President Asif Ali Zardari has directed that amid oil and gas supply pressures, escalating energy costs, and the evolving regional environment, all possible measures should be taken to ease the burden of rising prices on the common man, especially for essential goods and services.

The President said this while chairing an expanded consultative meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr in which Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and leadership of provinces as well as Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) also participated.

Other participants included Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar; Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif; Minister for Interior, Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi; National Security Advisor, Lt. General Asim Malik; Chairman PPP, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari; Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb; Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar; Minister for Law, Azam Nazeer Tarar; Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal; Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik; Minister for Economic Affairs Division and Establishment, Senator Ahad Khan Cheema, Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif; Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah; Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi; Chief Minister Balochistan, Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti; Caretaker Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Justice (R) Yar Muhammad; Prime Minister AJ&K, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore; Minister for Climate Change, Dr. Musadiq Malik; Minister for IT, Shaza Fatima Khawaja; Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmed Leghari; Advisor to PM, Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah; Advisor to the Prime Minister, Rana Sanaullah Khan; Special Assistant to PM, Mr. Tariq Bajwa; Senior Minister Punjab, Maryam Aurangzeb; Senator Saleem Mandviwala; Dr. Asim Hussain and senior officers of concerned Ministries and Divisions.

The meeting was briefed on the steps being taken by governments of the four provinces as well as of Gilgit Baltistan and AJ&K to manage price pressures, ensure availability of essential supplies and mitigate the impact on the public, enabling a coordinated national response.

The meeting also reviewed the broader regional situation and its potential effects on Pakistan’s security environment, economic outlook and food security. The meeting was assured that despite the global crisis, timely decisions have ensured no disruption to fuel supply, and that adequate fuel stocks are currently available to meet the country’s needs, with arrangements for the future also underway.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister informed the meeting about the government’s proactive diplomatic outreach, including his recent engagements with the leadership of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as leaders of countries involved in the conflict. He also briefed the meeting on his upcoming visit to Beijing.

The meeting was informed that proposals to increase oil prices had repeatedly been rejected by the Prime Minister, and that funds saved through austerity measures were being channelled towards public relief. It was noted that the spirit of austerity had begun with the government cutting down its own expenditure, including cuts to the development budget and the immediate grounding of 60 percent of official vehicles.

The President reiterated that the economically vulnerable people would not be left alone in this difficult time. He directed that coordinated decision-making should be done, with alignment between economic management, energy planning, food security measures and security preparedness.

The President also asked for the need for public awareness efforts, focusing on reducing fuel consumption, encouraging the use of public transportation and promoting shared mobility practices as part of a broader demand management approach.

Karachi, Thursday, 26 March 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited Zardari House in Karachi, where he met Mrs. Faryal Talpur, Central President of the Pakistan Peoples Party Women Wing.

The Prime Minister congratulated Mrs. Faryal Talpur and MNA Mir Munawar Talpur on the marriage of their daughter. He also extended his felicitations to Ms. Ayesha Talpur and her husband, Mr. Muhammad Shabeeh, and conveyed his best wishes for their happy and prosperous life.

Mrs. Talpur expressed her gratitude to the Prime Minister for his kind visit and thoughtful wishes.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Governor Sindh, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, and Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Atta Tarar.

Also present were Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, MNA Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani, Provincial Ministers Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, and MPA Sohail Anwar Siyal.

Nayyer Hussain Bukhari, Secretary General of Pakistan Peoples Party, has stated that Pakistan’s leadership has called a spade a spade, saying what’s wrong is wrong and what’s right is right.

In a statement, Bukhari said that Pakistan has adopted cautious diplomacy in the current situation. “Pakistan is an Islamic country, and the war’s effects are largely impacting Muslim nations,” he added.

Bukhari emphasized that Pakistan’s leadership has played a highly positive role in the US, Israel, and Iran conflict. “Iran’s stance is that it doesn’t have enmity with any Islamic country or people,” he said.

He urged the international community to play its part in preventing the war’s effects, stating that peace in the Gulf is crucial for humanity. “We hope Pakistan’s efforts yield positive results,” Bukhari said, adding that Pakistan doesn’t want the war to prolong as it’s not in anyone’s interest.

Bukhari called on China, Russia, and European countries to play their role, saying that the Board of Peace has become ineffective after the attack on Iran.

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP Chairman said in his message that Nowruz is a beautiful reflection of renewal, hope and harmony, reminding humanity of the power of fresh beginnings and the enduring bond between nature and human life. He emphasized that Pakistan’s strength lies in its rich cultural diversity, where every tradition and festival adds to the nation’s collective identity.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed hope that this Nowruz would bring joy, prosperity and renewed hope to all.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari presided over a meeting of the Parliamentary Party held at Bilawal House here on Sunday. The meeting was also attended by the President Asif Ali Zardari, First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, and President of the PPP Women Wing Ms. Faryal Talpur.

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, the meeting was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, President of PPP Sindh chapter Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, along with members of the Sindh Cabinet and PPP members of the Sindh Assembly.

While addressing the meeting, President Asif Ali Zardari said that they were carrying forward the mission of Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He said that the country was currently facing a challenging and war-like situation, and emphasized that unity and collective resolve were the need of the hour.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed full confidence in CM Murad Ali Shah and his cabinet, appreciating their performance. Addressing the Chief Minister, he said that he and his team were doing commendable work and should continue their efforts with the same dedication. The President also directed members of the Sindh Assembly to remain actively engaged in serving the people and to ensure maximum possible relief to the public despite difficult circumstances.

Addressing the meeting, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the world was currently witnessing an atmosphere of conflict and uncertainty, and that in such circumstances all political forces must stand united. He said he was satisfied with the performance of the PPP government in Sindh and appreciated the manner in which CM Murad Ali Shah was defending the province’s case despite numerous challenges.

Referring to the Gul Plaza Fire, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that “we are among those who extinguish fires, not those who ignite them,” adding that criticism of those responding to the tragedy was difficult to understand. He said Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab was being unfairly targeted because some elements could not tolerate a jiyala serving as the mayor of Sindh’s capital. Expressing satisfaction over the Mayor’s performance, he said that development activities in Karachi would soon gain momentum. He vowed that the Sindh government and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would respond to propaganda through their performance.

President Asif Ali Zardari meeting Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi and Chairman MQM-Pakistan Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

President Asif Ali Zardari has congratulated Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party and its leader Balendra Shah on their historic electoral victory.

President Zardari said the active role of young people in the electoral process was very encouraging and reflected a wider regional aspiration for accountable governance and reform. He noted that the emergence of youth-driven leadership sent a positive signal across South Asia and the world at large. The President also recalled that Pakistan takes pride in the legacy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who became the youngest Prime Minister of Pakistan, and said that the emergence of a young Prime Minister in Nepal was a welcome development for the region.

Recalling the warm and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Nepal since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960, President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further deepen bilateral cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, goodwill and shared interests.

President Zardari conveyed his best wishes for the success of the new leadership in fulfilling its reform agenda by advancing Nepal’s progress and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding friendship with Nepal.

Nayyer Hussain Bukhari, Secretary General of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians, has condemned the recent increase in petroleum prices, stating that the government should avoid burdening the people and instead provide relief.

The PPP strongly rejects the petrol price hike, which will exacerbate inflation and worsen the economic difficulties faced by the people. Bukhari emphasized that the party had previously proposed transferring the savings from reduced government expenses to the people.

He urged federal and provincial governments to pass on the benefits of a 60% reduction in petrol and diesel consumption to the people. Bukhari stressed the need for a simple lifestyle, abandoning extravagance and showmanship.

The PPP leader stated that the people have made enough sacrifices and it’s time for the elite and administration to minimize their burden on the national treasury. He proposed using government buses for transportation in state institutions and educational facilities.

The increase of rupee 55 per liter in petrol and diesel prices is unbearable for the people, Bukhari said, urging the government to reconsider its decision.

President Asif Ali Zardari in a meeting with Mr Naveed Kamran Baloch who called on him following the administration of his oath as Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman) at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Nayyer Hussain Bukhari expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He visited the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad to offer condolences, stating that Ayatollah Khamenei was a leader of the Islamic world and will remain in the hearts of the Iranian people. Bukhari, Secretary General of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians, conveyed his party’s condolences to the Iranian government and people.

He described Ayatollah Khamenei as a highly respected and valuable personality, saying such wise and guiding figures are born once in centuries. Bukhari also met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Reza Amir Moqaddam, expressing condolences and writing in the book of condolence that Ayatollah Khamenei’s religious and scholarly services will always be remembered.

The Iranian Ambassador appreciated the condolences, stating Iran and Pakistan share Islamic brotherhood ties. Bukhari condemned US and Israeli brutality against Iran and Palestine, saying Iran was a frontline state advocating for Palestine’s rights.

Nayyer Bukhari believes victory belongs to Islam and its advocates, and peace-loving people worldwide won’t let this sacrifice go in vain.