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In Brief
EXTERNAL
Turkey seeking entry into Pakistan-Saudi mutual defence agreement, says Bloomberg
On 10 January 2026, as covered by Dawn, a report by Bloomberg found that Turkey is seeking entry into a mutual defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Bloomberg reported that talks are at an advanced stage, with a deal “very likely”. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” last September, pledging that any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both. As Turkey’s interests overlap with those of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in South Asia and the Middle East, such a deal would make sense for the country, the report said. According to Nihat Ali Ozcan, a Turkish strategist, Turkey’s military experience and developed defence industry, along with Pakistan’s nuclear capability and manpower, and Riyadh’s financial power, would make this a productive deal for all three countries. “As the US prioritises its own interests and that of Israel in the region, changing dynamics and fallout from regional conflicts are prompting countries to develop new mechanisms to identify friends and foes,” Ozcan was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. (“‘Deal very likely’: Turkiye seeks to join Pakistan-Saudi mutual defence pact, report says,” Dawn, 10 January 2026)
ALSO READ:
1. Editorial, "Landmark strategic deal," The Express Tribune, 19 September 2025
2. Dr Muhammad Ali Ehsan, "Pak-Saudi defence pact," The Express Tribune, 21 September 2025
3. Zarrar Khuhro, "Ties that bind," Dawn, 22 September 2025
4. Arifa Noor, "Elite pact," Dawn, 23 September 2025
5. Khurram Husain, "A bailout too far," Dawn, 02 October 2025
PM Shehbaz looks to increase UAE investment in IT sector
On 10 January, as reported by Dawn, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the government is giving special importance to the economic relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly in the fields of information technology, digital innovation and blockchain, among others. The PM had met a delegation from the UAE’s Sajwani Group and stated that recent high-level contacts and exchanges had increased cooperation between private sector investors from Pakistan and the UAE. He also praised the UAE’s investment and global connectivity, pointing out that a combination of these with Pakistan’s human resources and workforce could result in a highly beneficial partnership for economic growth. (“PM Shehbaz woos UAE investment in IT sector,” Dawn, 10 January 2026)
JUDICIARY
Federal Constitutional Court hearings to begin at FSC building as caseload pressures mount
On 10 January, Dawn reported that the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), which had been temporarily relocated by the law ministry to the Federal Shariat Court building, is set to begin hearing cases from 12 January. FCC is also considering setting up the registry branches in all four provinces of the country. These registry branches will facilitate the filing of cases. However, a presidential order is yet to be issued for the establishment of these registry branches. Also, establishing the permanent infrastructure for the FCC remains on the priority list of the government, as the load on the FCC has already increased, with 22,910 cases transferred from the Supreme Court to it. On 12 January, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan will hold a meeting; it may also take up the formulation of rules for appointing FCC Judge, as to date only seven judges have been appointed to the FCC, with plans to increase its strength to 13. (“FCC to begin hearings at Shariat court from 12th,” Dawn, 10 January 2026)
ECONOMY
Losses from state-owned entities surge by 302 per cent in 2024-25
On 10 January, as reported by Dawn, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) reported that state-owned entities (SOEs) incurred a net loss of PKR 122.9 billion during 2024-25, which is a 302 per cent increase over the PKR 30.6 billion loss incurred in the previous year. The consolidated financial results of the SOEs were released by the Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) of the MoF, which also came up for review before a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on SOEs (CCoSOEs), which was presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Aggregate profits of the year stood at PKR 709.9 billion compared to PKR 820.7 billion last year. “During 2024-25, aggregate revenues of SOEs stood at approximately Rs12.4 trillion, reflecting a decline largely attributable to reduced profitability in the oil sector following lower international oil prices,” the MoF said. The losses remained heavily concentrated in a small number of entities, particularly in the transport and power distribution sectors. The committee also reported that government support to SOEs increased to PKR 2.078 trillion, while subsidies showed a modest decline. The importance of realistic business plans, sector-specific engagement, loss reduction strategies and the need for enforcement of audit completion in compliance with the SOEs Act 2023 was also recommended by the committee. (“SOE losses triple despite reforms,” Dawn, 10 January 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
TTAP chief Achakzai faults PTI discipline for Imran Khan’s jailing
On 09 January, The Express Tribune reported that Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai criticised state conduct and questioned Pakistan’s Islamic credentials while addressing a gathering at the Lahore High Court. He condemned alleged police brutality against protesters, including violence against women and children and the use of live ammunition, arguing that such actions contradict claims of Pakistan being an Islamic state. Achakzai also said that despite Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) enjoying strong public support, its founder, Imran Khan, remains jailed due to a lack of discipline and organisation within the party. Calling for a peaceful protest, he urged the youth to keep the streets empty on February 8 and stressed non-violence. He further warned state institutions to operate within constitutional limits and announced support for Irfan Hayat Bajwa in the Lahore Bar Association elections. (“Achakzai faults PTI discipline for Imran's jailing,” The Express Tribune, 09 January 2026)
Information Minister Tarar accuses PTI of sheltering militants, calls TTP an enemy of the state
On 09 January, The Express Tribune reported that Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar declared Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) an enemy of Pakistan and vowed that the state would relentlessly pursue the banned outfit. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of sheltering militants and alleged that the party had received an “exemption” from TTP attacks. He criticised governance failures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing deficiencies in education and healthcare and accusing the provincial leadership of tolerating extremism and corruption. Tarar also highlighted signs of economic recovery, including record remittances from overseas Pakistanis and improved import cover, and defended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s foreign engagements, saying they had boosted trade and enhanced Pakistan’s international standing. (“PTI sheltered terrorists, TTP is enemy of state: Tarar,” The Express Tribune, 09 January 2026)
KP CM calls for joint approach to peace in the province
On 09 January, The Express Tribune reported that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said peace in the province could not be achieved through military operations alone and called for a joint strategy involving the federal and provincial governments, political parties, and security institutions. Speaking at a Meet the Press programme at the Karachi Press Club, Afridi reiterated his opposition to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and all militant groups, while arguing that repeated military operations had displaced millions without delivering lasting stability. He said KP had made over 80,000 sacrifices in the war on terror and stressed dialogue, consultation with elected representatives, and inclusive peace mechanisms such as jirgas. Afridi also linked his Karachi visit to preparations for a PTI-led street movement demanding the release of Imran Khan, while outlining broader demands related to constitutional supremacy, provincial rights, and equitable resource distribution. (“Afridi stresses joint effort for peace in K-P, opposes militants and TTP,” The Express Tribune, 09 January 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Reforms
Mohammad Ali Babakhel, “Colonial romance”, Dawn, 10 January 2026
"To strengthen the criminal justice system, Peshawar High Court directed police to implement a pilot project in Peshawar. CJS components — police, prosecution, prison (mainly a provincial domain) and courts — work under higher courts. Article 10A guarantees fair trial; Article 37 ensures inexpensive, swift justice. National Action Plan’s point 20 and revised NAP’s Point 12 list CJS reform but there’s been little effort on this front."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1966151/colonial-romance
Terrorism
Editorial, “Anti-terrorism fight,” Dawn, 10 January 2026
“Pakistan's troubled relationship with Afghanistan now forms the centre of its security crisis. The International Crisis Group notes the irony that Pakistan has been the country most affected by the Taliban’s return to power. What once looked like a manageable neighbour has become the source of growing instability along our western border. The problem is not a lack of engagement. Pakistan invested early in contact with the Taliban, hoping that dialogue and familiarity would translate into restraint. That expectation has not been met."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1966156/anti-terrorism-fight
Politics & governance
Editorial, “Time to talk,” The Express Tribune, 10 January 2026
“The political mercury is on the rise as PTI and the combined opposition have taken to the streets. K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi's proactive mass campaigning, as evident from his whirlwind visit to Lahore last week and now Karachi, has galvanised a lethargy-laden six-party opposition alliance along with the TTAP. Mehmood Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas, the designated opposition leaders in the bicameral, were successful to a great extent at flexing their muscles as they made their way to Lahore despite administrative obstacles and highhandedness."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2586308/time-to-talk-1
Judiciary
Sara Aslam Basar, “2025: a year of constitutional genocide,” The Express Tribune, 10 January 2026
“A mutilated democratic structure, an eviscerated judicial system, crippled fundamental rights — this is the post-27th amendment constitutional landscape of our beloved Islamic Republic of Pakistan! We must face the sobering truth: unless this nation rouses itself to confront the creeping decay of its own Constitution, the dream of Pakistan — envisioned as a democratic, just and lawful state — may soon linger on as ink in forgotten pages of history, or as a faint echo in the fading memories of a few wandering democrats like you and me. As the nation turns a fresh calendar, it must recognise that this brutal deployment of the weapon of 'amendment' artfully disguised as 'reform', must be halted if we are to stop the ongoing genocide of constitutional principles and democratic values."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2586307/2025-a-year-of-constitutional-genocide
Access to healthcare
Tahera Hasan, “Excluded from healthcare”, Dawn, 09 January 2026
"Women's access to healthcare in Pakistan is shaped not only by poverty, but also by the intersection of documentation, marginalisation and gender. After more than a decade of work in one of Karachi’s largest informal settlements, it has become evident how the absence of identity documents interacts with restrictive social norms and institutional power imbalances to systematically exclude women from public services. Insights from a community-based maternity home reveal that women’s avoidance of healthcare is less about awareness and more about fear, administrative exclusion, and the everyday costs — financial, social, and emotional — of navigating systems that were not designed with them in mind."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1965910/excluded-from-healthcare
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