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In Brief
EXTERNAL
PM Sharif, CDF Munir hold meetings on sidelines of World Economic Forum
On 23 January, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir held a series of informal meetings with key international leaders on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, including Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, underscoring Pakistan’s parallel civilian–military diplomatic engagement. During the three-day visit, Sharif also met the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, briefing her on macroeconomic stabilisation, institutional reforms, and Pakistan’s commitment to fiscal discipline, while reiterating that export-led growth remained central to economic recovery. He also held discussions with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, as Pakistan sought to balance economic diplomacy with strategic and political outreach at the global forum. (“PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir hold meetings on sidelines of World Economic Forum,” Dawn, 23 January 2026)
China to invest up to USD 10 billion in Pakistan through new agreements
On 23 January, as reported by The Express Tribune, China has signed new investment agreements worth billions of dollars with Pakistan and is set to invest up to USD 10 billion in the near future, Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said on Thursday. He mentioned that Pakistan had finalised negotiations with China on a USD 1.5 billion investment in joint ventures, and MoUs had been signed worth an estimated USD 9 billion in the agriculture, automobile, and mineral sectors. A large delegation of 300 Pakistani businessmen visited China in an attempt to strengthen investments. Pakistan aims to improve transportation and trade by building new connections to the mining site at Reko Diq and by linking it with Karachi. The country secured an investment of around USD 7 million. (“China to invest up to $10bn in Pakistan with new agreements,” The Express Tribune, 23 January 2026)
PM Shehbaz signs Trump-led "Board of Peace" charter along with other world leaders
On 23 January, as reported by Dawn, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the "Board of Peace" charter, an initiative of US President Donald Trump, along with leaders from 19 countries, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Switzerland. Primarily set up to promote the second and subsequent phases of the ceasefire in Gaza, the board is also planning to address conflicts in other parts of the world, like the war in Ukraine. Trump opened the conference with warm words about the leaders' popularity around the world as well as their friendship with each other. Countries are supposed to pay USD 1 billion in order to join the board. Although Trump said that the board is looking forward to working with the UN, other major powers like France and the United Kingdom have shunned the board. (“PM Shehbaz, other world leaders sign charter for Trump-led Board of Peace,” Dawn, 23 January 2026)
Australian help sought to boost agricultural yields
On 23 January, Dawn reported that Pakistan sought Australian technical assistance to boost agricultural and livestock productivity, with Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighting plans to establish foot-and-mouth disease–free zones, improve animal yield and market access, and expand cooperation on biosecurity, digitisation, and capacity building, as both sides agreed to deepen collaboration amid food security challenges and Pakistan’s push to raise farm productivity, livestock exports, and horticultural access, particularly mango exports, to Australia. (“Australian help sought to boost agri yields,” Dawn, 23 January 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
KP CM accuses federal government of imposing military operations without provincial consent
On 23 January, The Express Tribune reported that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi said that military operations in the province were being imposed without the approval of the provincial government. He mentioned that despite several military operations, the security concerns remain; as a result, families are relocating to safer places. He also alleged that the federal government had not released funds promised for internally displaced persons; as a result, the provincial government had to spend PKR 7.5 billion from its resources. (“Military operations imposed on KP without provincial approval: CM Sohail Afridi,” The Express Tribune, 23 January 2026)
Social media platform X refused to suspend Imran Khan’s account, says PTA
On 23 January, The Express Tribune reported that despite contacting social media platform X three times in the last few years, the company declined to suspend and delete tweets of PTI founder Imran Khan's account. All requests made by authorities to X were declined by the company. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the court that social media companies had neither registered with PTA nor appointed a local focal person. It also states that (“X rebuffs PTA attempt to suspend Imran's account,” The Express Tribune, 23 January 2026)
PTI raises concerns over proposed changes to Election Act
On 23 January, Dawn reported that during a National Assembly (NA) session, one PTI member objected to the Assets Secrecy Bill, which was passed yesterday. Asad Qaiser announced PTI's rejection of the bill and sought its withdrawal. The proposed amendment is made to Section 138 of the Elections Act. This act originally required the Election Commission of Pakistan to publish declarations of members of parliament and provincial assemblies about their assets and liabilities in the official gazette. The proposed amendment seeks to insert a provision stating that the Speaker or Chairman may permit temporary non-disclosure of a member’s asset statement if public disclosure threatens the member’s or their family’s safety. Such exemption is limited to one year, with full disclosure made confidentially to the Election Commission. (“PTI seeks withdrawal of Asset secrecy bill,” Dawn, 23 January 2026)
Opposition questions govt decision to join Trump-backed "Board of Peace"
On 23 January, Dawn reported that the Pakistan government defended its decision to join the "Board of Peace" created by US President Donald Trump, in the face of criticism from the opposition. The signing ceremony for the "Board of Peace" was held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos and was joined by leaders from 19 countries, including Pakistan. Amid opposition concerns, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated that the government's decision to join the board was guided by national interest and collective priorities of the Muslim Ummah. Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman warned against becoming part of any campaign to disarm Hamas. Additionally, the PTI accused the government of taking such a sensitive decision without any consensus. (“Govt defends decision to join Trump’s Board of Peace amid opposition outcry in NA,” Dawn, 23 January 2026)
PROVINCE
Gul Plaza fire toll rises to 67 as search continues
On 22 January, Dawn reported that the death toll from Karachi’s Gul Plaza fire rose to 67 as rescuers continued searching the wreckage of the gutted shopping mall on M.A. Jinnah Road. Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed released a list of 67 deceased, with only seven identified, while the Sindh health department said post-mortems had been conducted. The officials reported that they found 30 dead bodies inside a single shop, which was located on the mezzanine level. The Rescue 1122 team employed specialised cutting tools together with thermal imaging equipment to perform their work because they needed to handle the extreme temperatures, building deterioration and cooling process. The construction process received criticism from family members because it took too long, while some relatives demonstrated their discontent by standing outside the construction area. Dawn reported that the initial investigation results showed the fire started at an artificial-flower shop located on the first floor when a match caused flammable substances to burn. SBCA started conducting fire safety evaluations throughout Karachi while announcing that buildings without proper compliance would face building closure. (“Death toll of deadly fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza reaches 67,” Dawn, 22 January 2026)
ECONOMY
Business costs 34 per cent higher in Pakistan than regional peers
On 23 January, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s cost of doing business is about 34 per cent higher than regional peers, severely undermining industrial competitiveness and export performance, the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) warned, citing irrational taxation, high energy prices, and currency instability as core constraints. The group noted that exports have remained stagnant since 2022 despite a global trade recovery, as Pakistani firms struggle to compete with countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam. PBF called for urgent reforms, including tax rationalisation, lower electricity and gas tariffs for industry, and a stable exchange rate, arguing that prolonged rupee devaluation has fuelled inflation and production costs without boosting exports. The forum also flagged a deepening cotton sector crisis, with over 400 ginning factories closed, urging the withdrawal of 18 per cent GST on cottonseed and oil cake to revive domestic production and reduce import dependence. (“Business costs 34pc higher than region,” Dawn, 23 January, 2026)
SOCIETY
Lahore tightens Basant rules, bans kite flying in parks
On 23 January, Dawn reported that the parks and horticulture authority has banned kite flying in Lahore’s public parks and greenbelts during the three-day Basant festival (6–8 February), citing risks to trees and park infrastructure. The parks stay open for visitors, but security personnel stay alert, while zonal directors need to enforce all rules throughout the entire area. The report added that the district administration will monitor Basant through drones and Lahore Safe City Authority cameras via a control room at the deputy commissioner’s office. Kite flying will be allowed only at designated grounds and notified rooftops, oversized kites will be prohibited, and kite material will be sold only through registered dealers. By 22 January, 2,437 manufacturers, sellers, traders and associations had applied for registration, with most approvals already issued. (“Kite flying to remain banned in Lahore parks over Basant,” Dawn, 23 January 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Education
Muhammad Ilyas Khan & Aliya Khalid, “Unlearning old ways,” Dawn, 23 January 2026
“Pakistan’s education system has struggled to evolve beyond traditional patterns where reproduction is prioritised over the application of knowledge and skills. Thinkers such as John Dewey and Paulo Freire have long argued that education should connect classrooms with lived realities, and be outcome-oriented. An Outcome-Based Education system (OBE) has gained currency globally over the last three decades, while Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) became popular in Pakistan after they were included in the National Curriculum of 2006, followed by the Single National Curriculum (SNC) of 2020. Unfortunately, the idea to make education more relevant was not implemented. Countries like the United States and South Africa have already experimented with this approach to education without much success in bringing about educational reforms. Pakistan has adopted a diluted version that focuses on changing assessments but overlooks pedagogical transformation."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1968555/unlearning-old-ways
Police accountability
Editorial, “Custody without protection,” The Express Tribune, 23 January 2026
“The reported gang rape of a minor girl in Jacobabad by policemen in custody is a failure of procedure that demands serious institutional reckoning. Furthermore, the subsequent arrest of six policemen is being presented as proof that the system works. It is not. Accountability that begins and ends with junior officers is not true justice."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2588507/custody-without-protection
Minorities commission
Nabila Feroz Bhatti, “Minorities commission: a wait worth it?” The Express Tribune, 23 January 2026
“Finally, the National Commission for Minorities Rights Act, 2025 came into effect on December 16, 2025, after the President of Pakistan's assent. The government moved a bill on the National Commission for Minorities Rights (NCMR) in the Senate in January 2025, while Naveed Amir Jeeva of Pakistan People's Party moved another draft in the National Assembly in the following month, which he later conceded to merge with the government bill."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2588510/minorities-commission-a-wait-worth-it
Cryptocurrency
Editorial, “Soaring gold,” The Express Tribune, 23 January 2026
“The price of gold has blown past the historic barrier of Rs500,000 per tola on the back of the deep anxieties gripping both global markets and domestic consumers. While international geopolitics provided the spark, the tinder is our own fragile economic confidence."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2588506/soaring-gold
Air pollution
Editorial, “Toxic air,” The Express Tribune, 22 January 2026
“After a lengthy spectacle of anti-smog guns in Lahore that were vehemently defended by the Punjab government, Lahore has once again emerged as the world's most polluted city with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 452. According to the air quality monitoring platform IQAir, an AQI of over 300 places a region within the "hazardous" bracket, which poses serious health risks to the population, especially children and the elderly. Air pollution in Lahore has been an unnecessarily prolonged fight, which has not only caused multiple chronic health conditions but also numerous deaths as citizens struggle against an unbreathable environment.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2588325/toxic-air
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