PM Shehbaz wants timeline for Hajj 2026

PM Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to formulate a detailed action plan with timeline for the next year's Hajj without any delay. The PM, chairing a review meeting on preparations for next year's Hajj, directed the ministry to start preparations from now. He said that the action plan should be formulated based on the Saudi Hajj policy.

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PM Shehbaz condemns US strikes on Iran, expresses solidarity in call with Iranian President

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday strongly condemned the recent U.S. strikes in Iran during a telephone call with the newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, warning that the attacks posed a serious violation of international law and risked further escalation in the region. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the premier expressed deep concerns that the U.S. strikes had hit facilities protected under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), calling the move a breach of both international law and the IAEA Statute. 'These attacks followed Israel's unprovoked and unjustified aggression over the past eight days,' the Prime Minister said, while reaffirming Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people and Government of Iran. He also extended condolences over the loss of lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. While recognizing Iran's right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Prime Minister stressed the urgent need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy, terming it the only viable path forward. He also reiterated Pakistan's readiness to play a constructive role in efforts aimed at de-escalation. President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan's consistent support and thanked the Prime Minister, the government, the people, and the military leadership for standing in solidarity with Iran. The two leaders agreed on the need for unity within the Muslim Ummah at this critical juncture and resolved to stay in close contact in the coming days.

Express Tribune

11 hours ago

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Govt scrambles for oil backup plans

Listen to article Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has warned oil marketing companies (OMCs) to maintain a minimum of 20 days of oil stock in accordance with licensing requirements. The prime minister has already constituted a high-level committee to explore alternative options in the wake of the Iran-Israel conflict to pre-empt any potential oil shortages in the country. Oil Marketing Companies are obligated to maintain 20-day oil reserves under their licensing terms. Ogra has previously issued directives to this effect and has now reiterated its warning, stating that companies failing to comply will face penalties and fines. In a statement, the Ogra spokesperson said, "The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has confirmed that the country currently holds sufficient stocks of petroleum products to meet existing demand". However, in light of future needs and the volatile market environment, Ogra has formally advised all OMCs to adhere strictly to the mandatory 20-day stock levels, as stipulated in their respective licences. "OGRA remains committed to monitoring the situation closely and will continue to take proactive steps to ensure national energy security," the spokesperson added. In response to the evolving geopolitical situation following Israel's recent attack on Iran and the resulting fluctuations in global oil markets, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif constituted a high-level committee to oversee petroleum pricing and supply dynamics. The committee is headed by the finance minister and includes senior representatives from key federal ministries, regulatory bodies and energy sector experts. It has already held its first meeting and is scheduled to reconvene early next week to assess possible supply routes and contingency measures. During its initial meeting, the committee explored alternative oil supply routes from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including pipeline transport, in case the Strait of Hormuz – a critical global oil supply route – is blocked due to escalating hostilities. The committee was informed that Saudi Arabia possesses an existing pipeline network, including the East-West Pipeline (Petroline), which transports crude from its eastern province to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Similarly, the UAE's Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (Adcop) to Fujairah is designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring uninterrupted exports. The Petroleum Division, in a submitted report, stated that the Strait of Hormuz handles 20% of global crude oil exports. Any closure of this route by Iran could severely impact global supply chains, including Pakistan's. Under a worst-case scenario, global oil prices could surge to $100–$150 per barrel. While there is currently no immediate threat of a spike in prices, Pakistan is in discussions with international oil suppliers to ensure continuity of supply. At present, the country has access to up to one million tons of furnace oil storage capacity through abandoned power plants. Experts have recommended that the government utilise these facilities to store strategic oil reserves. It has also been proposed that the government purchase these storages, as the power sector plans to dispose of them as scrap.

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NEV policy to help address air pollution crisis

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