Pakistan has announced its willingness to mediate between the United States and Iran to help resolve ongoing tensions. In an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad is always ready to host talks if the concerned parties agree. He emphasized that Pakistan consistently prioritizes dialogue and diplomacy to maintain regional peace and stability.

Andrabi’s remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump temporarily suspended his threat to attack Iranian power plants for five days, claiming that Washington and Tehran were engaged in “very good” discussions. Iran, however, has officially denied holding any talks with the United States. Reports from U.S. and Israeli media suggested that Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey have been acting as intermediaries, facilitating message exchanges between Tehran and Washington.

Some media outlets have hinted that representatives from both countries might meet in Islamabad in the coming days, though neither side has confirmed such a meeting.

International media reports indicate that Pakistan has been mentioned as a possible mediator in efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict surrounding Iran. According to the Financial Times and Axios, Pakistan has expressed interest in facilitating talks and has proposed its capital, Islamabad, as a potential venue for a meeting between senior officials from the United States and Iran.

No formal confirmation has yet come from either Washington or Tehran regarding this initiative. Analysts in Washington reportedly view Pakistan’s move as unsurprising given its longstanding ties with Iran and previously warm relations with the United States during Donald Trump’s second term. Pakistan’s defense chief Asif Munir met Trump twice last year, once in June and again in September, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attending the latter meeting.

Pakistan also nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize twice in 2025 for his mediation efforts between India and Pakistan, a gesture that was reportedly well received within Trump’s administration.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the ‘serious situation’ in the Gulf region with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, assuring Iran of Pakistan’s cooperation to help resolve the crisis, according to Al Jazeera. In a message on social media, Sharif said he spoke with Pezeshkian by phone about regional tensions and pledged Pakistan’s support to calm the situation.

Sharif stated that both leaders agreed on the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy to reduce tensions. The two have spoken several times over the past month, exchanging greetings for Ramadan and Eid while also discussing ways to end ongoing conflicts. Pakistan, which shares a border with Iran and faces its own tensions with Afghanistan, has maintained a cautious diplomatic stance.

The Gulf region’s instability poses a major concern for Pakistan due to potential disruptions in oil and gas supplies. The country also strengthened its long-standing military ties with Saudi Arabia last year through a mutual defense agreement.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a ban on the use of high-octane fuel in all government vehicles as part of stricter austerity measures. The decision follows a recent increase in the high-octane surcharge by 200 rupees per liter. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that officials using high-octane fuel in violation of the order will face action and may have to bear the cost personally. The government expects the move to save about 90 billion rupees monthly, which will be redirected to public welfare.

The decision comes amid a global fuel shortage and price surge triggered by attacks in Iran involving Israel and the United States. Pakistan’s government said the measure aims to conserve energy and ease pressure on the national economy. The surcharge hike applies only to luxury vehicles, while prices for public transport and aviation fuel remain unchanged.

This step continues a series of energy-saving measures introduced two weeks earlier, including fuel price adjustments, a 50 percent cut in fuel allowances for government vehicles, a four-day workweek, and partial remote work for civil servants, excluding essential services.

Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating terrorism as the temporary ceasefire with Afghanistan neared its end on Monday midnight. The truce, announced last Wednesday for Eid-ul-Fitr, was intended to halt border clashes between the two countries. According to AFP, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated on Pakistan Day that Islamabad’s stance on the ongoing conflict with Afghanistan remains unchanged.

Dar emphasized that Pakistan’s recent actions inside Afghanistan were aimed at eradicating terrorist threats. Meanwhile, Afghan Taliban authorities and a medical source reported that a mortar shell fired from Pakistan killed one person in Kunar province on Sunday. Tensions between the two neighbors have escalated in recent months, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, a claim the Taliban denies.

The current round of conflict began in February after earlier mediation efforts by Gulf states and China failed. The ceasefire followed a deadly Pakistani strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, which Afghan officials said killed more than 400 people.

Former Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit has made a controversial statement suggesting that if Pakistan were attacked by any foreign power, the country would retaliate by striking India. His remarks, made during a discussion on a hypothetical war scenario, have sparked widespread debate and criticism. Basit specifically mentioned Mumbai and New Delhi as potential targets, saying Pakistan would not hesitate to respond in such a situation.

Although Basit described his comments as reflecting an extreme and unlikely situation, he maintained that Pakistan would have no choice but to attack India if threatened. His remarks have quickly spread among Indian citizens, particularly because of his past role as Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi from 2014 to 2017, a period marked by tense bilateral relations.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, especially between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghan authorities have accused Pakistani forces of conducting recent airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika, claims that have further strained Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have jointly declared a ceasefire along their tense border during the Eid al-Fitr period. The announcement came after a devastating airstrike in Kabul earlier this week that killed more than a hundred people. Both Islamabad and Kabul confirmed in separate statements on Wednesday that the decision followed requests from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey to halt hostilities during the religious holiday.

The ceasefire follows weeks of escalating violence and mutual accusations. Pakistan has alleged that Taliban authorities shelter militants responsible for cross-border attacks, a claim Afghanistan denies. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said all operations would be suspended from Thursday to Monday but warned of strong retaliation if attacks continued. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid reaffirmed Afghanistan’s right to defend itself, while Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani condemned the airstrike that reportedly killed about 400 civilians.

The United Nations estimates that since February 26, at least 76 Afghans have been killed and over 115,000 displaced. Despite repeated mediation efforts, a lasting resolution remains elusive, though China and Russia have expressed willingness to facilitate future talks.

Pakistan carried out airstrikes on military installations in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in response to drone attacks allegedly launched from Afghan territory. According to Geo News, citing official sources, the strikes targeted the 313 Corps in Kabul and the Tarawo militant camp in Kandahar, destroying key infrastructure. The operation also hit four militant hideouts belonging to the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Kharij in Paktia province between March 12 and 13. Fuel storage and supply facilities near Kandahar airport were also destroyed during the raids.

President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the drone attacks from Afghanistan, warning Kabul that targeting Pakistani civilians crossed a “red line.” The Pakistani military stated that locally made drones were intercepted before reaching their targets, though debris injured civilians in Quetta, Kohat, and Rawalpindi. Airspace around Islamabad was temporarily closed after the drones were detected.

Tensions between the two neighbors have escalated since late February, when Pakistan began operations against militants allegedly sheltering inside Afghanistan.

The United States has announced the permanent closure of its consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, according to a report by The Independent on Thursday. The U.S. State Department informed Congress of the decision, stating that the move would save about 7.5 million dollars annually without harming U.S. national interests in Pakistan. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the official notice confirming the closure.

The Peshawar consulate, located near the Afghan border, had been a key U.S. diplomatic post since the 2001 military campaign in Afghanistan. The decision follows the Trump administration’s policy of downsizing federal agencies and had been under consideration for over a year. The closure is not related to the ongoing Iran war, though protests erupted across Pakistan after the conflict began on February 28, leading to temporary suspension of operations at the Karachi consulate following deadly violence.

According to the notice, closing the Peshawar mission will cost 3 million dollars, mainly for relocating armored trailers and equipment to Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. Consular services for the region will now be handled from the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced strict energy-saving measures on Monday amid fears of a fuel shortage caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In a televised address, he said all primary schools across the country would remain closed for two weeks, while higher education institutions would shift to online classes. Half of all government and private employees have been instructed to work from home, and offices will now have an additional weekly holiday to reduce energy consumption.

The announcement came as crude oil prices surpassed 100 dollars per barrel for the first time in four years. Sharif noted that Pakistan’s economy, agriculture, and transport sectors are heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil and energy supplies. He also ordered a reduction in fuel allocations for government vehicles, banned new purchases of furniture, air conditioners, and other office items, and suspended all foreign trips by government officials, including himself.

These measures are intended to conserve energy and stabilize national fuel reserves during the regional crisis.

The US Department of State announced on Wednesday that non-essential American government employees and their families stationed at the US consulates in Karachi and Lahore have been instructed to leave Pakistan due to security concerns. The directive was confirmed in a statement released by the US Embassy in Pakistan.

According to the embassy statement, the decision applies specifically to personnel at the consulates in Lahore and Karachi, while operations at the US Embassy in Islamabad remain unchanged. The embassy emphasized that the move was taken as a precautionary measure in response to unspecified security risks.

No further details were provided regarding the nature of the threats or the duration of the departure order, and the State Department did not indicate any change in its diplomatic presence in the Pakistani capital.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing it as a violation of international law. In a message posted on social media on Sunday, Sharif expressed solidarity with the people of Iran following what he termed as Khamenei’s martyrdom. He conveyed Pakistan’s condolences and stated that the nation stands with Iran during this time of grief and sorrow.

Sharif further said that Pakistan is deeply concerned over the breach of international legal principles. His remarks came as Pakistan officially expressed solidarity with Iran in the wake of a joint attack by Israel and the United States. The statement also reiterated Pakistan’s call for adherence to international law amid the escalating regional tensions.

The development reflects Islamabad’s diplomatic stance aligning with Tehran following the reported attack, while urging respect for international norms and legal frameworks.

At least nine people were killed and several others injured during violent protests near the United States Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, following reports of the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Verified videos showed demonstrators breaking windows and setting parts of the area on fire. Police and paramilitary forces used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

According to the Edhi Rescue Service, six of the deaths occurred during the police operation to control the situation. The unrest erupted shortly after news of Khamenei’s death spread, triggering anger among protesters near the consulate.

Authorities were working to restore order in the area as tensions remained high following the incident.

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by five runs in a Super Eight match held in Pallekele on March 1, 2026. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman built a strong 176-run opening partnership, guiding Pakistan to 212 for eight in 20 overs. Farhan scored 100 runs while Fakhar added 84. For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka took three wickets for 33 runs and Dasun Shanaka claimed two for 42. In reply, Sri Lanka reached 207 for six, with Shanaka remaining unbeaten on 76 and Pavan Rathnayake contributing 56.

Despite the victory, Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals due to net run rate calculations. To advance, they needed to restrict Sri Lanka to under 147 runs, but the bowlers could not achieve that margin. Abrar Ahmed took three wickets for 23 runs for Pakistan. The result marked Pakistan’s exit from the tournament at the Super Eight stage.

Sahibzada Farhan was named player of the match for his century, his second of the tournament.

Pakistan has claimed that 331 Afghan Taliban soldiers have been killed so far in the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Information Minister Ataullah Tarar shared the figures on social media platform X on Saturday, according to a report by Dawn. He added that more than 500 Taliban fighters were injured, while Pakistani forces destroyed 104 Taliban checkpoints, 163 tanks and armored vehicles, and captured 22 additional posts.

In response, the Taliban government has called on Pakistan to engage in dialogue to resolve the escalating situation. The appeal came after Pakistan publicly declared war against Afghanistan. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Afghanistan has always sought to resolve issues through discussion and remains committed to a peaceful solution.

The exchange of claims and calls for negotiation highlights the growing tension between the neighboring countries as both sides assert their positions in the conflict.