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Pakistan-Afghanistan War Update
Pakistan confirms Chinese engagement over rising Afghanistan border tensions
The two countries briefly pause clashes at Torkham to recover body; Cross-border firing resumes afterward
On 12 March, Dawn reported that Pakistani and Afghan border forces briefly paused ongoing clashes at the Torkham border crossing to allow local delegations to identify and retrieve a dead body lying at Zero Point for several days. Residents had earlier spotted the body and shared images online, prompting officials from both sides to arrange a temporary ceasefire. Delegations of local elders met with white flags, but Afghan representatives requested additional time to consult authorities, and the pause expired before the body could be removed. Cross-border firing resumed afterwards.
Meanwhile, Pakistan confirmed it was engaging with China regarding the border hostilities with Afghanistan. During a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had discussed the situation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Both countries reaffirmed their strategic partnership and ongoing dialogue on Afghanistan through bilateral and trilateral frameworks. Meanwhile, China’s special envoy Yue Xiaoyong has been engaging both sides to encourage restraint and renewed negotiations, as tensions persist.
Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” on 26 February. This came following border attacks from Afghanistan, which were in response to Pakistani airstrikes targeting terrorist hideouts within Afghanistan the weekend before. So far, Pakistan’s army says it has killed 641 Taliban fighters and injured over 800. It has also destroyed over 250 Afghan checkposts along the border. Earlier, the UN warned of a displacement crisis in Afghanistan after it found that the ongoing war had displaced over 100,000 Afghans. Türkiye has offered to help re-establish the ceasefire between the two countries, while China and Russia have also offered to mediate. (“Brief pause in fighting between Pak-Afghan forces to identify, retrieve body at Torkham,” Dawn, 12 March 2026; “FO confirms engagement with China to reduce Kabul tensions,” Dawn, 13 March 2026)
In Brief
ECONOMY
SBP reserves rise by over USD two billion since July, despite regional uncertainty
On 13 March, Dawn reported that the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves rose by USD 41 million to USD 16.341 billion during the week ending 06 March, up from USD 16.3 billion recorded during the week ending 27 February. Total foreign exchange reserves have now increased by USD 2.017 billion since July 2025. Overall, the national reserves are estimated at USD 21.598 billion as remittances are improving and the SBP is also buying dollars from the open market. However, the recent Middle East crisis is likely to affect employment, remittances and the stability of the reserves in the future. The State Bank of Pakistan has allowed crude oil and petroleum products imports on a CIF basis for 60 days. (“SBP reserves up $2bn since July 2025,” Dawn, 13 March 2026)
Qatar signals higher rice imports from Pakistan amid food security concerns
On 13 March, Dawn reported that Qatar was keen to increase its rice imports from Pakistan in order to ensure food security in the wake of political turmoil in the region. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal discussed ways to strengthen trade relations with Qatar’s state minister for foreign trade, Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Sayed, in a video link meeting. According to sources, Qatar’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Sayed, said that rice was an important food item in Qatar’s national food strategy and the food security programme. The participants also said that more interaction between the trade communities of the two countries was required in order to increase bilateral trade. (“Qatar to import Pakistani rice,” Dawn, 13 March 2026)
EXTERNAL
PM Shehbaz assures Saudi crown prince of Pakistan’s solidarity amid regional tensions
On 12 March, Dawn reported that a meeting took place in Jeddah between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This was a restricted meeting where Pakistan's support for Saudi Arabia was reaffirmed, especially with the rising tensions in the Middle East. The leaders discussed the current situation in the region in terms of security and agreed to work together to bring peace and stability. Prime Minister Sharif made it clear that Pakistan is committed to helping Saudi Arabia and finding diplomatic solutions to the current crisis. The meeting was also attended by higher officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces. This meeting was seen as part of Pakistan's bigger plan to encourage calm and respect for countries' independence, and to get people talking again in the region. (“In ‘restricted meeting’ with Saudi crown prince, PM Shehbaz assures him of Pakistan’s ‘full solidarity, support’,” Dawn, 12 March 2026)
Pakistan says it is acting as a “bridge builder” in Middle East crisis
On 12 March, Dawn reported that the Foreign Office said Pakistan is playing the role of a "bridge builder” in the current ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, maintaining communication channels with Iran, Saudi Arabia and the other involved Gulf countries to help ease tensions. According to FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, Pakistan's diplomatic efforts, including calls from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to regional leaders, focus on promoting dialogue and respect for international law. Andrabi also mentioned that Islamabad is in touch with both the US and Iran through various diplomatic channels. Furthermore, they're working with Tehran to ensure Pakistani ships can safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz during this crisis. By doing so, Pakistan aims to promote peace and stability in the region. (“Pakistan playing role of ‘bridge builder’ in ongoing Middle East conflict: FO,” Dawn, 12 March 2026)
Eight Muslim countries condemn Israeli restrictions at Al-Aqsa during Ramazan
On 12 March, Dawn reported that the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in a joint statement on Tuesday, strongly condemned Israel’s continued closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif to Muslim worshippers, saying that it is illegal and unjustified. The joint statement described the closure of the gates of the mosque as well as restrictions on access to Jerusalem’s Old City and its places of worship as a clear-cut violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the historical and legal status quo. The foreign ministers maintained that #Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites. The statement called upon the international community to adopt a clear stance and oblige Israel to end the restrictions imposed on the worshipers of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. (“Pakistan, seven other Muslim countries, condemn Israel’s closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque gates,” Dawn, 12 March 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Opposition blocks bill to transform Frontier Constabulary
On 12 March, Dawn reported that the opposition in Pakistan’s National Assembly blocked the passage of a bill seeking to transform the Frontier Constabulary into a Federal Constabulary after pointing out a lack of quorum during the session in Islamabad. The bill, moved by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, aimed to expand the force’s mandate to support law enforcement agencies nationwide and respond to emerging security challenges. The move came as an earlier presidential ordinance allowing the transformation lapsed after its extension expired. During the session, opposition lawmakers protested the legislation and tore copies of the agenda, while Syed Naveed Qamar proposed amendments, including a clause requiring requests from relevant governments before the force could be deployed. The session ended after Shahid Khattak pointed out the quorum, halting the legislative process. The government remains optimistic that the bill will pass in a future parliamentary session after Eid. (“Pointing out lack of quorum in NA, opposition blocks passage of bill seeking to upgrade FC to federal force,” Dawn, 12 March 2026)
Islamabad High Court orders medical board to review Imran Khan’s health
On 12 March, Dawn reported that the Islamabad High Court ordered the formation of a medical board to review the health condition of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The directive came during a hearing on a petition seeking his transfer from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for specialised eye treatment. A bench comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro instructed Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa to constitute the board, including ophthalmology experts Dr Muhammad Arif and Dr Nadeem Qureshi. The court said the board would evaluate Khan’s medical condition and recommend whether treatment outside prison was necessary under relevant prison rules. It also directed authorities to ensure his meetings with lawyers and family. Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announced plans to challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. (“IHC orders formation of medical board to evaluate Imran’s health,” Dawn, 12 March 2026)
CPJ raises alarm over law minister Tarar’s warning to journalists on foreign policy coverage
On 12 March, The Express Tribune reported that the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed concern over remarks by Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, warning journalists and commentators about potential legal action if they crossed “red lines” while discussing the country’s foreign policy. CPJ’s Asia-Pacific director Beh Lih Yi cautioned that such statements risk encouraging self-censorship and undermining the public’s right to information. Tarar had urged media outlets and online commentators to exercise restraint, saying speculative or sensational analysis about Pakistan’s relations with Gulf countries could cause diplomatic unease. The warning came as regional tensions escalated following strikes involving Iran, Israel and the United States, prompting Pakistan to reaffirm close ties with Saudi Arabia while calling for restraint and diplomatic engagement to prevent a wider conflict. (“CPJ flags self-censorship risk after Law Minister Azam Tarar’s warning on foreign policy discussions,” The Express Tribune, 12 March 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
War & geopolitics
Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, “War on the poor,” Dawn, 13 March 2026
"If truth is the first casualty in war, then the biggest casualty is almost always the poor. This is as true in the warzone itself — Iran and the Gulf countries — as here in Pakistan. The petrol bomb has already wreaked havoc, but what if a poor family forced to deal with what is effectively a cost of living crisis had to deal with their home being demolished?"
https://www.dawn.com/news/1981578/war-on-the-poor
Editorial, “Delicate balance,” Dawn, 13 March 2026
"Pakistan has to maintain a delicate balance where the geopolitics of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran are concerned. It involves condemning the aggression against Iran, while not castigating America too harshly, and censuring Tehran’s counter-attacks on GCC allies. Perhaps the difficulty of maintaining this balance was revealed at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, where Pakistan supported two competing resolutions linked to Iran."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1981577/delicate-balance
Media freedom
Editorial, “Perilous lines,” Dawn, 13 March 2026
"The law minister’s veiled warning to the media to “exercise caution” and not cross “red lines” while talking about the Middle East conflict is reflective of how the government has come to view its relationship with the fourth estate. The remarks were prompted by the “unease” of some “friendly countries” regarding what some Pakistanis had said on air and on social media, according to the law minister. He also pointed to Article 19 of the Constitution, which he interpreted as restricting public commentary on Pakistan’s relations with foreign states. But is that really the Constitution’s intent? It must be pointed out that media scrutiny of whether a nation’s foreign policies actually serve its interests is precisely what independent journalism is supposed to do. It does, therefore, seem quite unreasonable to assert that the Constitution expects the press to abdicate its watchdog role and “leave it to the state to decide” on matters of foreign policy."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1981575/perilous-lines
Economy
Daud Khan, “Helping small farmers move forward,” The Express Tribune, 13 March 2026
"In 2024-25, the sector grew by 0.56, the lowest in about a decade, and was said to be in "crisis". Obviously, weather and other contingent factors played a role in the massive swing in performance. However, the honourable Finance Minister also blamed the farming community for inefficient practices, stressing that the low productivity was caused by outdated techniques, poor seeds, inadequate fertiliser use and limited knowledge of modern agricultural practices. The problems that the Finance Minister identified are, of course, critical. And, unless these are solved, the agriculture sector will not achieve the growth that it is capable of."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2597297/helping-small-farmers-move-forward
Pakistan & the IMF
Editorial, “MPs' assets immunity,” The Express Tribune, 13 March 2026
"The IMF has finally awakened to a severe transgression of law and justice as it has raised objections to a legislation that grants Members of Parliament immunity from declaring their assets. The amendment to the Elections Act, 2017 called for a limit to public disclosure of legislators' assets and liabilities. Though the impugned act is yet to become a law, as it has not been passed by the Senate, it is by all means implementable in our lawless society where the elite is treated above law."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2597093/mps-assets-immunity
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