“All motorcycles, rickshaws, and Qingqis registered after Jan 1, 2006, will be eligible for registration in the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post on the social media platform X.

“Now, those who drive 20-year-old motorcycles, rickshaws, and Qingqis will also be able to benefit from the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme,” it said.

PM Shehbaz Sharif had on Sep 13 announced a “relief scheme” for users of motorcycles, autos and vehicles of up to 800cc to “alleviate the burden” of rising global oil prices.

Under the scheme, owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqis, three-wheelers and vehicles with engines of up to 800cc will receive a Rs100 per litre relief on petrol.

Motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqis, as well as other two- and three-wheeler users, are eligible for relief on 20 litres of petrol per month. Owners of small cars with engines up to 800cc will receive the Rs100 per litre relief on 30 litres of petrol every month.

Renewed hostilities in the Middle East, which have resulted in disruption of major oil supply routes, have caused fuel prices to rise in the past two months.

In addition to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Iran war, trade via Bab al-Mandab — which has become a vital route for Saudi oil exports in recent months — is also facing a rising threat from Houthi rebels.

The subsidy scheme faced snags on Thursday, the first day of its nationwide rollout, as many petrol pumps declined to honour the digital app, claiming they lacked the system needed to provide petrol at Rs100 per litre less.

A day prior, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) expressed concerns that its members were unaware of the subsidy disbursement mechanism and feared they would have to run from pillar to post to recover the amount.

Amid the fuel crisis, the federal government on Thursday also reintroduced austerity measures, including setting 9pm as the closing time for markets and reducing fuel provision for official vehicles by 50 per cent for a period of three months.

ATC-IV Judge Sardar Muhammad Akram Khan passed the order on September 17.

The petition sought directions to the relevant authorities to allow the petitioners to meet Azhar, who is confined in police lock-up, and to grant him access to legal counsel.

In his order, the judge noted that, when asked, the prosecution’s counsel had no response regarding Rule 26.28 of the Police Rules, 1934 — the provision governing family and legal access to people in police custody.

The judge also observed that the petitioners had earlier filed a similar writ petition before the Lahore High Court (LHC), which was dismissed as withdrawn, with liberty to seek a remedy before the appropriate forum.

The judge further noted that the case file did not show that the petitioners had first approached the police under Rule 26.28 before moving the court.

In light of this, the ATC judge directed the petitioners to submit a written application to the station house officer (SHO) of Sarwar Road police and instructed that, if approached, the SHO must strictly comply with the requirements of Rule 26.28 of the Police Rules, 1934.

With these observations, the judge disposed of the petition.

Advocate Zain Sheikh appeared for the petitioners and Deputy District Public Prosecutor Nayyar Naveed represented the state.

Hammad Azhar was arrested in Multan earlier this month and handed over to Lahore police in connection with cases related to the May 9 riots, including the attack on Jinnah House.

Azhar’s mother and wife had approached the ATC against the police for allegedly denying his family and lawyer access to him.

Ishrat Azhar, the mother, and Marriam Hammad, the wife, had filed a joint petition through their counsel, Abuzar Salman Niazi.

“The ministers and [treasury] MPAs should also reach the assembly the same way on donkey carts,” PTI’s Sajjad Ali was seen saying in a video that showed him riding a donkey cart and holding a placard as he protested the “petrol bomb dropped on the people”.

Other MPAs, led by Ali, also held placards and raised slogans against the federal government over the recent increase in petrol prices. They rode donkey carts from areas near the assembly to its main gate and demanded the government withdraw the increase in petroleum prices immediately.

Speaking on the occasion, Ali said that the protest was aimed at highlighting the plight of the common man due to skyrocketing fuel prices.

“Petrol has become so expensive that we cannot even come to the assembly in our vehicles,” he said, adding that the people were bearing the brunt of the government’s policies.

Renewed hostilities in the Middle East, which have resulted in disruption of major oil supply routes, have caused fuel prices to rise in the past two months.

Currently, the government adjusts fuel prices daily. After the latest change on Thursday, the price of petrol stands at Rs390.79 per litre while high-speed diesel (HSD) costs Rs424.92 per litre. These prices also include Rs114 per litre levied by the government in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.

On Thursday, a joint meeting of the Executive Committee and Rules Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) also strongly condemned the unprecedented daily increases in fuel prices, demanding that the government take measures to control the increases and provide relief to citizens.

Meanwhile, the government has introduced a “relief scheme” for users of motorcycles, autos and vehicles of up to 800cc to “alleviate the burden” of rising global oil prices.

Under the scheme, motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqis, as well as other two- and three-wheeler users, are eligible for relief on 20 litres of petrol per month. The owners of small cars with engines up to 800cc will receive the Rs100 per litre relief on 30 litres of petrol every month.

The subsidy scheme faced snags on Thursday, the first day of its nationwide rollout, as many petrol pumps declined to honour the digital app launched for the purpose, claiming that they lacked the system needed to provide petrol at Rs100 per litre less.

The same day, the federal government also reintroduced austerity measures, including setting 9pm as the closing time for markets and reducing fuel provision for official vehicles by 50 per cent for a period of three months.

Imaan and Hadi were arrested late on Thursday in a second case after the SC ordered their release in a case pertaining to their posts on social media. The couple was sentenced to 17 years on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) in the case.

However, soon after their release on Thursday, Islamabad police personnel arrested the two outside Adiala jail in connection with another case and produced them before an anti-terrorism court, which sent them to jail on judicial remand.

The second case was registered at the federal capital’s Kohsar police station on March 22, 2025 on a complaint by City Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Chandio. Imaan and her husband were accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads and were named in the first information report (FIR).

The IBA expressed concern over the couple’s rearrest in a statement on Friday and announced that lawyers would not appear before any court in the capital on Sept 19 (Saturday).

The bar association said the arrest undermined the sanctity of judicial proceedings and amounted to a violation of fundamental rights and the rule of law.

It also expressed strong reservations over the practice of arresting individuals in connection with “unknown” FIRs. The IBA held that any attempt to circumvent or frustrate court orders was unacceptable.

It demanded the immediate release of Imaan and Hadi and called for complete details of the cases and circumstances surrounding their arrests to be made public.

The association vowed to take every possible measure to safeguard judicial independence, uphold the rule of law and protect fundamental human rights.

He was addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside other officials.

The interior minister’s remarks came in the wake of PTI’s call for a nationwide protest, including in Islamabad, on September 27 to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan and mobilise people for the supremacy of the Constitution.

More to follow

🇵🇰🇸🇦 DG ISPR reaffirms Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia.

“Pakistan fully stands with the Kingdom, diplomatically and physically. We are already there to protect the Haramain Sharifain and Saudi Arabia, and will go to any extent required by the Saudi leadership.” pic.twitter.com/xsC6phlgG4

— Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) September 18, 2026

"To Any Extent Required"

In an interview with Arab News, the DG ISPR stated:

"Pakistan fully stands with the Kingdom, diplomatically and physically. We are already there to protect the Haramain Sharifain and Saudi Arabia, and will go to any extent required by the Saudi leadership."

When asked directly whether "we are already there" meant Pakistan currently has a physical military presence in Saudi Arabia, Chaudhry responded: "I think when we say we are there, that itself says it all."

He emphasized that Pakistan's commitment to safeguarding the Two Holy Mosques and the Kingdom is unconditional, rooted in deep historical and religious bonds between the two nations.

Context: Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

The statement comes amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi cities. On Tuesday, Saudi air defenses intercepted a hostile drone south of Makkah, with coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki describing the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims as a "red line."

The Houthis denied responsibility for the attack, calling the Saudi accusation a "fabrication." The Institute for the Study of War assessed the drone may have been targeting Saudi military or oil infrastructure near Yanbu rather than the holy city itself.

Defence Agreements in Force

Pakistan's commitment rests on two agreements:

• Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) – signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025, stipulating that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.

• Makkah Joint Defence Agreement – signed on August 7, 2026, in Makkah by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Under this trilateral pact, an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three.

The Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan confirmed earlier this week that "some deployments" of Pakistani forces have already been made in Saudi Arabia under the SMDA, while declining to disclose operational details.

Pakistan's Unwavering Position

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated there is "not a single doubt" that any attack on Saudi Arabia would trigger the alliance's collective response, warning that "the response will be harsh."

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message following the attempted drone attack on Makkah, reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment: "Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain – a duty that every Pakistani carries close to their heart."

Heartbreaking visuals from Kohat, KPK Police Lines mosque 💔🇵🇰

An Afghan suicide bomber again targeted a mosque in Pakistan, killing worshippers.

This must not go unanswered. All parties must sit together, end useless protests, and take action. People first, politics later. pic.twitter.com/wbckejUkj6

— Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) September 18, 2026

The attack, which occurred on September 18, 2026, saw a suicide bomber ram an explosives-laden vehicle into the mosque compound inside the Old Police Lines, followed by a second suicide blast and an exchange of fire with armed terrorists who had infiltrated the complex .

The Human Cost

Among the martyred were five police personnel and 11 civilians, most of whom were worshippers who had gathered for Friday prayers . The blast was powerful enough to cause the mosque's roof to collapse and leave a crater outside the building . Over 50 injured were rushed to District Headquarters Hospital, where an emergency was declared .

Rescue 1122 teams deployed 14 ambulances and over 45 personnel to the scene, working tirelessly to recover victims from the rubble .

Afghan Suicide Bomber Identified

Preliminary investigations indicate the suicide bomber was an Afghan national, according to security sources. The attack was claimed by a relatively unknown militant alliance, Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP) , comprising the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Harakat Inqilab-e-Islami Pakistan, and Lashkar-e-Islam .

This attack follows a pattern of cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. Pakistan has consistently accused the Afghan Taliban regime of sheltering the TTP and permitting attacks against Pakistani civilians and security forces. The presence of an Afghan national in yet another attack on Pakistani soil underscores the gravity of the threat.

A Nation Mourns

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack. President Zardari stated that "the complete elimination of Fitna-al-Khawarij and terrorists operating with foreign backing is inevitable for national security" .

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi described it as a "cowardly act of terrorism" and directed authorities to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured .

A Call for Unity: People First, Politics Later

In the wake of this tragedy, the nation must rise above political divisions. The time for protests, point-scoring, and partisan agendas is over. All parties must sit together, end useless protests, and take decisive action against terrorism.

The enemy is not among us—it operates from across the border, sheltered by those who claim to be our neighbors but send suicide bombers to our mosques.

People first. Politics later.

Pakistan's resolve will not be shaken. Every terrorist operating from Afghan soil will face Pakistan's full and decisive response.