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In Brief
AF-PAK
Over 140,000 Afghan nationals deported from Punjab; 2.68 million nationally
On 10 August, Dawn reported that the Foreign National Security Cell of Punjab's home department has identified, arrested and deported some 140,468 illegal Afghan nationals from the province so far, part of a national total of about 2.68 million Afghans deported from Pakistan; a spokesperson said 39 holding centres are currently operational across Punjab, housing 188 Afghan nationals pending registration and repatriation via the Torkham border, and urged the public to report illegal residency, identity fraud or suspicious activity through a dedicated hotline. ("140,468 illegal Afghan nationals deported from Punjab so far," Dawn, 10 August 2026)
EXTERNAL
PM Shehbaz says Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is purely defensive in nature
On 10 August, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye on 07 August was entirely for defensive purposes and not directed at any aggression. Addressing the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the pact aimed to promote peace, progress, and prosperity in the region and described it as a source of strength for the entire Muslim ummah. The agreement, built on the Pakistan-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement of September 2025, stipulates that an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be considered an attack on all three. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) welcomed the pact as an important strategic step, and Kuwait, Bahrain, and Somalia were among the countries that congratulated the signatories. ("Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact ‘entirely for defensive purposes’, not aggression: PM Shehbaz," Dawn, 10 August 2026)
Finance Minister and US chargé discuss trade, DFC investment and reciprocal framework
On 11 August, The Express Tribune reported that Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met US Chargé d'Affaires Natalie Baker to discuss bilateral economic relations and opportunities for strengthening financial cooperation. Aurangzeb briefed Baker on his recent Washington visit, during which he held talks with the US Treasury Secretary, senior management of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and the US Export-Import Bank (Exim). He noted considerable progress in discussions on a reciprocal trade framework with the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and highlighted Pakistan's focus on improving foreign exchange reserves and accessing longer-term financing instruments. Baker appreciated Pakistan's role in navigating the Middle East conflict while maintaining economic stability. ("Pakistan, US discuss trade, investment," The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026)
Foreign Minister briefs Iran's Araghchi on Makkah defence pact
On 10 August, The Express Tribune reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shared the key aspects and objectives of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a phone call, with Araghchi thanking Dar for the briefing. Iran has cautiously welcomed the agreement, stressing its stance of pursuing security mechanisms based on regional cooperation. Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also called Dar to congratulate him on the signing, and the two sides discussed follow-up steps to their recent bilateral meetings and ongoing coordination on Occupied East Jerusalem. ("Kuwaiti foreign minister congratulates Dar on Makkah defence pact," The Express Tribune, 10 August 2026)
Pakistan working with partners to resolve Hormuz standoff, says Foreign Office
On 07 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) reaffirmed that Islamabad remained engaged in coordinated diplomatic efforts to resolve the Strait of Hormuz stand-off, while Oman took the lead on negotiating the future management of navigation through the waterway under Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The FO said Pakistan, Qatar, and other regional partners were working as a team, with each country leading on different aspects of the diplomacy. The FO separately confirmed that Pakistan was examining the terms of reference and operational modalities of a Saudi-led multinational maritime coalition for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden before deciding on the extent of its participation, and that any decision on contributing to a proposed stabilisation force for Gaza would only be taken after a formal proposal was presented to Islamabad. ("Pakistan working with partners to defuse Hormuz stand-off: FO," Dawn, 07 August 2026)
ECONOMY
Retrospective penalties are unlawful, rules Supreme Court
On 11 August, Dawn reported that the Supreme Court ruled that penalties imposed under the Income Tax Ordinance (ITO) 2001 for assessments completed before 30 June 2002 were illegal and legally unsustainable, emphasising that such penalties could not be applied retrospectively. In the 17-page judgement, the court held that assessments completed under the repealed ITO 1979 must be governed strictly by the old law, while assessments made after its repeal were to be governed by the ITO 2001. However, in the Islamic Investment Bank case, the court had taken a contrary view, departing from the strict prospective approach and declaring that the right of the state to calculate and collect the correct tax liability vests at the end of each accounting year. The judgment held that the conclusion drawn by the subsequent bench of co-equal strength in the Islamic Investment Bank case was erroneous in law, whereas the decision of the earlier co-equal bench in the Eli Lilly case, treating the amendments as substantive in nature and prospective in application, reflected the correct legal position. (“Retrospective tax penalties are unlawful: Supreme Court,” Dawn, 11 August 2026)
Workers’ remittances surge to USD 3.6 billion in July 2026
On 11 August, The Express Tribune reported that workers' remittances reached USD 3.63 billion in July 2026, an increase of 13 per cent from the same month last year and 4.5 per cent higher than June. The inflows offer an early positive signal for Pakistan's external accounts and household purchasing power after a solid FY26 performance. Remittances have become the backbone of Pakistan's economy; however, the benefits are not equally distributed across the country. Saudi Arabia remained the single largest source, contributing USD 913.9 million, up 10.9 per cent year-on-year. The United Arab Emirates followed with USD 737.3 million, a gain of 10.8 per cent. The southern region, comprising Sindh and Balochistan, has a negligible share of this windfall, as their governments have failed to empower their citizens to take advantage of this source of income. (“Remittances open FY27 at $3.6b,” The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026)
State Bank warns of macroeconomic outlook vulnerability
On 11 August, The Express Tribune reported that the State Bank of Pakistan warned in its August 2026 Monetary Policy Report about the vulnerability of Pakistan's macroeconomic outlook due to a prolonged or widened West Asia conflict that could keep global oil, freight, and insurance costs elevated. The report also highlighted stronger El Niño conditions and possible floods that risk disrupting agricultural output, pushing up food prices and widening the current account deficit. Delays in structural reforms would leave the economy more exposed to supply shocks. Global tariff uncertainty and intensifying competition in textiles add further pressure on external earnings. Provisional data show real GDP grew 3.7 per cent in FY26, while average CPI inflation settled at 7.1 per cent. The current account remained nearly balanced at a deficit of just 0.03 per cent of GDP, helped by record workers' remittances and resilient ICT exports. SBP reserves closed the year at USD 18.4 billion, above the USD 18 billion target. (“ME war, El Niño, reform delays increase risks,” The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026)
Business leaders emphasise need for 6-7 per cent annual GDP growth
On 11 August, The Express Tribune reported that business leaders said Pakistan will need sustained real economic growth of 6 percent to 7 per cent annually to cope with a rapidly expanding population and create enough jobs, infrastructure, and public services. They warned that the current growth rate is insufficient to meet the country's future needs. Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) founder said that Pakistan could not afford to continue with low economic growth while its population continued to increase. Leaders said an economy of around USD 2 trillion would be required to achieve a per capita income of USD 5,000 for a population of 400 million, while reaching USD 6,000 per capita would require an economy of approximately USD 2.4 trillion. The business leaders called for a major expansion in export-oriented industries, arguing that Pakistan would need substantially higher foreign exchange earnings to support the larger economy without repeatedly facing external financing pressures. (“6-7% growth needed to avoid economic crisis,” The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026)
National Assembly Secretariat expects major savings amid fiscal reforms and austerity measures
On 11 August, The Express Tribune reported that the National Assembly Secretariat expects a major saving against this fiscal year's PKR 17 billion annual budget, as the past two years of administrative and fiscal reforms introduced by the speaker have already yielded 30 per cent savings and cut the bloated size of employees by nearly 20 per cent. According to a background briefing by the NA Secretariat, the assembly secretariat has abolished 302 posts and returned PKR 8.6 billion to the exchequer against the cumulative allocations of PKR 29 billion for fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26. (“NA saves 30% budget, cuts 20% posts,” The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
CM Afridi says PTI and TTAP agree on date for long march to Islamabad
On 10 August, Dawn reported that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said PTI’s political leadership and its ally, Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP), had agreed to hold a long march to Islamabad on 27 September. He also dismissed claims that he had consulted Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi before fixing the date for the march. CM Afridi said he would defer the march or facilitate talks if Imran Khan instructed him to do so after a meeting at Adiala Jail, maintaining that PTI has exhausted all constitutional and legal avenues, leaving no option but protest. Furthermore, he stated that the party wanted Imran Khan’s cases to be heard on merit, that he had adequate medical treatment, saying that Khan remained in “solitary confinement and [is being] denied his rights.” Additionally, CM Afridi rejected claims of conflict within the PTI, adding that youth across Pakistan would show up to the march on 27 September. (“PTI leadership, TTAP on board for September 27 long march to Islamabad: Sohail Afridi,” Dawn, 10 August 2026)
TTAP’s Achakzai calls for the appointment of CEC and ECP members for Sindh and Balochistan
On 10 August, Dawn reported that Mehmood Khan Achakzai, leader of TTAP and the National Assembly (NA) Opposition, in a letter to Prime Minister Sharif, stated that the statutory tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members representing Sindh and Balochistan had ended on 26 January 2025. In the letter, he called for the “immediate filling” of these offices, citing Article 213(2A) and Article 218(2)(b), which state that the PM must appoint, in consultation with the leader of the opposition in the NA, members of the ECP for each province. Dawn reports that the incumbent CEC, Sikandar Sultan Raja, along with Sindh and Balochistan ECP members, has been in office for approximately a year after the expiry of their constitutionally mandated terms, under Article 215(1), which allows continuation of the CEC and members until successors are appointed. (“In letter to PM, Achakzai urges 'immediate' appointment of new chief election commissioner,” Dawn, 10 August 2026)
SECURITY
KP: Terrorist killed in joint operation in Khani Kalay and Barakzai
On 10 August, The Express Tribune reported that a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police spokesperson stated that a terrorist was killed in a joint operation by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and security forces in Bannu, including the district police and the Quick Response Force. The operation was reportedly conducted in Khani Kalay, Barakzai, and surrounding areas within the jurisdiction of Miryan police station. The spokesperson further stated that the terrorist killed is yet to be identified; a Kalashnikov, three magazines, and a bandolier were recovered from the terrorist, while suspected individuals were detained and questioned during subsequent search operations in the area. (“Terrorist killed in joint police, CTD operation in K-P's Bannu,” The Express Tribune, 10 August 2026)
Balochistan: Six terrorists, including commander, killed in Panjgur operation
On 10 August, Dawn reported that a “key commander” and five terrorists of a militant group in Balochistan were killed in the Sarkini and Chedgi areas of Panjgur district, according to Radio Pakistan. This operation was reportedly a part of “Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-3.” The Radio reported that four motorcycles, machine guns, heavy weapons, and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for the successful operation and noted the professionalism of the forces. Minister Naqvi further stated that eliminating terrorist elements was necessary for peace across the country. This comes after security forces killed 15 terrorists on 09 August in Mastung, Bolan, Washuk, Awaran, Sibi, Khuzdar, Harnai, and Nushki, according to state media reports. (“Security forces kill 5 terrorists in intelligence-based operation in Balochistan's Panjgur,” Dawn, 10 August 2026)
PROVINCES
Sindh: Karachi's public hospitals strain under insufficient bed capacity
On 11 August, The Express Tribune reported that Karachi's public hospitals are struggling with rising patient numbers despite bed capacity remaining unchanged for a decade, with the city's roughly 7,750 beds across six major facilities under growing pressure even as budgets rose 10-15 per cent annually; medicine prices have risen about 50 per cent and surgical supply costs 60-70 per cent over four years, while paediatric emergency care is especially strained, with two or three children sometimes sharing a single bed at NICH. Civil Hospital Karachi's medical superintendent, Dr Khalid Bukhari, said the facility sees 6,000-7,000 outpatients and 800-1,000 emergency cases daily, while JPMC spokesperson Dr Waqas Khan cited around 150,000 monthly patients; public health expert Dr Pir Ghulam Nabi Shah Jilani said patient volumes at NICVD, Civil Hospital and JPMC had risen 25-30 per cent with no corresponding increase in beds. ("Public hospitals face bed shortage," The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026)
POK
PML-N leads third phase of "Azad Jammu and Kashmir" polls in Poonch amid rigging claims
On 10 August, Dawn reported that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) appeared poised to gain seats in the third and final phase of "Azad Jammu and Kashmir" ("AJK") elections, held in four Poonch division constituencies amid allegations of rigging and polling disruptions by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The biggest upset was the defeat of Muslim Conference president Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan in Dhirkot, a constituency his family had held in all elections since 1985. Former "AJK" prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas withdrew from the race in Bagh. The PML-N has so far secured 24 seats across the first two phases, while the PPP has won 10, giving the PML-N a near two-thirds majority ahead of results from the remaining seven Poonch constituencies still to be voted on. ("3rd phase of AJK elections: PML-N poised for gains in Poonch amid rigging allegations," Dawn, 10 August 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Politics & governance
Editorial, “Abandoned after floods,” Dawn, 11 August 2026
"Three years after the 2022 floods submerged a third of Pakistan, more than 134,000 verified affected families in Balochistan who lost their homes have learnt that the state does not intend to rebuild for all of them. The committee overseeing a World Bank-funded project has capped the housing component at roughly 69,000 units and redirected the rest of the $400m programme towards roads and irrigation. Consequently, the lender has withdrawn the $180m in additional financing that could have completed the job. A prime ministerial promise of ‘resilient’ housing for every family that lost a home has ended up as a line item that has been quietly reassigned. The official policy has now confirmed that roughly half will stay without shelter."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2022085/abandoned-after-floods
Editorial, “Equal citizens,” Dawn, 11 August 2026
“Aug 11 occupies a special place in our history because it was on this day in 1947 that Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah set out what citizenship in the new state ought to mean. Addressing the Constituent Assembly, he spoke of a country in which people were free to go to their temples, mosques or other places of worship, and where religion, caste or creed would not determine their standing before the state."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2022087/equal-citizens
The Middle East
Editorial, “111 days and counting,” The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026
“Pakistan continues to receive praise from the international community for emerging as a central intermediary in the US-Iran war. Its diplomacy and ability to facilitate dialogue are being widely commended. However, standing in stark contrast to this image is the Pakistan government's attitude toward rescuing the 10 Pakistani citizens aboard a hijacked, Palau-flagged tanker. It has been over 100 days - 111 to be exact - since they had been taken hostage by Somali pirates, yet the government has apparently made no serious effort to secure its people and bring them home."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623146/111-days-and-counting
Education
Asghar Zaidi & Bilal Khan, “Rethinking student orientation in Pakistan's universities,” The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026
“In the coming weeks, universities across Pakistan will welcome a new cohort of undergraduates, as they do every August and September. Banners will go up, speeches will be made, and new students will sit through presentations on grading systems, attendance rules, campus facilities and codes of conduct. All of it is well intentioned. Yet the true measure of orientation is not how much information is delivered in the first week. It is whether students leave that week believing they have joined a community where they belong, where they are valued, and where support will be available whenever they need it."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623150/rethinking-student-orientation-in-pakistans-universities
Politics & governance
Editorial, “More provinces or modernisation?” Dawn, 10 August 2026
“Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi deserves praise for speaking in public what we all concede in private — that Pakistan is heading for a political and economic crisis unless we fundamentally change our course. Policymakers, legislatures, and career politicians see the crisis coming, but their private interests prevent them from broaching the subject."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2021795/more-provinces-or-modernisation
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