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In Brief
ECONOMY
IMF yet to reach staff-level agreement with Pakistan on loan programme review
On 12 March, Dawn reported that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed its mission had not yet reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan on the third review of the country’s USD seven billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the second review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), despite what it described as considerable progress. In an end-of-mission statement, the IMF said discussions held in Karachi, Islamabad, and virtually from 25 Feb to 11 March would continue in the coming days to further assess the impact of recent global developments on Pakistan’s economy. The Fund said programme implementation remained broadly aligned with commitments through February. Successful completion of the review could unlock about USD one billion under the EFF and about USD 200 million under the RSF. (“IMF mission fails to reach staff-level agreement with Pakistan, talks to continue,” Dawn, 12 March 2026)
Fuel shock raises consumer prices as National Assembly joins austerity drive
On 12 March, Dawn reported that the price hike of petrol and diesel by Rs55 per litre, two weeks ago, is now starting to feed through to consumers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with grocery store owners, sweet sellers, fruit and vegetable vendors and dairy vendors all increasing their charges. It is also reported that the fares on public transport are being increased, although this is taking place before current stocks are sold at the previous prices. On 12 March, the National Assembly Secretariat reported that it was taking action in relation to the national fuel crisis. The actions it is taking include: a 25 per cent reduction in the salaries and allowances of MNAs (Members of the National Assembly) for the next two months. A reduction in the number of staff allowed to assist MNAs and limiting the days of work to four a week. Prohibiting the purchase of goods and prohibiting official visits in the National Assembly Secretariat and its related organisations. The Ministry of Water and Power has requested that all official government buildings follow the government’s instructions to reduce non-essential lighting by 30 per cent and to stop using air conditioning and electric water heaters. (“Retailers in Islamabad pass oil price surge on to consumers,” Dawn, 12 March 2026; “MNAs’ salaries cut by 25pc as National Assembly joins austerity drive,” Dawn, 11 March 2026)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan backs two UN resolutions on Middle East escalation
On 12 March, Dawn reported that Pakistan explained its voting decisions on two competing draft resolutions at the United Nations Security Council addressing the escalating conflict in the Middle East, stating that both were aimed at reducing tensions and encouraging dialogue. The council adopted a Bahrain-led resolution condemning recent missile and drone attacks by Iran on several Gulf states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, and calling for an immediate halt to such strikes. Pakistan voted in favour of the resolution, expressing solidarity with the affected states. At the same meeting, Russia presented a separate resolution urging parties to cease military activities and return to negotiations, but it was vetoed by the United States despite receiving support from Russia, China, Somalia and Pakistan. Pakistan’s UN envoy Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Islamabad backed both drafts as they addressed urgent aspects of the crisis and emphasised restraint, adherence to international law and renewed diplomacy to prevent further regional escalation. (“Pakistan backs Bahrain, Russia draft resolutions at UNSC, urges de-escalation,” Dawn, 12 March 2026)
Pakistan will support Saudi Arabia “no matter what”, says PM’s spokesperson
On 11 March, Dawn reported that Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, said Pakistan would support Saudi Arabia “before it is needed,” stressing that the long-standing partnership between the two countries would ensure assistance “no matter what, no matter when.” Speaking to Bloomberg, Zaidi said the key priority for Pakistan was preventing further escalation in the Middle East following strikes involving the United States, Israel and Iran. He said Pakistan remained engaged with regional leadership and was in contact with both Saudi and Iranian officials, emphasising that Islamabad wanted to prevent its partners from being drawn deeper into a conflict that could undermine regional stability.
Zaidi noted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share close military, economic and political ties, reinforced by a strategic mutual defence agreement signed last year between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He added that Pakistan was also maintaining dialogue with Iran through diplomatic channels, including discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Addressing the global fuel disruptions triggered by the conflict, Zaidi said Pakistan’s fuel situation remained “stable to good” due to early policy decisions, though the government was taking measures to ensure supply chains remained secure and prevent potential shortages. (“‘No matter what, no matter when’: PM’s spokesperson reiterates support for Saudi Arabia ‘before it is needed’,” Dawn, 11 March 2026)
Pakistan condemns Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon at UN
On 12 March, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while condemning Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Addressing the council, Jadoon warned that renewed hostilities threatened civilian lives, infrastructure, and the fragile political and security progress Lebanon had begun to achieve before the current escalation. He said Israeli strikes had killed hundreds of civilians and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, according to Lebanese and UN estimates. “Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s continued military aggression in southern Lebanon,” he said, calling for an immediate halt to attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure. The envoy also condemned strikes that injured UN peacekeepers and urged Israel to withdraw from the occupied Lebanese territories. Pakistan emphasised the need for de-escalation, restraint and renewed diplomatic engagement to restore stability in Lebanon and across the wider Middle East. (“Pakistan condemns Israeli attacks on Lebanon at UNSC meeting,” The Express Tribune, 12 March 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
IHC penalises NAB over delays in Al-Qadir Trust case hearings
On 11 March, Dawn reported that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for ‘delays’ in the GBP 190 million Al-Qadir Trust case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Shaukat Parvaiz, known commonly as Bushra Bibi. The IHC heard the applications filed by Imran Khan and his wife for the suspension of their jail terms and the acquittal of their appeals against their conviction, with Khan’s lawyers saying they have been prohibited from meeting Khan for the past several months, and that the proceedings of the trials were carrying on at a very slow pace. In response to the application of Khan and Bibi, the NAB contended that the accused had “pre-maturely” moved the appeals, saying that their appeals had not yet been admitted. The bench of the IHC reprimanded the prosecution for its “unprofessional approach” and took the NAB’s application into account, adjourning the hearing until the next hearing and directing the bureau to provide all necessary details, assuring a full hearing of NAB’s arguments. (“IHC fines NAB Rs100,000 for employing ‘delaying tactics’ in £190m graft case against Imran, Bushra,” Dawn, 11 March 2026)
TTAP seeks parliamentary consensus on defence policy amid regional tensions
On 11 March, Dawn reported that the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TPAP) had urged the government to take parliament and the opposition into confidence regarding defence agreements and national security decisions, saying the situation in the region required careful consideration. A resolution adopted in a parliamentary meeting in Islamabad on 11 March by the alliance of opposition parties - Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TPAP) - condemned the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, urging diplomacy and restraint in the Middle East as well as in Afghanistan, while calling upon Muslim countries “not to allow their lands to be used against other countries and to resolve all issues through diplomacy to decrease tensions”. The alliance expressed concern over the health of Imran Khan and called for his release. (“TTAP calls on govt to take opposition, Parliament into confidence on defence pacts amid ‘changing regional situation’,” Dawn, 11 March 2026)
Opposition backs Iran’s right to self-defence, urges Pakistan to prioritise diplomacy
On 12 March, Dawn reported that the opposition in a joint meeting of the parliamentary parties termed the US-Israeli attack on Iran as a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter and described it as an invasion of the country’s sovereignty. The opposition members also said that it was Iran’s right to defend itself. The meeting urged all the Muslim countries to ensure that their land, airspace and resources were not used under pressure from any foreign power to attack any other country. The meeting asked the government to consult the parliament and the opposition on the defence-related agreements and decisions, saying that the situation in the region was changing fast. The meeting also demanded that Prime Minister Imran Khan be released in line with the law and asked for his immediate health checkup, saying that he was still in Adiala jail. (“Opposition slams strikes on Iran, backs Tehran’s right to self-defence,” Dawn, 12 March 2026)
Pakistan-Afghanistan War Update
641 Taliban fighters killed, 855 injured as fighting persists
Pakistan says Afghan checkposts, terror hideouts within the country continue to be targeted
On 12 March, The Express Tribune and Dawn reported that 641 Afghan Taliban fighters have been killed so far during Pakistan’s “Operation Ghazab lil Haq”, which began on 26 February. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, in a post on X, also said that 855 Taliban operatives had been injured, while Pakistani forces destroyed 243 checkposts and captured another 42. A total of 219 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns were also destroyed as 65 locations across Afghanistan were targeted by Pakistani airstrikes.
Meanwhile, tensions persisted along the border, with Pakistan targeting Afghan checkposts on the border adjacent to Shawwal, a subdivision of North Waziristan. It also targeted checkposts in the Zhob sector along the border. “The Army also captured Russian-made 73 mm HGL-9 heavy grenade launchers from Afghan Taliban-held positions,” state-run Radio Pakistan said, citing security sources. Hostilities between the two countries have now entered the second week. Fighting began following Afghan attacks on Pakistan on 26 February, which were in response to Pakistani airstrikes on terrorist camps within Afghanistan the weekend before. Pakistan then launched a comprehensive military campaign against the Afghan Taliban regime, which has been ongoing. Pakistan accuses the Taliban regime of sheltering and supporting the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has intensified attacks within Pakistan. Kabul denies these allegations. Renewed hostilities follow a short war that the two countries fought in October. Türkiye has offered to help re-establish the ceasefire agreement it helped draw up with Qatar in October. Russia and China have also offered to mediate, while India has accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s sovereignty. (“'Righteous Fury': Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” Dawn, 12 March 2026; “641 Taliban killed in Op Ghazab Lil Haq,” The Express Tribune, 12 March 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Middle East crisis
Zahid Hussain, “A war of attrition,” Dawn, 11 March 2026
"The US-Israel war on Iran has entered its second week. It has had a devastating effect on the region and beyond. Despite continuous bombing that has targeted both military installations and civilian populations, efforts to make the Islamic Republic surrender have not succeeded. Iran has suffered the loss of its top leadership and significant damage to its military capabilities. But it continues to fight back with unexpected ferocity."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1980796/a-war-of-attrition
Austerity plan
Editorial, “Token austerity,” Dawn, 11 March 2026
"Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement of ‘austerity’ measures in response to the fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israel war against Iran appears to be a recognition of the economic strain now being passed on to citizens. The real issue is not whether austerity is announced but whether it actually eases the pain of ordinary citizens and is not simply an attempt to deflect growing public criticism."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1980789/token-austerity
Editorial, “Perpetual emergency,” The Express Tribune, 11 March 2026
"Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the nation this week with a familiar script that fuel prices are rising, hard times demand sacrifice, and austerity is unavoidable — but don't worry, he'll absorb the pain wherever he can. Cabinet salaries suspended. Foreign trips banned. Iftar parties cancelled. Government vehicles off the road. Seminars moved from hotels to official venues. Read through the list and a rueful recognition sets in. This country has heard all of it before. But a state that cannot discipline its own expenditure in calm times cannot credibly summon that discipline in turbulent ones. Ordinary Pakistanis have run out of buffers to absorb the next emergency, whenever it arrives."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2596887/perpetual-emergency
Pakistan-Afghanistan
Omay Aimen, “A biased report,” The Express Tribune, 11 March 2026
"In conflict zones, the first casualty is often clarity. When, recently, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan expressed concern over alleged civilian casualties along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, it performed a duty intrinsic to its humanitarian mandate. Protecting non-combatants is not optional; it is foundational to international law and moral responsibility. Yet concern divorced from context can harden into selective outrage. A statement that measures impact without examining cause risks presenting a fragmented portrait of a deeply layered conflict. The tragedy of civilian harm must be acknowledged without hesitation, but so too must the chain of events that produces it. Civilian protection cannot be meaningfully defended if the forces that endanger civilians are left unnamed or unexamined."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2596890/a-biased-report
Society
Rabiya Javeri Agha, “Starved childhoods,” Dawn, 11 March 2026
"Every day, in homes across Pakistan, millions of children are quietly being left behind. Not by flood or famine, earthquake or epidemic, but by the slow, invisible erosion of chronic undernutrition. The crisis unfolding concerns the 40 per cent of Pakistani children under five who are stunted, the nearly 10m children affected by chronic growth failure and the millions more whose brain development is compromised during the most critical window of human life. This will push Pakistan’s already strained systems further under pressure."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1980793/starved-childhoods
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