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In Brief
PAK-AFG
Nearly one million Afghans sent back as repatriation continues
On 15 January, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan authorities managed to repatriate around 1 million Afghans back to their country. It consists of 2,30,470 holders of Proof of Registration, 6,86,772 undocumented Afghan nationals and 71,570 holders of Afghan Citizen cards. The process of repatriation continues, particularly through the Torkham border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. ("Around 1 million illegal Afghans repatriated,” The Express Tribune, 15 January 2026)
EXTERNAL
US suspends immigrant visa processing for Pakistan and 74 other countries
On January 14, as reported by Dawn, the US Department of State announced that immigrant visa processing would be paused for 75 countries until authorities ensure that new immigrants would not draw on American taxpayer resources, as part of the administration’s “America First” approach. For Pakistan, this suspension could delay travel, study and work plans for thousands of its citizens who seek US visas. (“US announces suspension of immigrant visa processing for Pakistan, 74 other countries from Jan 21,” Dawn, 14 January 2026)
Pakistan and Bahrain reaffirm commitment to deepen ties
On 14 January, as reported by Dawn, President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Bahrain on a four-day visit to meet with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The President reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to broadening cooperation between the two countries across political, economic, defence and cultural fields. During the one-on-one meeting, the two leaders reviewed the overall state of Pakistan-Bahrain relations and expressed an optimistic outlook towards their ongoing trajectories. (“In meeting with Bahrain’s king, President Zardari reaffirms commitment to deepening trade, defence ties,” Dawn, 14 January 2026)
Several countries interested in acquiring nation's fighter jets, says PM Shehbaz Sharif
On 14 January, as reported by the Dawn, Pakistan is in talks with several countries for a deal on the JF-17 fighter jets, said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. After border clashes with India last year, Pakistan’s fighter jet demands have escalated progressively. Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj emphasised that Pakistan would only deal with countries that have friendly relations with the nation. Furthermore, the JF-17 jets have proven to be highly efficient and cheaper compared to the average jet cost globally, with their value of USD 40 to 50 million much lower than the average cost of USD 250 to 350 million. (“Several countries ‘actively’ engaged in talks with Pakistan for its fighter jets, confirms PM Shehbaz,” Dawn, 14 January 2026)
JUDICIARY
JCP confirms six additional Peshawar High Court judges
On 15 January, The Express Tribune reported that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) approved the confirmation of six additional judges of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) as permanent judges during a meeting held at the Supreme Court under Chief Justice Yahya Afridi. Those confirmed include Justices Muhammad Tariq Afridi, Abdul Fayaz, Salahuddin, Sadiq Ali, Syed Mudassar Ameer and Qazi Jawad Ehsanullah. The commission also granted six-month tenure extensions to four additional PHC judges, Justices Farah Jamshed, Inamullah Khan, Sabitullah Khan and Aurangzeb. The decisions were taken by majority vote after reviewing evaluation materials and antecedents. The meeting, like previous JCP sessions, was marked by the absence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives. The approvals form part of a broader series of confirmations and extensions across high courts nationwide, concluded in recent JCP meetings. (“JCP confirms six additional Peshawar High Court judges,” The Express Tribune, 15 January, 2026)
ECONOMY
Pakistan signs MoU with Trump-linked World Liberty Finance
On 14 January, Dawn reported that Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SC Financial Technologies, an affiliated entity of World Liberty Financial, a venture linked to US President Donald Trump’s family, to explore the use of World Liberty’s USD1 stablecoin for cross-border payments. According to the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA), the agreement aims to develop a technical understanding of digital payment architectures and could allow the USD1 stablecoin to operate alongside Pakistan’s regulated digital currency framework in coordination with the central bank. The MoU was signed during a visit by World Liberty CEO Zach Witkoff and comes as Pakistan examines digital currency solutions to improve remittances and reduce cash dependence, amid warming ties with the United States. (“Pakistan signs MoU with Donald Trump-linked World Liberty Finance,” Dawn, 14 January 2026)
Power users to continue paying electricity debt surcharge
On 15 January, Dawn reported that the federal government has decided to continue charging a PKR 3.23 per unit debt surcharge on electricity consumers for up to five to six more years, as it notified a revised uniform national base tariff for FY26 without any change. The Power Division said the surcharge would be withdrawn only after the clearance of circular debt, for which a settlement plan has been launched with a similar five- to six-year timeline. It acknowledged that rising off-grid solar use has doubled the number of protected consumers since 2021, increasing fiscal strain and cross-subsidy burdens on industrial and commercial users. To mitigate this, the government introduced a surplus power package offering electricity to industrial and agricultural consumers at a concessional rate of PKR 22.98 per unit for three years, and said industrial cross-subsidies had fallen from PKR 225 billion in March 2024 to PKR 102 billion currently. (“Power users to continue paying debt surcharge,” Dawn, 15 January 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Opposition calls for joint session on Iran issue
On 15 January, Dawn reported that the Opposition alliance, which consists of PTI and some other parties, raised a demand to hold a joint session in Pakistan's parliament to discuss tensions in the Middle East and particularly the Iran issue. In this regard, Tehreek Rahafuz Ayeen -i- Pakistan (TTAP) also convened a meeting in the Capital and asked the government to initiate a meeting of "neighbour countries" to formulate a "joint and coordinated strategy". TTAP also emphasised that the Iran issue needs to be addressed as Iran's sovereignty is undermined, which could lead to a potential crisis. ("Opposition demands joint sitting on Iran situation,” Dawn, 15 January 2026)
CLIMATE CHANGE
Pakistan needs USD 566 billion to meet climate targets
On 15 January, Dawn reported that Pakistan will require an estimated USD 565.7 billion in investment to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0 climate commitments by 2035, including a 17 per cent unconditional and 33 per cent conditional reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 30 per cent electric vehicle adoption, and a transition to 60 per cent renewable energy. The scale of financing needed underscores the importance of mobilising green-aligned capital through frameworks such as the Pakistan Green Taxonomy (PGT) and strengthened ESG disclosure practices. The issue was highlighted at a session hosted by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), held against the backdrop of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s revised ESG Disclosure Guidelines, now aligned with the PGT. Launched by the State Bank of Pakistan in 2024, the PGT classifies environmentally sustainable activities, while the ESG guidelines, set to become mandatory between 2029 and 2031, aim to standardise sustainability reporting, enhance transparency, and support Pakistan’s climate transition. (“Pakistan needs $566bn to meet climate targets,” Dawn, 15 January 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Politics & governance
Durdana Najam, “CM's denial dilemma”, The Express Tribune, 15 January 2026
"The recent statement by the chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, asserting that no terrorism is emanating from Afghanistan and that dialogue alone can resolve the province's security crisis, reflects a political position that may resonate with his support base but remains deeply disconnected from empirical evidence, regional security dynamics and Pakistan's own official data."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2587143/cms-denial-dilemma
Environment
Editorial, “Losing trees,” The Express Tribune, 15 January 2026
“The recent cutting of thousands of trees in Islamabad has ignited a public outcry that the government would be unwise to dismiss as mere sentimentality. At stake is not just the capital's visual appeal, but a deeper question about environmental governance at a time when climate vulnerability is no longer abstract."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2587139/losing-trees
Climate change
Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, “Pakistan’s climate moment,” Dawn, 15 January 2026
"American President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the UNFCCC has created a crisis for global multilateralism and international climate governance. The challenge is paradoxical: protecting relations with the US without abandoning multilateralism and climate commitments. This dilemma will reshape Pakistan’s domestic and international climate architecture. What opportunities can emerge for Pakistan from this crisis? How can Pakistan benefit from a new redistribution of power and resources? Can it navigate this shift to diversify partnerships, secure climate finance and advance economic and strategic interests amid global realignment?"
https://www.dawn.com/news/1967025/pakistans-climate-moment
Economy
Editorial, “Enhancing exports,” Dawn, 14 January 2026
“The planning minister’s proposal to declare an ‘export emergency’ reflects a growing realisation that there can be no sustainable growth path without tackling deep-seated external-sector weaknesses rooted in low, stagnant exports. “We will have to … become an exporting nation on an emergency basis; otherwise, our dependence on the IMF and friendly nations for their financial support will continue,” he said while speaking on proposals formulated by a panel led by him."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1966888/enhancing-exports
Khurram Husain, “End of stability,” Dawn, 15 January 2026
“Around the same time last year, I wrote the economy has reached what I called “peak stability”. This was a stage where all the measures taken to stabilise the economy had delivered their results, and had now reached the end of their line. A few indicators had begun to show a little stress, but around the middle of the year, in June 2025 specifically, a large inflow of almost $5.25 billion suddenly shored up the reserves and allowed the government to end the fiscal year with their State Bank reserves almost $500 million above the target set in the IMF programme."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1967024/end-of-stability
NFC Award
Waqar Wadho, “Not the NFC’s fault,” Dawn, 14 January 2026
“With the constitution of the 11th National Finance Commission, the debate around revenue sharing takes centre-stage. For years, the federal government has repeated that 57.5 per cent of federal revenues are allocated to provinces, building the narrative that it is cash-strapped. This argument, while politically convenient, is misleading. When one examines the full composition of federal revenues, it becomes evident that the federal government retains close to 60pc of total revenues. A growing share of this is collected outside the NFC’s divisible pool, particularly through the petroleum levy."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1966895/not-the-nfcs-fault
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