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In Brief
PAK-AFG
“Exponential rise” in cross-border terrorism becoming “intolerable for Pakistan,” says representative to the UN
On 01 February, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, stated that the “exponential rise” in cross-border terrorist attacks originating from Afghanistan has made the situation “intolerable for Pakistan.” His remarks come amid a string of coordinated attacks in Balochistan. The military has accused Fitna al-Hindustan of the attacks, and Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said 145 militants had been killed within 40 hours. Speaking to Dawn, Ambassador Ahmad reiterated Pakistan’s accusation that the Afghan Taliban are sheltering militant groups targeting Pakistan, and alleged India's support for proxy elements operating from Afghan soil. Ambassador Ahmed stated that “There is broad recognition of the danger posed by terrorism emanating from Afghanistan,” adding that the country “unfortunately remains a terrorism hub under the Taliban.” He noted that the UN secretary-general had recently stressed the international community’s expectation that Afghan territory not be used for cross-border terrorism, an obligation central to the 2020 Doha Agreement, remains unfulfilled. He accused the Taliban authorities of complacency, stating that “Not only have they failed to prevent these activities, they have sheltered, actively supported, and collaborated with these elements.” (“‘Situation has become intolerable for Pakistan’: Envoy to UN highlights rise in terror attacks from Afghan soil,” Dawn, 01 February 2026)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan & Bangladesh express interest in cooperation in human resource development and overseas labour management
On 02 February, Dawn reported that Pakistan and Bangladesh expressed interest in learning from each other’s best practices in human resource development and overseas labour management during discussions held on 01 February in Dubai. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ‘Abu Dhabi Dialogue 2026’ between Pakistan’s Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and Bangladesh’s Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Dr Asif Nazrul. Both sides discussed common challenges faced by their migrant workforces and shared views on recruitment processes, skills training, and reintegration mechanisms for returning workers. Pakistan officials spoke about the role of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission, while the Bangladeshi side highlighted the functioning of its Technical Training Centres. The chairman of Pakistan’s Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution briefed on social protection measures for workers. The two sides also discussed the potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in labour and skills development. (“Islamabad, Dhaka explore ways to liaise in vocational training,” Dawn, 02 February 2026)
Pakistan, seven other Muslim-majority countries condemn Israel’s ceasefire violations in Gaza
On 01 February, Dawn reported that Pakistan and seven other Muslim-majority countries condemned Israel’s ceasefire violations in Gaza, stating that such actions could severely impact the ongoing efforts to restore stability. A joint statement was put forth by Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. The foreign ministers stated they strongly condemned Israel’s repeated ceasefire breaches, “which have resulted in the killing and injuring of more than a thousand Palestinians”. They added: “These actions risk escalating tensions and undermining efforts aimed at consolidating calm and restoring stability, at a time when regional and international parties are working collectively to advance the second phase of President Donald Trump’s peace plan and to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.” They called on all stakeholders to ensure restraint, uphold the ceasefire, and support conditions for recovery, reconstruction, and a just peace based on Palestinian self-determination. (“Pakistan, 7 other Muslim nations assert Israel’s ceasefire violations risk undermining efforts for stability in Gaza,” Dawn, 01 February 2026)
ECONOMY
NFC delays deepen as working groups fail to move forward
On 02 February, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s national finance commission (NFC) has stalled after its 4 December inaugural meeting, with the second session, initially planned for 08 to 15 January, still unscheduled and most of the eight technical working groups failing to convene. The report said only two groups met once, while six have not met at all, amid blame from both federal and provincial sides over the unavailability of the Ministry of Finance representatives and senior officials. The statement revealed that the NFC faces ongoing disagreements about its authority to review financial allocations because Sindh maintains that these matters exceed the commission's constitutional authority, although the federal government obtained legal advice which supported their position. (“NFC hits pause as working groups fail to meet,” Dawn, 02 February 2026)
World Bank sanctions loan to advance Pakistan’s grid upgrade
On 01 February, Dawn reported that the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has approved a USD 378.9 million loan for a major power transmission overhaul in Pakistan, focused on improving grid stability, energy security, and the integration of variable renewable energy. The report said the project will fund reactive power management devices and provide technical assistance for institutional reforms at the national transmission and dispatch company, alongside co-financing of USD 92.5 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and USD 92.7 million from the Islamic Development Bank, taking total expected financing to about USD 698.75 million. The program will look to solve transmission problems, which are preventing affordable power distribution, by using its 2026 to 2035 schedule to implement LNG-based generation at high costs. The program monitors its advancement through performance metrics, which show both the growth of renewable energy systems and improved seasonal electricity transmission methods. (“World Bank to lend $379m for power transmission overhaul,” Dawn, 01 February 2026)
SOCIETY
Punjab announces Basant holiday after 18 Years, lifts kite-flying ban
On 02 February, Dawn reported that Punjab province has announced a “long weekend” with the declaration of a Basant holiday, Kashmir Day, followed by Saturday and Sunday. The provincial government has decided to celebrate the Basant festival after 18 years, lifting the ban on kite flying that had been imposed in 2007 due to fatalities caused by sharp kite strings and incidents of celebratory gunfire. From a safety perspective, the police have prepared a comprehensive Basant Security Plan following the passage of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill, 2025. Punjab Chief Minister informed the media that both safety and transport plans are in place and urged citizens to celebrate the festival responsibly. ("Punjab CM Maryam announces Basant holiday in Province," Dawn, 02 February 2026)
SECURITY
Security forces kill 145 militants after coordinated attacks across Balochistan
On 02 February, Dawn reported that within a span of 40 hours, security forces had eliminated 145 militants who were involved in the 31 January terrorist attacks in Balochistan. On 31 January, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) simultaneously attacked twelve cities across multiple districts in Balochistan. Provincial CM, Sarfraz Bugti, reiterated that no city was taken over by BLA, as security forces thwarted these attempts. He stated that 17 law enforcement personnel, including the police and Frontier Corps, one navy personnel and 31 civilians had lost their lives in terrorist attacks. He blamed India for instigating insurgency in the Baloch region and disagreed to call these targeted attacks as part of the ethnonationalism struggle of Balochistan. He also stated that the government will not hold any dialogue or talks with the BLA. As per statements from the Defence Ministry, the BLA also used female bombers at least in two attacks and alleged that their handlers are sitting in Afghanistan. As a response to the current security crisis, the Balochistan government has imposed a ban on gatherings, processions and sit-ins for one month across the province. ("'We will fight this war': CM Bugti says 145 terrorists killed in 40 hours across Balochistan," Dawn, 02 February 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
KP CM Afridi opposes Tirah operation, hints at Islamabad sit-in
On 01 February, Dawn reported that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had declared that he would not allow any operation to go ahead in Tirah, despite the federal government maintaining that no operation - apart from small-scale, intelligence-based operations against militants - is being carried out in the region. Afridi was addressing the Khyber Peace Jigra, where he asked participants whether they had been forcibly displaced and to support a sit-in protest against the operations in Islamabad. He also accused the federal government of not compensating the province during previous operations. Thousands of families have been displaced from the Tirah Valley in KP due to deteriorating security conditions and heavy snowfall. (“K-P CM opposes Tirah operation, hints at Islamabad sit-in,” Dawn, 01 February 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Province
Shahid Javed Burki, “People's influx into Karachi,” The Express Tribune, 02 February 2026
"This is an article on the large-scale movements of people in and out of Pakistan and how that has affected various aspects of life in the country since its founding as an independent state in 1947. I have already written about the movement of 14 million people that resulted from the division of the British Indian colony into the independent states of India and Pakistan. India became a predominantly Hindu state while the majority of the population of Pakistan belonged to the Islamic faith. My academic work on this movement suggested that of the eight million Muslims who headed for Pakistan, about 470,000 went and settled in what was chosen to be Pakistan's first capital."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2590286/peoples-influx-into-karachi
Education
Ali Hassan Bangwar, “Education sans morality,” The Express Tribune, 01 February 2026
"Today, most of our educated lot remorselessly, yet justifiably, plunder people on different pretexts, prostrating to the palaces of the powerful. Most of Pakistan's leadership, elite and educated, despite all educational tags, live in a Hobbesian state of nature. Meanwhile, the morally indifferent are rewarded. The more authority and resources they encroach upon, the more ruthlessness they exhibit towards people. The few conscientious who hold on to their moralities and stand with truth and the oppressed are branded traitors, national security threats and heretics, or silenced, or expelled from spaces of intellectual discourse."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2590131/education-sans-morality
Imaan-Hadi case
Sulema Jahangir, “Headline-making tweet,” Dawn, 02 February 2026
"The recent judgement of Additional District and Sessions Judge Majoka sentencing lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her spouse Hadi Chattha to a total of 17 years in prison on multiple charges in a case pertaining to social media posts, has made national and international headlines. If the court’s intention was to indicate condemnation for a post it perceived as inflammatory towards government institutions, the sentence has clearly had the opposite effect."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1970546/headline-making-tweet
Economy
Editorial, “Subsidised relief,” Dawn, 02 February 2026
“The generous relief package recently announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for an industry burdened with high energy prices, elevated financing costs and an excessive tax burden was a necessary intervention. The move should help to ease cost pressures on producers, bolster domestic productivity and shore up export competitiveness."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1969799/constant-vigilance
Pakistan & Trump
Muhammad Amir Rana, “Pakistan’s Trump test,” Dawn, 01 February 2026
"Pakistan has emerged as one of the beneficiaries of the evolving regional order reshaped by US President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly in the West and South Asian context. However, it remains to be seen how far the country can maintain its relevance, and whether it will make deliberate strategic moves or continue drifting with the Trumpian wave."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1970359/pakistans-trump-test
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