Pakistan has started implementing a 3-day weekly shutdown in government offices in the province of Balochistan, as part of a cost-cutting initiative. The decision was made after the provincial government announced a 3-day weekly holiday notice, which includes Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Sindh government has also declared a public holiday.
According to a notification issued by the Karachi administration, all government offices will remain closed on Friday, March 13. As a result of the government’s decision, government offices will now operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
The US Embassy in Pakistan has restricted the movement of its staff until March 15, citing security concerns. The embassy has advised applicants to check the status of their appointments on its website. The consular services at the US Consulates in Karachi and Lahore have been suspended until further notice.
Federal Minister for Information, Attaullah Tarar, has updated the public on the progress of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, highlighting the details of the losses incurred by the Khawarij and Afghan Taliban.
Sindh Governor, Nihal Hashmi, has vowed not to engage in politics of confrontation, while Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has assured that the government will provide relief to the people in these difficult times, to the extent possible.
In other news, PPP leader Abdul Qadir Patel has inaugurated a new NADRA office in Karachi, while DG NADRA Sindh, Amer Ali, briefed him on the project.
Two bodies were found in the Benazirabad area of Sindh, after being shot dead by unknown assailants. The police are investigating the incident.
The Sindh Governor’s oath-taking ceremony was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Zia Lango, Nasser Shah, and Zulfiqar Shah.
In a separate incident, a police mobile was attacked in Lahore, but no casualties were reported.
A man was arrested in Hafizabad for allegedly harassing a mentally challenged woman.
The federal government has announced that salaries and pensions of government employees will be paid on March 16.
In light of security concerns, several locations in Islamabad have been cordoned off with containers.
The Peshawar Electric Supply Company has announced that its employees will now work on a 4-day duty roster, from Mondays to Thursdays.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast a further increase in temperatures in Karachi.
In international news, the US Defense Secretary has revealed that over 1,000 missiles have been fired at Iran daily, on average.
In sports news, former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi has said that Pakistani batsmen are aware of their mistakes.
In celebrity news, Indian music director and actor, Sajid Nadiadwala, has launched a new film, starring Salman Ali Agha.
The Sindh government has also declared a public holiday.
In entertainment news, Indian actress, Shilpa Shetty’s husband, Raj Kundra, has a net worth of over 26 billion rupees, making him one of the richest film producers in India.
In a related story, the Forbes 2026 list of billionaires has identified a new billionaire, Kalyani Thadani, with a net worth of over 2.8 billion dollars.
