|
In Focus
Islamabad Imambargah suicide attack
32 killed, 162 injured in the attack; Federal ministers allege India-Afghanistan involvement
On 06 February, at least 32 worshippers were killed and over 160 others injured as an explosion struck Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in the Tarlai area (outskirts) of Islamabad during Friday prayers. Police and administrative officials stated that the blast caused widespread panic in the surrounding neighbourhood and was heard hundreds of metres away. The Federal Health Minister later confirmed that the death toll had increased to 32, while the number of injured stood at 162. President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and extended condolences to the victims’ families, stating that “Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity,” and directed authorities to ensure full medical support for the injured. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also denounced the incident and expressed solidarity with those affected.
As per preliminary assessments, it is identified as a suicide bombing, with two police officials stating to Reuters that the attacker was halted at the gate of the imambargah before detonating the device, although administration officials stated that it was too early to draw definitive conclusions. A statement issued by state broadcaster PTV News, quoting government sources, claimed the attacker had received training in Afghanistan and had travelled there multiple times. It further alleged that “Behind every terrorist operation in Pakistan is a nexus between Afghanistan and India,” a claim shared by several federal ministers as well.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the attack an assault on national unity rather than any religious sect. He called on the public to avoid speculation, confirmed that security had been placed on high alert, and promised that those responsible would be brought to justice. Minister of State Talal Chaudhry said the assailant was not an Afghan national but had “travelled to Afghanistan,” based on information from forensic examination. He put forth that recent attacks across Pakistan showed two parallel patterns: religiously framed violence and “BLA terrorism based on ethnicity and provincialism.” Accusing India of sponsoring terrorism, he stated, “We have evidence that India has tripled its investment,” adding that militants were motivated by financial incentives rather than ideology.
Authorities stated that investigations were ongoing and that a detailed report identifying handlers and perpetrators would be submitted within 72 hours. As per media reports, no group immediately claimed responsibility, though officials noted similarities with previous attacks attributed to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). (Usama Iqbal/Zaigham Naqvi, “32 martyred in Islamabad imambargah suicide blast; govt blames ‘Indo-Afghan nexus’,” The Express Tribune, 06 February 2026; “Condemnations pour in after Islamabad bombing,” The Express Tribune, 07 February 2026)
In Brief
EXTERNAL
President Putin reiterates Russia’s willingness to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in counterterrorism after the Islamabad attack
On 6 February, President Putin reiterated Russia’s willingness to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in counterterrorism following the suicide attack on an imambargah in Islamabad. The blast that struck the Tarlai area during a religious gathering killed at least 31 worshippers and injured 169 others, according to police and administrative officials. The Embassy of Russia in Pakistan stated that President Putin sent condolence letters to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In his message, Putin stated: “The killing of people during a religious ceremony is yet another testament to the barbaric and inhumane nature of terrorism. I would like to reaffirm Russia's readiness to further strengthen cooperation with our Pakistani partners in the fight against terrorism.” President Zardari expressed appreciation, stating, “I thank President Vladimir Putin for his kind letter of condolence on the tragic terrorist attack in Islamabad. Pakistan deeply values Russia’s solidarity and our shared resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms.” (“Putin reaffirms readiness to ramp up anti-terror cooperation with Pakistan after ICT attack,” The Express Tribune, 06 February 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
National Assembly hastily passes three critical media-related bills; Introduces two new bills on real estate management and women’s representation in federal bodies
On 07 February, Dawn reported that the National Assembly on 06 February passed three critical media-related bills in a brief 15-minute session. The bills passed by the lower house were the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Associates Press of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Newspapers Employees (Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Bill 2025. However, the session was adjourned due to low attendance, and the government failed to meet the required quorum following the headcount. Two additional bills, the Centres of Excellence Act 1974 (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Federal Government Real Estate Management Authority Bill 2026, were also introduced. The Real Estate Management Authority Bill proposes creating a dedicated federal body to professionally manage, lease and optimise government-owned urban and rural properties, many of which have risen sharply in value but remain underutilised, encroached upon or tied up in legal disputes due to poor oversight. Separately, the Centres of Excellence (Amendment) Bill 2026 directs all federal boards and public bodies to ensure 33 per cent women’s representation, with the education ministry initiating legal amendments to align autonomous organisations with the prime minister’s directive. (“NA hurriedly passes Pemra, two other media-related bills,” Dawn, 07 February 2026)
Implementation of National AI Policy stalled due to bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of expertise
On 07 February, Dawn reported that the implementation of Pakistan’s National AI Policy has stalled more than six months after cabinet approval due to delays in forming the AI Council and the absence of responses from provincial governments. Although the policy was approved in July 2025, consultations to finalise a nationwide framework remain on hold, with officials also citing concerns that the proposed AI Council structure is overly bureaucratic. The AI Council is chaired by the federal IT minister and includes senior federal and provincial officials, sectoral representatives and a small number of experts and is meant to provide strategic direction and oversee implementation of the National AI Policy. However, a senior IT ministry official said its current composition lacks sufficient AI expertise from within Pakistan and abroad, making amendments necessary. So far, only the “Awareness and Readiness” pillar of the policy is being implemented, with the upcoming Indus AI Week in Islamabad cited as an initial step, alongside limited progress on “International Partnerships and Collaborations”. Little to no work has been done on other pillars, including the AI Innovation Ecosystem, Secure AI Ecosystem, and sectoral transformation. There is also no designated authority to regulate AI infrastructure, leaving data centres and cloud services to expand without a clear policy or regulatory framework. (“Implementation of AI policy falters months after approval,” Dawn, 07 February 2025)
SECURITY
24 terrorists killed by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
On 07 February, Dawn reported that in two separate engagements, security forces had killed 24 terrorists belonging to Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The intelligence-based operations were conducted in Orakzai and Khyber districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Following the engagements, a sanitisation process was conducted to eliminate any other terrorists. This engagement was conducted under the vision of "Azm-e-Ishtekam" as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. ("Sindh IG says operation has been launched against riverine bandits," Dawn, 07 February 2026)
Operation successful against riverine bandits in Sindh
On 07 February, Dawn reported that during a press conference, Sindh's Police Chief deliberated on Operations that led to 113 encounters. Sindh Additional Inspector General of Police mentioned that in total, 123 bandits had also surrendered to law enforcement agencies. He also praised Sindh Police officials who had recovered 15 kidnapped people safely. He also welcomed the ' Comprehensive Plan' to eliminate crime in riverine areas where military weapons were available. Also, it was decided to set up a " Riverine Police Unit" to prevent the reemergence of the criminals. ("Security forces kill 24 terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IBOs," Dawn, 7 February 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Imaan-Hadi conviction
Usama Khilji, “Monopolising truth,” Dawn, 05 February 2026
"Any reasonable person reading the tweets for which Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha have been sentenced to 17 years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs36 million will express shock at the sentence. The state must take steps to bridge the trust deficit with its citizens. The extreme measures taken to quell dissent by arresting activists and obliterate political opposition, including the PTI and other groups, is a threat to our future. We already have the highest rate of emigration and brain drain due to draconian policies and their impact on the economy, such as internet slowdown and censorship. The diverse views of all Pakistanis must be respected, rather than making unsuccessful violent attempts to gain monopoly over truth, which only alienates the citizenry further."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1971153/monopolising-truth
Climate change
Jazib Mumtaz, “Decentralising climate action,” The Express Tribune, 05 February 2026
"Climate change is no longer a distant threat for Pakistan; it is a lived reality. From catastrophic floods and prolonged droughts to urban heat stress and water scarcity, climate shocks are increasingly shaping livelihoods, growth prospects and social stability. Yet, despite rising international attention and climate finance commitments, a critical question remains unanswered: why does climate finance so often fail to translate into real resilience on the ground? The answer lies less in the availability of funds and more in how climate action is governed."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2590818/decentralising-climate-action
Balochistan attacks
Inam Ul Haque, “Terrorists in Balochistan and the indomitable Pakistan,” The Express Tribune, 05 February 2026
"So, the naraz (angry) Baloch led by Mengals and Marris of this world launched coordinated small-scale attacks during the past week across the Baloch belt of the province, targeting civil and military personnel and installations, killing poor Punjabi labourers, without sparing Baloch women and children either. And this was done indiscriminately, with abandon and under the guidance of their foreign patrons who facilitated, guided and planned these attacks."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2590819/terrorists-in-balochistan-and-the-indomitable-pakistan
Province
Dr Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, “When constitutional entitlements become grievances,” The Express Tribune, 05 February 2026
"The letter written by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is not merely an exchange of official correspondence over delayed fiscal transfers. It is a stark reminder of the widening gap between constitutional promises and fiscal practice in Pakistan's federal system. When constitutionally guaranteed rights begin to resemble discretionary favours, the consequences extend well beyond balance sheets, affecting governance capacity, social stability and national cohesion."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2590820/when-constitutional-entitlements-become-grievances
Society
Atif Mehmood, “Violence in plain sight,” The Express Tribune, 05 February 2026
"Talking about transgender rights in Pakistan usually makes people shift in their seats. You can see it happen. Someone checks their phone. Another clears their throat. Someone else starts, "Yes, but..." and stops. That reaction alone should tell us something. We avoid this conversation because it forces us to look at things we've learned to ignore. And yet the violence keeps happening, loudly, repeatedly."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2590814/violence-in-plain-sight
Corruption
Atif Mehmood, “Corruption perception,” The Express Tribune, 05 February 2026
"The Ipsos-FPCCI Index of Transparency and Accountability results in Pakistan show a widening gap between public perception and the reality of corruption in the country. A staggering 68pc of respondents reported that they did not personally face a situation requiring them to pay a bribe but they still believed that bribery is common within state agencies. Similar gaps have been reported for nepotism and illicit enrichment, both seen as widespread but rarely encountered directly. This gap between perception and lived experience signifies a defining feature of the chronic trust deficit between ordinary Pakistanis and the state institutions with which people have to frequently interact on a near daily basis. In other words, the survey paints a picture of public institutions burdened by a reputational loss that far exceeds most citizens’ actual experience."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1971151/corruption-perception
|
