Day: March 8, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to protecting women’s rights and improving their access to justice, announcing a comprehensive gender-responsive justice reform agenda for 2026-27. In a message issued on International Women’s Day, the chief justice said women play a central role in Pakistan’s social, economic and civic life and their resilience and leadership continue to shape the country’s present and future. He said the occasion provides an opportunity to renew the constitutional commitment to ensuring dignity, justice and a safe environment for…

ISLAMABAD: In a back-to-back meetings, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the ministries concerned to prepare a comprehensive plan based on austerity and savings in view of the existing global economic pressures caused by tensions in the neighbouring region. He issued the directions while chairing a review meeting on the country’s economic situation in the current global context. During the meeting, participants were briefed on the recent global tensions and their economic impact on the region. The prime minister instructed authorities to formulate a strategy focused on economic growth,…

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday spoke with his UAE counter Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “The two leaders exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and underscored the importance of peace and stability,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release. The foreign minister expressed concern over the recent attacks in the region, including those on the UAE, and conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the UAE and its people. Dar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. During the conversation, they discussed the evolving regional…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia discussed joint measures to stop drone and missile attacks by Iran amid the ongoing regional war, it emerged on Saturday, in a significant diplomatic and security development. The ISPR said Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir travelled to Riyadh on Friday to reassure the Saudi leadership of Pakistan’s support during the volatile situation. During the meeting between the field marshal and the Saudi defence minister,…

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties on Saturday came down hard on the government’s decision to raise petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per litre, denouncing it as an “inflation bomb” that would tighten the squeeze on households already struggling to keep their heads above water amid soaring living costs. Opposition leaders warned the move would set off a fresh spiral of inflation and urged the government to roll back the increase without delay. The steep hike comes as Pakistan grapples with the economic fallout of the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, which…