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In Brief
EXTERNAL
Pakistan, Myanmar pledge closer cooperation in tourism and cultural exchanges
On 27 January, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan and Myanmar agreed to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including religious tourism, people-to-people contact, and cultural exchanges, during delegation-level talks in Islamabad between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe. Both sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations, acknowledged a prolonged gap in high-level exchanges, and committed to sustained, structured engagement to revitalise ties rooted in shared anti-colonial histories and long-standing friendship. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's support for peace, stability, and inclusive governance in Myanmar ahead of its forthcoming elections, while Than Swe highlighted the approaching 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026 and expressed hope for identifying new avenues of multi-sectoral cooperation to deepen engagement and mutual benefit. ("Pakistan, Myanmar vow cooperation in religious tourism, cultural exchanges," The Express Tribune, 26 January, 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
KP CM pens letter to PM Shehbaz over Centre’s ‘failure' to release NFC funds
On 26 January, Dawn reported that on Monday Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi wrote a formal letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, demanding a “full and unconditional release of constitutionally guaranteed funds” as he underscored that KP’s budget for fiscal year 2025-26 was framed and approved strictly based on clear constitutional entitlements within the National Finance Commission (NFC). KP is entitled to receive over PKR 658.4 billion under the NFC, but has received only PKR 604 billion so far. Furthermore, these fiscal constraints are emerging at a critical juncture, as the province is at the forefront of counter-terrorism efforts while also working to stabilise the aftermath of the ongoing floods. (“KP CM pens letter to PM Shehbaz over Centre’s ‘persistent failure to release constitutionally guaranteed’ funds,” Dawn, 26 January 2026)
President Zardari assents to the seven bills passed by parliament
On 27 January, Dawn reported that on Monday, President Asif Ali Zardari gave assent to previously unsigned bills before leaving for his official trip to the UAE. A joint sitting of the parliament was summoned approving legislation including The National Tariff Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Export Development Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Transfer of Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2026; the Daanish Schools Authority Bill, 2026; the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and the National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2026. During his visit to the UAE, the president would hold high-level meetings with the UAE’s leadership to review bilateral ties. (“President okays seven bills, heads to UAE,” Dawn, 27 January 2026)
Karachi: Protesters demonstrate against Imaan-Hadi conviction; blocks roads to press club
On 26 January, The Express Tribune reported that all roads leading to the Karachi Press Club (KPC) were blocked on Monday following a protest against the conviction of lawyer-activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case related to controversial social media posts. Mazari and Chattha were arrested on Friday. An anti-terrorism court sent them on a 14-day judicial remand period. The two were convicted for allegedly making “anti-state” posts on social media, violating the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016. In response, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), alongside lawyers, journalists, and members of civil society, staged a protest condemning the restrictions on freedom of expression under PECA. However, due to road closures, other workers in nearby offices faced severe commuting difficulties. (“Roads to Karachi Press Club blocked as protesters demonstrate against Imaan, Hadi conviction,” The Express Tribune, 26 January 2026)
Opposition plans the 8 February protest
On 27 January, Dawn reported that opposition parties in Pakistan are organising a protest on 08 February to address alleged rigging in the 2024 general elections. Additionally, the TTAP plans a nationwide strike, possibly announcing a Jail Bharo Tehreek, led by Chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who urged the public to observe the day as a Black Day. Moreover, the meeting held by TTAP members formed ten committees to ensure the success of the protest, further highlighting concerns over wrongful convictions given to rights activists. (“Opposition chalks out plans for Feb 8 protest,” Dawn, 27 January 2026)
PROVINCE
Karachi police forms special team to probe Gul Plaza tragedy
On 26 January, The Express Tribune reported that the Karachi police constituted a five-member special investigation team on Monday to probe the Gul Plaza tragedy and arrest those responsible for the incident. According to a notification issued by South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza, the special team will be headed by the City Superintendent of police. The search operation at Karachi’s fire-hit Gul Plaza building is nearing completion, and the structure will be sealed after a final inspection, South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso said earlier today, as the death toll rose to 73. The FIR states that severe negligence and carelessness were shown at Gul Plaza, where no safety measures were in place. It says the lights were switched off during the fire, creating difficulties for people inside the building, while several gates were found closed. A technical investigation team formed by the Sindh government inspected Gul Plaza. They examined the building, especially the pillars, to assess the safety. They are to submit a report to the Sindh government. A technical team from Lahore also visited Gul Plaza on Sunday to conduct investigations as the rescue operation entered its eighth day. (“Karachi police form 5-member special team to probe Gul Plaza tragedy, arrest culprits,” The Express Tribune, 26 January 2026)
ECONOMY
Industry slams SBP's decision to hold policy rate at 10.5 per cent
On 27 January, Dawn reported that Pakistan's business community has sharply criticised the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for maintaining the policy rate at 10.5 per cent, arguing that the decision undermines industrial revival and export growth at a time of subdued inflation and weak economic momentum. Business leaders, including FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, reiterated demands for a single-digit interest rate, warning that high borrowing costs, combined with elevated energy tariffs, are driving industrial closures and eroding export competitiveness. FPCCI and sectoral associations said the real interest rate remains excessively high compared to regional peers despite inflation stabilising near 5 per cent, limiting access to finance for SMEs and penalising the private sector.
("Industry slams SBP's 'penal' rate policy," Dawn, 27 January 2026)
SECURITY
Five terrorists killed in Pishin operation
On 27 January, Dawn reported that, in an operation which lasted several hours, five suspects, which included one wanted in several terrorist cases, were killed during an intelligence-based operation which was led by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of police in Balochistan’s Pishin district, according to officials who said on Monday. During the exchange of fire, 10 CTD officials sustained injuries. The CTD seized a huge quantity of arms, which included rocket launchers, hand grenades and SMGs, and ammunition from their possession. Despite repeated warnings by the police to them to surrender, they fired at CTD officials using modern weapons, and an exchange of fire ensued. The residents of Pishin district, especially those living in Kali Karbala has expressed their satisfaction over the successful operation that they said would put an end to fear and panic in the area. (“Five terrorists killed in Pishin operation: CTD,” Dawn, 27 January 2026)
JUDICIARY
Court cancels Najaf Hameed’s bail in FIA land fraud case
On 27 January, Dawn reported that a special court in Islamabad cancelled the bail of Najaf Hameed, brother of former ISI director general Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, and ordered his arrest in a fraud case. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand decided after he announced his decision to reserve judgment on the FIA request to revoke bail privileges. Najaf was not arrested immediately because he was absent from court when the verdict was read. The court granted his request for jail release until his lawyers showed proof of his agreement with the accuser, but the FIA team opposed this request because they believed the 31 December case involved fraudulent property documents for land theft, which needed court proceedings. (“Court cancels bail of Faiz Hameed’s brother in fraud case,” Dawn, 27 January 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Society
Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri, “Time to respect and empower the conscience of Pakistanis,” The Express Tribune, 27 January 2026
“An overwhelming number of Pakistanis may be illiterate and disempowered, but their acumen and wisdom are on the mark. They are a conscious nation, and resilient too. That is why they never lagged behind in making an honest appraisal, as and when desired, be it in the realms of politics, tribal or communal adjudication or standing fast in adversity. Talking to men on the streets is real learning, especially with cab and auto-rickshaw drivers, as well as vendors. They know the pulse of the society, and at times vent out in all humility."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589198/time-to-respect-and-empower-the-conscience-of-pakistanis
External
Dr Shazia Anwer Cheema, “Regional realignments: Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghan factor,” The Express Tribune, 27 January 2026
“Although Pakistan is emerging as a rising star of global connectivity, it remains a victim of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, which also poses a constant threat to Central Asian states. Recently, Tajikistan faced the brunt of Afghanistan's use of terrorism as diplomatic leverage. The targets were Chinese mining workers in Tajikistan after several Chinese mining companies left Afghanistan and chose to continue operations in neighbouring Tajikistan, where they felt more secure. Afghanistan thus sent a loud message to Chinese companies that they would not be safe anywhere if Afghanistan itself was not comfortable with them"
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589204/regional-realignments-pakistan-uzbekistan-and-afghan-factor
Kamran Yousaf, “Why Pakistan joined Trump's Board of Peace," The Express Tribune, 26 January 2026
“Last week, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, around 20 countries, including Pakistan, signed up for President Donald Trump's newly announced Board of Peace. Notably, no major European country showed up. Hungary was the only European participant, and it is, in any case, a close ally of Russia. Moscow has indicated it is reviewing the proposal, while China has confirmed receiving the invitation but has not yet said whether it will join."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589014/why-pakistan-joined-trumps-board-of-peace
Politics & governance
Arifa Noor, “Starring roles,” Dawn, 27 January 2026
“The young chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, is attracting considerable attention, since he has been catapulted into this position. Much of it has been because of the criticism directed at him by those at the centre, in Islamabad and beyond. It turned him from an unknown face into an equal of sorts, thanks to the very people who targeted him. But, along with this, his own decisions to reach out to the people have also got him attention.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1969310/starring-roles
Aisha Khan, “Broken federalism,” Dawn, 27 January 2026
“Pakistan is confronting climate change under a governance model that was not designed for systemic, cross-border crises. Floods, heatwaves, droughts and glacial melt now interact with food security, public health, migration and fiscal stability. Yet the constitutional and fiscal architecture created after the 18th Amendment disperses authority, fragments accountability and leaves the federation with too little capacity to coordinate national responses. In a warming country already facing economic stress, this model is becoming a multiplier of vulnerability rather than a shield against it."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1969307/broken-federalism
Judiciary
Naween A. Mangi, “Justice, Pakistan-style,” Dawn, 27 January 2026
“When we speak of justice in Pakistan, the discussion usually unfolds in courtrooms, legal reforms, constitutional clauses, and televised outrage. Rarely does it begin in villages — and yet it is there, far from cameras and commentary, that the justice system reveals its truest form."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1969308/justice-pakistan-style
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