Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has expressed Pakistan's resolve to continue efforts to bring peace to the region. Briefing the Senate today, he said Islamabad's efforts are aimed at finding a dignified solution to the situation. He mentioned that Pakistan has been making all-out efforts to end the conflict in the region since day one. He added that, as Pakistan has been playing the role of a mediator and facilitator in resolving the conflict, extra care is required in making any move. He, however, noted that the recent attacks on Iran and Saudi Arabia have further complicated the situation.

According to Radio Pakistan, earlier in the session, Opposition Leader in the Senate Raja Nasir Abbas initiated a debate on the rise in petroleum product prices and the prevailing regional situation. He commended Pakistan's strenuous efforts to help end the ongoing conflict in the region. He remarked that the war in the Middle East has led to a surge in oil prices in Pakistan, as in the rest of the world. Abbas called for joint efforts to steer the country out of crises through collective wisdom.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the House that the recent hike in petroleum prices was a result of an unprecedented increase in the rates of the commodity in the international market. He stated that the government is providing targeted subsidies to the deserving segments of society to lessen the burden of the price hike. Maulana Atta Ur Rehman added that petroleum prices should be further decreased to provide more relief to the people. Those who spoke on the occasion include Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, Khalil Tahir, and Noor Ul Haq Qadri. The House will now meet tomorrow afternoon.