Regional diplomacy
Pakistan, Iran & the US Mediation Track
Follow Pakistan's mediation between the US and Iran: Asim Munir's Tehran visits, DPM Dar's regional calls, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, and the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
The reporting trail
Page 14 of 17
Pakistan / International — RegionPM Shehbaz Sharif flies to Saudi Arabia to press Pakistan's Iran-war diplomacy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif flew to Saudi Arabia on 12 March 2026 for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Pakistan cast itself as a 'bridge builder' in the Iran war.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePakistan congratulates Iran's new supreme leader as PM urges de-escalation
Pakistan congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on becoming Iran's supreme leader, as PM Shehbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar called regional leaders to press for de-escalation.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan fuel depots run dry as minister rules out further price rises
Tanker drivers queued for days at depots near Lahore as Pakistan State Oil said its stocks covered more than 20 days and the minister ruled out a further price rise.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceFour fuel-laden ships reach Pakistan as war disrupts Gulf oil shipping
Four tankers carrying petrol and diesel reached Pakistan and more were due to berth, easing shortage fears as the Strait of Hormuz crisis disrupted oil imports in March 2026.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePakistan Navy launches Operation Muhafizul Bahr to guard sea trade
The Pakistan Navy began Operation Muhafizul Bahr on 9 March 2026 to protect shipping and energy lanes as the Middle East war disrupts the Strait of Hormuz.
International — Region / International — RegionPakistan, Saudi Arabia weigh joint response to Iran strikes under defence pact
Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman discussed measures to halt Iranian attacks on the Kingdom under their mutual defence agreement.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceOil tops $100 a barrel as Iran war enters day 9, deepening Pakistan's energy crisis
Crude surged past $100 a barrel on 8 March 2026 as Israeli strikes hit Tehran oil depots, deepening the LNG and fuel squeeze Pakistan is already feeling from the Middle East war.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePetrol rationing and dry pumps spread across Pakistan as panic buying follows Rs55 rise
Filling stations in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other cities ran dry or limited sales to 8–10 litres a vehicle after drivers rushed to buy fuel before the Rs55 increase took effect.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan raises petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 a litre as war disrupts oil supply
The government lifted petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs55 a litre from 7 March and ordered a crackdown on hoarding as the Strait of Hormuz crisis pushed global crude higher.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan plans work-from-home and distance learning to save fuel in Hormuz crisis
A cabinet committee approved in principle weekly petrol price revisions from 8 March and work-from-home and distance-learning measures as war disrupts oil shipping.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePM Shehbaz briefs all parties on Iran war and Afghanistan campaign
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convenes parliamentary leaders in Islamabad as the army chief visits South Waziristan and demands Kabul renounce terrorism.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan seeks Yanbu oil route and emergency fuel measures as Hormuz closure bites
Petroleum minister Ali Pervaiz Malik asks Saudi Arabia to route crude through Yanbu, while Islamabad plans weekly fuel pricing and conservation measures.