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In Brief
ECONOMY
Pakistan eyes USD 1.2 billion disbursement as IMF review nears
On 18 February, Dawn reported that to review the implementation of the USD seven billion Extended Fund Facility and the USD 1.1 billion Resilience and Sustainability Fund, an IMF mission will visit Pakistan on 26 February for two weeks. The visit will be crucial as both sides will also discuss the budget proposals based on performance this year. As per government data, the programme’s performance has been up to mark, albeit with a shortfall. Pakistan has met almost all quantitative performance criteria. However, a lag in indicative targets and structural benchmarks could affect future programme implementation. In case Pakistan meets the targets of quantitative performance criteria, it will become eligible for the disbursement of about USD one billion under the EFF and another USD 200 million under the RSF by the end of April. (“IMF team due on Feb 26th for review budget talks,” Dawn, 18 February 2026)
Large-scale manufacturing records 4.82 per cent growth in first six months of FY26
On 18 February, Dawn reported that in the first half of FY26, the large-scale manufacturing sector recorded a year-on-year growth of 4.82 per cent, while industrial production growth in 2025 slowed to 0.44 per cent year on year. The growth data indicate a marginal rise in large-scale industrial production. Decline in export value remains the primary source of the industrial production slowdown. Within large-scale manufacturing, the auto sector recorded a robust growth with 67.21 per cent among many others; however, sectors such as Iron and steel production declined 4.47 per cent in July-December 2026. (“Large industry output rises 4.8 per cent in July-December,” Dawn, 18 February 2026)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan deepens IAEA cooperation as Shehbaz backs peaceful nuclear applications and INMOL designation
On 17 February, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in Vienna and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the agency’s role in promoting safe and responsible uses of nuclear technology, including cancer diagnosis and treatment, agriculture, nuclear power generation and industrial applications. The Pakistani government emphasised its role in providing experts and training services to IAEA programs, while Grossi recognised Pakistan's technical abilities and invited the country to join the nuclear energy summit, which will take place in France during March 2026. The update said an agreement was signed to designate the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL) in Lahore as an IAEA collaborating centre, and noted Shehbaz also used a Vienna event on sustainable development to argue that development must be inclusive and equitable, highlighting climate vulnerability and the need for stronger multilateral cooperation. (“PM reaffirms Pakistan’s support for IAEA’s role in promoting responsible use of nuclear technology,” Dawn, 17 February 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Imran's sisters & TTAP reject Naqvi’s version of former premier’s medical examination
On 17 February, Dawn reported that the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) and Imran Khan’s sisters rejected Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s account regarding the PTI founder’s medical examination. The TTAP accused Naqvi of distorting facts, while Imran’s sisters also disputed facts provided by Naqvi, accusing the doctors who had signed Imran’s medical report of “derailing their credibility”. The allegations came in response to a press conference by Naqvi the same day, where he stressed that the government did not want to politicise the matter of Imran Khan’s health and blamed the opposition for doing the same. He also stated that he had invited PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan to witness Imran’s checkup, but Gohar ended up refusing, citing party consultations. According to Naqvi, opposition representatives, who were briefed by the doctors who examined Imran, expressed satisfaction over the treatment. (“Imran’s sisters, TTAP reject Naqvi’s account of events surrounding PTI founder’s medical examination,” Dawn, 17 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
Bajaur checkpost bombing kills 11 security personnel as forces retaliate, ISPR says 12 attackers eliminated
On 17 February, Dawn reported that the military said 11 security personnel were martyred after an explosive-laden vehicle was rammed into the perimeter of a joint security forces and law enforcement checkpost in Bajaur on 16 February, causing part of the infrastructure to collapse. The update said ISPR claimed 12 attackers were killed in the ensuing response and that the blast also hit nearby residential buildings, killing a young girl and injuring seven others, including women and children. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and reiterated their commitment to continued counterterrorism operations under Azm e Istehkam. (“11 security personnel martyred in terrorist attack on checkpost in Bajaur: ISPR,” Dawn, 17 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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