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ISLAMABAD – Facing an unsustainable subsidy burden and a volatile global energy market, the federal government is evaluating a plan to "unfreeze" petroleum prices to reflect international trends. While petrol and diesel rates have been kept stable for the public in recent weeks, other critical fuels—specifically Jet Fuel (JP-1) and Kerosene—have already undergone massive, unannounced price hikes following the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of a prolonged period of unstable weather across Pakistan from March 24 to March 31, driven by intensifying western disturbances. The forecast includes widespread rain, windstorms, and hailstorms across all provinces, with significant snowfall expected in northern hilly areas. Due to the risk of flash floods in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as potential landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, authorities have urged citizens, farmers, and travelers to exercise extreme caution and safeguard infrastructure and crops against wind and hail damage.

Islamabad has officially greenlit a new regulatory framework for the structured upgrading of its slums, prioritizing the integration of informal settlements into the city's formal urban grid. Moving away from traditional demolition and relocation strategies, the "Slum Upgrade Rules" establish legal standards for improving essential infrastructure—including roads, water, and sanitation—while defining the responsibilities of both state and private partners. This initiative represents a major step in addressing affordable housing challenges and ensuring that marginalized communities are included in the federal capital’s modernization and development plans.

Gold prices in Pakistan experienced a historic crash on Monday, plummeting by Rs43,600 to settle at Rs447,762 per tola, marking one of the steepest single-day declines on record. This massive correction was triggered by a shift in global market sentiment after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a five-day postponement of planned military strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure, citing productive diplomatic talks. The resulting de-escalation of geopolitical tensions caused a sharp sell-off in safe-haven assets, with international spot gold diving as low as $4,097 per ounce before a slight recovery. Analysts suggest that while this cooling of "war premiums" and lower oil prices have provided immediate relief to the local market, the situation remains highly volatile, with the $4,000 international threshold serving as a critical support level for future price movements.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has imposed an immediate ban on the use of high-octane fuel for all government vehicles following a sharp increase in the petroleum levy from Rs100 to Rs300 per litre. Under this strict austerity measure, no government department may procure premium fuel at the state’s expense; any exceptional use must be paid for by officials out of their own pockets. This directive, which includes the establishment of a rigorous monitoring mechanism to prevent violations, builds upon existing efforts such as a 50% reduction in official fuel quotas and the grounding of 60% of the state fleet. The primary goal is to rationalize government spending and redirect the resulting savings toward public relief by maintaining the affordability of standard petroleum products for the general population.

Pakistan has successfully auctioned 480 MHz of new spectrum, doubling its capacity and laying the foundation for 5G. With Jazz leading the investment and Ufone grabbing 5G capacity, the country is no longer a regional laggard. The focus now shifts to upgrading fiber infrastructure and making 5G devices affordable for the masses.

Pakistan’s mobile phone imports surged by 29.6% to reach $1.295 billion during the first eight months of the 2025–26 fiscal year. While this represents a significant recovery from the previous year’s decline, domestic manufacturing is simultaneously hitting new heights, with local plants producing 30.21 million handsets in 2025—dwarfing the number of finished units brought in commercially. The data highlights a clear shift in the country's tech landscape, as smartphones now make up 71% of the devices on the national network. Despite a minor month-on-month dip in February, the overall trend points toward a rapidly digitizing economy supported by both a rebound in high-value imports and a robust local assembly sector.

The Punjab government has launched a PKR 6 billion project to remodel and restore Murree’s historic Mall Road, blending heritage preservation with modern infrastructure upgrades. The initiative, which has already seen the commencement of land acquisition and structure demolition, includes a robust compensation plan for affected local businesses and property owners. By upgrading public amenities while maintaining traditional aesthetics, the project aims to enhance the tourist experience and provide better facilities for residents, marking the most significant development investment in the hill station’s history.

In response to soaring global oil prices triggered by regional tensions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched a nationwide "war austerity plan." The initiative targets massive fuel and fiscal savings by shifting the country to a four-day work week and a 50% work-from-home model for both public and private sectors (excluding banks and essential services). Additional measures include a 50% cut in government fuel quotas, grounding 60% of the official fleet, and significant salary deductions for cabinet members, lawmakers, and high-ranking officials. To further reduce overhead, the government has banned hotel-based events and foreign travel, while closing schools from March 10 to 31 in favor of online learning. These combined efforts are projected to save the national exchequer over PKR 26 billion.