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In Brief
EXTERNAL
Pakistan and US to deepen counterterrorism coordination, expand investment focus on critical minerals and energy
On 12 February, Dawn and The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan and the United States agreed to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation, particularly internal security, while promoting investment and partnerships in the mining, minerals, and energy sectors, following a meeting in Islamabad between interior minister Mohsin Naqvi and US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs John Mark Pomeroy. The reports showed that the US official expressed his opposition to the Islamabad and Quetta terrorist attacks while he sent his condolences to the victims.
The US official welcomed American investment in Pakistan while Pakistan promised to protect all American investors operating in the country. The organisation stated that the initiative supports Pakistan's current efforts to attract foreign companies to its critical mineral sector and its strategy to develop essential supply networks. The Tribune reported that Pakistan had already signed an MoU with a US company for critical minerals, and that the Reko Diq copper-gold project had received funding discussions from US-linked entities. (“Pakistan, US agree to boost partnership in mining, minerals and energy sectors,” Dawn, 12 February 2026; “Pakistan, US pledge deeper counterterrorism ties, expand investment cooperation,” The Express Tribune, 12 February 2026)
Pakistan-Saudi defence ties reinforced amid focus on regional and global security
On 12 February, The Express Tribune reported that Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir held talks with Saudi defence minister Khalid bin Salman, with both sides reaffirming their strategic defence partnership and discussing joint efforts to promote regional and global peace and security. The report shows that the military partnership continues from previous years while using the new strategic mutual defence pact, which was established during the previous year. The two nations maintain their political and financial backing for each other through times when their region faces security challenges and economic difficulties. (“CDF Munir, Saudi defence minister discuss joint efforts to promote global peace and security,” The Express Tribune, 12 February 2026)
PM Shehbaz to represent Pakistan at first Board of Peace session in Washington
On 12 February, Dawn reported that the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in the United States, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, with further details of the delegation to be shared later. The report said Pakistan is a founding member of the US-backed body, which was formally established last month and is set to meet on 19 February in Washington, with the board mandated to address global conflicts and, under a UN Security Council resolution, authorised to work with cooperating states on post-ceasefire stabilisation arrangements in Gaza. It added that Islamabad said it joined the board in good faith as part of a collective engagement with Islamic and Arab countries, while acknowledging criticism over the board’s structure and representation. (“PM Shehbaz to attend inaugural Board of Peace meeting in US, confirms FO,” Dawn, 12 February 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Report claims only 15 per cent vision left in Imran Khan's right eye; TTAP to stage sit-in
On 12 February, Dawn reported that former Prime Minister Imran Khan's right eye has only 15 per cent vision remaining, according to a report submitted in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, in response, ordered the formation of a medical team to further examine Imran and that he be allowed to speak to his children. The court ordered that both instructions be carried out before 16 February. The order came from a two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Yahya Afridi, after the court resumed hearing the case regarding the former PM’s living conditions in Adiala jail. “The issue of Imran’s health is most important,” CJP Afridi said.
Meanwhile, the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP), on Thursday, announced that it would stage a sit-in outside Parliament the next day. This decision was in response to the report about Imran’s eye condition and the subsequent Supreme Court order. “After Friday prayers, we will stage a sit-in outside Parliament,” said opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. TTAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai said that the opposition would present their demands during the sit-in. The PTI, meanwhile, expressed “profound concern and deep anguish” over the newly-released report, and Imran’s son, Kasim Khan, termed the development “a direct consequence of solitary confinement, medical neglect.” (“Imran claims only 15pc vision left in right eye; SC forms medical team to examine PTI founder,” Dawn, 12 February 2026; “TTAP to stage sit-in outside Parliament House after Friday prayers following revelations about Imran’s vision loss,” Dawn, 12 February 2026)
ECONOMY
Privatisation secretary rejects workers’ unions’ objections in PIA case
On 12 February, Dawn reported that, as per the Privatisation Secretary's statement, the privatisation process of the Pakistan International Airlines was completed following all the legal and constitutional laws. Also, the Privatisation Secretary in his speaking order rejected all the objections raised by workers’ unions against the privatisation process of PIA and claimed that “none of the allegations raised by the petitioners/objectors establishes any constitutional violation, statutory breach, arbitration, male fide or infringement of fundamental rights." These rejections come as a result of the Lahore High Court's earlier order, calling for the petitioners to appear before the Privatisation Secretary, who was required to hear them out and issue a speaking order. (“PIA privatisation finalised,” Dawn, 12 February 2026)
SPACE
Pakistan launches second indigenous EO-2 satellite from China's space centre
On 12 February, Dawn reported that Pakistan launched its second indigenous earth observation satellite, EO-2. It was developed by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and launched from China’s Yangjiang Seashore Launch Centre. It will help Pakistan to enhance the country's earth observation and high-resolution imaging capabilities and will strengthen governance, disaster management, and climate analysis. Earlier on 7 February, the Astronauts Centre of China had officially shortlisted two candidates for astronaut training from Pakistan, with one ultimately selected to travel to Tiangong Space Station. (“Pakistan's 2nd indigenous earth observation satellite launched from China's space centre,” Dawn, 12 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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