Fresh graduates replace teachers
KP has a new plan for exam monitors
Good morning with a ton of updates on the US-Iran conflict. Looks like it’s not ending anytime soon but at least there is hope. As always, I’ve summarised details since yesterday below (and there are a lot of important updates) as well as some local stories. The one on KP fresh graduates now monitoring exams has me thinking: are fresh, unemployed graduates really the best option? Retired teachers?
Let me know what you think by commenting on this post on Substack or sending me an email at thecurrentpk@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!
PM Shehbaz held a high-level call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to call for an immediate end to Middle East hostilities and a return to regional normalcy. During the conversation, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom following recent attacks and briefed MBS on Pakistan’s extensive diplomatic efforts to mediate between the U.S. and Iran.
Pakistan is set to launch its Hajj flight operations on April 18, transporting 119,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme. A total of 468 flights will operate from eight major cities, including Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore, through May 21. During the first 15 days, flights will travel exclusively to Madinah, with Jeddah operations beginning on May 4.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has confirmed that all schools across the province will reopen on April 1, ruling out speculations of a further extension. The institutions had been closed since March 10 as an austerity measure to combat the energy crisis and high fuel prices caused by the Middle East conflict. While the Punjab Energy Department had proposed extending the closure until April 15 or shifting to hybrid learning, the government has decided to stick to the original schedule.
The KP education department is hiring fresh, unemployed graduates to serve as invigilators for the matriculation exams starting March 30. This move aims to keep regular government teachers in their classrooms to prevent learning losses for students during the examination period. Over 1,250 graduates were selected via a computerized draw and will be paid approximately 30,000 PKR for the duration of the duty. To ensure transparency and security, the board is requiring character certificates from universities and has warned that any graduates involved in cheating will face FIRs and legal action.
Day 27
Almost a month to the war, Pakistan delivered a US 15 point plan to end the war to Iran, Iran rejected them and send their five conditions back. Meanwhile, Israel has hit Iran harder than before, despite peace negotiations underway. Details below are from Al-Jazeera, The Washington Post, and Dawn.
What happened yesterday?
Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye, as mediators, sent over Trump’s 15 point plan to Tehran and Cairo confirmed that the plan had been received. There is not much known about what the plan included, since the White House refused to go into details but The Washington Post has stated that, several Middle Eastern officials said the plan offered extensive sanctions relief to Iran in return for the removal of all its enriched uranium material and abandonment of enrichment processing capabilities, limiting Tehran’s ballistic missile program, and refusing support to militant groups in the region including Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas.
Iran rejected the plan and issued it’s own conditions which, according to Iranian state tv, include:
A complete halt to “aggression and assassinations” by the enemy.
The establishment of concrete mechanisms to ensure the war is not reimposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Guaranteed and clearly defined payment of war damages and reparations.
The conclusion of the war across all fronts and for all resistance groups involved throughout the region
And international recognition and guarantees regarding Iran’s sovereign right to exercise authority over the Strait of Hormuz.
According to analysts on Al-Jazeera, Pakistan is actively attempting to facilitate communication with Iranian leadership, the process is severely hindered by security risks; Iranian officials are reportedly being hunted and targeted for assassination by Israel, making it extremely difficult to relay messages or secure official responses. Trump has said that Iranian leaders are being targeted by ‘their own people’, which is making negotiations difficult. Analysis on the conflict also says that since Iran cannot perceive a “light at the end of the tunnel” for a peaceful resolution, Tehran appears prepared to fight this war to the finish.
US Response to Iran’s refusal on their plan
The White House has warned Iran to accept what it called a military defeat, or the US will “hit harder” than before and ‘unleash hell’. Trump, speaking to House Republicans at a dinner, said that Iranian leaders are desperate to reach a settlement but are ‘paralysed by fear’ of both internal and external consequences.
“They are negotiating, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people….they’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us. There’s never been a head of a country that wanted that job less than being the head of Iran.”
What is Israel upto?
At least publicly, all Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu himself, are showing a display of unity with their US allies. With the US now negotiating with Iran, Israel seems fine with it, according to Al-Jazeera analysts, knowing that the US will keep their interests first. Analysts also are questioning how Israel will react if the same regime remains in Iran and the war ends. Senior Israeli officials have been quoted in US media, saying that the military campaign by Israel is actually being accelerated, especially in the next few days, just in case a ceasefire is called.
Israel has also decided to raise the ceiling for the number of army reservists that the military is allowed to call up to potentially 400,000, from the current ceiling of 280,000, giving an idea that the ground troop invasion in Lebanon might not be ending anytime soon.
The Conflict
Since yesterday:
Military Escalation & Casualties
Expansion of Strikes: US and Israeli bombardments have intensified and expanded to new Iranian cities, including the holy city of Mashhad (has never happened before) and Taybad near the Afghan border. Two teenage boys were reportedly killed in a residential strike in Shiraz.
Regional Spills: Israeli forces continue to pound Lebanon, specifically Nabatieh, while Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the expansion of a “buffer zone” in the south.
Resistance Operations: Hezbollah claimed missile strikes on Israeli army headquarters in Tel Aviv, and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq reported 23 drone attacks on US bases.
Regional Defenses: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE have all reported intercepting numerous Iranian drones and missiles targeting vital infrastructure.
Global Economic & Energy Impact
Oil Reserves Released: Japan and the US have begun releasing strategic oil reserves to temper soaring prices. Experts warn this is a “psychological signal” and may not solve actual shortages in Asia.
Supply Disruptions: The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is “choking” the movement of oil, gas, and fertilizer. Iran is currently preparing legislation to charge tolls for any ships transiting the Strait.
Financial Strain: The IMF is running scenarios to determine which nations will need emergency financing due to the war’s economic “catastrophe.”
International Policy Changes
Travel Bans: Australia has implemented a “shameful” 12-month ban on all Iranian visitors, affecting up to 61,000 temporary visa holders.
Internal Security: Kuwait dismantled its third Hezbollah-linked sleeper cell, arresting six individuals allegedly planning assassinations of state leaders.
Pushing through this week will give you more clarity for the months ahead.
Holi Day is taking place in Islamabad on March 28 for a whole lot of fun for the family. Tickets are priced at Rs. 4999. Check out more info at TicketWala.
We’re on a mission to bring sharp, easy-to-digest stories straight to your inbox — but we need your help. If you’ve been enjoying the newsletter, please share it with your friends and family. A quick forward or a simple “hey, check this out” could make a huge difference. More readers means more impact, and we’d be so grateful for your support. 💌