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In Focus
Transporters postpone nationwide goods strike by 40 days
Goods transporters defer strike after government talks over fuel pricing, tax rate and other demands
On 16 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s goods transporters agreed to postpone their nationwide strike for 40 days following negotiations with federal and provincial authorities. All Pakistan Goods Transport Ittehad President Malik Shehbaz Awan said several demands had been accepted, while committees would address issues requiring cabinet approval. Transporters had initially launched the wheel-jam strike over fuel price adjustments, axle-load limits, withholding tax, and other concerns, disrupting industrial activity and goods movement.
The government agreed to consider the transporters’ demand for fortnightly or monthly fuel price adjustments and assured them that overloading rules would be enforced uniformly. Transporters also sought a reduction in withholding tax, currently seven per cent for goods transport, to two per cent, along with lower tolls and diesel prices. Other demands included changes to customs vehicle-impounding rules, reduced fines, and improved licensing facilities for heavy-vehicle drivers.
The strike had lasted nine days and caused congestion at Karachi’s ports as containers accumulated and thousands of vehicles remained off the roads. The dispute had also raised concerns over disruptions to industrial production, exports, and supplies of essential goods. Officials said some demands would require legislative or cabinet approval, while the government offered measures including dedicated parking facilities at Karachi port and temporary relief on axle-load limits for 10-wheel trucks. (“Goods transporters postpone strike for 40 days in ‘broader national interest’,” Dawn, 16 August 2026; “Govt opts for high-level talks as strike strains ports,” Dawn, 16 August 2026)
In Brief
EXTERNAL
Pakistan and seven Muslim nations condemn Israel's rejection of Gaza peace roadmap
On 17 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan joined Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in condemning Israel's rejection of the road map to complete US President Donald Trump's comprehensive Gaza plan, as endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, along with its rejection of Palestinian statehood, calling it a "direct repudiation" of the plan that leaves Israel bearing responsibility for obstructing peace; the ministers stressed that "sustained and active" US engagement was needed to enforce Israeli compliance, and rejected any attempt to foreclose Palestinian statehood, reaffirming a two-state solution based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The statement follows Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of the plan last week, where he vowed no troop withdrawal until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed, contradicting the road map's provision for a phased pullout alongside disarmament and deployment of an International Stabilisation Force. ("Pakistan, seven Muslim countries condemn Israel's rejection of road map to end Gaza conflict," Dawn, 17 August 2026)
Pakistan and Hong Kong sign customs cooperation agreement
On 15 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan and Hong Kong customs signed a cooperative arrangement for mutual administrative assistance, information exchange, and surveillance of suspected consignments and persons, at a virtual ceremony held at Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) headquarters and co-chaired by Member Customs Operations Shakeel Shah; the arrangement, which follows World Customs Organisation (WCO) standards, also covers mutual help in enforcing each side's customs laws. Shah said the deal would build a long-term institutional relationship, support better revenue collection and trade facilitation, and pledged Pakistan Customs' continued cooperation with its Hong Kong counterpart. ("Pakistan, Hong Kong sign customs accord," Dawn, 15 August 2026)
KP Governor meets Iranian consul general, talks up Peshawar-Mashhad flight route
On 15 August, Dawn reported that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi met Iran's consul general in Peshawar, Ali Banafsheh Khah, to discuss launching direct flights between Peshawar and Mashhad, which both sides framed as a boost to people-to-people ties, trade and tourism, alongside talks on expanding agricultural cooperation and progress on a proposed sister-city arrangement between Peshawar and Birjand; Kundi pitched KP as Pakistan's only province combining oil and gas, cheap electricity, minerals, gemstones and religious tourism, and said he hoped investors from both countries would explore joint ventures, while the Iranian envoy reaffirmed his country's interest in deepening trade, investment and agricultural ties with the province. ("Kundi, Iranian envoy discuss Peshawar-Mashhad direct flights," Dawn, 15 August 2026)
Trump praises Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact as a "big, bold" step; PM Shehbaz thanks him for averting India war
On 17 August, Dawn reported that US President Donald Trump welcomed the 07 August Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, calling it a "BIG, BOLD, IMPORTANT FIRST STEP" that shows the Middle East "coming together," prompting PM Shehbaz Sharif to thank him and separately credit Trump's "courageous and decisive leadership" for helping avert a "nuclear catastrophe" during last year's brief conflict with India. The pact, signed amid the wider US-Iran war, treats an attack on any signatory as an attack on all three, and Turkiye's defence ministry has said the countries will set up joint political and military mechanisms and deepen defence-industry cooperation; both Shehbaz and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar have described it as purely defensive and open to any country in the region willing to uphold its principles. Turkish FM Hakan Fidan said Egypt could join "in the next stage" pending "a few technical issues," though Cairo has not commented, while President Erdogan said Ankara hopes the pact eventually draws in the whole region; Kuwait, Bahrain and Somalia have welcomed the agreement, and even Iran struck a relatively positive tone, saying it favours "security mechanisms based on cooperation between regional countries." ("'Big, bold and important first step': Trump welcomes defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye," Dawn, 17 August 2026)
UK promises quicker action on Pakistani students stuck in visa backlog
On 16 August, Dawn reported that British High Commissioner Jane Marriott met Federal Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who raised concerns over delays in UK visa processing for Pakistani students, warning that hundreds risked losing their academic year as a result, and Marriott assured him the issue would be addressed. Tarar told her a PM-directed committee under his chairmanship had already finalised recommendations to improve the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students studying abroad, with further work underway; the meeting also touched on strengthening educational and institutional ties between the two countries, with Minister of State Aqeel Malik also present. ("UK assures Pakistan of swift action on students' visa delays," Dawn, 16 August 2026)
ECONOMY
Government pushes rewrite of decades-old gas surcharge law as circular debt tops PKR 3.5 trillion
On 17 August, Dawn reported that Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik is set to introduce the Natural Gas (Development Surcharge) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the National Assembly, seeking to update the 1967 Gas Development Surcharge ordinance to align it with the regulatory framework built around OGRA since 2002, strengthen recovery from defaulting consumers, and formally account for cases where gas is sold below cost. The bill would legally define "negative differential margin" and "late payment surcharge," addressing a gap where delayed tariff revisions leave no mechanism to recover shortfalls, something officials say has compounded a gas-sector circular debt that has now crossed PKR 3.5 trillion, worsened by a backlog of surcharge receivables owed largely by power plants themselves caught up in the power sector's own circular debt. ("Govt seeks overhaul of gas surcharge law to tackle defaults, circular debt," Dawn, 17 August 2026)
Weekly inflation edges up 9.11 per cent, non-perishable food costs drive the increase
On 15 August, Dawn reported that short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Index, rose 9.11 per cent year-on-year for the week ending 13 August, up 0.5 per cent from the previous week and marking a 70th straight weekly increase, with rising non-perishable food prices and steady petroleum price fluctuations pushing up transport and food costs; the sharpest annual gains came in tomatoes (143.77 per cent), onions (125.75 per cent), wheat flour (77.41 per cent), LPG (55.41 per cent) and diesel (34.05 per cent), while potatoes, sugar and chicken saw annual declines. Week-on-week, 20 of the index's 51 items rose, nine fell, and 22 held steady, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. ("Weekly inflation rises 9.11pc," Dawn, 15 August 2026)
Government eyes package to jumpstart the construction sector, including a new regulatory board
On 16 August, Dawn reported that the government is weighing a package to shake up the construction industry, with plans for a new Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to set standards and oversee contractors and consultants, along with tax reforms, eased import and export rules, and a possible dedicated Construction Development Bank; Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, chairing the review meeting, said the government and the Construction Association of Pakistan were fully aligned on the board and would soon send it to the PM for approval. He also announced that the standard Defect Liability Period for public projects will be extended from one year to three, eventually five, and said the new board would, for the first time, hold consultants (not just contractors) legally accountable for design flaws, while the bank idea has been sent to the State Bank and Pakistan Banks Association for feasibility review. ("Govt mulls package to boost construction," Dawn, 16 August 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
PTI dismisses reports of meeting with government, while it remains open to talks
On 17 August, Dawn reported that senior PTI leaders said no formal talks had begun with the government, amidst contradictory speculations about talks. According to party insiders, Senator Mashal Yousafzai told colleagues that she had received a call from Member of the National Assembly Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, who reportedly invited PTI representatives to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Parliament House. The proposed meeting would reportedly take place in the Constitution Room, with the presence of the PM to hear the PTI’s grievances. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja dismissed the reports of the meeting, saying that while the party remained open to talks, any decision would require Imran Khan’s approval. PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram also said the party was not engaged in negotiations with the government. (“PTI keeps doors open for talks as ‘deal’ rumours swirl,” Dawn, 17 August 2026)
Pakistan lacks empowered local government systems, report finds
On 15 August, Dawn reported that according to a report by the BNU Centre for Policy Research and the Sanober Institute, Pakistan has failed to establish an empowered and democratically accountable local government system. The report found that none of the provinces have successfully implemented Article 140A, which requires the devolution of political, administrative, and financial authority to elected local representatives. The report attributed this failure to political interests, with provincial and national legislators refusing to surrender development funds and influence. The report also notes that the local governments’ share of national government spending fell from about 10 per cent in 2005 to less than 5 per cent in 2024. Moreover, the task force adds that around 80 per cent of local government budgets are given to salaries, leaving 20 per cent for development expenditure. Additionally, the task force criticised Punjab for frequent changes to local government laws, provincial control of urban services, and absence of elected councils. (“Centre, provinces taken to task for pushing local govts back,” Dawn, 15 August 2026)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government rejects federal proposal for deduction from federal transfers
On August 15, Dawn reported that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has rejected a federal proposal to deduct PKR 6.4 billion from the province’s federal transfers for July 2026. The Finance Ministry had reportedly directed the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues to make the deduction, but the KP Finance Department said the provincial government had neither approved nor signed the proposed MoU, and no provision for the amount was included in the 2026-27 budget. The department further argued that Article 164 of the Constitution did not permit unilateral deductions from funds without explicit provincial consent and legal authority. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the federal government had sought additional funds from KP before the budget, but the province had made its contribution conditional on a meeting between him and incarcerated PTI leader Imran Khan. He also added that KP had filed a petition with the Federal Constitutional Court to enforce its National Finance Commission rights. (“KP rejects Centre’s proposal to deduct Rs6.4bn from federal transfers,” Dawn, 15 August 2026)
Jamaat-i-Islami to continue sit-in until fuel levy lifted, says chief
On August 16, Dawn reported that Jamaat-i-Islami’s (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated that the party’s sit-in at the Punjab Chief Minister’s House against the petroleum levy and rising fuel prices would continue until the government accepted its demands. He further warned that “If the government tries to obstruct it [the protest], this sit-in will turn into a movement to bring down the government.” The protest is reportedly being conducted for the abolition of the petroleum levy and the reduction of petrol prices to PKR 225 per litre. Rehman also rejected the government’s proposed committee for negotiations, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to come to the sit-in for talks instead. Additionally, he stated that the party had entered the second phase of its public rights campaign after holding protests at 510 locations nationwide on August 07. (“JI vows to continue sit-in until petroleum levy abolished,” Dawn, 16 August 2026)
SECURITY
Balochistan: Seven terrorists killed in Kharan operation
On 16 August, Dawn reported that security forces killed seven terrorists in the Lajay area of Kharan district during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3. Several others were injured, and weapons, two vehicles, and a motorcycle were recovered from their hideouts, followed by the killing of 10 terrorists in Khuzdar’s Shor Pard. The operations come as new data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) showed Balochistan's overall death toll surged by 241 per cent in July compared to June, with security personnel fatalities rising by 933 per cent. ("Security forces kill 7 terrorists in IBO in Balochistan's Kharan," Dawn, 16 August 2026)
Balochistan: Security forces kill 10 terrorists in Khuzdar's Shor Pard
On 15 August, Dawn reported that security forces killed 10 terrorists and injured several others during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Shor Pard area of Balochistan's Khuzdar district, targeting three militant hideouts. A search operation was launched for those who managed to flee. The strike is part of a sustained counterterrorism campaign across Balochistan that has seen dozens of militants killed across multiple districts following the attack on the Mangi Dam police post in Ziarat in early July. ("Forces eliminate 10 terrorists in Khuzdar operation," Dawn, 15 August 2026)
KP: CTD and Bannu police kill five militants in Gulbahar IBO
On 15 August, Dawn reported that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and local police killed five militants in an intelligence-based operation in the Gulbahar area of Bannu district. The militants opened fire first on the CTD's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, triggering the exchange in which all five were killed, and several others fled. Weapons including five Kalashnikov rifles, 10 magazines, hand grenades, and a large cache of ammunition were recovered. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Inspector General of Police said operations would be further intensified until terrorism was fully eradicated. ("Bannu police, security forces kill five militants in joint operation," Dawn, 15 August 2026)
SOCIETY
Flash floods in Chitral Valley cause disruption in education and communication
On 15 August, Dawn reported that due to glacial lake outburst floods and flash floods triggered by cloudbursts, education across the Chitral Valley has been disrupted. In Lower Chitral, the valleys of Sheshi Koh and Karimabad, as a result of flash floods, have lost 20 bridges, and villages along the banks have lost contact with each other. The former union nazim of Karimabad stated that children could not go to school because of the destruction of bridges, since they lived on the other side of the river bank. Upper Chitral faces the same situation, with a connectivity crisis having emerged between Miragram No 2 and its opposite village, Bang. (“Floods cause learning crisis in Chitral,” Dawn, 15 August 2026)
POK
Repolling in the Bagh district of “AJK”; PPP and PML-N retain lead
On 15 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) candidate Sardar Ziaul Qamar and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) candidate Sardar Mir Akbar retained their leads in Bagh after repolling at 23 polling stations in LA-15 and LA-16. Qamar defeated PML-N’s Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas by 1,891 votes in LA-15 (Central Bagh). In LA-16 (Eastern Bagh), Akbar defeated PPP’s Sardar Qamaruz Zaman by 3,833 votes, obtaining 20,796. Turnout remained low in both constituencies, while polling was reportedly peaceful and security arrangements were made. The results increased the PML-N’s tally to 25 seats and the PPP’s to 12 in the “AJK” Legislative Assembly. (“AJK elections: PPP, PML-N candidates retain lead in Bagh after repolling,” Dawn, 15 August 2026)
“AJK” Election Commission announces elections for reserved seats
On 16 August, Dawn reported that the “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” Election Commission had scheduled elections for eight reserved seats in the “AJK” Assembly for 24 August. The seats include five reserved for women and one each for Ulema-e-Deen or Mashaikh, Jammu and Kashmir state subjects residing abroad, and technocrats and other professionals. Candidates will reportedly submit nomination papers on 20 August, while appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nominations can be filed on 21 August. The AJK Constitution provides for 53 Assembly members, including 45 directly elected members and eight elected through reserved seats. However, polling for seven directly elected seats in Poonch and Sudhnoti reportedly could not be held due to law and order concerns. As a result of this, the reserved-seat elections will be contested by the 38 directly elected members elected so far. (“AJK Election Commission announces schedule for polling on reserved seats,” Dawn, 16 August 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
The Middle East
Aneela Shahzad, “Makkah Agreement,” The Express Tribune, 14 August 2026
"The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, states that "an armed attack on any one of the three states will be regarded as an attack on all three." This appears to be an extension of a similar agreement (SMDA) signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in 2025. Turkish Defence Minister Hakan Fidan has hinted that Egypt is a potential candidate to join, alongside other nations."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623760/makkah-agreement
Society
Editorial, “Job policy for youth,” Dawn, 14 August 2026
“Stripped of its rhetoric, the prime minister’s announcement of Pakistan’s first National Youth Employment Policy is nothing more than hollow promises. While long on aspirations, the announcement is short on details. For starters, how does the government intend to create employment for millions when the economy itself is struggling? How does it plan to raise women’s participation in the labour force to 35pc? What exactly does a ‘10pc quota’ for start-ups mean? Explanations matter because the youth problem is fundamentally an economic one. Without answers, the announcement remains closer to political rhetoric than a workable policy."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2022717/job-policy-for-youth
Terrorism
Faisal Ali Raja, “Complexity of terrorism,” The Express Tribune, 14 August 2026
“The complexity of terrorism primarily pivots around four important elements. First, the domestic conditions produce and nurture extremist ideas which keep on attracting the young minds for recruitment at tactical level. Second, regional dynamics provide a conducive ground for intervention by the neighbouring states to extend their financial tentacles way beyond the hinterlands through multiple means. Third, securitisation of society occurs at every tier of social strata and there is hardly anything escaping from it. This often makes a local issue as a national one and vice versa. Lastly, there exists a cascaded disharmony among the military, other institutions and the people of the country. Resultantly, it reduces the capacity and capability of other institutions. Moreover, the intensity of such a friction creates numerous problems in counter-terrorism actions."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623759/complexity-of-terrorism
Politics & governance
Syed Mohammad Ali, “Pakistan's missing tier of governance,” The Express Tribune, 14 August 2026
“Pakistan has spent decades debating how to make government more responsive to citizens, a debate that has gained renewed attention with recent calls for smaller provinces. Yet one of the most important pieces of that puzzle remains largely neglected: local government."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623755/pakistans-missing-tier-of-governance
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