Article:
Pakistani authorities have observed an improvement in flight schedules to the Middle East as the ongoing crisis escalates. A total of 76 flights originating from Pakistan have been canceled, while 63 are operating as usual. The cancellations include 21 flights from Karachi and Lahore to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Doha each, 11 from Islamabad, 13 from Peshawar, 3 from Faisalabad, and 7 from Sialkot.
Meanwhile, a total of 16 flights from Islamabad, 12 from Lahore, and 13 from Karachi are expected to depart for the Middle East in the coming days. Additionally, 10 flights from Multan, 5 from Sialkot, and 4 from Quetta are set to operate as usual.
The recent attacks in the Middle East have affected 436 flights from Riyadh and Dammam airports in Saudi Arabia. In response, 28 flights from Riyadh and 4 from Dammam have been rerouted to alternative airports, while a limited number of flights are operating from Doha Airport.
A Pakistani citizen, Saad Mahboob, has appealed to the government for assistance as his father works in the region. The Ministry of Finance has assured that the supply chain of petroleum products in the country is functioning normally.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that measures are being taken to ensure the security of major sea routes and energy supply. Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, has decided to take steps to address economic difficulties in the region.
A notification from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced that all schools in the region will remain closed from March 23. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Salman Akram Raja, has called for Pakistan to play its role in the region.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader, Dr. Farooq Sattar, has criticized the government for increasing the price of petroleum products without consulting experts. MQM chief, Khawaja Asif Hassan, has stated that the government has imposed a burden of 6 billion rupees per day on the people.
Chairman of the PTI, Imran Khan, has visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters and met with the British High Commissioner, Jean MacMillan. Marketing Association leader, Ali Haider, has revealed that the retail price of LPG has increased from 250 rupees per kilogram to 320-350 rupees.
According to sources, Minister of Finance, Muhammad Aurangzeb, has briefed the assembly on the global situation and measures to conserve petroleum products. In light of the security situation, the police have been forced to set up checkpoints, and the government has decided to suspend 60% of government vehicles.
The Saudi government has condemned Iranian aggression against the kingdom and other GCC countries. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s naval base was targeted by a US Tomahawk cruise missile, which was near a school. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the team of the tournament for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, with Pakistan’s Saibzada Farhan topping the list.
According to a British newspaper, US President Trump’s military strategy in Iran has failed, much like the model used in Venezuela.
