of the state according to their understanding, as long as they remain within the ambit of the law. He added that citizens are not duty-bound under the Constitution to have faith in the government's decisions. On the contrary, he said, the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Former caretaker Punjab chief minister and senior political analyst Hasan Askari said it was not surprising that the government treats dissent as anti-state. Under the present setup, he said, the question of what is legal and what is not becomes largely irrelevant. He added that, unfortunately, those in power can get away with almost anything. Even in matters related to political differences, the government resorts to the same corrosive measures to deal with the opposition, Askari maintained. He said "this was not a political government, so public opinion does not matter to it". The former caretaker Punjab chief minister noted that Pakistan should avoid involvement in any regional conflict and maintain a neutral policy. Senior journalist Salman Abid observed that the state wants to rid the country of any opposition. He said the government believes its decision-making should not be subject to public scrutiny and questioned who actually decides state policy, noting that even parliament was not taken on board in the matter at hand. He stated that "decisions taken behind closed doors, without any public input", are expected to be fully backed by the state. He added that if someone chooses to disagree with state policy, there is no clear way to voice that dissent. He further said this shows that Pakistan has learned nothing from its past mistakes, noting that many policies the current government criticises were once state policies themselves. He warned that such "oppressive measures" will only further alienate people from the state.

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