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In Focus
Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions:
Foreign Office says Pakistan open to striking terrorist targets in Afghanistan; Top Afghan diplomat summoned
On 20 February, Dawn reported that the Foreign Office, on Thursday, said that Pakistan reserves the right to target terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan to protect its citizens and law enforcement personnel. This comes following a deadly attack in Bajaur that has caused a spike in cross-border tensions. “Pakistan very legitimately demands that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism inside Pakistan. So, as long as this demand is not met, whilst exercising patience, all options would obviously remain on the table,” FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said. Following the attack in Bajaur, which left 11 security personnel and one child dead, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan wouldn’t hesitate to conduct strikes inside Afghanistan if the attacks continue. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also described the assault as a “cowardly” act by the “Indian proxy” TTP.
On 19 February, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Afghanistan’s Deputy Head of Mission in light of the 16 February attack in Bajaur. According to the Foreign Office, spokesperson Tahir Andrabi conveyed Pakistan’s deep concern over the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose leadership it believes resides in Afghanistan. The ministry also mentioned that despite receiving multiple assurances from the Afghan Taliban, there have been “no significant or tangible actions”.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021. Tensions reached a peak last October when both countries traded heavy gunfire, with Pakistan targeting TTP sanctuaries that it said were based in Kabul. Pakistan has repeatedly blamed the TTP for increased terrorist attacks in the country and has called on Kabul to take stricter action against the group, which it believes continues to operate from within Afghanistan. Despite reaching a ceasefire agreement through the mediation of Qatar and Turkey, the core issue relating to the border and militant attacks was left unresolved. (“Pakistan’s patience with Afghanistan wearing thin,” Dawn, 20 February 2026; “Pakistan summons Afghan diplomat over deadly Bajaur security check post attack,” The Express Tribune, 19 February 2026)
In Brief
EXTERNAL
PM Sharif meets Marco Rubio after Board of Peace summit
On 20 February, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, following the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington. The two sides discussed cooperation in critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism and prospects for increased American investment. The State Department also offered condolences over the 31 January attacks in Balochistan and the 6 February bombing in Islamabad. The meeting covered Pakistan’s participation in the recent Critical Minerals Ministerial, Islamabad’s engagement and cooperation in developing Pakistan’s energy and mineral resources, and commercial opportunities for American companies. Separately, PM Sharif also met with leaders of Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Indonesia on the sidelines of the Board of Peace summit. (“PM Shehbaz meets Rubio after Board of Peace summit in Washington,” Dawn, 20 February 2026)
Pakistan not among five nations to commit troops to ISF in Gaza
On 19 February, Dawn reported that Pakistan was not named among the five nations that have committed troops for the International Stabilisation Force, which will be deployed to Gaza for reconstruction and supporting post-conflict governance. This announcement came against the backdrop of the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, where US President Donald Trump promised USD 10 billion, and Muslim-majority countries offered troops and funding for the initiative. Despite being a part of the Board, Pakistan was not among the countries that would be committing troops. “We understand that a decision is awaited on the contours of the mandate of the International Stabilisation Force, and till such time, we’re not in a position to take any decision on this matter,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi. The five nations that will be committing troops are Morocco, Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Kosovo. (“Pakistan not among 5 nations announced to have committed troops for International Stabilisation Force in Gaza,” Dawn, 19 February 2026)
IND-PAK
Pakistan extends airspace closure for Indian aircraft till 23 March
On 19 February, Dawn reported that the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), on Wednesday, extended the airspace closure for Indian aircraft till 23 March. The airspace will remain closed for all civilian and military aircraft. Both countries have closed their respective airspaces to each other since a rise in tensions and a brief armed conflict in April-May last year. (“Pakistan extends airspace closure for Indian aircraft until March 23,” Dawn, 19 February 2026)
ECONOMY
State Bank reserves rise to USD 16 billion
On 20 February, Dawn reported that foreign exchange reserves of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reached USD 16.196 billion at the end of week on 13 February. This becomes possible because of higher remittances, which have provided sufficient space for the SBP to buy dollars and maintain reserves at this level. The country’s total foreign exchange reserves, including USD 5.104 billion held by commercial banks, stood at USD 21.301 billion. (“SBP reserves rise to $16.19 bn,” Dawn, 20 February 2026)
OGDCL discovers new gas field in Sindh
On 20 February, Dawn reported that Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) had announced a gas and condensate discovery in the Tando Allah Yar district of Sindh. The findings were at Dars West-3 well located in the Tando Allah Yar district of Sindh. During testing, Dars West-3 flowed at a rate of 9.70 million standard cubic feet per day of gas along with 580 barrels per day of condensate at a choke size of 36/64 inches. (“OGDCL makes discovery in Sindh,” Dawn, 20 February 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
PTI criticises government’s “lack of clarity” over Imran’s health
On 19 February, Dawn reported that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) raised concerns over former premier Imran Khan’s health, criticising the government’s alleged “silence and lack of clarity” regarding the issue. In a statement on X, the PTI expressed “profound concern” over Imran’s health spreading across the nation. “Any ambiguity surrounding the health of a leader who commands the confidence of millions is unacceptable. The government’s silence and lack of clarity have only intensified public unease rather than alleviating it,” the post said. This comes following increased worry over the PTI founder’s right eye condition, which he said had only 15 per cent vision left. A team of doctors, put together by the government, examined his condition, but the opposition alliance - the TTAP - said that this was done so without permission or the presence of his family or lawyer. (“PTI says govt’s silence, lack of clarity over Imran’s health only adding to public unease,” Dawn, 19 February 2026)
SECURITY
Four terrorists killed in IBO in KP's Lakki Marwat
On 20 February, Dawn reported that four terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district. The operation in Lakki Marwat was conducted days after a terrorist attack, involving an explosive-laden vehicle, on a checkpost in KP’s Bajaur district. KP has seen a rise in terrorist attacks in the past year, as “fatalities rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025” as per the Annual Security Report 2025 from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). (“4 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in KP's Lakki Marwat: ISPR,” Dawn, 20 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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