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In Brief
AF-PAK
Defence Minister says Pakistan would not hesitate to conduct further air strikes in Afghanistan; alleges India is “waging a proxy war”
On 19 February, The Express Tribune reported that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on 18 February that Pakistan would not hesitate to conduct further air strikes in Afghanistan if Kabul failed to act against militants operating from its territory. Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns at international forums regarding terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan, an issue noted by the United Nations Security Council, as noted in the article. Following the recent suicide attack in Islamabad, security forces arrested four facilitators in Nowshera and Peshawar, and captured an Afghan national reportedly identified as a Daesh-linked mastermind. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the network had been trained in Afghanistan. In an interview with FRANCE 24, Asif put forth that: "Any attack in Pakistan, it has the blessings of Afghan government."
On questions regarding India’s alleged role in supporting militant groups in Afghanistan, the Defence Minister put forth that following the four-day conflict in May 2025, India was “badly beaten.” He stated that India’s “humiliation on the international stage was clear after being defeated by a state much smaller in geography and even in army strength,” adding that Pakistan’s air force “practically decimated their attempts to invade Pakistan.” The minister alleged that, as a result of this, India at present is “waging a proxy war against Pakistan.” (“Pakistan 'won't hesitate' to carry out more air strikes in Afghanistan, says Khawaja Asif,” The Express Tribune, 18 February 2026)
FBR authorises re-export of stranded Afghan transit trade consignments through Karachi’s ports
On 18 February, Dawn reported that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has authorised the re-export of Afghan transit trade consignments that had remained stranded for months in Chaman and Quetta, permitting their movement through Karachi’s ports. Regular trade and transit at major border crossings with Afghanistan have been suspended since 10 October 2025, following deadly clashes along the frontier. On 16 October, the FBR officially paused all Afghan Transit Trade operations from Karachi’s ports, cancelling gate passes and suspending cargo clearance at Karachi Port and Port Qasim. Despite ceasefire discussions hosted by Qatar and Turkey, trade did not resume. Over 10,000 traders and shipments were reportedly stranded, causing losses of billions of PKR. In a 17 February notification, the Directorate of Transit Trade permitted the “reverse movement” and re-export of all stranded cargo through Karachi port and Port Qasim Terminal. (Ehtesham Mufti, “FBR permits stuck Afghan transit shipments to move from Chaman and Quetta to Karachi ports,” Dawn, 18 February 2026)
ECONOMY
Privatisation board approves financials, advances Islamabad airport divestment
On 19 February, Dawn reported that the Negotiation Committee to engage with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to discuss terms of a potential Financial Advisory Services Agreement for the proposed divestment of Islamabad International Airport was constituted by the Privatisation Commission Board. The board also approved the commission’s audited financial statements for 2024-25 and reaffirmed its commitment to transparent and competitive privatisation transactions. (“Islamabad airport disinvestment,” Dawn, 19 February 2026)
FDI falls 41 per cent in FY26 amid security and regional concerns
On 19 February, Dawn reported that Foreign investment during July-January FY26 fell to USD 981 million from USD 1.660 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. Terrorism and regional situations remain core reasons behind the decline. The State Bank data showed that the highest FDI inflows came from China at USD 495.5 million; however, this was lower than last year’s USD 857 million. Also, data shows that the largest outflow was to Norway, with disinvestment totalling USD 365 million during the July-January period. (“Foreign direct investment plunges 41pc to USD 981 million,” Dawn, 19 February 2026)
EXTERNAL
Defence Minister says recognition of Israel “not on the cards at all,” ahead of the Board of Peace inaugural meeting
On 19 February, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on 18 February that recognition of Israel was “not on the cards at all,” reflecting Pakistan’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause. He made the statement in an interview with France 24, ahead of the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington on 19 February, which PM Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar are scheduled to attend. When questioned regarding Pakistan’s participation and the possibility of contributing troops to a Gaza peace force, the Defence Minister stated: “I don’t see any problem in that. It all depends on what sort of terms of reference are drafted for that peace force,” referring to Pakistan’s experience in UN peacekeeping missions. He put forth Palestine as “a cause that is very close to our hearts” and expressed hope that the initiative would help move towards the two-state solution. (“Ahead of inaugural Board of Peace meeting, Asif says recognition of Israel ‘not on the cards at all’,” Dawn, 19 February 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
TTAP ends sit-in protest outside Parliament with the start of Ramadan; Reiterates concerns over Imran Khan’s health
On 19 February, The Express Tribune reported that Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, announced the end of the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) sit-in outside Parliament with the start of Ramadan, while still highlighting concerns over the health of jailed Former PM Imran Khan. Abbas stated that the protest was organised due to what he called government negligence and unconstitutional actions. Regarding Imran Khan’s health, Abbas informed that a medical report had been submitted to the court. While there had been some improvement in his eyesight, concerns continued as the Supreme Court was told that only 15 per cent vision remains in his right eye. Abbas called for specialist treatment and access for family members and doctors. Imran Khan, imprisoned since August 2023 following convictions he and PTI contest as politically motivated, continues to face multiple legal cases, with appeals pending. According to The Express Tribune, more than 40 prominent global scholars, public intellectuals, and human rights advocates issued an urgent international letter calling for immediate medical access for Imran and an end to his "arbitrary detention". (Zaigham Naqvi, “TTAP ends Parliament protest, raises concerns over Imran Khan’s health,” The Express Tribune, 19 February 2026)
TTAP sit-in at Parliament House continues for fifth day
On 17 February, Dawn reported that the TTAP’s sit-in would continue into the fifth day outside Parliament House. Despite roads to Parliament House having been cleared, the opposition alliance expressed hope that at least one family member of PTI founder Imran Khan would be allowed to meet him amid concerns about his health. But the PTI later posted on X that a vehicle carrying Imran’s sisters was stopped at the Chakri Interchange while on its way to Adiala Jail. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja also tried to meet Imran, but were not allowed to do so. Raja told the media that despite the court’s directives for meeting Imran, his associates and family members were not being allowed to meet him. Meanwhile, family members of Bushra Bibi, Imran’s wife, were allowed to meet her at Adiala Jail, according to Dawn. (“TTAP sit-in continues for 5th day at Parliament House; meetings with Imran at Adiala jail still not allowed,” Dawn, 17 February 2026)
SECURITY
Clerics call for dialogue as Balochistan security crisis intensifies
On 19 February, Dawn reported that clerics raised concerns and demanded effective solutions as the Balochistan security crisis had become increasingly tense. Religious scholars declared that guns were not the solution to any problem, and stressed that all stakeholders must sit together and resolve Balochistan’s issues through dialogue. They also urged the government to conduct transparent investigations into all missing persons’ cases and demanded that locals be given jobs and a meaningful stake in Gwadar, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and mining projects. (“Clerics urge 'talks over violence' in Balochistan,” Dawn, 19 February 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Security
Omay Aimen, “Balochistan - insurgency to integration,” The Express Tribune, 17 February 2026
"Nations are not tested in moments of calm but in seasons of strain. Balochistan today stands at such a juncture, where grief, resilience and hard choices intersect. For years, every major terrorist incident in Pakistan has triggered a familiar chorus that intelligence agencies were negligent, that institutions were asleep, that the state has failed."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2592942/balochistan-insurgency-to-integration
Editorial, “Growing terror spectrum,” The Express Tribune, 18 February 2026
"Two back-to-back terrorist incidents in K-P have once again underscored the need for better coordination to deal with an existential threat. An explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into a check-post in Bajaur district, which resulted in the martyrdom of 11 security personnel. In retaliatory fire, 12 terrorists belonging to Indian proxies were sent to hell."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2593119/growing-terror-spectrum-1
Society
Editorial, “K-P transgender policy,” The Express Tribune, 17 February 2026
"For far too long, transgender persons - known locally as Khawaja Sira - have existed on the margins of public policy in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, acknowledged rhetorically but rarely protected meaningfully. The provincial government's newly introduced transgender policy, therefore, arrives not a moment too soon. It seeks to confront decades of exclusion and institutional neglect, while also attempting to move the conversation from protection to dignity and economic independence."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2592939/k-p-transgender-policy
Electricity costs
Waqas Bin Najib, “Solar without net metering,” Dawn, 16 February 2026
"Electricity is expensive in Pakistan. The power sector faces structural issues across its generation, transmission and distribution value chains. The governance of the electricity sector is abysmal. The ministry’s bureaucratic operational management of the power sector has failed. The regulator is ineffective and lacks competence. The electricity tariff structure is laden with cross-subsidies and stranded costs. It does not provide affordable electricity to industry or households. The government is poor, oversized and wastes too much money. It cannot afford to subsidise electricity more than it already does."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1974035/solar-without-net-metering
Environment
Asad Ejaz Butt, “SDG façade,” Dawn, 18 February 2026
"Beset by the worst floods of its history in 2022, Pakistan approached the international community for help. As its delegation sought $10 billion in reconstruction pledges at Geneva, a local councillor in flood-hit Sindh said: “The SDGs came to us as a logo on a banner, not as a boat, a clinic or a school.” In a post-flood, inflation-hit city, a woman in a ration queue lamented: “Every year they say poverty has gone down; every year my queue gets longer.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1974028/sdg-facade
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