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In Brief
EXTERNAL
Bangladesh & Pakistan resume flights after 14 years
On 30 January, Dawn reported that after a 14-year-long hiatus, the first direct flight between Pakistan and Bangladesh landed at Jinnah International Airport on Thursday night, marking a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori further stated that cooperation between the two would extend to other sectors. (“Bangladesh-Pakistan flights resume after 14 years,” Dawn, 30 January 2026)
Pakistan opposes the use of force against Iran
On 30 January, Dawn reported that Pakistan, through multiple official channels including the Prime Minister and the Foreign Office (FO), strongly opposed the use of force against Iran amid US Naval buildup in the Gulf. Pakistan reiterated the importance of finding solutions to the issue via diplomatic means. In response, Iran's ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam, said that Tehran would accept dialogue if it resulted in a win-win outcome. Pakistan’s position was articulated through official engagements and public statements, including a call between PM Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. (“Pakistan opposes any use of force against Iran,” Dawn, 30 January 2026; “‘Sanctions harm economic, cultural rights of Iranians',” Dawn, 30 January 2026)
ECONOMY
Arif Habib-led consortium takes over management of PIA
On 30 January, Dawn reported that the Pakistan government signed the transaction documents for the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) privatisation in the presence of PM Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshall Syed Asim Munir. During the ceremony, the PM emphasised the transparent process of privatisation, which was also telecast live. In the privatisation bid, the PIA bidding was closed at PKR 180 billion, of which the consortium would spend PKR 135 billion on improving PIA. Meanwhile, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Privatisation sought more clarification and comprehensive information on the transaction, employee participation, consultant mechanism and grievance redress from the Privatisation commission. (“Deal signed to officially put PIA under new management,” Dawn, 30 January 2026)
KP revenue hit hard by Pak–Afghan border closure, seeks federal intervention
On 30 January, Dawn reported that the KP government is facing sharp revenue losses due to the closure of Pakistan Afghanistan border. The KP border is crucial for the province's revenue as KP borders accounted for nearly 80 per cent of total Pakistan exports to Afghanistan in FY25, particularly through the Torkham and Ghulam Khan borders. The suspension of trade due to ongoing escalations at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border since October last year led to a 53.02 per cent decline in the revenue of the KP government. In the first seven months of FY26, the Infrastructure Development Cess (IDC) fell to PKR 3.48 billion from PKR 7.42 billion in the same period in FY25. Financial adviser of KP's CM has written to the Commerce minister seeking an urgent meeting of provincial and federal stakeholders, as border disruptions are affecting businesses, leading to loss of employment. In the long term, it can have broader implications on the provincial economy with a slowdown in overall economic activity across the province. (“KP seeks Centre's help amid loss of revenue due to border closure,” Dawn, 30 January 2026)
SECURITY
Five terrorists killed in “large-scale operation” in Bannu
On 30 January, Dawn reported that five terrorists were killed in a security operation in Bannu’s Domel tehsil, also resulting in three civilian deaths and injuries to several others. The operation was launched in the Sperka and Kotka Akbar Ali Khan areas of the tehsil, and at least seven militants were injured in the shootout. One commander, Zewaran alias Al-Badri, was also killed in the operation. Following the operation, surveillance by drones and helicopters was being carried out to round up the remaining terrorists. Two women and one man were among the civilians killed. (“Five terrorists killed in ‘large-scale’ Bannu operation,” Dawn, 30 January 2026)
PROVINCE
Sindh government orders judicial probe into Gul Plaza tragedy
On 29 January, The Express Tribune reported that on Thursday, the Sindh government announced that the investigation into the Gul Plaza would be conducted through a judicial commission. Sindh Information Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon, stated: “The Sindh government itself recognised the need and made the decision,” adding that parties were free to protest or politicise the issue. Memon said that following the Gul Plaza incident, a special cabinet meeting was convened during which a sub-committee was formed. He added that the chief minister had also constituted a separate fact-finding committee, whose report was now received. He said that a review of the cabinet sub-committee’s report revealed that the Civil Defence Department had conducted several fire audits of the building since 2023 but failed to take any subsequent action. He added that the district administration had not informed the government of this lapse. Memon said that Gul Plaza lacked a fire-fighting system and was found to violate approved building regulations. He added that if any negligence on the part of the union is established, action would be taken against them. (“Sindh govt orders judicial probe into Gul Plaza tragedy,” The Express Tribune, 29 January 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Education
Faisal Bari, “Deeper effort needed,” Dawn, 30 January 2026
“Schooling has changed a lot over the last three decades. Teachers engage students more; the curriculum is constantly updated; books and teaching material are more interesting and even interactive; new ways of teaching and engaging students have been introduced; technology has made its way into education in a big way; corporal punishment is officially banned and frowned upon if still practised; it is widely accepted that children need to learn through doing and exploring rather than just listening to lectures; and last but not least, it is recognised that learning should not be a drudgery and should be enjoyable. There is no reason why learning cannot be enjoyable."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1969797/deeper-effort-needed
Ayesha Razzaque, “A search in limbo,” Dawn, 30 January 2026
“The appointment of university vice-chancellors in Pakistan is a game of musical chairs played by people on the VC circuit and some new entrants. Appointments are generally for around four years, during which many VCs at the smaller and underdeveloped universities situated in the remote parts of the country remain on the lookout for positions at more prestigious, better-located institutions with healthy balance sheets. As a result, apart from a few exceptions, decision-making at most universities remains driven by short-term thinking, quick fixes, and the pursuit of headlines, rather than the desire to address systemic weaknesses. For the most part, applicants for the position of HEC chair are sourced from the same circuit."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1969796/a-search-in-limbo
Economy
Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, “The great mirage,” Dawn, 30 January 2026
“Two years in, the regime’s economic managers continue telling tales about streets flowing with milk and honey. Spin doctors live in an alternate reality by definition, but the extent of the spin is remarkable given that even pro-capital donors like the World Bank have acknowledged that poverty and inequality have increased markedly in recent years."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1969795/the-great-mirage
Health
Editorial, “Constant vigilance,” Dawn, 30 January 2026
“Pakistan's decision to heighten surveillance at all entry points in response to the confirmed Nipah virus cases in India is a prudent one. It reflects the authorities’ understanding of the seriousness of the virus and their aim to act without feeding unnecessary alarm."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1969799/constant-vigilance
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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