Pakistan’s federal capital saw women detained by the police as part of the “Women’s March,” prompting the march’s lawyer, Marvi Sirmed, to raise concerns over the lack of charges filed against those detained. In an interview with Geo News, Sirmed stated that no FIR has been registered against the women in custody. Islamabad Police have arrested some women who were en route to participate in the march, with Sirmed pointing out that no FIR has been filed against them yet. The lawyer further stated that the petition submitted to the IG Islamabad will be processed after obtaining his approval. The women’s march in Islamabad has been marred by police action, with several women detained and held in custody.
Sirmed also emphasized that the petition submitted to the IG Islamabad includes sections 188 and 353 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which are bailable offenses. The move comes as Pakistan faces economic turmoil due to rising petrol prices, with the government imposing restrictions on fuel consumption. The Ministry of Finance has announced that the country’s petroleum supply chain is functioning as usual. However, the government has decided to ban 60% of government vehicles to conserve fuel.
In a major crackdown, the government of Punjab has decided to take measures to address the economic hardships caused by the regional conflict. According to a notification issued by the Education Department in Quetta, all schools in Balochistan will remain closed until March 23 due to the ongoing situation. The decision has been taken to ensure the safety of students.
As the situation continues to unfold, opposition leaders are speaking out against the government’s handling of the crisis. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja has called for the government to take action and restore peace in the region. The PTI has also criticized the government for imposing restrictions on fuel consumption without consulting the public.
Meanwhile, the United National Movement (MQM) has condemned the government’s decision to increase petrol prices without consulting the public. MQM leader Khawaja Asif Hassan has termed it a “bomb of inflation” that will further burden the public. The MQM has also criticized the government for not taking effective measures to regulate the oil market.
In other news, the chairman of the opposition party, PTI, has visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters to discuss the crisis situation. Marketing Association leader Ali Hyder has stated that the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has increased from Rs 250 per kilogram to Rs 320-350 per kilogram.
The finance minister has briefed the cabinet on the current economic situation, emphasizing the need for austerity measures to conserve fuel. The government has also decided to ban 60% of government vehicles to conserve fuel. The move comes as the country faces economic turmoil due to rising petrol prices.
In a significant development, Saudi Arabia has condemned Iranian aggression against the kingdom and other GCC states. Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the team of the tournament for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, with Pakistan’s Babar Azam topping the list.
In another significant development, a US Tomahawk cruise missile has hit an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base near a school, killing several people. The incident has sparked tensions in the region.
In the wake of the ongoing crisis, the government has decided to take measures to ensure the safety of citizens.
