Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) chief, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, has suggested that the country should consider including Iran and Turkey in its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. Speaking in Lahore, he stated that it is essential for Pakistan to understand who its friends and enemies are, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict. He emphasized that the war has already had a significant impact on the global economy and that work on the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline should begin immediately.
Hafiz Naeem also called for the Gaza case to be taken up at the United Nations. He argued that Pakistan cannot afford to be deceived by false promises, especially when it comes to its economy. He pointed out that the government had increased the price of petrol by Rs 55 and had also imposed a levy on petroleum products, which would be a significant burden on the people.
The government had taken steps to mitigate the impact of the price increase on the people, including the announcement of a relief package for the affected. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also spoken with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to express his concerns about the ongoing conflict in the region.
In a related development, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association had called off its planned strike after the government announced measures to reduce the impact of the price increase on the people. The association had been demanding a reduction in the price of petroleum products.
In other news, the University of Karachi’s International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) has announced its largest summer internship program for 2026, which will run from June 1 to August 31. The program is open to graduates of BS, MSC, BS, MSC, and MS/Ph.D. programs.
In a separate development, a court in Islamabad has acquitted a housewife of a charge of stealing goods worth approximately Rs 25 crore. The police had arrested the suspect, who had been on the run for five years.
The Airport Security Force (ASF) had arrested a suspect at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar, who was found to be carrying narcotics and foreign currency. The government had announced the schedule for Hajj flights, which would begin on April 18.
General (R) Abdul Qayyum, the president of the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society, has said that the US and Israel are now seeking to “pay the price” in the ongoing conflict with Iran. He emphasized that Iran had taken a cautious approach and that Pakistan should also be cautious. The Malaysian prime minister had welcomed Pakistan’s timely and constructive offer to host the negotiations on social media.
In a separate incident, the SSP Investigation Kamadar had said that the suspect had lured the victim into a trap on social media, pretending to be a trader. The suspect had posed as a driver and had shown pictures of cars and a house to deceive the victim.
The federal government had slashed its development budget by Rs 100 billion. The Supreme Court had issued a significant judgment on contempt of court, which had been welcomed by the chairman of the social media authority. The current regional situation had made it essential for Pakistan to consider the food requirements of neighboring countries, said a government spokesperson.
Earlier, a letter was sent to Saudi Arabia on March 6, but no response was received. The All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association had welcomed a statement by the Iranian press TV that Iran had rejected the US proposals, saying they were inappropriate.
Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs had said on social media that Tehran was closely watching the US activities in the region, particularly the military deployments. He had also stated that Iran’s Foreign Minister was in regular contact with his counterparts in neighboring countries, including Pakistan.
In other news, China’s Cosco shipping company had resumed its new bookings with some Gulf countries after a three-week pause.
