Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Ali Asad Gilani will succeed Khalil Hashmi as Pakistan's ambassador to China. Hashmi is scheduled to return to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs next week after completing his tenure. Dar expressed confidence that Gilani will advance the bilateral partnership during his assignment.
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported that the Sensitive Price Index increased by 0.23 percent for the week ending September 10. Year-on-year inflation stood at 8.62 percent, driven primarily by significant increases in petrol, diesel, LPG, and onion prices. Of the 51 items tracked, 14 saw price increases while 10 experienced declines.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered authorities to limit electricity outages to a maximum of two hours in any area. Officials attributed the power shortage to disruptions in re-gasified liquefied natural gas supplies caused by regional tensions. The government directed officials to utilize all available resources to address the supply gap and prevent prolonged blackouts.
Jamaat-i-Islami leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman declared that party members will march toward Islamabad on September 20 in opposition to the current fuel taxes. The group stated that ongoing sit-ins across multiple cities have now reached their 27th day of protest. Leaders warned that if the government does not withdraw the levy before the march begins, the movement will proceed as planned.
On Friday, officials and family members gathered at Ground Zero to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The ceremony included a moment of silence and the reading of names for the nearly 3,000 victims who died. A seventh moment of silence was also observed to honor those who have since died from illnesses related to the toxic dust.
The federal government increased the retail price of petrol by Rs5.02 and high-speed diesel by Rs5.28 per litre on Friday. These new rates will apply from Saturday, September 12, through Monday, September 14. This adjustment marks the fifth consecutive weekly revision in petroleum product prices.
The Sindh Mass Transit Authority Board met under Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon to discuss transport sector expansion. Officials decided to finalize technical procedures for a logistics park and the acquisition of electric vehicle buses. The provincial government will now request formal approval from the Sindh Cabinet for these initiatives.
The Sindh Assembly Standing Committee on Home Affairs reviewed actions against drug sales around educational institutions. Chairperson Faryal Talpur emphasized that protecting youth from narcotics is a top priority and called for stronger coordination among agencies. Authorities were directed to intensify checks at border points and target online delivery networks.
The federal government increased the price of petrol by Rs5.02 and high-speed diesel by Rs5.28 per litre on Friday. These new rates, effective from September 12 to September 14, set petrol at Rs375.82 and diesel at Rs403.32 per litre. The revisions follow a shift to daily pricing adjustments due to fluctuations in international oil markets.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department stated that a monsoon low moving westward will bring thunderstorms and light rain to the Karachi Division from September 14 to 16. Several districts in Sindh, including Tharparkar and Umerkot, are expected to experience dust-thunderstorm rain with occasional moderate to isolated heavy falls during this period. The advisory notes that showers in Karachi may occur at intervals with occasional gaps throughout the forecast window.
