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Pakistan-Afghanistan War Update
Pakistan intercepts a "few rudimentary" Afghan drones, claims ISPR
“Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” continues as more terrorist camps hit; 663 Taliban fighters killed, 887 injured so far
On 14 March, Dawn and The Express Tribune, quoting the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), reported that Pakistan shot down a “few rudimentary” drones launched from Afghanistan over Quetta, Kohat and Rawalpindi, with the military accusing the Afghan Taliban of attempting to spread fear among civilians. According to the ISPR, the drones were intercepted through electronic countermeasures and neutralised using both “soft and hard kill” methods before reaching their intended targets. Authorities said debris from the downed drones injured four civilians, including two children, in Quetta, while others were hurt in Kohat and Rawalpindi. The military described the attacks as part of a broader pattern of hostile actions linked to militant groups operating from Afghan soil, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Officials said the armed forces remained vigilant and would continue counterterrorism operations under “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq”.
Meanwhile, Pakistan carried out overnight air strikes inside Afghanistan, targeting what officials described as terrorist hideouts and logistical facilities linked to militant groups. Security sources said the strikes during the night of 12-13 March hit several locations in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, including the infrastructure of the 313 Corps, the Tarawo terrorist camp and other installations believed to support militant operations against Pakistan. Authorities stated that the strikes were conducted with precision and focused only on sites connected to militant activity, rejecting claims that civilian infrastructure had been targeted. Security sources said that forces also repelled an infiltration attempt near Sadaq village in North Waziristan.
Major cross-border hostilities began on 26 February after Pakistan launched a comprehensive operation against what it called "unprovoked aggression" by the Afghan Taliban. Kabul had responded to Pakistani air strikes within its territory the weekend before. According to the latest figures, a total of 663 Afghan Taliban fighters have been killed by Pakistani forces, with an additional 887 injured. 249 Taliban checkposts have been destroyed, while another 44 have been captured. Pakistan has targeted around 70 locations across Afghanistan, capturing 224 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns during the ongoing operation. Türkiye, China and Russia have offered to mediate talks between the two countries, with Beijing engaging separately with both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Earlier, India accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s sovereignty during a heated exchange at the UN Security Council. (“Air blitz wipes out terror dens in Afghanistan,” The Express Tribune, 14 March 2026; “‘Rudimentary’ drones launched by Afghan Taliban injure 4, fail to reach targets: ISPR,” Dawn, 14 March 2026)
In Brief
SECURITY
Police patrol vehicle targeted by terrorists in KP
On 14 March, Dawn reported that terrorists attacked the police squad patrol team. The patrol vehicle was targeted using an IED, which was planted on the road. In the incident, seven policemen were martyred, including the station house officer (SHO). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains one of the most affected provinces due to terrorist activities. Last week, three Federal Constabulary men were martyred in a terrorist attack in Karak. (“7 policemen, including SHO, martyred in attack on police vehicle in KP's Lakki Marwat,” Dawn, 14 March 2026)
Six terrorists killed in KP following terrorist attack on police patrol vehicle
On 14 March, Dawn reported that six terrorists were killed by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in the Shagai area of Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Earlier in the day, terrorists attacked the police vehicle in which seven policemen were martyred. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province had witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks. As per the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Annual Security Report 2025, fatalities related to violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have increased multifold from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025. (“Law enforcers kill 6 terrorists in Lakki Marwat operation: CTD,” Dawn, 14 March 2026)
ECONOMY
Pakistan’s agricultural exports facing triple threat
On 14 March, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan's agricultural exports are facing challenges at three fronts: the collapse of Middle Eastern shipping lines, the sudden imposition of massive war surcharges, and a prolonged trade cut-off with Afghanistan. Due to rising tensions, shipping lines have ceased operations to West Asia, and as shipping companies have introduced "war surcharges" (Emergency Conflict Surcharge) amounting to USD 2,000 per container, increased the difficulties for exporters. Following the recent attack on infrastructure at the Port of Salalah, several shipping lines are refusing new bookings for Gulf destinations. The coming days will be difficult for the agricultural economy, as millions of dollars worth of perishable produce could be lost due to all these disruptions. (“Local exports hit by triple threat,” The Express Tribune, 14 March 2026)
PM assures stable petrol prices amid rise in global oil prices
On 14 March, Dawn reported that the federal government assured the public that the prices of petroleum products would not be increased this time despite an increase in global oil prices. The government had hiked the Petrol and diesel prices by PKR 50 last week. Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has released a statement stating that the government has taken timely policy and austerity measures to deal with the current regional situation. All the provinces are also supporting the austerity measures following the current situation of the fuel crisis.(“PM Shehbaz says prices of petroleum products not being increased despite uptick in global market,” Dawn, 14 March 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Petroleum dealers threaten nationwide shutdown over shrinking margins
On 14 March, The Express Tribune reported that the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association issued an ultimatum to the government. They warned that all petrol pumps in the country would close down indefinitely starting 27 March, if the government doesn't increase their margin to eight per cent. The association explained that, with rising petroleum costs, their actual margin had fallen to 2.68 per cent, making it difficult to keep their businesses running. They urged the government to keep its promise. The dealers also warned that fuel prices might go up even more, and they claimed that Iranian fuel was still causing problems in the local market. There are also bigger concerns about supply disruptions and artificial shortages, which are putting even more pressure on the sector. (“Petroleum dealers warn of strike from 27th,” The Express Tribune, 14 March 2026)
PTI hints at post-Eid movement for Imran’s release amid renewed concern over his health
On 14 March, Dawn reported that the PTI appeared to hint that it would launch a movement across the country for the release of Imran Khan on the eve of Eid, terming the government’s alleged negligence in the treatment of his injuries “criminal negligence.” The party members demanded that Khan be shifted to the Shifa International Hospital “immediately,” saying it was a “matter of life and death”. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi maintained that the PTI had only slowed down its “revolutionary march” in respect of the Ramadan month and would continue its struggle for Khan’s liberation. PTI members believed that the issue of Khan’s health was linked to the general feeling of the nation being victimised and the government’s failure to run the state affairs. (“PTI signals drive for Imran’s release ‘after Eid’,” Dawn, 14 March 2026)
JI criticises major parties for silence on US-Israeli actions and warns of wider regional danger
On 14 March, Dawn reported that Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has stated that none of the major political parties in the country had clearly condemned the “terrorism” of America and Israel. He said this while addressing a Friday congregation of Jammat-i-Islami at Mansoorah here on Friday. He asserted that Iran, Palestine and Kashmir were battling for their rights and said the country too would have to fight for its rights in the days to come. He remarked that the Muslim rulers had failed to take adequate measures for Gaza and the region under aggression due to their desire to earn the favour of America. (“JI raps parties for failure to condemn US, Israel,” Dawn, 14 March 2026)
NCSW condemns detention of Aurat March activists, calls for due process and dignified treatment
On 14 March, Dawn reported that the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) said on Tuesday that it had taken a serious note of the arrest of women activists and leaders by the Islamabad police on 8 March while they were participating in the Aurat March, a feminist rally aimed at achieving equal rights for women. The commission said that the arrest of women exercising their right to free speech and peaceful protest was unwarranted and that if arrests were necessary in this regard, then women must be treated with respect and dignity, and provided with a safe place of detention, access to lawyers and that their rights are preserved through due process. They added that they will continue to monitor the situation as it is their duty to protect women’s rights in Pakistan. (“Arrest of women activists condemned in Islamabad,” Dawn, 14 March 2026)
ON INDIA
Pakistan condemns closure of Srinagar’s Jama Masjid on last Friday of Ramazan
On 13 March, Dawn reported that Pakistan strongly condemned the continued closure of the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, located in Jammu and Kashmir, on the last Friday of Ramazan. In a statement, the Foreign Office (FO) said preventing worshippers from offering congregational prayers at one of the valley’s most revered mosques constituted a serious violation of religious freedom and fundamental human rights. It noted that the mosque had remained sealed for the seventh consecutive year since India revoked the region’s special autonomy in 2019. Pakistan urged the United Nations and global human rights organisations to take notice of the restrictions and press India to ensure the protection of religious freedoms in the region. (“FO condemns continued closure of historic mosque in occupied Kashmir on last Friday of Ramazan,” Dawn, 13 March 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
War & geopolitics
Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, “War on the poor,” Dawn, 13 March 2026
"If truth is the first casualty in war, then the biggest casualty is almost always the poor. This is as true in the warzone itself — Iran and the Gulf countries — as here in Pakistan. The petrol bomb has already wreaked havoc, but what if a poor family forced to deal with what is effectively a cost of living crisis had to deal with their home being demolished?"
https://www.dawn.com/news/1981578/war-on-the-poor
Editorial, “Delicate balance,” Dawn, 13 March 2026
"Pakistan has to maintain a delicate balance where the geopolitics of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran are concerned. It involves condemning the aggression against Iran, while not castigating America too harshly, and censuring Tehran’s counter-attacks on GCC allies. Perhaps the difficulty of maintaining this balance was revealed at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, where Pakistan supported two competing resolutions linked to Iran."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1981577/delicate-balance
Media freedom
Editorial, “Perilous lines,” Dawn, 13 March 2026
"The law minister’s veiled warning to the media to “exercise caution” and not cross “red lines” while talking about the Middle East conflict is reflective of how the government has come to view its relationship with the fourth estate. The remarks were prompted by the “unease” of some “friendly countries” regarding what some Pakistanis had said on air and on social media, according to the law minister. He also pointed to Article 19 of the Constitution, which he interpreted as restricting public commentary on Pakistan’s relations with foreign states. But is that really the Constitution’s intent? It must be pointed out that media scrutiny of whether a nation’s foreign policies actually serve its interests is precisely what independent journalism is supposed to do. It does, therefore, seem quite unreasonable to assert that the Constitution expects the press to abdicate its watchdog role and “leave it to the state to decide” on matters of foreign policy."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1981575/perilous-lines
Economy
Daud Khan, “Helping small farmers move forward,” The Express Tribune, 13 March 2026
"In 2024-25, the sector grew by 0.56, the lowest in about a decade, and was said to be in "crisis". Obviously, weather and other contingent factors played a role in the massive swing in performance. However, the honourable Finance Minister also blamed the farming community for inefficient practices, stressing that the low productivity was caused by outdated techniques, poor seeds, inadequate fertiliser use and limited knowledge of modern agricultural practices. The problems that the Finance Minister identified are, of course, critical. And, unless these are solved, the agriculture sector will not achieve the growth that it is capable of."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2597297/helping-small-farmers-move-forward
Pakistan & the IMF
Editorial, “MPs' assets immunity,” The Express Tribune, 13 March 2026
"The IMF has finally awakened to a severe transgression of law and justice as it has raised objections to a legislation that grants Members of Parliament immunity from declaring their assets. The amendment to the Elections Act, 2017 called for a limit to public disclosure of legislators' assets and liabilities. Though the impugned act is yet to become a law, as it has not been passed by the Senate, it is by all means implementable in our lawless society where the elite is treated above law."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2597093/mps-assets-immunity
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