|
In Focus
Three security personnel killed in foiled attack on Karachi Rangers camp
Attackers belong to Jamaatul Ahrar, according to ISPR; Security forces kill 29 militants along Pakistan-Afghanistan border
On 27 June, Dawn reported that three security personnel were killed after security forces repelled a militant attack on a Pakistan Rangers camp in Karachi's Gulistan-i-Jauhar. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), militants belonging to the banned Jamaatul Ahrar detonated an explosive at the camp's main gate before attempting to breach the compound. Three attackers were killed, and one was captured alive during the ensuing exchange of fire, while four Rangers personnel were injured. President Asif Ali Zardari said the sacrifices of security personnel would not be forgotten, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to continue the fight against the "scourge of terrorism". Funeral prayers for the slain personnel were later held in Karachi.
On 29 June, Dawn reported that the captured suspect identified himself as an Afghan national who said he had entered Pakistan about a week earlier after receiving training in Afghanistan. The suspect alleged that the attackers had stayed in Karachi before the assault and that weapons and explosives had been arranged in advance. Separately, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said security forces carried out intelligence-based operations under "Operation Ghazab lil-Haq", targeting militant hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with 29 Jamaatul Ahrar militants reported killed. ("3 personnel martyred as attack on Rangers facility in Karachi foiled: ISPR," Dawn, 27 June 2026; "Terrorist involved in Rangers camp attack in Karachi says he was trained in Afghanistan," Dawn, 29 June 2026; "Security forces kill 29 terrorists in ground ops, air strikes along Pak-Afghan border: info minister," Dawn, 29 June 2026)
In Brief
EXTERNAL
Pakistan facilitates the return of 22 more Iranian sailors from US-seized vessel
On 26 June, Dawn reported that 22 Iranian crew members from the tanker M/T Davina were arriving in Pakistan ahead of their return home. The tanker was seized by US forces during the US-Iran War. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said this was the fourth group of Iranian sailors whose repatriation Pakistan had facilitated, bringing the total to over 70 Iranian crew members repatriated through Pakistani territory over the past two months. The Davina was one of several vessels interdicted by the United States after Washington imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in April. Pakistan coordinated with both the US and Iranian authorities throughout the process, he added. ("Another group of Iranian sailors from vessel seized by US arrives in Pakistan," Dawn, 26 June 2026)
Pakistan and China co-organise informal UNSC meet on implementation of resolutions
On 25 June, Dawn reported that Pakistan and China co-organised an informal United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting to discuss how the council can ensure full and non-selective implementation of its resolutions. Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, stressed that UNSC resolutions are legally binding under the UN Charter and that selective non-implementation weakens the council's authority and prolongs unresolved disputes. He cited Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir as examples. Pakistan also proposed practical measures, including an annual review of unimplemented resolutions and clearer implementation pathways. ("Pakistan, China organise UNSC meeting on steps to ensure implementation of resolution," Dawn, 25 June 2026)
ECONOMY
PKR 3.41 billion in financial irregularities within health services, finds audit report
On 26 June, Dawn reported that the Auditor-General of Pakistan’s latest audit identified financial irregularities worth PKR 3.41 billion across institutions linked to the Ministry of National Health Services, including procurement violations, unaudited accounts and fund management issues. The report highlighted procurement-related irregularities of PKR 1.78 billion, commercial bank account management issues worth PKR 1.48 billion, and alleged fraud and embezzlement of PKR 28.4 million, while PKR 127.3 million was recovered following audit intervention. Among the findings, the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council was accused of refusing to provide records for audit despite a Supreme Court ruling, while major irregularities were also reported at the Federal Directorate of Immunisation, Polyclinic Hospital, the Human Organ Transplant Authority and Sheikh Zayed Medical Complex. The health ministry said such audit observations were routine and that most were resolved after departmental responses. ("Audit report flags Rs3.41 billion irregularities in health sector," Dawn, 26 June 2026)
Karachi Port Trust records highest ever cargo handling volume
On 28 June, Dawn reported that the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) recorded the highest annual cargo handling volume in its 138-year history during FY2025-26, surpassing the previous record of 54.685 million tonnes set in FY2017-18. Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the milestone reflected improved port efficiency, increased capacity and the government's reform agenda for the maritime sector. The ministry also said KPT handled a record 2.65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containerised cargo during the fiscal year. The achievement follows a surge in transhipment activity, including the arrival of Pakistan's first fully transhipment cargo vessel in May, as the government continues efforts to modernise ports and strengthen the country's role as a regional maritime trade hub. ("Karachi Port Trust sets cargo handling record in 138-year history: maritime minister," Dawn, 28 June 2026)
Pakistan considering importing oil and gas from Iran following sanctions relief, says petroleum minister
On 28 June, Dawn reported that Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said Pakistan was considering importing cheaper crude oil and gas from Iran following the temporary easing of US sanctions on Tehran. He said the government was reviewing the option as part of efforts to reduce energy costs, noting that lower international oil prices had enabled significant cuts in domestic fuel prices. According to Dawn, importing discounted Iranian crude could generate substantial savings, although industry experts cautioned that commercial and operational challenges would need to be addressed before any imports could proceed. ("Pakistan mulling purchase of cheaper oil, gas from Iran: petroleum minister," Dawn, 28 June 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Punjab Assembly passes provincial budget amid PTI walkout
On 28 June, Dawn reported that the Punjab Assembly had passed the provincial budget for FY2026-2027 amid a walkout by the opposing Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). The opposition had initially protested, arguing that they had not been given sufficient time and that there was a lack of quorum. Following the walkout, all grants were approved by the House, and the Finance Bill passed. Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb defended the government's performance and highlighted the development agenda, while the opposition interrupted her frequently. Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman urged the suspension of opposition lawmakers who chanted slogans. (“Punjab Assembly passes budget amid opposition walkout,” Dawn, 28 June 2026)
SECURITY
Bajaur: Child killed, woman injured in suspected quadcopter attack
On 28 June, Dawn reported that a nine-year-old boy, Mehran, was killed and a 35-year-old woman, Tahira Bibi, was injured when a suspected quadcopter drone struck the house of Hayatullah in the Inam Khoro Chinagi area of War Mamund tehsil, Bajaur district. Both were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar. Police collected evidence from the site and launched an investigation. The attack is the latest in a series of quadcopter strikes in Bajaur, following a 21 May incident in which two schoolchildren were killed in the district. ("Child killed, woman injured in suspected quadcopter attack in KP's Bajaur: police sources," Dawn, 28 June 2026)
KP: Thirteen abductees, including SHO, and eight police personnel safely recovered through tribal jirga efforts
On 26 June, Dawn reported that thirteen people were safely recovered in separate incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All eight police personnel abducted in Upper South Waziristan's Partogai area on 24 June, including SHO Ahmad Shah Mehsud, were released and returned to Sararogha police lines in stable condition, with DPO Arshad Khan crediting the coordinated efforts of local tribal elders and the district administration. Separately in Bannu, Constable Zareen Khan, two residents of Pathona Mamandkhel, a resident of Sathi Khel Sorani, and Government High School headmaster Nisar Khan, who had been abducted from school premises by two armed men during school hours, were all safely returned, with their release attributed to the efforts of local elders and a tribal jirga. ("SHO among nine policemen, four others safely recovered in KP," Dawn, 26 June 2026)
Balochistan & KP: 15 militants killed in security operations after four bodies found in ambulance
On 28 June, Dawn reported that security forces killed 15 militants across Balochistan and KP in separate operations. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said eight militants were killed in two intelligence-driven operations in Kharan and Mastung districts on 25 and 26 June, including three in Kharan and five in Mastung, where a suicide bomber was among those neutralised in a pre-emptive strike. In Bannu's Baka Khel tehsil, seven militants were killed when security forces used a quadcopter to target a vehicle loaded with weapons, including a 12.7-millimetre machine gun, RPGs, and mortar shells. Separately, four bodies bearing bullet wounds were found inside an ambulance on CPEC Circular Road in Bannu, with police estimating the attack occurred Thursday night and the motive remaining under investigation. ("15 terrorists killed in operations across Balochistan, KP," Dawn, 28 June 2026)
AF-PAK
Interior Ministry issues directive to arrest undocumented Afghan nationals from 10 July
On 29 June, Dawn reported that the Ministry of Interior issued a directive to arrest any Afghan national found in Pakistan without a valid visa starting 10 July, as part of the Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan (IFRP). The notice was addressed to the chief secretaries of all provinces, "Gilgit-Baltistan", "Azad Jammu and Kashmir" and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Authorities were asked to submit daily reports from 11 July on the number of Afghan nationals found without valid visas and the action taken against them. Pakistan deported over 1.1 million Afghan nationals in 2025 alone, including registered card holders, undocumented individuals and voluntary returnees. ("Interior ministry issues directive to arrest Afghan nationals without valid visas from July 10," Dawn, 29 June 2026)
PROVINCES
Provincial autonomy “must remain free from interference”, says PPP's Bokhari
On 28 June, Dawn reported that Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) Secretary General Nayyar Bokhari, commenting on proposals for a 28th constitutional amendment, said that provincial autonomy “must remain free from interference.” The proposed amendment has raised concerns among PPP leaders that it could undermine the financial autonomy of provincial governments. The 18th Amendment, enacted by the PPP-led government in 2010, devolved greater powers to the provinces in key sectors, including health, women’s development, social welfare and local government, although it has faced repeated calls for review from across the political spectrum. Bokhari also said that while the PPP supported the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on the federal budget, the two parties’ politics “remain separate”, and challenged the PML-N to hold local government elections in Islamabad and Lahore within 90 days. (“Provincial autonomy 'must remain free from interference', nothing in 'black and white' on 28th amendment yet: PPP”, Dawn, 28 June 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Geopolitics
Maleeha Lodhi, “The world adrift,” Dawn, 29 June 2026
“The world is at an inflection point, in the middle of geopolitical upheaval and turmoil. It is more unstable today than at any time since the end of the Cold War. Rising geopolitical tensions and fierce geoeconomic competition are contributing to instability. The old order with its rules has gone. The international system is fragmenting. Multilateralism remains under unprecedented stress. Power shifts continue to reshape the international landscape, marking the advent of a multipolar era. The disregard for international law and norms by big and regional powers has left countries having to navigate a rule-less terrain at a time of uncertainty and volatility."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2011523/the-world-adrift
Asghar Soomro, “Pakistan's diplomatic ascendance,” The Express Tribune, 28 June 2026
“A few years ago, Pakistan was more likely to appear in international headlines for FATF scrutiny, IMF negotiations, political instability and security challenges. Today, the 'Islamabad MoU' between the US and Iran stands as a symbol of the country's unexpected return to diplomatic relevance. While the deal remains fragile and its future uncertain, bringing the process this far required sustained diplomatic effort. Pakistan's contribution deserves recognition – it changed the course of history, saved the region or emerged as a superpower."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615307/pakistans-diplomatic-ascendance
Politics & governance
Ali Hassan Bangwar, “Moving the goalposts,” The Express Tribune, 28 June 2026
“Pakistan has perfected an art the civilised world hasn't yet mastered: resolving crises without confronting them. While it admirably plays mediator to global conflicts, it reserves a different strategy for domestic ones - not resolution, but redefinition. Problems are not solved; they are reframed until they cease to appear as problems on paper. Success metrics are not achieved; they are revised until achievement becomes inevitable. The goalpost, in short, is never fixed - and a moving goalpost, by design, is never missed."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615303/moving-the-goalposts
Provinces
Raza Rashid, “Governing Islamabad,” Dawn, 29 June 2026
“Islamabad exists in something of a legal vacuum. Authority over the capital is split among several bodies, none answerable to its residents. First, there is an appointed chief commissioner with provincial-style powers under a presidential order from 1980. Second, there is a dormant metropolitan corporation. Third, and most visible in the life of the city, there is the Capital Development Authority, which plans, develops, zones, acquires and often demolishes, at will. Functions that elsewhere sit with several bodies gather here, answering upward to the federation and sideways to no one. This is the backdrop in which the new ICT Governance Model has been put forward for consultation."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2011520/governing-islamabad
Society
Marvi Mazhar, “The ecology of civic spaces,” Dawn, 29 June 2026
“In Karachi, development is often imagined as an upgrade in scale — a quiet residential zone becomes commercial chaos, and an informal, difficult-to-maintain civic place is replaced by a larger, safer, more manageable and programmable space. On paper, this looks like progress. In urban life, the equation is complicated. Cities, particularly in South Asia, have a habit of mistaking expansion for continuity. The expansion of a building means that public mission has grown. When a facility offers more amenities, such as rooms, equipment, parking and programming, it is seen as advancement. But civic spaces do not live by square footage alone. They live through democratic access, repetition, informality, memory and the possibility of arrival."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2011521/the-ecology-of-civic-spaces
|
