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In Focus
Afghanistan open to dialogue following intense clashes
World urges calm as Pakistan claims 331 Taliban fighters killed in air strikes
On 28 February, Dawn and The Express Tribune reported that the Afghan Taliban regime is willing to end hostilities with Pakistan through dialogue after fighting between the two countries entered the third day. “Afghanistan… has always preferred to resolve issues based on mutual understanding and respect,” the Afghan foreign ministry quoted Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as telling Qatar’s junior Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalifi by telephone. This stance was supported by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, who said that Afghanistan “wants to resolve this matter through dialogue.” Earlier, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the Afghan Taliban regime must choose between standing with Pakistan or with terrorist organisations, adding that its “first and last choice is Pakistan, its security, and the protection of its people.”
Following heavy clashes on late Thursday and Friday, countries from around the world continue to urge both countries to seek dialogue. Iran offered to mediate between the two, saying that it “stands ready to provide any assistance necessary to facilitate dialogue and to enhance understanding and cooperation between the two countries.” China and Russia also urged de-escalation, saying that they were closely monitoring the situation. UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper also expressed concern, saying they “urge both sides to take immediate steps toward de-escalation, avoid further harm to civilians, and re-engage in mediated dialogue.” Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he would not be willing to interfere, highlighting his country’s strong ties with Pakistan. “And I think that Pakistan is doing terrifically well,” he added. From the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “deeply concerned by the escalation of violence,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. According to AFP, Saudi Arabia and Qatar were also engaged in negotiations with both countries, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also holding separate calls with his counterparts from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had earlier announced that Pakistan was in an “open war” with Afghanistan, with the Foreign Office (FO) saying that any further provocation from the Taliban would be met with a “measured, decisive and befitting response.”
The events follow a major escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, after the former conducted air strikes on terrorist camps in Afghanistan over the weekend. Afghanistan responded with its own “large-scale operation”, following which Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” against what it said was “unprovoked” aggression by the Taliban. Prime Minister’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi, on Friday night, said that 331 Taliban fighters had been killed during the operation, with 500 wounded. He also added that 104 Afghan Taliban posts were destroyed, while 22 were captured. (“Taliban now ‘amenable to talks’ as world urges de-escalation,” Dawn, 28 February 2026; “DG ISPR tells Afghan Taliban regime to choose between terrorist organisations and Pakistan,” Dawn, 27 February 2026; “FO says further provocation by Taliban regime will be met with ‘measured, decisive and befitting response’,” Dawn, 27 February 2026; “Pakistan says 331 Taliban terrorists killed in cross-border operation in Afghanistan,” The Express Tribune, 28 February 2026)
In Brief
EXTERNAL
PM Shehbaz reaffirms Pakistan’s resolve to protect Chinese personnel and investments
On 28 February, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised Pakistan’s resolve to provide a secure environment for Chinese personnel and investments in the country. The development comes following Pakistan’s “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” against the Afghan Taliban, which was launched on Friday. According to a handout from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz met with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong at the Prime Minister’s House, where they held discussions on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination and consultation, while PM Shehbaz reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, appreciating Beijing’s “consistent and steadfast support to Pakistan.” (“PM underscores Pakistan’s resolve to provide secure environment for Chinese personnel, investments,” Dawn, 27 February 2026)
FM Dar condemns Israel’s “expansionist mindset” at OIC meeting
On 27 February, Dawn reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned Israel’s recent actions in the occupied West Bank, saying the country’s “expansionist mindset” was a blatant violation of international law. He made the statement while addressing the executive committee of the Organisation of Islamic Council (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He was referring to the Israeli government recently approving a proposal to register large areas of the West Bank as “state property” for the first time since 1967. In his address, he also highlighted the continued ceasefire violations committed by Israel and said that in September 2025 at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Israel had “given assurances that annexation of the West Bank will not take place”. He added that Israel’s actions were a violation of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and urged the international community to act to hold Israel accountable for the violations it has committed. (“Israel’s ‘expansionist mindset’ bereft of any regard for international law, Dar tells OIC moot,” Dawn, 27 February 2026)
PM Shehaz to visit Moscow in March
On 27 February, The Express Tribune reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would be visiting Russia from 3-5 March. This was originally reported by the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, which cited Pakistani Ambassador to Moscow Faisal Niaz Tirmizi. Russian News Agency TASS also quoted former senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who confirmed the Prime Minister’s plans while speaking at the Moscow-Islamabad media forum on Friday. Russia and Pakistan have close bilateral relations, with Russian President Vladimir Putin praising the growing ties between the two countries as “mutually beneficial”. Russia also urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to halt cross-border attacks, saying it was ready to mediate if required. (“PM Shehbaz to visit Moscow from March 3-5: Russian state media,” The Express Tribune, 27 February 2026)
ECONOMY
Textile exporters raise concerns over consistent export decline
On 28 February, Dawn reported that leading textile exporters expressed concern to the Commerce Ministry over the consistent decline in value-added exports. They also raised concerns about high business costs, particularly the heavy burden of upfront taxes, elevated energy tariffs, infrastructure constraints, and persistent liquidity pressures stemming from pending refunds. They also informed the ministry about the limitations of the Temporary Importation Scheme, including reduced utilisation periods, inadequate credit limits under the Export Finance Scheme that restrict access to essential working capital, and frequent policy changes that significantly limit the sector’s potential for export expansion. The Ministry reaffirmed the government’s support for the textile industry, recognising the value-added apparel and textile sector as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s exports and employment generation. (“Export challenges mount for textiles,” Dawn, 28 February 2026)
Petroleum and diesel prices likely to increase amid Gulf tensions
On 28 February, Dawn reported that as benchmark crude prices had slightly moved up this week in view of regional tensions in the Gulf, prices of all petroleum products were estimated to go up by PKR 4.50 to PKR seven per litre in Pakistan. Taxes on petroleum products remain major revenue spinners for the government, as it recovered about PKR 1.161 trillion through the petroleum levy alone in FY2025 and expects this to jump by about 27 per cent to PKR 1.470 trillion during the current fiscal year. Together with customs duty, the petroleum levy and the climate support levy, the government is currently charging about PKR 105 per litre taxes on petrol and about PKR 98 on high-speed diesel (HSD). (“Petrol diesel prices likely to rise by Rs 7 for next fortnight,” Dawn, 28 February 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Senate condemns cross-border hostility from Afghanistan; urges Kabul to stop attacks
On 27 February, Dawn reported that the Senate unanimously adopted a resolution “strongly” condemning what it termed the “unprovoked aggression and hostile cross-border actions” from Afghanistan and urged the Afghan Taliban to “stop hostilities at once and ensure that the soil of Afghanistan is not allowed to be used for perpetrating acts of terrorism or aggression against Pakistan”. The resolution moved by PPP Senator Sherry Rehman stated that any threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the country would be met with the firmest and most proportionate response. It urged the international community to take it up with Afghanistan about its obligations as a signatory to international conventions. The session also discussed the need for a long-term regional mechanism for dealing with the militancy issue and for unity among all stakeholders in the war on terror. It also discussed references to the improper treatment of Imran Khan and the need for protecting the rights of a citizen guaranteed under the constitution. (“Senate passes resolution condemning unprovoked Afghan Taliban aggression, calls on Kabul to cease hostile acts,” Dawn, 27 February 2026)
SECURITY
Nationwide ban on UAVs amid escalating tensions with Afghanistan
On 28 February, Dawn reported that Pakistan imposed a nationwide ban on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of any kind after Afghanistan used “rudimentary drones” to target various parts of the country. On 27 February, the Afghan Taliban attacked the Swabi and Abbottabad areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa using drones. The interior ministry requested all provincial governments to ensure strict enforcement of the drone ban in view of security concerns, including the potential use of such devices for surveillance, espionage, transportation of prohibited items and explosives, spreading fear and panic, and disrupting law and order. (“Unmanned aerial vehicles banned countrywide amid escalating tensions with Afghanistan,” Dawn, 28 February 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Pakistan-Afghanistan
Imtiaz Gul, “Force good but not a lasting option,” The Express Tribune, 28 February 2026
"In a dangerous escalation, both Afghanistan and Pakistan engaged in rocket, artillery and drone attacks across the border from February 24th to 26th. Both sides accused each other of "unprovoked firing" as the initiating factor for the latest attacks. However, for Pakistan, the TTP safe havens remain a persistent concern and serve as the justification for kinetic strikes against these shelters."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2594759/pakistans-terrorism-problem
Editorial, “Afghan hostilities,” Dawn, 28 February 2026
"With a breakdown in diplomatic channels, mainly because of the Afghan Taliban’s lack of will to control cross-border terrorism, and relentless attacks targeting Pakistan traced to its western neighbour, the clashes that broke out on Thursday between the two states were not unexpected."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1976321/afghan-hostilities
Terrorism
Hiba Malik, “Pakistan's terrorism problem,” The Express Tribune, 27 February 2026
"The recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan are not isolated security incidents. They represent a more profound change in the character and scope of violence that the state has been facing. Suicide bombings against religious groups and state institutions indicate that Pakistan is no longer experiencing a single terrorist threat but a complex interplay of ideological militancy, ethnic insurgency and sectarian conflict. This changing environment demonstrates the weaknesses of a security-based counterterrorism approach, which is largely remedial in nature and stems from an inability to cater to the evolving realities of identity politics, governance issues and regional geopolitical realities."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2594759/pakistans-terrorism-problem
Economy
Editorial, “Cutting taxes,” Dawn, 28 February 2026
"Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s plan to cut direct taxes for businesses in the next budget acknowledges the strain under which the formal sector is operating. For years, documented businesses and compliant taxpayers have been subjected to levies that amount to double taxation. Corporate profits are taxed, dividends are taxed again, and additional layers such as the super tax have further eroded retained earnings and dampened the incentive to invest. Matters have been exacerbated by FBR’s aggressive pursuit of super tax arrears, following a court decision. This has reinforced perceptions that compliance does not guarantee fairness, as people receive notices threatening the attachment of their bank accounts to recover the money. Briefly, those within the documented sector are squeezed repeatedly to compensate for the state’s failure to bring undocumented economic activity into the net. This approach risks decimating the very segment of the economy that sustains formal employment, exports and investment."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1976320/cutting-taxes
Ishrat Husain, “Budget 2026-27 as a bridge,” Dawn, 28 February 2026
"The federal budget for 2026-27 won’t be just another annual ritual. It will likely be the penultimate budget before Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility with the IMF concludes end-2027. If the prime minister’s stated aim to exit the IMF programme decisively is to be realised, this budget must serve as the bridge between stabilisation and sustainable growth. The government deserves credit for meeting the performance criteria and structural benchmarks agreed with the IMF. Macroeconomic stability has been restored, inflation moderated, the exchange rate steadied and fiscal discipline improved. The task now is to move from horizontal drift to upward ascent."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1976317/budget-2026-27-as-a-bridge
Politics & governance
Editorial, “Peace offering,” Dawn, 25 February 2026
"Both the government and the opposition seem to be more receptive to the need for dialogue, but can they break new ground? On Monday, the prime minister’s aide on political affairs invited opposition lawmakers to rejoin the parliamentary committees they had earlier resigned from, noting that this could help restart the reconciliation process. “Let us sit together to strengthen and take forward the Charter of Democracy,” Rana Sanaullah suggested, stressing that the government wanted to strengthen democracy and wished to avoid further confrontation and deadlocks. “We are ready to sit with you for the betterment of the country,” he said. Seen in isolation, it was very positive messaging from the ruling party. Talks between major stakeholders have been proposed repeatedly since the start of the ongoing cycle of political instability yet have found very few takers. It is encouraging to note that the idea has not yet been completely abandoned. But are gestures alone enough?"
https://www.dawn.com/news/1975628/peace-offering
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