Web Desk

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;" id="isPasted">This live blog follows updates for Day 15 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 14, go&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/usisrael-war-on-iran-day-14" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">.<hr><ul style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; list-style: square; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' id="isPasted"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2; font-size: 14px;">Trump says US bombed Iran&#39;s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2; font-size: 14px;">At least one killed in blast during pro-government Tehran rally: State media</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2; font-size: 14px;">Iranian drone killed French soldier in Iraq&#39;s Kurdistan: Commanding officer</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2; font-size: 14px;">Israeli shells hit UN forces base in southern Lebanon: state media</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2; font-size: 14px;">US military says aircraft crash in Iraq killed 4 crew members</li></ul><hr>Iran threatens US-linked oil targets after Trump says Kharg bombedPublished March 14, 2026 | 02:33 GMT Iran&#39;s armed forces threatened on Saturday to destroy US-linked oil infrastructure after President Donald Trump said the United States had bombed Iran&#39;s oil hub Kharg Island. The military&#39;s Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a statement cited by Iranian media that oil and energy infrastructure belonging to firms that cooperated with the United States would &quot;immediately be destroyed and turned into a pile of ashes&quot; if Iran&#39;s energy facilities were attacked. The announcement, reported by Iran&#39;s Fars and Tasnim news agencies, was in &quot;response to statements&quot; made by the US president who had earlier said in a social media post that strikes had &quot;obliterated&quot; military targets on Kharg Island. New explosion heard in Baghdad: AFP journalistPublished March 14, 2026 | 01:39 GMT An explosion was heard in Iraq&#39;s capital Baghdad on Saturday, an AFP journalist reported, hours after a missile struck a powerful Iran-backed group in the city. Residents in the Zayouna district in eastern Baghdad told AFP that the force of the blast shook their houses. Explosions were heard earlier in Baghdad, which appeared to be a missile strike on a house used by the powerful Iran-backed group Kataeb Hezbollah, killing &quot;a key figure&quot; and wounding two others, according to a security source. Washington orders some US diplomatic staff to leave OmanPublished March 14, 2026 | 00:51 GMT &nbsp;The United States told its non-emergency US government employees in Oman and their family members to leave the Gulf country as war rages in the Middle East. The State Department updated its advisory to warn Americans of &quot;safety risks,&quot; noting &quot;there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights.&quot; Two people were killed by a drone in northern Oman, state media reported Friday, as Iran continues its retaliatory attacks on neighboring countries.

Middle East

Iran's armed forces threats to destroy US-linked oil infrastructure after President Donald Trump said the United States had bombed Iran's oil hub Kharg Island

Iran threatens US-linked oil targets after Trump says Kharg bombed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s military said Afghan Taliban launched rudimentary drones toward Pakistani cities, injuring civilians after debris from intercepted devices fell in multiple locations, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The military&rsquo;s media wing said the incident occurred on March 13 when drones were launched toward Pakistani territory but were intercepted before reaching their intended targets. &ldquo;On 13 March 2026, the Afghan Taliban launched a few rudimentary drones to harass the brave people of Pakistan,&rdquo; the ISPR said. The military said Pakistani forces neutralized the drones through a combination of electronic and kinetic countermeasures. &ldquo;The drones were intercepted through soft and hard kills and did not reach their intended targets,&rdquo; the statement said. However, debris from the destroyed drones caused injuries to civilians in several locations. &ldquo;The debris from these drones resulted in injuries to two children in Quetta and a civilian each in Kohat and Rawalpindi,&rdquo; the ISPR said. The military described the attacks as an attempt to spread fear among civilians. &ldquo;These attacks were aimed at inducing fear in the public and remind us of the terrorist mindset which drives the Afghan Taliban,&rdquo; the statement said. Earlier, Pakistani security sources had said two rudimentary drones were intercepted near Rawalpindi using electronic countermeasures, prompting a brief precautionary closure of local airspace. Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also said the drones were linked to terrorists backed by the Afghan Taliban authorities, rejecting claims circulating from Taliban-linked sources. The incident comes as Pakistan&rsquo;s cross-border military campaign, Operation Ghazab lil Haq, enters its third week after being launched on Feb. 26 in response to persistent cross-border terrorism from Afghan territory. According to Pakistani officials, the operation targets terrorist camps, logistical bases and support infrastructure used by groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. The ISPR said the campaign would continue until Pakistan&rsquo;s security concerns are addressed. &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq shall continue till the Afghan Taliban address Pakistan&rsquo;s core concern with respect to terrorism originating from Afghan soil,&rdquo; the statement said. The military added that Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces remained committed to protecting the country against terrorist threats. &ldquo;We shall keep defending the people of Pakistan against terrorists and their facilitators and shall not flinch in the face of such provocations by the Afghan Taliban,&rdquo; the ISPR said.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan’s military said Afghan Taliban launched rudimentary drones toward Pakistani cities, injuring civilians after debris from intercepted devices fell in multiple locations, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)

Afghan Taliban drones injure civilians as Pakistan continues operation: Military

Staff Reporter

KARACHI: Pakistan&rsquo;s Karachi Port experienced a surge in transhipment traffic this week as global shipping lines rerouted cargo away from the Gulf amid the escalating conflict linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran, pushing the port close to peak operational capacity.&nbsp;Port authorities said the facility reached about 80% capacity on Friday when two major transhipment vessels, M/V CGLA Ocean Breeze 1 and M/V GFS Jade, berthed simultaneously at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL) terminals, marking the busiest point in a week-long increase in diverted cargo.&nbsp;The surge comes as rising security risks and sharply higher war-risk insurance premiums for ships entering the inner Gulf have forced several international shipping companies to divert thousands of containers to Karachi as a safer regional alternative.&nbsp;The regional disruption is unfolding against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict triggered by coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, which has raised concerns about maritime security near key Gulf shipping lanes and energy routes.&nbsp;To maintain regional trade flows, KGTL this week launched a dedicated feeder service linking Karachi with major United Arab Emirates ports, including Fujairah and Khor Fakkan.&nbsp;The shuttle service allows large &ldquo;mother vessels&rdquo; to offload containers in Karachi&rsquo;s waters before smaller feeder ships transport the cargo onward to Gulf destinations.&nbsp;&ldquo;By linking Karachi directly with major UAE hubs, we are providing importers and exporters with reliable access to global shipping networks,&rdquo; said Khurram Aziz Khan, chief executive officer of KGTL, in a statement.&nbsp;Industry officials say the move has already attracted several regional shipping operators, including TS Line, Heung-A Shipping and Sinokor Merchant Marine, which are increasingly treating Karachi as a contingency hub for regional operations.&nbsp;However, the sudden influx of diverted cargo has placed pressure on port operations. Congestion data from Trans-Border Global Freight Systems shows vessel waiting times have risen to about 2.5 days as ships attempt to discharge containers at alternative destinations.&nbsp;To ease the strain, Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry earlier announced an emergency waiver of demurrage charges for auctionable containers, provided they are cleared within seven days.&nbsp;The minister described the measure as a &ldquo;proactive approach to resolving congestion,&rdquo; aimed at speeding up the clearance of stalled cargo and creating space for incoming transhipment shipments.&nbsp;Officials say the shift began earlier in the week with several high-capacity arrivals, including the vessels MV TS Tacoma, MV TS Sydney, and MV Photon, initially viewed as precautionary diversions but now seen as part of a broader operational shift.&nbsp;Karachi Port Trust Chairman Rear Admiral (Retd) Shahid Ahmed reassured international partners that the port remains capable of handling the increased activity.&nbsp;&ldquo;Karachi Port remains fully operational and committed to facilitating uninterrupted maritime trade,&rdquo; he said in a statement on X.

Economy

Major Pakistani port sees a surge in diverted cargo as Gulf tensions disrupt shipping routes, prompting the launch of a feeder service to UAE ports while authorities introduce emergency measures to ease congestion and sustain regional trade flows.

Karachi Port becomes transshipment hub as Gulf war disrupts shipping

WASHINGTON: Democrats accused US President Donald Trump on Friday of weakening pressure on Russia by easing oil sanctions amid the conflict with Iran, saying the move risks boosting Moscow&#39;s war revenues while American troops face threats of their own in the Middle East. Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and two of his top lieutenants, Elizabeth Warren and Jeanne Shaheen, called for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to testify before Congress about the decision. The senators noted media reports&mdash;partially endorsed by Trump in an interview on Friday&mdash;saying Russia is providing Iran with intelligence that could be used to target US forces, even as the Trump administration loosens sanctions that constrained Moscow&#39;s oil sector. &quot;Russia is reportedly providing Iran intelligence to target and kill US service members, and the Trump administration&#39;s response has been to loosen pressure and help facilitate a windfall of $150 million each day for its war machine,&quot; the senators said in a joint statement. &quot;President Trump is offering more relief to the Kremlin than he is to American families, who are now paying more at the pump and for most other essentials because of this conflict,&quot; they wrote. Trump acknowledged in a radio interview that aired Friday he suspected Putin &quot;might be&quot; aiding Iran &quot;a little bit&quot; in the war. He announced earlier this week that Washington would waive some oil-related sanctions in order to boost global supply and bring down prices, as the US-Israeli war with Iran disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and sends energy markets into turmoil. The president did not specify which countries would benefit from the relief, but the move followed temporary steps allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil that had been stranded at sea under existing sanctions. The Democratic senators argued that relaxing sanctions on Russian energy companies and related traders would generate major profits for Moscow at a time when the Kremlin remains under Western pressure over its invasion of Ukraine. They also questioned whether the administration had complied with a US law requiring Congress to be notified before sanctions on Russia are eased. &quot;Secretary Bessent needs to testify because Congress and the American people deserve immediate answers,&quot; the lawmakers said. Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the sales authorizations, saying the White House was working to ease energy price pressures caused by disruptions linked to the Iran war by tapping oil already in global markets&mdash;while keeping sanctions policy toward Russia unchanged. &quot;(This) administration remains focused on American consumers and businesses while carrying out this critical mission to end Iran&#39;s ability to threaten Americans, its neighbors and global energy markets,&quot; he said in a statement on social media.

Americas

Senators notes media reports saying Russia is providing Iran with intelligence that could be used to target US forces, even as the Trump administration loosens sanctions that constrained Moscow's oil sector

Democrats accuse Trump of aiding Russia with sanctions relief

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces intercepted and brought down two rudimentary drones near Rawalpindi using electronic countermeasures, security sources said Friday. The drones were detected flying adjacent to the garrison city before being neutralised, according to the sources. No casualties were reported and the situation was brought under control quickly. &ldquo;Both drones were intercepted and brought down through electronic measures,&rdquo; security sources said, adding that the devices were rudimentary in nature. Authorities briefly closed airspace in the area as a precaution during the interception. &ldquo;Airspace was temporarily closed as a safety precaution and has since been reopened,&rdquo; the sources said. Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting later said the drones were linked to terrorists operating with the backing of the Afghan Taliban authorities. In a statement posted on X, the ministry&rsquo;s fact-checking wing said: &ldquo;Two rudimentary drones of terrorist FAK, nurtured by Afghan Taliban regime, were successfully intercepted by the Pakistan security forces using electronic counter measures.&rdquo; The statement added that no military installation or critical infrastructure was struck. &ldquo;No military or other infrastructure was hit, other than minor damage due to debris of the forced crashing of drones,&rdquo; the ministry said. It further criticised claims circulating from Taliban-linked sources, saying such assertions lacked credible evidence. &ldquo;The Taliban regime claim includes no verifiable evidence as always,&rdquo; the ministry said, adding that official Taliban accounts were known to circulate misinformation and propaganda, including earlier claims about Pakistani aircraft being shot down. The drone interception comes as Pakistan&rsquo;s retaliatory military campaign, Operation Ghazab lil Haq, enters its third week after launching on Feb. 26 in response to cross-border attacks. Pakistani officials say the operation is aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure operating from Afghan territory, including camps, logistical bases and networks used for attacks inside Pakistan. Authorities said the security situation around Rawalpindi remained normal following the drone incident and that monitoring of aerial activity continues.

Security

Authorities say aerial surveillance systems detected suspicious activity near the garrison city, triggering precautionary safety measures before the situation was secured, with monitoring continuing to ensure no further threat to critical installations.

Pakistan says Afghan-linked terrorist drones intercepted near Rawalpindi, no damage

PARIS: Beneath a hail of bombs, few Iranians have the heart to prepare for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, as war casts a shadow across the country. &ldquo;People just aren&rsquo;t thinking about it,&rdquo; said a resident of the northern city of Bukan, reached by phone from Paris. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the first time in my life that I&rsquo;ve forgotten how to grow sabzeh,&rdquo; a mother said, referring to the sprouted lentils grown for Nowruz. Yet the holiday is a central moment in Persian culture, typically marked by weeks of anticipation. Nowruz, meaning &ldquo;new day,&rdquo; will ring in the year 1405 on the Persian calendar and the arrival of spring on the afternoon of March 20. But this year, the festive spirit eludes many. The dazzling &ldquo;fire festival&rdquo; (Chaharshanbe Suri) that kicks off the holiday season will be closely watched on Tuesday evening. It is the first moment for Iranians to gather in public outside state-organized rallies in support of the authorities. On the night of bonfires, Iranians jump over flames to ward off misfortune and welcome renewal. Over the past two decades, the ancient celebration has become a powerful outlet for young people despite the disapproval of authorities and much of the Shia clergy, who deem it a &ldquo;pagan&rdquo; ritual. Whether Iranians will be allowed to gather at all this year is unclear. Security forces are out in large numbers across major cities and the country remains in a 40-day mourning period following the death of supreme leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war. &ldquo;Normally in the days before Nowruz, everyone is cleaning their home and getting ready for the holiday,&rdquo; the Bukan resident said. &ldquo;This year that feeling is completely gone.&rdquo; &lsquo;The children know&rsquo; In Tehran and many other cities, bazaars &mdash; typically the heart of pre-holiday life &mdash; are nearly empty. Many shops and markets remain shut two weeks after the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28. In Piranshahr, in the northwest, &ldquo;the lively, energetic mood of past years has disappeared,&rdquo; said a 40-year-old man, also contacted by AFP from Paris and requesting anonymity. The downturn is another blow to shopkeepers who normally make much of their annual income during the pre-Nowruz rush. &ldquo;My cousin has a clothing shop, but he hasn&rsquo;t been able to open because it&rsquo;s in a city where there are many explosions,&rdquo; said a resident of the capital Tehran. A 48-year-old Afghan migrant who has returned home to seek safety said the streets and bazaars should be packed at this time. &ldquo;But when I went to the market, I didn&rsquo;t see anyone.&rdquo; Even so, many families are trying to find some joy for their children, for whom Nowruz is also a holiday of gifts and treats. &ldquo;I have a six-year-old boy who has no real sense of the war. All he wants are new clothes, sweets and traditional cakes for Nowruz,&rdquo; the Bukan resident said. &ldquo;People try to buy chocolates and snacks for their kids. They want to reassure them,&rdquo; said a father living near Tehran. &ldquo;But the children know and understand everything.&rdquo;

As war devastates Iran, Nowruz feels distant. Iranians struggle to prepare amidst bombings and loss, with empty bazaars and halted traditions. Despite hardships, families seek to create small moments of joy for children.

Persian new year looms as war steals Iranians’ joy

ISLAMABAD: The 33rd meeting of the Board of Directors of the Pakistan Standards &amp; Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) was held in Islamabad on Friday, where key reforms aimed at institutional strengthening and improving employee welfare were approved.&nbsp;The Board greenlit measures to overhaul PSQCA&rsquo;s digital infrastructure, aligning the Authority with international best practices. The move is part of Pakistan&#39;s broader &quot;Digital Pakistan&quot; initiative, which seeks to enhance the country&#39;s technological landscape.&nbsp;In addition to the digital reforms, the Board also sanctioned expanded health insurance and welfare benefits for all PSQCA employees, underscoring the Authority&#39;s commitment to staff wellbeing and social security.&nbsp;Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi addressed the meeting, directing officials to implement the approved measures with efficiency, transparency and speed.&nbsp;&quot;These reforms are in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s vision to strengthen governance, improve national standards, and promote a modern, competitive economy,&quot; Magsi stated.&nbsp;The Minister emphasized the government&rsquo;s focus on improving regulatory oversight, facilitating business ease for local industries, and ensuring consumer protection.&nbsp;&quot;Our commitment is clear: to enhance the national quality infrastructure and support the country&rsquo;s economic transformation,&quot; Magsi added.&nbsp;With these reforms, PSQCA is positioned to become a more agile, employee-centered, and tech-forward institution.&nbsp;The changes are expected to bolster its role in standardization, quality assurance, and consumer protection, supporting Pakistan&rsquo;s larger reform agenda.&nbsp;The meeting was attended by key officials, including Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Shahid Iqbal Baloch; Director General of PSQCA, Dr. Sayeda Zia Batool; Director of Trade Policy, Attaullah Khan; and other senior members of the Authority.

The Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority approves major reforms to modernize its digital infrastructure and enhance employee welfare. The changes align with the government’s "Digital Pakistan" vision and aim to improve regulatory oversight and governance.

Pakistan authorities approve reforms to boost digital modernization, employee welfare

ANKARA: A Turkish-owned ship was able to cross the Strait of Hormuz with Iran&#39;s permission, Turkey&#39;s transport minister said Friday.&nbsp;The Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route that Iran has closed since Israel and the United States attacked it on February 28.&nbsp;&quot;We have 15 Turkish-owned ships in the Strait of Hormuz and were able to get one of them through after obtaining permission from the Iranian authorities,&quot; Abdulkadir Uraloglu told journalists late Thursday, in comments only published on Friday.&nbsp;Uraloglu did not say when the ship crossed the Strait, a crucial sea route for the global fuel trade, which has been virtually blocked by Iran in order to inflict pain on the global economy.&nbsp;&quot;We are trying to stay in contact with the Iranian side,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;Fourteen of our ships are waiting, they currently have no problems,&quot; he added, noting that there were &quot;no Turkish-flagged ships&quot; in the region.

Turkey’s transport minister said one Turkish-owned ship crossed the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian permission, while 14 others wait. Iran has closed the route since February 28, a crucial sea route for the global fuel trade.

Iran let Turkish-owned ship cross Hormuz strait: Minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan security forces have killed 663 Afghan Taliban and affiliated terrorists and injured more than 887 others during the ongoing cross-border campaign conducted under Operation Ghazab lil Haq, as the operation enters its third week.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar released the latest operational summary on Friday, saying the military campaign continues to target terrorist infrastructure used for attacks against Pakistan.&nbsp;In a statement posted on X, Tarar said the operation has resulted in the destruction of 249 check posts and 224 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery systems linked to the Afghan Taliban and associated terrorist groups.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2032430603661111557&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles&sessionId=40893888f87bca9bc9630755cd101612bb851e9b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 786px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;According to the minister, 70 locations linked to terrorists and their support infrastructure across Afghanistan have also been effectively targeted through air operations.&nbsp;&ldquo;It is pertinent to mention that on the night of March 12&ndash;13, 2026, Pakistan successfully targeted terrorists&rsquo; affiliated installations in Afghanistan,&rdquo; Tarar said.&nbsp;He added that sites in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar were struck, including terrorist logistical bases camps and operational hubs.&nbsp;Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil Haq following what officials described as repeated cross-border attacks from Afghan territory targeting security forces and civilian areas in Pakistan&rsquo;s northwestern regions.&nbsp;Islamabad says the campaign is aimed at dismantling terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil and preventing further infiltration into Pakistan.&nbsp;Pakistani officials have repeatedly stated that the strikes are directed at verified terrorist infrastructure rather than civilian targets.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan is targeting only the infrastructure of terrorists and their support networks,&rdquo; Tarar said, adding that the operations are conducted on the basis of &ldquo;accurate intelligence information.&rdquo;&nbsp;The information minister also rejected claims circulating from the Afghan Taliban authorities and reports attributed to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan suggesting civilian casualties from the strikes.&nbsp;Tarar said the UN mission&rsquo;s information in Kabul relies on data provided by the Taliban authorities and does not reflect Pakistan&rsquo;s operational assessments.&nbsp;He also dismissed battlefield claims made by Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim government, describing them as inaccurate.&nbsp;&ldquo;The claims of battlefield victories against Pakistan are incorrect and merely propaganda,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;The escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has drawn international attention in recent days, with several governments urging restraint and calling for dialogue to prevent wider regional instability.&nbsp;Pakistani officials, however, maintain that the operation is a defensive response to terrorism and that Pakistan remains committed to regional stability while safeguarding its national security.&nbsp;Islamabad has repeatedly said its demand to the Taliban authorities remains unchanged: verifiable action to ensure that Afghan territory is not used by terrorist groups to launch attacks against neighboring countries.

Pakistan says its forces continue precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure across Afghanistan, targeting camps, logistics hubs and support networks as Operation Ghazab lil Haq advances into its third week amid ongoing regional tensions.

Over 660 Afghan Taliban, terrorists killed as Pakistan operation enters third week

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Former Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Dr Ali Awadh Asseri has hoped that consultations between the leadership of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would yield positive results not only for the two countries but also for the wider region. Speaking on Pakistan TV&rsquo;s programme The Newsroom, Dr Asseri, while referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, said the engagement was particularly significant given the challenging situation in the region.&nbsp; He expressed optimism that high-level engagement between their leadership would contribute to regional peace and stability. The former envoy said relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remained unique, profound and durable.&nbsp; &ldquo;I have no illusion whatsoever that the visit of the prime minister and the consultation between the two leaderships will achieve good, hopefully peace and tranquility for both nations to begin with and for the whole region,&rdquo; he said. Dr Asseri said Pakistan-Saudi relations had deep historical roots and continued to grow stronger with successive governments in both countries.&nbsp; &ldquo;The unique thing about this relationship is that it is a people-to-people relationship, and that is what makes it special,&rdquo; he said, adding that while leaders may change, the relationship continues to be reinforced by new leadership in both countries. Highlighting the scope of cooperation between the two countries, Dr Asseri said the relationship encompassed economic and military cooperation, including a defence pact.&nbsp; He also pointed to the presence of around 2.5 million Pakistanis living and working in Saudi Arabia as a key pillar of bilateral ties. The former ambassador also stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.&nbsp; He said Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries had supported dialogue between the United States and Iran, facilitated by Oman&rsquo;s foreign minister, in the hope that it would yield positive results. He said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other GCC states were keen to see tensions reduced as the conflict served neither the Islamic world&rsquo;s interests nor the global economy, particularly amid disruptions to global oil supplies and rising prices.

The Newsroom

Former Saudi ambassador Dr Ali Awadh Asseri said Pakistan-Saudi leadership consultations, including Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, could strengthen bilateral ties, reduce regional tensions, and promote peace, stability, dialogue, and cooperation.

Iran threatens US-linked oil targets after Trump says Kharg bombed

Latest News

Iran threatens US-linked oil targets after Trump says Kharg bombed

Afghan Taliban drones injure civilians as Pakistan continues operation: Military

Karachi Port becomes transshipment hub as Gulf war disrupts shipping

Democrats accuse Trump of aiding Russia with sanctions relief

Pakistan says Afghan-linked terrorist drones intercepted near Rawalpindi, no damage