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In Brief
AF-PAK
Investigation reveals deeply entrenched IS-K network
On 26 February, Dawn reported that after investigating the working and operations of IS-Khorasan after the Islamabad Imambargah bombing incident, Investigation agencies found that the radical group IS-Khorasan network involved in bombings is far bigger and more spread out than previously thought, from the Middle East to the Central Asian Republics, and onwards into Afghanistan and Pakistan. It was also found that IS Khorasan members use cryptocurrency for money transfer and employ encrypted communication apps, making their communications very hard to break. In terms of its capability for mass killing, compartmentalisation, commitment to ideology, resources and the sophistication of its operations, IS Khorasan is a much bigger threat than the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. ("IS-Khorasan a "bigger threat", more entrenched than TTP," Dawn, 26 February 2026)
Security tightened amid fears of post-Afghanistan airstrike retaliation
On 26 February, Dawn reported that the Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, in his statement to the media, said that Pakistan has boosted security and arrested dozens of suspects as it fears a rising wave of militant attacks following its air strikes in Afghanistan. Pakistan continues to blame Kabul for allowing the fighters to use Afghanistan as a haven. Whereas Kabul denies the charges, emphasising that the militancy is Pakistan’s internal problem. According to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organisation, militancy remains a growing problem for Pakistan, with the number of attacks rising every year since 2022. (“Pakistan wary of militant attacks after Afghanistan air strikes,” Dawn, 26 February 2026)
ECONOMY
IMF begins third review of Pakistan’s USD seven billion EFF programme
On 26 February, Dawn reported that the International Monetary Fund started technical-level discussions for the third review of Pakistan's USD seven billion Extended Financing Facility (EFF) and the second review of the USD 1.1 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) with the State Bank of Pakistan. On the positive side, Pakistan has met almost all quantitative performance criteria for the period under review. However, it is lagging in indicative targets and structural benchmarks, which could affect future programme implementation. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that the government is well-positioned for a successful review of its loan programmes, as collections by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are already positive. ("IMF mission opens talks with central bank on Pakistan's loan programmes," Dawn, 26 February 2026)
EXTERNAL
FM Dar to undertake three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia
On 25 February, Dawn reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to Saudi Arabia on a three-day official visit from 26-28 February. He will be doing so to participate in the Open-Ended Extraordinary Ministerial Session of the Organisation of Islamic Council (OIC) Executive Committee, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement. The statement mentioned that the ministerial session will be held in Jeddah on 26 February “to consider the illegal decisions of the Israeli occupation authorities aimed at expanding settlements, pursuing annexation, and attempting to impose Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied West Bank”. At the session, FM Dar would share Pakistan’s perspective on Israel’s latest proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property”, the FO said. He will also hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from the OIC member states and “undertake brief visits to the Holy Cities”. (“FM Dar to undertake 3-day Saudi visit, will attend OIC session on Israel pursuing West Bank annexation: FO,” Dawn, 25 February 2026)
Pakistan, Muslim and European countries condemn Israeli attempts aimed at “de facto annexation” of West Bank
On 25 February, Dawn reported that Pakistan, along with other Muslim and European countries, condemned Israeli attempts aimed at “unacceptable de facto annexation” of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank. A joint statement by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Brazil, France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Egypt, Pakistan, Luxembourg, Norway, Palestine, Portugal, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the League of Arab States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation said latest Israeli attempts to further occupy the West Bank were “wide-ranging” and will accelerate illegal settlement activity in the area. “These latest decisions are part of a clear trajectory that aims to change the reality on the ground and to advance unacceptable de facto annexation,” added the joint statement. This comes following a proposal accepted by the Israeli government earlier this month that would register large areas of the West Bank as “state property” for the first time since Israel occupied the territory in 1967. (“Muslim, European countries condemn Israeli attempts aimed at ‘de facto annexation’ of Palestinian land in West Bank,” Dawn, 25 February 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
PM Shehbaz calls for joint efforts to tackle economic challenges
On 26 February, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the importance of the whole government’s approach to tackling upcoming economic challenges. He was addressing the inaugural session of “Pakistan Governance Forum 2026”, where he urged all stakeholders to move on the path of economic growth with collective endeavours. "Though the journey can be a long, arduous and thorny one, but we have accepted the challenge. Pakistan will carve its due place soon,” he said. He also mentioned that the role of the government is to facilitate the private sector, exporters and investors, and support their efforts in productivity and growth. He also underlined the need to enhance the tax net and highlighted that the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio had reached 10.5 per cent. Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal also addressed the gathering, mentioning that Pakistan was on a transformational path, and if adopted with full capacity, could help push the country to a USD one trillion economy by 2035. (“PM for joint efforts to address challenges,” Dawn, 26 February 2026)
Federal government and provinces agree on joint strategy to attain peace and stability
On 25 February, Dawn reported that the federal and provincial governments, on Wednesday, agreed to a joint strategy to establish peace and stability in the country. The agreement was reached during a meeting with Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry in the chair. “Protection of citizens’ lives and property is the state’s top priority. The security forces remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation’s frontiers and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” he said. The meeting was attended by the federal interior secretary, the provincial inspector generals (IG) of police, the provincial home secretaries and the Islamabad chief commissioner and police chief. It comes amid a surge in terror attacks, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. ("Centre, provinces agree on joint strategy to establish peace and stability in country,” Dawn, 25 February 2026)
SECURITY
34 militants killed in operations in KP and Balochistan: ISPR
On 25 February, Dawn reported that 34 militants were killed in separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan on Wednesday. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, security forces had conducted a series of “high tempo, intelligence-driven operations” against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist organisations in Balochistan over the last few days. 26 militants belonging to the TTP and eight belonging to other groups were killed in these operations. It started with security forces in KP’s North Waziristan picking up the movement of a group of terrorists trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. “It is significant to highlight that the killed kharji has been identified as an Afghan national,” the statement said. (“34 terrorists killed in separate engagements in KP and Balochistan: ISPR," Dawn, 25 February 2026)
SOCIETY
CPJ and other press freedom organisations decry “deterioration of media freedom” in Pakistan
On 25 February, Dawn reported that the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and 17 other press freedom and human rights organisations, on Wednesday, wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging him to take immediate steps to “uphold the country’s constitutional and international obligations” in relation to press freedom in the country. In the letter, the organisations expressed “deep concern” over the deterioration of press freedom in Pakistan. The letter highlighted several things, from “persistent failures” to ensure accountability for attacks on journalists, the passing of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Act and the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), adding to the fall in media freedom and the sustained “legal harrasmentm intimidation, surveillance, regulatory scrutiny and threats” faced by journalists in the country. It raised concerns over the detention of journalist Sohrab Barkat under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the FCC’s decision to dispose of suo moto proceedings in the case related to journalist Arshad Sharif, who was shot dead in Kenya in 2022. The letter was endorsed by Reporters Without Borders, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Press Institute, Forum Asia, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and the Freedom Network, among other local and international groups. (“Committee to Protect Journalists, rights groups express concern at ‘deterioration of media freedom’ in Pakistan,” Dawn, 25 February 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Pakistan-Afghanistan
Editorial, “Indispensable strikes,” The Express Tribune, 24 February 2026
"Pakistan's airstrikes on terrorists' hideouts in southern Afghanistan solely came in self-defence. The sorties flown over the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, the staging ground for insurgency and infiltration into Pakistan, took out more than 80 terrorists. The attacks were conducted after hectic episodes of diplomacy, wherein Kabul was requested to go after the dreaded elements holed up inside Afghanistan – but in vain."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2594186/indispensable-strikes
Editorial, “Afghan strikes,” Dawn, 24 February 2026
"In the wake of the recent wave of terrorist attacks targeting Pakistan, with most of the atrocities linked to violent groups based in Afghanistan, a reaction appeared imminent. Last week, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan would target Afghanistan if the terrorist violence continued. The latest strikes reported on Sunday bear out the minister’s comments."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1975363/afghan-strikes
Education
Muhammad Hamid Zaman, “Curriculum and our impulse,” The Express Tribune, 24 February 2026
"For better or for worse, academia is different from the corporate sector. It is meant to engage a deeper sense of analysis, to allow for issues to be debated and reflected upon. Learning is deliberate and incremental."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2594185/curriculum-and-our-impulse
Karachi gas explosion
Editorial, “Another gas explosion,” The Express Tribune, 24 February 2026
"In the pre-dawn stillness of sehri on Sunday, the North Nazimabad neighbourhood of Karachi was jolted by a loud bang. The magnanimity of the explosion at Bismillah Residency near Five Star Chowrangi was unexpected. Residents across a radius of up to eight kilometres are reported to have heard the blast, initially convinced it was something far more sinister."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2594188/another-gas-explosion
Critical minerals
Khurram Abbas, “Minerals diplomacy,” Dawn, 25 February 2026
"Critical minerals, especially lithium, copper, cobalt, nickel and rare earths, are the oil of the 21st century. The demand for minerals has been exploding due to their consumption in semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy and advanced weapons systems. This has transformed minerals from an economic commodity into a strategic geopolitical asset."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1975634/minerals-diplomacy
Politics & governance
Editorial, “Peace offering,” Dawn, 25 February 2026
"Both the government and the opposition seem to be more receptive to the need for dialogue, but can they break new ground? On Monday, the prime minister’s aide on political affairs invited opposition lawmakers to rejoin the parliamentary committees they had earlier resigned from, noting that this could help restart the reconciliation process. “Let us sit together to strengthen and take forward the Charter of Democracy,” Rana Sanaullah suggested, stressing that the government wanted to strengthen democracy and wished to avoid further confrontation and deadlocks. “We are ready to sit with you for the betterment of the country,” he said. Seen in isolation, it was very positive messaging from the ruling party. Talks between major stakeholders have been proposed repeatedly since the start of the ongoing cycle of political instability yet have found very few takers. It is encouraging to note that the idea has not yet been completely abandoned. But are gestures alone enough?"
https://www.dawn.com/news/1975628/peace-offering
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