Rs. 400
Hitting a four year high
Happy Labour Day, this Friday, May 1st!
Hope everyone is lounging in bed and don’t have to work today. Interestingly, its an American holiday that spread worldwide (for good reason) and commemorates the 1886 Chicago Haymarket affair, where workers went on strike for an eight-hour workday. The strike became violent and set history.
This war…..Day 62 and still at where it was yesterday. I’ve summarised it below with the most interesting fact being that we have resumed flights to Iran.
Locally, petrol prices have hit Rs.400 (😶🌫️), a new report on media freedom says what journalists already know and the textbooks in Punjab need to seriously change. Probably the most important issue is Bullet No.3.
See you all on Sunday!
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Petrol price has gone up by Rs6.51 to Rs399.86 per litre (Rs.400 hi karlein), while diesel has increased more sharply by Rs19.39 to Rs399.58, effective today. The government slightly reduced tax on petrol but introduced a new Rs28.69 per litre tax on diesel. These price hikes are linked to global oil fluctuations due to the US-Iran war, with oil prices recently hitting a four-year high.
Karachi is experiencing intense heat, with temperatures at 36°C but a “feels like” of 45°C due to humidity, and conditions expected to worsen over the next few days. The Met Office says the heatwave will continue until May 3, with temperatures rising to 38–39°C and hot, dry conditions persisting. It is also recommended to stay indoors as temps are going to rise in Sindh, Balochistan and Southern Punjab in May-June.
A new study has found that Punjab’s primary school textbooks contain discriminatory content and lack representation of minority communities, raising concerns about inclusivity. The curriculum largely reflects the majority religion while under-representing minority faiths, and figures like Bhagat Singh, Ranjit Singh and Guru Nanak. Experts say this limits critical thinking and exposure to diversity, and are pushing for urgent reforms to promote tolerance, and more inclusive education.
A Freedom Network report says Pakistan’s cybercrime laws, especially amendments to Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), are being used to pressure journalists, creating a climate where many are forced to self-censor to avoid ‘trouble’. The report also documented 129 violations in a year, including murders, threats, legal cases and assaults, and also highlighted Lawyer Iman Mazari’s case who is currently still in jail for her posts on X.
Day 62 of the war
*The following information has been taken from Dawn, GEO News and Al-Jazeera
US-Iran war, ceasefire and Trump’s next move
The US-Israel war on Iran is now at Day 62, with tensions rising again (dare I say, again). Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called the US naval siege of Iranian ports an “extension of military operations” and said it was “intolerable”, while Trump said the US “might need” to restart the war and that “nobody knows what the talks are except myself and a couple of other people.”
A senior Trump administration official, however, said US-Iran hostilities had “terminated” for war purposes, arguing that there has been no exchange of fire since the April 7 ceasefire, which was later extended.
Strait of Hormuz and US blockade
The US blockade remains a major flashpoint. 44 commercial vessels trying to enter or leave Iranian ports have now been redirected. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said the war and the Strait closure had doubled fuel prices and pushed food costs up by 20 percent.
Tehran air defences and Iran rebuilding
Iranian media reported air defence activity over Tehran, a few hours ago, with systems activated against small aircraft, surveillance UAVs and drones. The activity lasted around 20 minutes before Tehran returned to a “normal situation”. US media also reported that Iran is using the ceasefire to retrieve missiles and munitions buried underground or under rubble after US and Israeli strikes, with US officials believing Tehran wants to quickly rebuild drone and missile capacity in case Trump resumes the war.
US Congress, war powers and cost of war
Trump faces a legal deadline under the War Powers Act, which allows a US president to wage war for 60 days without congressional approval. Democrats say Trump will be violating the law if military action continues without authorisation. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, argued that the ceasefire pauses or stops the clock on the 60 days, but some democrats said the statute does not support that.
Hegseth also testified before the Senate while asking Congress for a $1.5 trillion defence budget. The Pentagon has put the Iran war cost at $25bn, but CNN cited sources saying the real figure may be closer to $40bn-$50bn once base repairs and destroyed assets are included.
Trump’s statements on Iran, oil and Europe
Trump said Iran is “dying to make a deal” and claimed its navy, air force, drone factories and missile factories have been heavily damaged. He repeated that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon and said gas prices would “drop like a rock” once the war ends.
Trump also criticised German Chancellor Friedrich Merz again, telling him to stop interfering over Iran, and said the Iran operation had been “executed perfectly.” Trump also said he would “probably” consider pulling US troops out of Italy and Spain.
Lebanon, Israel and US pressure
Israel’s attacks on Lebanon continued, with Israeli strikes in Qlawiyah in Bint Jbeil killing one person after a convoy was targeted. Lebanese reports put the day’s death toll from Israeli attacks at at least 28. The US embassy in Beirut said Lebanon was at a “crossroads” and urged a direct meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, facilitated by Trump.
Analysts on Al Jazeera argued Lebanon has little leverage in these talks, while Elijah Magnier said Israel is applying a “Rafah doctrine” to Lebanon: destroying homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure to prevent people from returning.
Gaza flotilla and Palestinian voices
Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters off Greece, with activists saying 175 people were detained. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the interception, calling it a “brazen violation of international law” and saying those detained must be released. Meanwhile, Palestine Football Association president Jibril Rajoub refused to pose with his Israeli counterpart at the FIFA Congress, saying he would not help “whitewash” Israeli “fascism and genocide.”
FIFA and Iran World Cup participation
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that Iran will play in the 2026 World Cup and will also face the United States. Trump said he had no issue with Iran playing, telling reporters, “I’m OK” with it.
Pak flights to Iran resume
The UAE has banned citizens from travelling to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq and urged Emiratis already there to leave immediately. Pakistan-Iran flights have resumed after a 60-day suspension, with a Tehran-Islamabad passenger flight landing in Islamabad for the first time since operations were halted after the February 28 US-Israel strikes. PM Shehbaz also held another call with Pezeshkian and met Erdogan as part of the regional peace push.
When you feel like crying today, just let it out. Don’t hold it in, it deserves its time.
Koa is having a Mother’s Day sale (20% off) and its a good time to get your mum (and yourself) something nice! Clothes, bags and shoes, they have good quality material but we do prefer the tops over the bottoms. If you need pants or jeans, you’ll have to go try them on because they can be less than flattering sometimes. But overall, its a great place to shop.
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