Overview
- Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir met Thursday in Islamabad to review the truce, voiced satisfaction with reduced tensions, and pressed all sides to keep the ceasefire in place.
- Leaders in Islamabad credited joint political–military diplomacy and outreach to Washington, Tehran, Saudi Arabia and others, while Pakistan’s ambassador in the U.S. said decisions rest with the parties and that quiet talks improve the odds of success.
- Following Wednesday’s 12,920-point surge on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, trading swung early Thursday with a sharp drop that later reversed into gains, and global oil prices eased from recent peaks though they remain above late‑February levels.
- Political figures across parties praised the effort, with opposition leader Mahmud Khan Achakzai telling parliament he backs the government, and Karachi industry leaders publicly lauding the roles of the prime minister, the army chief and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar.
- The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council approved a one‑time cut of up to 3% to MDCAT pass marks to fill vacant 2025–26 MBBS and BDS seats, with admissions due by April 15 and instructions to apply the change only to leftover seats with full transparency and consideration of fee relief.