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In Brief
EXTERNAL
CDF Munir arrives in Türkiye for two-day official visit
On 13 July, Dawn reported that Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, arrived in Türkiye for a two-day official visit, during which he is expected to meet Türkiye's military and political leadership. The visit comes weeks after Turkish Land Forces Commander General Metin Tokel visited Pakistan in June for talks on regional security and bilateral defence cooperation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid a separate visit to Türkiye earlier this month, focused on economic and trade cooperation. ("CDF Munir arrives in Turkiye on 2-day official visit: state media," Dawn, 13 July 2026)
FBI Director Kash Patel and Interior Minister Naqvi discuss counterterrorism training
On 13 July, The Express Tribune reported that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel at FBI Headquarters in Washington to discuss specialised training to combat counterterrorism financing and cyber investigations. Patel said the FBI deeply appreciated Pakistan's support in protecting US interests in the region and described the bilateral partnership as critical. The meeting came as Naqvi continued diplomatic engagements in Washington aimed at keeping lines of communication open between Tehran and Washington amid fresh US-Iran hostilities. ("FBI Director and Naqvi discuss counterterrorism financing in Washington," The Express Tribune, 13 July 2026)
UN Secretary-General candidate calls on FM Dar in Islamabad
On 14 July, The Express Tribune reported that Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, a candidate for the office of United Nations Secretary-General, called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad. During the meeting, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the UN Charter and the multilateral system, and stressed the need to ensure respect for international law and full implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. ("UN chief hopeful calls on FM Dar," The Express Tribune, 14 July 2026)
PM Shehbaz visits Doha to condole death of former Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad
On 13 July, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif travelled to Doha on a one-day visit to personally offer condolences to Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the passing of his father, former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died on 12 July at the age of 74. Prime Minister Shehbaz was accompanied by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. Sheikh Tamim thanked the Pakistani delegation for the special gesture, describing it as a reflection of the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two countries. ("PM Shehbaz meets Qatari leader Sheikh Tamim, condoles death of ex-emir Sheikh Hamad," Dawn, 13 July 2026)
OIC women's conference closes with call for increased men's involvement in promoting equality
On 13 July, Dawn reported that Law and Human Rights Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar chaired the closing session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) 9th Ministerial Conference on Women in Islamabad, stressing that lasting progress on gender equality required the active engagement of men as partners. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz highlighted the provincial government's scholarship, laptop and housing programmes for women, saying opportunities must be equal rather than capped by quotas. The conference concluded with the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration, and Pakistan assumed the chairmanship of the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women from Egypt for the next two years. ("At OIC moot on women, minister says men's 'active engagement' needed to promote equality," Dawn, 13 July 2026)
UK to amend immigration law to enable deportation of Rochdale gang ringleader
On 14 July, Dawn reported that UK Home Minister Shabana Mahmood announced plans to amend the Immigration and Asylum Bill to remove a legal barrier preventing the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, the convicted ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, who was released from prison this month after serving part of a 22-year sentence for multiple child sexual offences. A 1971 immigration law had blocked his removal, as it protects Commonwealth nationals who arrived in the UK before 1973. However, Mahmood acknowledged the amendment alone does not guarantee deportation, as Pakistan would need to agree to accept Ahmed, and Islamabad has so far shown no indication of doing so. ("UK to change law in bid to deport Rochdale grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed," Dawn, 14 July 2026)
ECONOMY
Auto sector witnesses robust growth in FY26
On 14 July, Dawn reported that sales across the entire auto sector grew by 25-67 per cent year-on-year in FY26. Sales of cars in FY26 stood at 155,631 units, up by 39 per cent. Sales of jeeps, sport utility vehicles and vans surged by 41per cent to 50,814 units. As per data released by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), car sales rose to 15,378 units in June from 13,211 in May, while sales of jeeps, pickups, vans and SUVs rose to 6,363 units in June from 4,449 in May. Sales of 2/3 wheeler increased by 29 per cent YoY and 4 per cent MoM to 178,508 units in June, taking cumulative FY26 sales to an all-time high of 1.97 million units, up 30 per cent. Tractor sales grew by 10 per cent YoY and 17 per cent MoM to 3,059 units in June, but fell by 1 per cent YoY to 28,791 units in FY26. Truck and bus sales surged by 39 per cent YoY and 43 per cent MoM to 1,023 units in June, while FY26 stood at 8,424 units, up 61 per cent. (“Auto sales rise in FY26,” Dawn, 14 July 2026)
Government mandates Battery Energy Storage System in power auctions
On 14 July, Dawn reported that the government has decided to make Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) mandatory as part of the upcoming auction of 800MW of surplus power capacity at a wheeling charge to help stabilise electricity supply. The government has announced the auction process for a notional 800MW of capacity, marking a gradual move towards a competitive energy market after 30 years of delay. The state-run Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) under the power division has now proposed three major changes to the Wheeling Auction Process to ensure smooth implementation of wheeling and the auction framework. The first one is the mandatory BESS requirement as part of the auction. Under this, the auction participants would be required to include a BESS with a minimum firm capacity of 10 per cent with their solar or wind generation technologies. Another amendment seeks to grant the ISMO powers to extend the proposal submission deadline for prospective auction participants by a month or so. The third amendment to the already approved scheme is the constitution of a Grievance Redressal Committee, which has been suggested on the request of prospective auction participants. There would be two independent members of the ISMO board of directors along with its ISMO for redressal of complaints from the bidders. (“Battery storage made mandatory for power auctions,” Dawn, 14 July 2026)
SECURITY
KP: IED attack on police vehicle kills two personnel
On 13 July, Dawn reported that in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district, two cops were martyred and as many injured. IED was planted along the roadside and detonated while the APC was on routine patrol in the limits of Shaheed Mureed Akbar Police Station. President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the incident and paid tribute to the martyred policemen. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor called for a thorough investigation into the incident and stressed that those responsible should be brought to justice. According to a monthly security assessment released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), after two consecutive months of improvement, Pakistan’s security situation deteriorated sharply in May, driven primarily by escalating terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. (“2 cops martyred as many injured in suspected IED attack in KP's Tank: police sources,” Dawn, 13 July 2026)
Balochistan: Eight more terrorists killed in Operation Shaban
On 13 July, Dawn reported that security forces killed another eight terrorists during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan. The total number of terrorists killed in the operation reached 79. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the army and Balochistan Frontier Corps, and police for killing five more terrorists. Operation Shaban is being jointly carried out across the province by the army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police following the terrorist 07 July attack in the Mangi Dam area, in which 27 police personnel were martyred. Security forces are targeting the terrorists through both aerial and ground operations. (“8 more terrorists killed during ongoing operation Shaban in Balochistan: state media,” Dawn, 13 July 2026)
SOCIETY
Population boom “a matter of national security”, says UNFP Pakistan rep
On 14 July, The Express Tribune reported that, according to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pakistan Representative Dr Luay Shabaneh, Pakistan’s rapidly increasing population was becoming a question of national security and required greater coordination and intersectional action. He detailed findings from a global report titled "Lives, Choices and Futures: What Young People Want and What Shapes Their Decisions About Relationships and Parenthood", and remarked that it was important for Pakistan to grow prosperous before its population grows older. He welcomed the government’s approach to population control, and advised that sustainable population growth would only follow collective efforts from a multitude of actors such as educators, community leaders, and religious scholars among other authority figures. In the global report, Shabaneh noted that while most young adult respondents were optimistic about the future, over half had worries about security risks, economic insecurity, inequality, health concerns and environmental threats. The survey also showed gaps in the average number of children young Pakistani families had, compared to how many they wanted, reflecting a gender gap as well, with men on average having more children and wanting more children as well. Shabaneh once more stressed the potential of Pakistan’s youth if the right skills and opportunities were provided. (“'Population boom now a security issue',” The Express Tribune, 14 July 2026)
PROVINCES
KP: Speaker refers controversial MPA legislation to committee
On 13 July, Dawn reported that KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati referred the controversial KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026 to the committee for review. The legislation offers blue passports to members and their families as well as “arms licenses, blanket immunity from preventive detention and making the speaker’s permission necessary before arresting members on criminal charges.” The law was controversial, facing much scrutiny from the media and the public. As a result, a review of the law was ordered, and controversial clauses would be withdrawn. The Information minister remarked that most aspects of the new law were similar to the 1988 act, with the exception of blue passports. “The issue has been deliberately highlighted to divert attention from the case involving Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s grandson,” he stated. (“KP Assembly speaker refers controversial legislation expanding MPAs' privileges to committee for review,” Dawn, 13 July 2026)
CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate funding from development banks hit record highs
On 14 July, The Express Tribune reported that Multilateral development banks have committed USD 162.5 billion in Climate financing, with USD 103 billion of which has gone to developing economies. The European Investment Bank reported that they were “on track” to meet climate finance targets, and lenders have committed to providing at least USD 120 billion in annual climate finance to low- and middle-income countries, with an additional USD 50 billion allocated to high-income countries. (“Development banks' climate funding hits record,” The Express Tribune, 14 July 2026)
AF-PAK
Pakistan clears WFP aid convoy for Afghanistan
On 13 July, Dawn reported that Pakistani customs authorities issued gate passes for 26 World Food Programme (WFP) containers carrying food and essential humanitarian supplies to cross into Afghanistan via the Torkham border. The containers, which had been held throughout the day pending approval from higher authorities, completed customs clearance and electronic scanning and were scheduled to proceed on 14 July despite the border's official closure since October 2025 due to security concerns. The shipment's entry ultimately depends on approval from the Afghan Taliban authorities, who earlier this year rejected a similar convoy of around 20 WFP containers, forcing them to return to Karachi. (“Pakistan allows 26 World Food Programme containers to enter Afghanistan via Torkham,” Dawn, 13 July 2026)
2.59 million Afghans deported from Pakistan since 2023
On 13 July, Dawn reported that Pakistani authorities said around 2.59 million Afghan nationals living illegally in the country have been deported since 2023 as part of an ongoing nationwide repatriation campaign. According to Punjab's home department, the province alone has processed and deported 138,342 Afghans through 36 holding centres, with 53 individuals currently awaiting removal. Officials said undocumented Afghans are detained, registered and transferred to the Torkham border for deportation in line with the federal government's policy that only valid visa holders may remain in Pakistan. The Punjab government also urged residents to report undocumented Afghan nationals through the emergency helpline, assuring callers that their identities would remain confidential. (“2.59m illegal Afghans deported since 2023,” Dawn, 13 July 2026)
POK
New “GB” government unveils three-month interim budget
On 14 July, The Express Tribune reported that the “Gilgit-Baltistan” government presented a three-month interim budget for FY2026-27, citing ongoing negotiations with the federal government over resource allocation and wheat subsidies. The interim budget estimates total available resources at PKR 158.54 billion, including a PKR 88 billion federal non-development grant, while seeking approval for PKR 20.48 billion in first-quarter expenditure. It allocates PKR 15.23 billion for salaries, PKR 15 billion for subsidised wheat, PKR 300 million for the Health Endowment Fund, PKR 25 million for tuberculosis eradication and PKR 100 million for ambulances. Additional funding was earmarked for waste management, local governments, pensions, group insurance and the General Provident Fund to maintain essential public services during the interim period. (“New govt presents G-B's interim budget,” The Express Tribune, 14 July 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
US-Iran War
Editorial, “Dire straits,” Dawn, 14 July 2026
"For some time, the escalating confrontation between the US and Iran has been playing out round the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Both states want to manage the international waterway, which has a key role in global trade, particularly in the transport of hydrocarbons. Tensions flared last week when the Iranians attacked ships using a route they had not ‘authorised’."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2015304/dire-straits
Balochistan
Arifa Noor, “The wound in Balochistan,” Dawn, 14 July 2026
“Balochistan bled again this past week — for the rest of the country. In reality, it is the part of the homeland that has rarely ever stopped bleeding over the past 20 years. But for those of us who live a long way from the province, we only become aware of the festering wound when the sepsis sets in. And that is what happened last week with the incidents in Quetta and Ziarat. The manner in which the events unfolded in Ziarat was heart-breaking and by the time the attack took place in Lasbela, the death toll was far too horrific to even comprehend."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2015309/the-wound-in-balochistan
Illegal immigration
Editorial, “Poverty punished,” Dawn, 14 July 2026
“The challenge of illegal migrations should be viewed through a humanitarian lens. Harsh punishments for the poor overlook human misery, and end up criminalising poverty. Although collective global efforts have tried to end modern slavery, the scourge — rooted largely in the government’s economic failure — persists with thousands being trafficked annually. Over the past couple of weeks or so, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot courts have sentenced over 60 deportees — largely from Libya and Greece — to 10- to 15-day jail terms, with fines as high as Rs50,000. The FIA has imposed a five-year ban on foreign travel for the offenders. While disciplinary action is needed for illegal immigrants, sending the desperate to prison is merely a band-aid on a metastatic malaise."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2015302/poverty-punished
Education
Asghar Zaidi & Noman Javed, “Pakistan's universities are solving yesterday's problem,” Dawn, 14 July 2026
“Walk into any university in Pakistan today and you will find three things in abundance: degree programmes; PowerPoint slides, and student anxieties. Students rush from one class to the next, phones buzzing with messages from WhatsApp groups, deadlines looming, family expectations, job worries, and now also the fear that AI may make their education irrelevant by the time they graduate."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618039/pakistans-universities-are-solving-yesterdays-problem
OIC Conference on Women
Editorial, “Promise vs practice,” The Express Tribune, 14 July 2026
“A girl was gang-raped by a group of four men, the crime brazenly filmed for the purpose of blackmailing her. The Supreme Court overturned a death sentence for a man convicted of raping a 10-year-old girl. A three-year-old girl was raped and murdered, her body delivered to her parents' doorstep in a flour sack. An 18-year-old domestic worker was repeatedly tortured and raped by her employer's son. All these stories are from Pakistan, from June alone. And this is why it's both logical and illogical that Pakistan hosted the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) 9th Ministerial Conference on Women, with the two-day gathering on July 12-13 discussing how to improve women's access to education and the economy."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618036/promise-vs-practice
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