Pakistan has witnessed a surge in tensions following the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine, leading to a province-wide shutdown in Sindh on Friday. The provincial government announced a public holiday across the province, with all government offices and educational institutions closed on March 13, 2026. The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration also announced a public holiday, with all educational institutions in the capital city closed.
In response to the heightened tensions, the US Embassy in Pakistan has restricted the movement of its staff until March 15, 2026. The embassy has advised citizens to check its website for appointment schedules, while all consular services at the US Consulates in Karachi and Lahore have been suspended temporarily.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar provided an update on Operation Zarb-e-Haq, detailing the losses suffered by extremist groups and the Afghan Taliban. Sindh Governor Haleem Adil Sheikh vowed not to engage in petty politics, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured that his government would provide relief to the people as much as possible in these difficult times.
In other news, Peoples Party leader Abdul Qadir Patel inaugurated a NADRA center in Karachi, while a briefing was given to him by the DG NADRA Sindh, Amer Ali. Two bodies were found in a region of Balochistan, with police confirming that the victims were shot by unidentified individuals.
Governor Sindh took the oath of office, with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Zia Lango, Nasir Shah, and Zulfiqar Shah in attendance. A police official confirmed that a bomb went off near a police mobile in Punjab. A suspect was arrested in connection with alleged molestation of a mentally challenged woman in Hafizabad.
In a separate incident, Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Finance, Muhammad Jamal Khan, announced that government employees would receive their salaries and pensions on March 16, 2026. In view of security concerns, several areas in Islamabad have been cordoned off, while the Peshawar Electric Supply Company has announced that employees would work on four days a week, from Monday to Thursday.
In Balochistan, the provincial government has implemented a three-day weekly holiday for government offices, citing austerity measures. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that over 1,000 rocket attacks have been launched on Iran on average each day.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his anger at former Pakistan fast bowler Salman Ali Agha, who made some harsh comments, prompting a strong reaction from Bangladesh’s wicket-keeper Liton Das.
