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Pakistan News

Sindh tightens business hours with new austerity measures

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Sindh tightens

KARACHI: The Government of Sindh has announced the implementation of an austerity policy, directing early closure of shops and shopping malls across the province.

According to an official notification, new business hours have been introduced for markets, hotels, and wedding halls. In districts other than divisional headquarters, all shops, markets, and shopping malls will close at 8:00 PM. Meanwhile, in divisional headquarters including Karachi, these establishments will remain open until 9:00 PM.

Under the new rules, hotels and food outlets will be allowed to operate from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM. However, home delivery and takeaway services will continue without any restrictions.

Wedding halls and banquet facilities will be permitted to host events from 8:00 PM to midnight.

The notification also clarifies that essential services such as tandoors, milk shops, bakeries, medical stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, and petrol pumps will remain exempt from these restrictions.

The austerity measures have been enforced with immediate effect. Authorities, including commissioners and deputy commissioners, have been directed to ensure strict implementation in coordination with law enforcement agencies.

It is worth noting that similar measures have already been introduced in other provinces following the federal government’s austerity policy, with Punjab and Balochistan also enforcing early market closures.

Lebanese PM seeks Pakistan’s help to end Israeli attacks

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Lebanese PM

ISLAMABAD: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has urged Pakistan to play an active role in halting ongoing attacks on Lebanon and its people.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the request came during a telephone conversation between Shehbaz Sharif and his Lebanese counterpart.

During the call, Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned Israel’s continued aggression against Lebanon and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of thousands of lives.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan is actively engaged in sincere efforts to promote regional peace, including facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States.

The Prime Minister’s Office stated that Nawaf Salam appreciated Pakistan’s peace efforts and requested cooperation to ensure an immediate end to attacks on Lebanon. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

According to international media reports, the Lebanese premier also called for confirmation that Lebanon is included in the ongoing ceasefire framework, warning that exclusion could lead to further incidents like the recent Israeli strikes.

The development comes amid escalating tensions after Israeli attacks reportedly killed more than 200 people in Lebanon. While the United States and Israel maintain that the current ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, Israeli leadership has indicated that operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah will continue.

Meanwhile, Iran’s parliamentary leadership has warned that excluding Lebanon from the ceasefire is unacceptable, emphasizing that Tehran considers Lebanon an essential part of any agreement.

Pakistan in global spotlight as world leaders contact PM over peace efforts

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Pakistan in global

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has emerged as a focal point of global attention amid ongoing Islamabad peace talks, with several world leaders reaching out to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to reports, the prime minister received telephone calls from key international figures, including the Amir of Qatar, the King of Bahrain, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, the Chancellor of Austria, the Chancellor of Germany, and the Prime Minister of Italy.

Global leaders congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan’s successful diplomatic efforts, which contributed to a ceasefire between Iran and the United States, paving the way for dialogue between the two sides.

The development highlights Pakistan’s growing role in facilitating regional peace and diplomacy on the international stage.

Pakistan receives worldwide appreciation for role in Middle East ceasefire

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Pakistan receives

The world has acknowledged Pakistan’s pivotal role in facilitating the US-Iran ceasefire. Paolo Gentiloni, former Prime Minister of Italy and European Commissioner, suggested that Pakistan deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts.

In a statement on social media, Gentiloni wrote that, in his view, Pakistan is the rightful recipient of the award in the current circumstances.

In addition, several countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, and Jordan welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire. Major global powers such as China, Russia, and European nations also called the US-Iran agreement a positive development.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized its own efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the Middle East. The British Prime Minister highlighted the importance of turning the ceasefire into a long-term peace agreement. French President welcomed the ceasefire while expressing concern over the situation in Lebanon.

Germany’s Chancellor thanked Pakistan for facilitating the ceasefire, while Turkey announced full support for the negotiations held in Islamabad. Australia, Egypt, and Malaysia also welcomed the development.

Russia expressed hope that direct US-Iran negotiations will continue and noted that the ceasefire provides the US more time and flexibility to resume talks with Ukraine.

The United Nations Secretary-General and Pope Leo, the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, also welcomed the ceasefire.

US delegation to arrive in Islamabad for Iran talks

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US delegation

Washington: The United States will send a high-level delegation to Islamabad for talks with Iran, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed.

She said the team, which includes Vice President JD Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad, with the first round of negotiations expected on Saturday morning.

Leavitt noted that Iran had initially proposed a ceasefire and later agreed to workable terms, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, after earlier proposals were rejected as unacceptable.

She emphasized that President Donald Trump’s red lines remain unchanged, particularly regarding freedom of navigation in the vital waterway.

She also revealed that Trump held a recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that Lebanon is not part of the current ceasefire framework and discussions on that front will continue.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a telephone conversation, during which the Iranian leader thanked Pakistan for its efforts in facilitating the ceasefire and confirmed that an Iranian delegation would visit Islamabad for talks.

Diplomatic sources said the negotiations will focus on formalizing ceasefire arrangements, with senior officials from both sides expected to participate.

US Vice President JD Vance is expected to arrive in Pakistan late tonight along with a high-level delegation for dialogue with Iran, according to sources.

Sources said the delegation will include Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who will participate in talks with the Iranian side.

A 23-member support team from the United States has already reached Islamabad, including security experts and other officials assisting the.

On the Iranian side, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are also expected to arrive in Islamabad later tonight for the negotiations.

Sindh govt orders freeze on school van fares

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Sindh govt

KARACHI: Following instructions from Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, the Sindh government has issued an official directive prohibiting any increase in school van fares.

According to the Chief Minister’s spokesperson, the government has circulated a notice to all public and private schools, instructing them to maintain current pick-and-drop transport charges for students.

The spokesperson added that transport operators will be provided with support and facilitation by the Sindh government to ensure compliance without disrupting services. All educational institutions have been directed to fully implement the orders.

Furthermore, schools are required to provide comprehensive data on their student transportation services. The government has warned that any violation of these instructions will result in legal action.

Fazlur Rehman announces nationwide protest against fuel price hike

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Fazlur Rehman

PESHAWAR: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), announced that the recent surge in petroleum product prices has deeply affected every citizen, prompting the party to organize protest rallies next Friday.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that a two-day meeting of JUI’s central Shura Council reviewed both national and international developments.

He emphasized that the recent fuel price hikes have disrupted the lives of ordinary people and infringed on their basic comfort.

He further demanded the repeal of laws he described as against Shariah, including those concerning domestic violence, transgender rights, and the ban on child marriages under 18 years. He also criticized ongoing preparations to grant wives a 50 percent share in their husbands’ property.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the current Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, saying it relies on the support of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and asserted that citizens have the right to raise the flag of protest against such governance. He reiterated that JUI will continue defending Islamic laws.

He announced a public gathering in Mardan on April 12 to mobilize people against the government. He also mentioned that the party requested a closed-door parliamentary session to be briefed on Pakistan’s stance in global affairs and the security of its western and eastern borders.

Addressing foreign policy issues, he stated that the United States supports Israel and has conducted attacks on Palestine, Iran, and other Islamic countries.

Early market closures announced nationwide except Sindh from April 7

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Early market

ISLAMABAD: In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on petroleum products, the government has decided to enforce early closing hours for markets, shopping malls, and commercial centers across the country, excluding Sindh.

According to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, shops dealing in daily-use items, departmental stores, and malls will close by 8:00 PM.

Bakeries, restaurants, tandoors, and food outlets will remain open until 10:00 PM, while marriage halls and marquees will also be required to shut after 10:00 PM.

The directive further includes a ban on wedding and other events at private residences after 10:00 PM. However, medical stores and pharmacies will remain exempt from these restrictions.

The new measures will take effect from April 7 and will be implemented in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir.

In divisional headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, markets and shopping malls will be allowed to remain open until 9:00 PM.

Officials noted that consultations are still ongoing in Sindh regarding market timings, and a final decision is yet to be made for the province.

Pakistan calls media reports on UAE repayment misleading

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Pakistan calls

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has dismissed recent remarks regarding United Arab Emirates financial reserves as baseless and misleading. According to the ministry, the funds held in the State Bank of Pakistan were part of bilateral trade agreements, and Pakistan is returning the deposits in accordance with the agreed terms upon maturity.

The m Foreign Office emphasized that the repayment is a routine financial procedure and misrepresenting it is misleading. Pakistan and the UAE share long-standing and fraternal relations, with strategic cooperation continuing across trade, investment, and defense sectors.

Repayment Details:

Pakistan will return USD 2 billion in UAE deposits on April 17, 2026, with an interest rate of 6 percent.

Additionally, a Eurobond of USD 1.3 billion will mature on April 8, 2026, and be repaid.

Overall, Pakistan will pay a total of USD 3.5 billion, including principal and interest.

A further USD 1 billion in UAE deposits is scheduled for repayment in July 2026.

The FO reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its strategic and economic relations with the UAE. Earlier reports indicated that the UAE had initially approved a two-month extension for the USD 2 billion deposits, with maturity previously set for February 2026, but Pakistan opted for repayment along with accrued interest.

Petrol prices fall by Rs80 as Prime Minister announces new rate

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Petrol prices

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced a significant reduction in petrol prices, cutting Rs80 per liter and setting the new rate at Rs378 per liter.

Speaking to the nation, the Prime Minister stated that the levy on petrol has also been reduced by Rs80 per liter. The new price will take effect from midnight tonight and will remain applicable nationwide for the next month.

In his address, PM Shahbaz Sharif also announced that cabinet members will deposit six months of their salaries into the government treasury, instead of the previously planned two months.

The Prime Minister highlighted that small trucks will receive Rs70,000 per month in subsidies, large trucks Rs80,000, and public transport Rs100,000 per month. Freight vehicles will also benefit from a subsidy of Rs100 per liter of fuel.

Additionally, small farmers will receive Rs1,500 per acre in financial assistance, and no increase will be made in economy-class railway fares. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to provincial chief ministers for providing resources promptly to support these national measures.

Earlier this week, the government had announced a sharp increase in petroleum prices, raising petrol by Rs137.24 per liter and diesel by Rs184.49 per liter. This hike had set petrol prices at Rs458.41 per liter and diesel at Rs520.35 per liter.

PM Shahbaz Sharif acknowledged the global surge in oil prices and the resulting inflation, stressing the need for immediate relief for the general public while resources remain limited.