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In Brief
EXTERNAL
Pakistan, US expand military engagement amid renewed defence ties
On 17 January, Dawn reported that according to a statement issued by the US Central Command (Centcom), American and Pakistani troops this week concluded joint training at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Center in Pabbi, under Exercise Inspired Gambit, alongside expanded defence cooperation. In December, Washington approved a USD 686 million upgrade package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, reinforcing a long-standing pillar of bilateral defence ties after the brief India–Pakistan conflict in May 2025. The re-engagement has been accompanied by unusually positive rhetoric from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly praised Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and hosted him at the White House in June 2025. (“Pakistan, US expand military engagement amid renewed defence ties,” Dawn, 17 January, 2026)
Putin hails growing 'mutually beneficial' Russia–Pakistan partnership
On 17 January, The Express Tribune reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin had praised the expanding Russia–Pakistan partnership as “mutually beneficial” during a Kremlin ceremony where Pakistan’s Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi presented his credentials. Putin highlighted Pakistan’s role as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and noted growing cooperation across trade, energy, education, agriculture, health, IT and industry. The exchange comes amid deepening economic engagement, including talks on energy cooperation, a potential oil-sector agreement, and Russian interest in Pakistan’s banking sector to reduce reliance on Western payment systems. (“Putin hails growing 'mutually beneficial' Russia–Pakistan partnership,” The Express Tribune, 17 January 2026)
PAK-AFG
UN agencies flag increase in detention of Afghan nationals in January
On 17 January, Dawn reported that arrest and detention of Afghan nationals had increased by 18 per cent in the first ten days of January, with Chaghi, Pishin and Islamabad accounting for the highest number of detention and arrests. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR and the UN Migration Office jointly released this 'flash update' on the arrest and detention of Afghan Nationals. A total of 130,999 Afghan nationals were arrested and detained from 15 September 2025 to 10 January 2026. The International Federation of Red Crescent also published an analysis. It reported that over 5.2 million refugees (deportees and returnees) from Iran and Pakistan. (“Arrest detention of Afghans increase 18pc in Jan UN IOM,” Dawn, 17 January 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Sanaullah says PTI leaders seek talks but Imran opposes
On 16 January, Dawn reported that the Prime Minister's advisor, Rana Sanaullah, said the government has been in contact with PTI leaders who want dialogue, but jailed PTI founder Imran Khan is not in favour of negotiations as the party presses ahead with a protest planned for 08 February. Sanaullah said PTI leaders believe a meeting with Imran could help postpone the protest, but claimed any opening for talks or meetings would be possible only after 08 February. He said the government would deal with protests through administrative procedures, while asking PTI to return to their work on the parliamentary committee. (“PTI leaders want dialogue but Imran not in favour of it: Rana Sanaullah,” Dawn, 16 January 2026)
Achakzai appointed opposition leader in NA
On 16 January, The Express Tribune reported that Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai was formally notified as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly (NA), filling a post vacant since 07 August last year. NA speaker Ayaz Sadiq handed the notification to PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and opposition Chief Whip Aamir Dogar after opposition-backed papers were processed, with Gohar saying the appointment followed completion of required parliamentary formalities backed by 76 opposition MNAs. Achakzai became the only candidate who could run for office because the nomination period ended without any other candidates, and his supporters from PTI-backed independents validated his candidacy through signature verification, which occurred before this week. (“Mahmood Khan Achakzai appointed opposition leader in National Assembly,” The Express Tribune, 16 January 2026)
ECONOMY
Pakistan approves 37 new SEZs under phase II of CPEC
On 17 January, Dawn reported that 37 new Special Economic Zones were approved in the second Phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC-II) by the Board of Investment. With the addition of these SEZs, a total of 44 SEZs are now part of CPEC-II, with particular focus on SEZ-led industrialisation and Pakistan-China business-to-business cooperation. In the Project Management Unit of the CPEC-II, the Industrial Cooperation Development Project (PMU CPEC-ICDP) has played a key role, resulting in the rapid progress on the Karachi Industrial Park, "Gilgit-Baltistan" SEZ and approval of the land lease policy for Bin Qasim Industrial Park. Additionally, the PMU CPEC-ICDP is planning to hold more investment rounds, focusing on initiatives that would commemorate the 75th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations. (“Number of SEZs surges to 44 under CPEC 2.0,” Dawn, 17 January 2026)
SECURITY
Security forces repel coordinated attacks in Balochistan, 12 militants killed
On 17 January, The Express Tribune reported that security forces killed at least 12 militants after foiling coordinated attacks on a police station and two banks in Kharan city, northwestern Balochistan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 15–20 militants linked to what the government terms “Fitna al-Hindustan” targeted the Kharan City police station, the National Bank of Pakistan and Habib Bank Limited, looting PKR 3.4 million and attempting to take hostages. The hostage bid was thwarted by a swift security response, and mop-up operations remain ongoing. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said one civilian was injured and warned that militant groups were increasingly shifting towards organised criminal activities such as bank robberies. President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces, reiterating the state’s resolve to counter militancy and foreign-sponsored violence. (“12 terrorists killed as forces fight off multiple attacks in Balochistan’s Kharan,” The Express Tribune, 17 January 2026)
CYBERCRIME
National Assembly discusses rising cyber scams
On 17 January, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s National Assembly discussed the sharp rise in cybercrimes, with lawmakers highlighting widespread fraud involving fake traffic challans and deceptive messages posing as banks, educational institutions and telecom companies. Members warned that some victims, after responding to such messages, later faced serious legal consequences, including blasphemy and anti-state charges. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry informed the House that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) received over 150,000 complaints last year, including more than 81,000 related to financial crimes, leading to 1,095 arrests. He said reforms were underway to strengthen the NCCIA’s capacity and that telecom operators had been directed to tighten SIM security measures. (“Rising cyber scams echo in NA,” Dawn, 17 January 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
External
Shahzad Chaudhry, “Pakistan — in the age of impunity”, The Express Tribune, 16 January 2026
"The entire world is in a reset. It will probably take the next couple of years to find its balance and shape the next few decades. Till then, though, it is only flux. In such an environment, no nation, even as assured as Pakistan seems today, can chart its roadmap to the future with any certainty. What pressures may the international environment and this three-way competition at the top for resources and influence have on Afghanistan, or the need to stabilise Afghanistan? Will the international system once again ask Pakistan to carry this responsibility because of proximity?"
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2587341/pakistan-in-the-age-of-impunity
Difficult times
Faisal Bari, “Difficult times,” Dawn, 16 January 2026
“A large proportion of Pakistanis have fallen on hard times, even a larger proportion has become more vulnerable to shocks than before. It is the responsibility of the state to do something about this. It is here, even in terms of intentions, that we do not find anything. We need to start thinking about how we can create more income-generating opportunities for people. And we need to think about extending support to those who are falling on hard times. Probably the best way to do this — and this is being done and has been done in many countries — is to extend health and education facilities of decent quality to all citizens, especially those who are struggling. This could help a lot of people in major ways. But, of course, in an elitist and elite-captured state, this will not happen easily. It will require a major overhaul of the governance system and governance ethos in the country. This, at least for now, does not seem to be on the horizon."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1967278/difficult-times
South Asia
Khurram Abbas, “Multipolar South Asia,” Dawn, 16 January 2026
"Islamabad considers it a conducive environment for promoting the idea of a ‘multipolar’ South Asia. Islamabad believes that a resurgent Pakistan, assertive Bangladesh and proactive China can effectively limit Indian influence and reclaim its strategic space in the region. In the South Asian context, multipolarity does not imply the emergence of several equal great powers, but rather the dilution of India’s structural dominance through the rise of alternative and consequential regional pillars. Multipolarity, as envisaged by Islamabad, signifies a regional order in which China, Bangladesh and Pakistan emerge as equally important strategic, economic and political poles alongside India, rather than remaining peripheral or subordinate actors."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1967277/multipolar-south-asia
Cryptocurrency
Editorial, “Crypto MoU,” Dawn, 16 January 2026
“It turned into a surprisingly high-profile event. On Wednesday, Pakistan signed an MoU with SC Financial Technologies, a firm affiliated with World Liberty Financial, which is owned by US President Donald Trump’s family, for “structured dialogue and technical understanding around emerging digital payment architectures”. Though Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb would describe the MoU as ‘non-binding’, the state seems to have attached immense importance to it, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi personally overseeing the signing of the MoU. The document was inked by Mr Aurangzeb and SC Financial Technologies CEO Zachary Witkoff, who is also the son of Steve Witkoff, US special envoy to the Middle East. Reuters noted this was the first publicly announced tie-up linking World Liberty, launched in September 2024, and a sovereign state."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1967274/crypto-mou
EV transition
Editorial, “Punjab’s EV transition,” Dawn, 16 January 2026
“The Punjab government’s decision to restrict future official vehicle purchases to electric and hybrid models represents a significant policy shift in a province choking on toxic smog. Given the limited size of the official fleet and the gradual pace of its replacement, the move is unlikely to deliver immediate improvement in air quality. Nevertheless, by committing itself to electric and hybrid vehicles as part of its smog mitigation strategy, Punjab is sending a strong market signal to both automakers and car owners to make the shift away from petrol and diesel-powered transport towards cleaner alternatives. By linking future permissions for petrol pumps with the installation of EV charging stations, the government will fast-track the expansion of charging infrastructure and tackle the main impediment to faster EV adoption: range anxiety."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1967272/punjabs-ev-transition
NFC Award
Waqar Wadho, “Not the NFC’s fault,” Dawn, 14 January 2026
“With the constitution of the 11th National Finance Commission, the debate around revenue sharing takes centre-stage. For years, the federal government has repeated that 57.5 per cent of federal revenues are allocated to provinces, building the narrative that it is cash-strapped. This argument, while politically convenient, is misleading. When one examines the full composition of federal revenues, it becomes evident that the federal government retains close to 60pc of total revenues. A growing share of this is collected outside the NFC’s divisible pool, particularly through the petroleum levy."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1966895/not-the-nfcs-fault
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