Pakistan has been placed on high alert as Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, enters its third week. The provincial police in Punjab have been instructed to remain vigilant and keep a close eye on suspected individuals and terrorist elements. According to reports, over 83,000 police officers and personnel have been deployed across the province to ensure maximum security.
In a statement released from Lahore, IG Punjab Abdul Kamal expressed his concerns about the potential threats posed by extremist groups and emphasized the need for increased security measures at mosques, police checkpoints, consulates, and sensitive locations. The IG also instructed authorities to monitor these areas using CCTV cameras and maintain high alertness at inter-provincial check posts.
Meanwhile, in a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, expressed his concerns about the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. The Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, also visited the Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Development, Senator Musadik Malik, to offer his condolences.
In other news, Sindh has declared a public holiday on the occasion of Youm-e-Ali (the birthday of Hazrat Ali). Educational institutions across the province will remain closed on this day. Employees at the Artillery Maidan Police Quarters in Lahore have complained about the deplorable living conditions, with many calling for immediate improvements.
The Supreme Court has also issued a verdict in the case of Khadija Ghaffar, a medical student who was subjected to harassment and violence in Faisalabad. In a separate development, the Khaleej Airlines has announced the resumption of flight operations from today until March 19.
Economic Development
In economic news, the Finance Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, is expected to approve the duration of petroleum product prices in the Economic Coordination Committee meeting today. The total number of canceled flights from Pakistan to the Middle East over the past week has reached 814.
Investigations into the Karachi consulate incident, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people and injured over 30, have begun under the leadership of Additional IG CTD, Zafar Larik.
In a significant development, the Pakistan Army has launched Operation Ghazb-ul-Haqq against the Taliban in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. In another move, the PTI leader, Sheikh Waqas Akram, has called for Pakistan’s immediate withdrawal from the Board of Peace.
Anti-Drone Units will be established in all districts of Punjab, while the Khyber Pakhunkhwa government has decided to launch a train service in the Peshawar Valley with federal cooperation.
In a separate incident, the son of a murdered taxi driver has accused two men of murder and burning his father’s body. The police have confirmed that the arrested men are linked to a group involved in dacoity and street crimes.
Russia has provided Iran with information about the positions of American warships and aircraft, according to Iranian Parliament Speaker Dr. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has announced that some countries have started efforts to mediate the conflict.
The global oil market has seen a 9% increase in crude oil prices following the failure of the US to open the Strait of Hormuz.
