|
In Brief
EXTERNAL
Pakistan, Turkiye military chiefs review regional security, expand defence cooperation
On 30 January, Dawn reported that the Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir met Selcuk Bayraktaroglu at General Headquarters to discuss the regional and global security landscape and prospects for strengthening bilateral defence and military cooperation, according to Inter-Services Public Relations. The report said the Turkish general was received with a guard of honour on arrival. The two nations showed contentment about the current state of Pakistan-Turkiye relations, while they emphasised the need to work more closely together for defence cooperation. The statement added that Munir highlighted the longstanding brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye, rooted in shared history, mutual trust, and people-to-people ties, and appreciated the cooperation extended by the Turkish armed forces. Bayraktaroglu expressed gratitude to Pakistan for the welcome before he commended the Pakistan Armed Forces for their professional conduct and confirmed Turkiye's commitment to enhancing military ties through training programs, combined military operations and equipment development. (“CDF Munir, Turkiye’s chief of general staff discuss regional security landscape and defence cooperation,” Dawn, 30 January 2026)
ECONOMY
Privatisation commission seeks market experts after PIA sale
On 31 January, Dawn reported that the privatisation commission, citing the successful privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), proposed hiring market-based experts to speed up the government’s privatisation agenda over the next year. Privatisation secretary Usman Akhtar Bajwa told the Senate Standing Committee on privatisation that one expert can handle only up to two transactions at a time, making specialised induction necessary, especially sector-specific expertise for power distribution companies (discos). The committee was informed that the PIA privatisation was completed using the existing workforce, but future deals would require competitively paid professionals. The officials explained that the privatisation division and commission operated with restricted financial resources, which mainly went toward paying staff salaries, so they proposed a budget expansion for the commission to support additional personnel recruitment. The proposal received support from Chairman Senator Afnan Ullah Khan, who approved the plan in principle while he commended the commission for its achievements. (“Govt to hire experts to fast-track privatisation,” Dawn, 31 January 2026)
JUDICIARY
PTI founder Imran Khan wants IHC cases consolidated
On 31 January, Dawn reported that Imran Khan wrote to the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking consolidation of all cases pending against him before the high court and requesting urgent hearings, particularly in the matters relating to the suspension of his sentence in the GBP 190 million corruption and Toshakhana cases. Imran argued that the multiplicity of cases and their fixation before different benches has created serious legal and practical difficulties, not only for the petitioner but also for the court system. Imran’s lawyer maintained that most of the cases involve common questions of law and fact, including allegations of political victimisation, misuse of criminal law, and denial of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. Therefore, the lawyer requested that all matters about Imran Khan be clubbed and heard together by an appropriate bench to ensure consistent and effective adjudication. (“PTI founder wants IHC cases consolidated,” Dawn, 31 January 2026)
SC judges stress for reforms in district judiciary
On 31 January, as reported by Dawn, Supreme Court Judge Naeem Akhtar Afghan emphasised the district judiciary’s pivotal role in the dispensation of justice at the awarding ceremony for the Leadership and Management Training Course (Batch-V) for District and Sessions Judges and Senior Civil judges on Friday. On another note, Supreme Court Judge Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb termed the Federal Judicial Academy as a "robust institution" dedicated to the professional development of justice sector stakeholders and emphasised the need for the judicial system to strictly work with the law to eliminate corruption. Furthermore, the Director General of the Academy, Hayat Ali Shah, shared his remarks on the district judiciary being the focus of the reform agenda of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, to make the justice system more citizen-centric. (“SC judges stress reforms in district judiciary,” Dawn, 31 January 2026)
SECURITY
41 militants killed in Balochistan IBOs under ‘Azm-i-Istehkam'
On 31 January, Dawn reported that 41 terrorists were killed in Harnai and Panjgur districts of Balochistan in intelligence-based operations. The sanitisation process is underway in the area, as a large cache of ammunition and explosives was also found in terrorists' possession and was destroyed by security forces. These actions by security forces are taken under the vision of 'Azm-i-Istehkam', which was approved by the federal apex committee on the National Action Plan. As per the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies report, the country has witnessed a sharp rise in militant violence in 2025, despite record militant deaths. In 2025, terrorist attacks rose by 34 per cent and terrorism related fatalities increased by 21 per cent year on year. (“Security forces kill 41 terrorists during IBOs in Balochistan's Harnai and Panjgur districts-ISPR,” Dawn, 31 January 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Imran Khan's family granted access to medical reports amid PTI protests
On 31 January, Dawn reported that Imran Khan's family will get access to the former premier's medical reports, as the PTI protested in front of Adiala Jail and SC premises, demanding a medical report of the doctor who treated Iran's eye ailment. PTI also met with Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) leadership. Achakzai emphasised in a video released after the meeting that the opposition considered reports about Imran's health a diversion from the nationwide protest announced for 8 February. He called on the TTAP parties and the PTI to not back away from their "mission", calling on the nation to participate in the 8 February protest. ("After day-long sit-in outside SC, PTI says Imran's family to be provided ex-premiers medical report,” Dawn, 31 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
|
