Fuel & gas crunch: Pakistan introduced a subsidy and “lockdown-like” austerity to curb consumption as West Asia tensions push prices up, with petrol/diesel hikes and fuel cuts for government vehicles plus bans on new cars, foreign travel and even wedding dishes. SOE strain: PBIF chief Mian Zahid Hussain warned state-owned enterprises are “nearly unsustainable,” citing huge cumulative losses and calling for structural reforms. Punjab business push: Punjab says it’s speeding up investment and easing startups via “Asaan Karobar” cards, finance support and business facilitation centres. SBP anti-fraud: The central bank urged customers to stay alert to online scams and never share card PINs/passwords. Insurance rules: SECP proposed tighter controls on insurers issuing contract-linked guarantees to reduce disputes and improve solvency. Trade & ports: Karachi Port’s liner connectivity hit a record PLSCI 343; Kenya’s envoy urged deeper Pakistan-Kenya trade ties. Pakistan-Saudi-Turkey security: Pakistan reiterated it will “go to any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia and called to activate the Makkah defence pact amid Houthi attacks; Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin held talks in Islamabad. Economy signals: Forex reserves rose to a five-year high of $26.8bn; finance minister outlined priorities for export-led growth and structural reforms. Digital finance: Mashreq Pakistan launched Raast P2M payments, aiming to move from access to adoption. Sports: Pakistan beat Thailand in rain-hit Asian Games women’s cricket to reach the semi-finals. Courts & rights: Lahore High Court dismissed wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan’s NCCIA petition; Pakistan’s top court upheld the ban on “Rohani Khazayeen.” Local tragedy: An 11-year-old girl drowned in a Karachi swimming pool; a child was killed after a rickshaw hit in Zakriya Goth.