|
In Brief
EXTERNAL
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey preparing defence agreement
On 15 January, Dawn reported that, according to Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj, on Wednesday, he confirmed that Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have prepared a draft defence agreement after nearly a year of talks. Harraj told Reuters the potential deal between the three countries was separate from a bilateral Saudi-Pakistani accord announced last year. Harraj stated: “The Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey trilateral agreement is something that is already in the pipeline.” Bloomberg cited that people familiar with the matter reported last week that Turkey was seeking to join the Pak-Saudi defence pact signed in September 2025. The report said Turkey viewed the pact “as a way of strengthening security and deterrents when there are questions over the reliability of the US, which has strong military ties with all three countries, and President Donald Trump’s commitment” to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. (“Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye defence deals in pipeline, minister confirms,” Dawn, 15 January 2026)
PM Shehbaz reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to CPEC
On 16 January, Dawn reported that the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Thursday, reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the One China Policy and lauded China’s generous support to Pakistan, especially through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and stressed the need for timely implementation of the next phase of CPEC. The PM talked to members of a Chinese delegation, which was led by Vice Minister of International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), Sun Haiyan, who called on the prime minister at the PM House. While welcoming the Chinese dignitary and her delegation to Pakistan, the PM said it was particularly auspicious that the visit was taking place amid bilateral celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. (“PM Shehbaz seeks timely completion of CPEC-II,” Dawn, 16 January 2026)
Pakistan seeks clarity after US halts immigrant visa processing
On 16 January, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) sought further clarification from Washington after the United States suspended immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Pakistan. FO spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi described the move as part of an internal US policy review and expressed hope that routine processing would resume soon, rejecting suggestions of any strain in bilateral ties. Islamabad said it remained engaged with US authorities on visas, trade issues, and regional developments. (“Pakistan seeks clarity after US halts immigrant visa processing,” The Express Tribune, 16 January 2026)
ECONOMY
Government seeks low interest on USD 2.5 billion debt
On 16 January, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan has formally requested the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to roll over USD 2.5 billion in maturing debt for two years and reduce the interest rate by nearly half, including on a USD 450 million loan taken in 1996–97 that remains unpaid. The request coincided with the visit of the UAE president to Pakistan, after which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that the UAE had agreed in principle to extend the debt, though the duration and revised terms were not disclosed. Of the total amount, USD two billion is maturing in January 2026, forming part of Pakistan’s USD 16 billion foreign exchange reserves. Pakistan has sought a reduction in the interest rate from the current 6.5 per cent to around three per cent, citing improved credit ratings and lower global rates, and arguing that repayment during the ongoing IMF programme, ending in September 2026, would be unfeasible. (“Govt seeks low interest on $2.5b debt,” The Express Tribune, 16 January 2026)
Ministry of Commerce bans imports of ‘personal’ used cars
On 16 January, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce has amended the Import Policy Order 2022, banning the import of used cars under the “personal baggage scheme.” Under SRO 61(I)/2006, used vehicles may now be imported only through the “gift” and “transfer of residence” schemes, with a one-year non-transfer condition and stricter safety and environmental standards. The move, ratified earlier by the federal cabinet, has raised concerns among motor dealers over reduced imports and potential revenue losses, even as parts manufacturers welcomed it as a step to protect the local auto industry. (“No more imports of ‘personal’ used cars,” Dawn, 16 January 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
TTAP announces strike for 08 February
On 16 January, as reported by Dawn, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) announced the formation of international, national, and provincial committees to organise a nationwide strike on 08 February. The strike will be in protest of the “violation of public mandate and vote theft” in the 2024 general elections, with the backing of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The protest will be supervised by the TTAP’s central coordination committee, which will oversee strike-related activities across the country, while being in direct contact with all provincial and regional committees to simultaneously review preparations, progress and outcomes. (“TTAP forms bodies,” Dawn, 16 January 2026)
SECURITY
15 terrorists gunned down in separate KP operations
On 16 January, as reported by Dawn, as per an Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) statement, 13 members of TTP were killed on 13 and 14 January. The first shootout took place in Bannu, where security forces engaged with militants, killing eight of them. The second intelligence operation took place in Kurram, where five terrorists were shot down. Meanwhile, in Dera Ismail Khan, two armed militants were killed whilst a police officer was injured. (“15 terrorists gunned down in KP: ISPR,” Dawn, 16 January, 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
External
Shahzad Chaudhry, “Pakistan — in the age of impunity”, The Express Tribune, 16 January 2026
"The entire world is in a reset. It will probably take the next couple of years to find its balance and shape the next few decades. Till then, though, it is only flux. In such an environment, no nation, even as assured as Pakistan seems today, can chart its roadmap to the future with any certainty. What pressures may the international environment and this three-way competition at the top for resources and influence have on Afghanistan, or the need to stabilise Afghanistan? Will the international system once again ask Pakistan to carry this responsibility because of proximity?"
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2587341/pakistan-in-the-age-of-impunity
Difficult times
Faisal Bari, “Difficult times,” Dawn, 16 January 2026
“A large proportion of Pakistanis have fallen on hard times, even a larger proportion has become more vulnerable to shocks than before. It is the responsibility of the state to do something about this. It is here, even in terms of intentions, that we do not find anything. We need to start thinking about how we can create more income-generating opportunities for people. And we need to think about extending support to those who are falling on hard times. Probably the best way to do this — and this is being done and has been done in many countries — is to extend health and education facilities of decent quality to all citizens, especially those who are struggling. This could help a lot of people in major ways. But, of course, in an elitist and elite-captured state, this will not happen easily. It will require a major overhaul of the governance system and governance ethos in the country. This, at least for now, does not seem to be on the horizon."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1967278/difficult-times
South Asia
Khurram Abbas, “Multipolar South Asia,” Dawn, 16 January 2026
"Islamabad considers it a conducive environment for promoting the idea of a ‘multipolar’ South Asia. Islamabad believes that a resurgent Pakistan, assertive Bangladesh and proactive China can effectively limit Indian influence and reclaim its strategic space in the region. In the South Asian context, multipolarity does not imply the emergence of several equal great powers, but rather the dilution of India’s structural dominance through the rise of alternative and consequential regional pillars. Multipolarity, as envisaged by Islamabad, signifies a regional order in which China, Bangladesh and Pakistan emerge as equally important strategic, economic and political poles alongside India, rather than remaining peripheral or subordinate actors."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1967277/multipolar-south-asia
Cryptocurrency
Editorial, “Crypto MoU,” Dawn, 16 January 2026
“It turned into a surprisingly high-profile event. On Wednesday, Pakistan signed an MoU with SC Financial Technologies, a firm affiliated with World Liberty Financial, which is owned by US President Donald Trump’s family, for “structured dialogue and technical understanding around emerging digital payment architectures”. Though Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb would describe the MoU as ‘non-binding’, the state seems to have attached immense importance to it, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi personally overseeing the signing of the MoU. The document was inked by Mr Aurangzeb and SC Financial Technologies CEO Zachary Witkoff, who is also the son of Steve Witkoff, US special envoy to the Middle East. Reuters noted this was the first publicly announced tie-up linking World Liberty, launched in September 2024, and a sovereign state."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1967274/crypto-mou
EV transition
Editorial, “Punjab’s EV transition,” Dawn, 16 January 2026
“The Punjab government’s decision to restrict future official vehicle purchases to electric and hybrid models represents a significant policy shift in a province choking on toxic smog. Given the limited size of the official fleet and the gradual pace of its replacement, the move is unlikely to deliver immediate improvement in air quality. Nevertheless, by committing itself to electric and hybrid vehicles as part of its smog mitigation strategy, Punjab is sending a strong market signal to both automakers and car owners to make the shift away from petrol and diesel-powered transport towards cleaner alternatives. By linking future permissions for petrol pumps with the installation of EV charging stations, the government will fast-track the expansion of charging infrastructure and tackle the main impediment to faster EV adoption: range anxiety."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1967272/punjabs-ev-transition
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
|
