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In Brief
EXTERNAL
Indonesia planning to expand defence ties with Pakistan
On 12 January, Dawn reported that, according to the military’s media affairs wing, on Monday, Indonesia had expressed its desire to further expand defence ties with Pakistan across multiple domains. The Inter-Services Relations (ISPR) said that the development came as Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin called on Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The ISPR stated: “The meeting reaffirmed the historic and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Indonesia and focused on strengthening bilateral air force cooperation, particularly in capacity building, training, and technological collaboration.” The meetings follow a month after Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visits Pakistan, during which the two countries agreed to enhance bilateral trade, as well as cooperation in agriculture, information technology, science, and education, and deepen coordination on regional and global issues, including Palestine. (“Indonesia expresses desire to expand defence ties with Pakistan,” Dawn, 12 January 2026)
JUDICIARY
FCC takes up first case at new premises
On 13 January, Dawn reported that on Monday, the Federal Constitutional Court finally settled into its newly renovated building on Constitution Avenue, where FCC Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan presided over a bench to resume hearing challenges to the imposition of the super tax inside the refurbished Courtroom No. 1 Justice Aminuddin Khan inaugurated the new court building before the hearing in a simple ceremony attended by several justices. The new building has been completely revamped with new furniture and fixtures, replacing the older seating, and features the installation of a modern audio system to facilitate lawyers and litigants. (“FCC takes up first case at new premises,” Dawn, 13 January 2026)
ECONOMY
PIA’s revival set in motion with USD 482 million privatisation deal
On 13 January, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) has entered a new phase of revival, the first major privatisation of a state-owned enterprise in nearly two decades, leaving the government with a 25 per cent stake and aligning with IMF-backed market reforms. Consortium chairman Arif Habib outlined plans to assume operational control by April 2026 and reinvest around PKR 125 billion into fleet modernisation, route expansion, debt restructuring and governance reforms, while committing to no layoffs for at least one year. The consortium includes Fauji Fertiliser Company, the Arif Habib and Fatima groups, and several private investors, and aims to restore PIA’s competitiveness by improving risk management, service quality and safety standards, targeting key passenger segments such as overseas Pakistanis and Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. (“PIA’s revival set in motion with $482 million privatisation deal,” The Express Tribune, 13 January 2026)
Government planning to impose ‘export emergency’
On 13 January, Dawn reported that the government plans to declare an “export emergency” and establish a special cell at the Prime Minister’s Office to urgently address exporters’ complaints, aiming to raise exports by 40 per cent within four years and nearly 200 per cent by 2035. Speaking at a press conference, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan must rapidly transform into an export-led economy to achieve sustainable growth, job creation, and economic sovereignty, warning that continued reliance on the IMF and friendly countries would persist otherwise. Proposed measures include faster refund payments, direct grievance redressal through a PM Office hotline, labour flexibility to prevent production disruptions, and sector-specific export strategies. The government was also going to be engaging with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to make export plans with local chambers at the district level. (“Govt planning to impose ‘export emergency’,” Dawn, 13 January 2026)
Automobile sales jump 46 per cent
On 13 January, Dawn reported that the sales of cars, light commercial vehicles, pickups and vans rose by 46 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to 88,322 units in the first half of FY26, up from 60,675 units in the same period last year, despite a month-on-month(MoM) decline in December 2025. December sales stood at 13,280 units, reflecting a 35 per cent YoY increase but a 14 per cent MoM fall, due to year-end effects and delayed purchases ahead of new year registrations. The strong overall growth was driven by new market entrants, lower interest rates, easing inflation and improved macroeconomic sentiment. Major manufacturers, including Honda Atlas, Indus Motor, Hyundai Nishat, Sazgar and Pak Suzuki, all recorded significant YoY gains in FY26. Two and three-wheeler sales also rose sharply by 33 per cent YoY in the first half, while tractor sales declined and truck and bus sales posted strong growth. (“Automobile sales jump 46pc,” Dawn, 13 January, 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
New ordinances set to delay Islamabad local elections
On 13 January, as reported by Dawn, the local government elections in Islamabad are set to be postponed again as President Asif Ali Zardari introduced several amendments to the Local Government Act 2015. Firstly, besides replacing the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad with three town corporations, the ordinance additionally provides the government-appointed administrator with more power, along with an indefinite tenure. Secondly, the administrator can hold office until new local government elections are held. Moreover, the federal cabinet recently approved 14 amendments to the Act. However it is important to highlight that the local chapter of the PTI had claimed that the government, fearing defeat, would opt for an escape route and would not conduct the elections in February, to which the PML-N replied that the ordinance was brought for a better government system in Islamabad stating, “You know the previous election was held based on weak local government Act that was why the local government representatives could not live up to the expectations of the their constituents. Local government representatives in their tenure remained busy in removing bureaucratic hurdles.” (“New ordinance set to further delay local govt polls in Islamabad,” Dawn, 13 January 2026)
PPP’s displeasure forces withdrawal of Special Economic Zones ordinance
On 12 January, as reported by Dawn, the government withdrew an ordinance which the PPP alleged was promulgated without the approval of the President Asif Ali Zardari, later staging a walkout in response. As per the sources, the prime minister forwarded a summary advising President Zardari to withdraw the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. As per Law Minister Tarar, “This ordinance was also approved. Staff to staff, it was considered approved,” further adding that the PPP and the PML-N have "a good relationship and because of this relationship, the ordinance has been withdrawn." "In the future, we will approach these matters with understanding," he concluded. (“PPP’s displeasure forces govt to withdraw ordinance promulgated sans President Zardari’s approval,” Dawn, 12 January 2026)
POK
TLP leader Hussain Rizvi's whereabouts still unknown
On 13 January, as reported by Dawn, law enforcement agencies still aren’t able to track down TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi and Anas Rizvi, despite it being more than three months. A couple of days ago, rumours were spread stating that the two brothers were held in custody, which was denied by senior law enforcement officials, adding that the two are hiding somewhere in "Azad Jammu and Kashmir". Currently, both brothers are categorised as “high-profile wanted criminals” with over 44 FIRs registered in Sheikhupura and 11 in Lahore, with the charges being of a severe nature. (“Law enforcers ‘still in the dark’ on TLP leaders’ whereabouts,” Dawn, 13 January, 2026)
SECURITY
Arms smuggling attempt intercepted at Torkham border
On 12 January, The Express Tribune reported that, according to the officials, the Pakistani authorities have intercepted a large cache of ammunition and magazines being smuggled from Afghanistan. The weapons were seized from the truck, and both the vehicle and its driver have been taken into custody for further investigation. The operation was carried out on a tip-off by the Customs House at Torkham. The Authorities said that the interception not only prevented a major arms smuggling attempt, but also foiled a potential large-scale terrorist operation within Pakistan. (“Major arms smuggling attempt foiled at Torkham border,” The Express Tribune, 12 January 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Higher education
Muhammad Hamid Zaman, “Narrow alleys of higher-ed”, The Express Tribune, 13 January 2026
"There are many challenges that our universities, and regulatory bodies, face that are not their fault. Sharp and continuous budget cuts and political interference have had an extraordinary impact on the institutions. But lack of imagination or understanding of how institutions need to cultivate innovation, curiosity and intellectual development through interdisciplinary opportunities are not because of government budget cuts. It is because we are unwilling to give up control of a rigid system, unable to imagine a more open world where creativity thrives both in digging deep and engaging across disciplines."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2586763/narrow-alleys-of-higher-ed
Privatisation in Pakistan
Mohsin Saleem Ullah, “Privatisation illusion,” The Express Tribune, 13 January 2026
“Privatisation in Pakistan has rarely been a deliberate or well-planned economic reform. More often, it emerges as a reluctant response to years of mismanagement. State-owned enterprises are routinely retained despite declining performance, political interference and weak accountability. Only after they have accumulated massive losses and unsustainable debt does privatisation suddenly become the chosen solution."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2586767/privatisation-illusion
Economy
Ehsan Malik, “Biggest conglomerate,” Dawn, 13 January 2026
“Pakistan's economy is often described as private-sector led. In practice, the state remains the country’s most influential ‘business group’. It owns major listed companies, dominates markets together with military welfare foundations, extracts liquidity, shields firms behind tariffs, subsidises inputs, and guarantees returns. The outcome is not a competitive market economy, but one that rewards access to the state over productivity."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1966709/biggest-conglomerate
Editorial, “Blaming the IMF,” Dawn, 13 January 2026
“The call by a panel, led by the planning and development minister, for “urgent ease of doing business reforms” to more than double export revenues to over $60bn within three years is familiar rhetoric. The panel was formed by the prime minister to devise a strategy to exit the IMF programme once the current bailout facility ends at the end of next year. Its weeklong consultations with public and private sector stakeholders this month has apparently concluded that the current state of affairs cannot drive the 250m-strong population towards sustained progress due to cross-cutting constraints affecting all 20 priority export products and six export drivers."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1966707/blaming-the-imf
Society
Khadija Bari, “Misogyny’s polite face,” Dawn, 13 January 2026
“Misogyny in Pakistan’s workplaces has many faces. In traditional environments, it is loud and unapologetic: ‘Yeh kaam aurat nahi kar sakti’ (women can’t do this work) or ‘aurat ka kaam ghar sambhalna hai’ (women’s place is the home). Women are mocked, and their ambition is dismissed. In more polished institutions, misogyny is subtler. It cloaks itself in the language of progress and inclusion. Women are applauded on Women’s Day, and showcased as symbols of modernity. Yet while they are invited to the table, they are steered towards its edges. This misogyny does not shout; it smiles — while ensuring that authority and strategy remain male domains."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1966708/misogynys-polite-face
Politics & governance
Editorial, “Solo flight,” Dawn, 13 January 2026
“The KP chief minister’s eventful visit to Sindh has thrown up the same questions that his recent, equally eventful trip to Punjab did: why this? Why now? Why has a relatively inexperienced PTI leader decided to go around the country to muster up a street movement, that too, at a time when both the appetite and space for agitational politics are considerably more restricted than before? If the purpose is to gain some more public sympathy for the beleaguered party, the effort is overkill."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1966705/solo-flight
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