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In Brief
EXTERNAL
Pakistan pushes for dialogue amid rising Iran tensions
On 12 February, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s foreign minister had a conversation on a phone call with the Iranian Foreign minister over the situation in Iran and the wider region. Pakistan's foreign minister underscored the dialogue and diplomacy role to bring peace and stability in Iran. Separately, the Pakistani Foreign Minister also held a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart. Both leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments and agreed to remain in close coordination. Turkiye's Foreign Minister emphasised that Turkiye remained committed to preventing US-Iran tensions from tipping the Middle East into a new conflict.
On 11 February, President Asif Ali Zardari praised efforts made to ease tensions and promote regional peace. He said this while addressing a ceremony hosted by the Iranian embassy in Islamabad on the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He also warned that any military escalation involving Iran could destabilise the Middle East and South and Western Asia. “Any instability involving Iran, or any attempt to resolve issues through military means, carries grave risks. Such actions could … undermine global peace, and cause serious harm to the global economy. The stakes are far too high for confrontation,” he said. (“FM Dar once again underscores dialogue diplomacy in phone call with Iranian FM Araghchi,” Dawn, 12 February 2026; “Any military escalation involving Iran could destabilise region: President Zardari,” Dawn, 11 February 2026)
Riyadh signals long-term investment in Pakistan’s rice exports
On 12 February, Dawn reported that during an investment-related meeting, Saudi Arabia expressed interest in pursuing corporate farming in Pakistan's rice sector. With required quality standards, investment in corporate-scale farming, mechanisation, storage logistics, and steady rice exports to Saudi Arabia could be supported in the long term. Joint exploration of regional markets, particularly Central Asia, Africa, and ASEAN, was also identified as high-growth regions offering substantial opportunities for collaboration. Both sides agreed that by leveraging their respective strengths in terms of Pakistan’s production capacity with Saudi Arabia’s Capital, market access and regional connectivity, both countries can position themselves as complementary partners. (“Saudi Arabia eyes Pakistan's rice sector,” Dawn, 12 February 2026)
ECONOMY
IHC Annual Report highlights major tax recovery breakthrough
On 12 February, Dawn reported that the Islamabad High Court had released the Annual Report 2025-26. It stated that the recovery of PKR 560 billion in the disputed tax revenue has been enabled by the Islamabad High Court over the past year. It becomes possible as IHC has decided on hundreds of long-pending tax and revenue cases, and also as it lifted stay orders that had blocked the Federal Board of Revenue from collecting dues. In alignment with the policy directions of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC), IHC introduced a series of strategic administrative and judicial reforms to address the prolonged litigation and judicial delays in tax matters. Within this reform agenda, the constitution of specialised division bench cases was the central pillar. (“Rs 506 bn unlocked as IHC clears tax backlog,” Dawn, 12 February 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Safdar denies media claims on Imran’s health, submits seven-page report to supreme court
On 11 February, The Express Tribune reported that supreme court-appointed friend of the court Salman Safdar rejected media reports claiming he had commented on PTI founder Imran Khan’s health after a court-ordered meeting at Adiala jail, saying no statement was issued and that the interaction was misreported. The report said Safdar confirmed he submitted a seven-page report with 22 paragraphs to the supreme court on Imran’s living conditions and available facilities, and noted that he praised attorney general Mansoor Usman Awan as well as the Adiala jail administration in the filing. (“Salman Safdar refutes media reports, says no statement issued on Imran’s health,” The Express Tribune, 11 February 2026)
SECURITY
Four policemen killed in Dera Ismail Khan attack during return from search operation
On 11 February, Dawn reported that at least four police personnel, including a station house officer, were martyred when militants opened fire on a police party in the Wanda Budh area of Paniala in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district as the team returned from a search operation launched on intelligence about militant presence. The report said the police returned fire and there were reports that some militants were also killed, while two officers, including a deputy superintendent of police, were injured and shifted to the district headquarters teaching hospital. It added that a larger police contingent sealed the area and began search and clearance operations, as president Asif Ali Zardari, KP chief minister Sohail Afridi, the KP governor, and other political figures condemned the attack and pledged support for the affected families and continued counterterrorism action. (“4 cops, including SHO, martyred as terrorists attack police party in KP’s Dera Ismail Khan,” Dawn, 11 February 2026)
Police repel Bannu post attack, three militants killed and nine injured
On 11 February, Dawn reported that police foiled a late-night terrorist assault on the Khonia Khel police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, killing three attackers and injuring nine others after militants tried to surround and seize the facility with heavy weapons. The report indicated that police forces sent more units to the location which forced the attackers to leave while one police officer received minor injuries but remained safe. It added that militants also attempted attacks on Ahmadzai police station and Fateh Khel police post the same night but were thwarted, and senior police officials announced rewards for personnel involved in the defence. (“Terrorist attack on police post in Bannu foiled; 3 attackers killed, 9 injured,” Dawn, 11 February 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Imran Khan
Editorial, “Amicus curiae at Adiala,” The Express Tribune, 11 February 2026
"A breakthrough of sorts in Imran Khan's legal cases was attained yesterday as the Supreme Court allowed PTI counsel, Salman Safdar, to meet the incarcerated former PM. This development has come after a long hiatus and severe political somersaults, as the family and lawyers have been denied an audience with the PTI founder. The secrecy around the eye surgery of the jailed leader, reportedly carried out at PIMS, had stirred concerns about his well-being, prompting party leaders and lawyers to approach the apex court."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2591849/amicus-curiae-at-adiala
Pakistan & the IMF
Nadeem ul Haque & Shahid Kardar, “Exiting IMF: change incentives,” Dawn, 11 February 2026
"A credible exit requires binding fiscal and monetary rules, transparent escape clauses and the discipline to let prices work. It’s not the IMF that is the cause of Pakistan’s problems but the auditor that arrives after the damage. Exiting the IMF is not an act of defiance or nationalism; it is an act of competence. Until Pakistan stops confusing aspirations with instruments, plans with incentives, and rhetoric with reform, it will keep announcing exits — and signing the next programme."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1972491/exiting-imf-change-incentives
Security
Editorial, “Past follies,” Dawn, 11 February 2026
"In the aftermath of last Friday’s brutal bombing targeting an Islamabad imambargah, ways to address the menace of terrorism are being discussed in both houses of parliament. While there has been plenty of mudslinging between the treasury and the opposition on the issue, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif attempted to go back in history during Monday’s National Assembly session to trace the roots of the problem. According to him, today’s terrorism is the “blowback” of “mistakes committed by dictators in the past”, referring to the respective involvement of generals Zia and Musharraf in Afghanistan. The minister also observed that we deny our history and fail to realise our mistakes, while also highlighting the issue of sectarianism in society. Meanwhile in the Senate, there were calls to summon senior ex-military men to ascertain how TTP militants were able to re-enter the country."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1972477/past-follies
Wealth inequality
Dr Muhammad Babar Chohan, “Deepening wealth gap,” The Express Tribune, 09 February 2026
"Recent data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, compiled by a stock brokerage and financial company, reveals a widening inequality in incomes and assets between the rich and the poor of the country. The data shows economic prosperity is flowing upwards while financial strain is dissipating deep downwards, making the rich richer and the poor poorer. Based on the latest Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES), it is observed that the real purchasing power for the common man has been declining between FY19 to FY25."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2591455/deepening-wealth-gap
Province
Fahd Husain, “Time for offensive defence,” The Express Tribune, 08 February 2026
"Basant is the latest in a series of high-profile projects in Punjab that are being acknowledged and appreciated – sometimes grudgingly – by people inside and outside the province. Punjab has always been ahead of other provinces in most respects, and there are genuine concerns too that it gets favoured treatment from the Centre, but with Maryam Nawaz at the helm, things are moving even faster than usual. She has succeeded in generating an unmistakable buzz around her pro-active governance style."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2591295/time-for-offensive-defence
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