The US Consular Services in Lahore and Karachi have been temporarily suspended, effective March 13, as part of the ongoing efforts to address the global crisis. The US Embassy has announced that visa appointment scheduling for immigrant and non-immigrant visas has been canceled, and applicants will receive instructions via email for new appointment scheduling. However, emergency services for US citizens will continue as usual.
In a separate development, an investigation has been launched into the tragic incident in Karachi, where 11 people lost their lives and over 30 others were injured during a protest outside the US Consulate. The Additional IGCTD, Zulfiqar Lark, has taken charge of the inquiry committee, which will submit a detailed report to the Interior Minister within seven days. Further officials will be summoned to provide additional information to the committee.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has emphasized the need for a more effective, modern, and robust Commonwealth, which can be more active in complex global environments. A Pakistani national, Saad Muhammad’s father, has appealed to the Pakistani government for assistance, as his son is stranded on a ship in the Gulf. The Ministry of Finance has assured that the supply chain of petroleum products is functioning normally in the country. However, 60% of government vehicles will be taken off the road.
In a move to tackle the economic crisis in the region, Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, has ordered that official fuel be cut off for provincial ministers until the petroleum crisis is resolved. All schools in Balochistan will remain closed until March 23, in light of the ongoing situation. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Salman Akram Raja, has stated that the region has been plunged into barbarism and that Pakistan must assert its character.
The United National Movement (MQM) leader, Dr. Farooq Sattar, has criticized the government for increasing the price of petroleum without consulting anyone, describing it as a “bombshell of inflation”. The MQM’s leader, Khawaja Asif, has stated that the government has imposed a burden of 6 billion rupees per day on the public.
The chairman of the PTI, Imran Khan, has visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters, accompanied by British High Commissioner Jean Markham. Marketing Association leader Ali Haider has stated that the retail price of LPG has increased from 250 rupees per kilogram to 320-350 rupees per kilogram. Sources have revealed that the Finance Minister, Miftah Ismail, has briefed the council on the global crisis and measures to conserve petroleum products and implement austerity measures.
The Interior Minister has stated that, in light of the situation, the police are forced to set up checkpoints for security reasons. The Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, has announced that 60% of government vehicles will be taken off the road.
Saudi Arabia has condemned Iranian aggression against the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council member states. Meanwhile, the US has launched a Tomahawk cruise missile attack on an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base, which was located near a school.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the team of the tournament for the 2026 T20 World Cup, with Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi at the top of the list. According to a British newspaper, US President Trump’s military strategy in Iran has been deemed a failure, with the Venezuelan model of appointing a new leader being seen as an ineffective approach.
A military helicopter crashed in the United Arab Emirates, resulting in the deaths of two Emirati soldiers.
