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In Brief
HEALTH
144 children died from vaccine-preventable diseases in Karachi hospitals in first seven months of 2026
On 03 August, Dawn reported that at least 144 children died from measles and diphtheria - both preventable through routine immunisation - at four major tertiary hospitals in Karachi during the first seven months of 2026. The hospitals recorded 1,915 measles cases with 125 deaths and 89 diphtheria cases with 19 deaths. Health experts attributed the fatalities largely to missed or incomplete vaccinations, saying many parents fail to ensure children receive all recommended doses on time. Sindh’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), however, said measles cases had declined 35 per cent this year and cited improved vaccination campaigns and the recruitment of 970 additional vaccinators. ("144 children lost to diphtheria, measles since January in Karachi," Dawn, 03 August 2026)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan and Iran hold 10th Joint Trade Committee meeting in Islamabad
On 04 August, Dawn reported that the 10th Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting was being held in Islamabad, co-chaired by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Iranian Minister for Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabak. A 22-member Iranian official delegation and a 16-member business team representing sectors including food, logistics, energy, and manufacturing attended the meeting. The two sides reviewed progress on bilateral trade initiatives, discussed advancing a Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and explored ways to improve cross-border banking, transport connectivity, and investment. The meeting reflects both countries' goal of tripling bilateral trade to USD 10 billion annually. ("Islamabad to host Pakistan-Iran trade meeting today," Dawn, 04 August 2026)
Pakistan exempt from new US visa bond requirement
On 04 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan is receiving an exemption from the United States government's new visa bond programme, which requires nationals of dozens of countries to deposit up to USD 20,000 as a financial guarantee before obtaining business or tourist visas. The exemption was confirmed by Pakistani officials and reflects the strengthened bilateral engagement between Islamabad and Washington following Pakistan's key mediation role in the US-Iran negotiations. The bond rule was introduced as part of the Trump administration's broader immigration and visa policy overhaul and primarily targets countries with high visa overstay rates. ("Pakistan gets a pass on new US visa bond rule," Dawn, 04 August 2026)
Sindh and World Bank agree on unified plan to reduce child stunting
On 04 August, Dawn reported that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar agreed to launch a unified convergence strategy to tackle child stunting in the province. The strategy integrates health, nutrition, water and sanitation, social protection, and agriculture interventions under a single governance and monitoring framework. A Stunting Convergence Secretariat will coordinate implementation, while district coordination committees chaired by deputy commissioners will oversee local delivery. The first phase will focus on ten high-burden districts, including Badin, Kashmore, Mirpurkhas, Thatta, and Umerkot. ("Sindh, World Bank agree on unified strategy to combat child stunting," Dawn, 04 August 2026)
Pakistan and Uzbekistan agree to expand customs digitalisation cooperation
On 03 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to expand strategic customs collaboration through advanced technologies on the sidelines of a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) - World Customs Organisation (WCO) conference in Tashkent. The two sides discussed joint efforts in customs digitalisation, transit cargo tracking, and intelligence-led enforcement, and agreed to explore artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning-based risk management systems and National Targeting Centres. They also agreed to extend existing digital connectivity through the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) to include transit trade information, building on Uzbekistan's status as the first country to establish advance customs information exchange with Pakistan. ("Accord with Tashkent to expand Customs collaboration," Dawn, 03 August 2026)
Pakistan invites Iranian parliament speaker and foreign minister for urgent talks
On 04 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan invited Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad for urgent consultations on regional developments, as Tehran publicly described Pakistan as its primary mediator with the United States. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq invited Ghalibaf, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar extended an invitation to Araghchi. The invitations came days after US President Donald Trump called off planned strikes on Iran following appeals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Iran and Oman were also reported to be close to a separate agreement on the Strait of Hormuz, though whether the waterway would reopen remained unclear. ("Pakistan to host Iranian officials as Trump’s patience wears thin," Dawn, 04 August 2026)
ECONOMY
Slowing headline inflation still masked by a food price surge
On 04 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan's Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation eased to 9.2 per cent in July from 11.07 per cent in June, mainly on falling transport costs after early-July fuel price cuts, though perishable food items still jumped 17.69 per cent month-on-month; the government has since begun raising prices again over the past two weeks, and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) kept its policy rate unchanged at 11.50 per cent amid renewed Middle East oil-price risk. Urban inflation stood slightly lower than rural (8.7 vs 9.9 per cent annually), while FY26 inflation came in at 7.05 per cent against a FY27 government target of 8.2 per cent. ("Consumer inflation slows to 9.2pc in July," Dawn, 04 August 2026)
Fuel demand jumps as smuggling crackdown pushes buyers back to legal channels
On 04 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan's Oil Marketing Companies sold 1.5 million tonnes of fuel in July, up 23 per cent year-on-year and 20 per cent month-on-month, the strongest annual growth in 15 months, which Topline Securities' Myesha Sohail attributed mainly to reduced fuel smuggling amid tighter border controls; petrol sales rose 19 per cent year-on-year to 729,000 tonnes and high-speed diesel rose 23 per cent to 624,000 tonnes, even as average petrol prices fell 10 per cent month-on-month to PKR 315 per litre and diesel eased 3 per cent to PKR 343. Sohail projected OMC sales growth of 8-10 per cent for FY27. ("OMCs sales surge," Dawn, 04 August 2026)
Government finalises pension fund managers to roll out contributory scheme for civil servants
On 04 August, Dawn reported that the government executed agreements with 16 pension fund managers, most of them banks and insurance companies, to formally operationalise the Defined Contribution Pension Fund Scheme launched a year ago for public sector employees, under which fund managers will set up and manage conventional or Shariah-compliant pension funds while also arranging mandatory death and disability insurance cover; the scheme, introduced on World Bank advice to contain the pension burden, currently requires employees to contribute 10 per cent of pensionable pay against a 12 per cent government match, restricts withdrawals before retirement, and applies to new civil entrants from July 2024, with the armed forces component still delayed over review concerns. Federal pension expenditure is projected at PKR 1.170 trillion for FY27, including roughly PKR 860 billion for military pensions, up from PKR 1.055 trillion in FY26. ("Govt executes agreements with pension fund managers," Dawn, 04 August 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Jamaat-i-Islami plans nationwide highway blockades over petroleum levy on 07 August
On 04 August, Dawn reported that Jamaat-i-Islami announced nationwide protests for 7 August against rising oil prices and the petroleum levy, with its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chapter planning to block motorway interchanges, the Indus Highway and the Bab-i-Khyber crossing; KP central chief Abdul Wasay alleged the government had collected PKR 1.9 trillion through the levy over the past year, including PKR 1.2 trillion from non-regular taxpayers, and accused it of raising prices quickly on global upticks while withholding relief on declines. Wasay said the party would allow only ambulances through the planned blockades and warned of an escalation, potentially a march on Islamabad, if the government does not reduce fuel prices and abolish the levy. ("JI claims govt collected Rs1.9 trillion through petroleum levy last year," Dawn, 4 August 2026)
Opposition dialogue bloc lines up behind Naqvi's push to redraw provincial map
On 04 August, Dawn reported that the National Dialogue Committee (NDC) endorsed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's call for creating new provinces, with NDC leader Fawad Chaudhry demanding the dismissal of the PML-N-led federal government and formation of a national unity government to pursue administrative restructuring, arguing provincial authority had become excessively concentrated in chief ministers; committee leader Moulvi Mahmood clarified the proposal for Sindh envisions four administrative units rather than a political division of the province, while Muhammad Ali Durrani accused the PML-N and PPP of blocking previously promised Bahawalpur, Hazara and South Punjab provinces. Imran Ismail said no reform dialogue would be complete without PTI founder Imran Khan's involvement and announced the committee would petition the Islamabad High Court this week to meet him on the issue. ("National Dialogue Committee backs Naqvi's demand for 'restructuring' administrative set-up," Dawn, 4 August 2026)
SECURITY
KP: Swat suicide bombing death toll rises to 17
On 03 August, Dawn reported that the death toll from Sunday’s suicide bombing near Kabal Police Station in Swat rose to 17, including seven policemen and 10 civilians, while 27 others were injured. Police revised the earlier toll of 19 after verification. The bomber detonated explosives after being stopped at the police station entrance during a nearby protest against lawlessness. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi visited the injured and directed authorities to launch a full-scale operation against militants, while lawyers and traders observed strikes in Swat, and local groups announced a protest on 07 August demanding lasting peace and stronger action against terrorism. ("Death toll from suicide bombing near police station in Swat rises to 17," Dawn, 03 August 2026)
Balochistan: Police on high alert after militants attack Kharan police, CTD offices
On 03 August, Dawn reported that authorities placed police on high alert across Balochistan after armed attackers stormed a police station and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) offices in Kharan, ransacking records before setting both buildings on fire. Security forces launched operations after the attackers entered the city late at night, with heavy gunfire continuing for hours before the assailants fled. No casualties were reported. A search operation remains underway, while police personnel across the province have been ordered to report to duty, remain fully armed, and restrict unnecessary movement as a precaution. ("Police across Balochistan on high alert following Kharan attack," Dawn, 03 August 2026)
POK
"AJK" info minister says seven security personnel killed in recent unrest
On 03 August, Dawn reported that "Azad Jammu and Kashmir" Information Secretary Muhammad Rashid Hanif said seven police and Rangers personnel were killed and 45 others seriously injured during recent unrest, accusing the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of targeting law enforcement and undermining the state's writ. Hanif rejected JAAC’s allegations over the Rawalakot clashes as “misinformation” and denied claims that authorities were withholding bodies. He also criticised a BBC report as “biased” and accused Al Jazeera of selectively portraying the "AJK" elections, while reiterating government claims that the unrest was fuelled by militant elements backed by foreign funding. ("AJK information secretary says 7 law enforcement personnel martyred in recent unrest," Dawn, 03 August 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
The Middle East
Editorial, “Farewell to arms?” Dawn, 03 August 2026
"Palestinian resistance group Hamas recently made a major concession by agreeing to give up its weapons. It should be remembered that along with its political activities, the movement has an armed wing dedicated to the liberation of Palestine."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2020269/farewell-to-arms
The US
Maleeha Lodhi, “Damage assessment,” Dawn, 03 August 2026
“President Donald Trump’s approval rating has hit an all-time low according to the latest Economist/YouGov poll. The survey found 62 per cent of Americans disapprove of the president’s performance while 63pc say the country is headed in the wrong direction. These are Trump’s worst numbers since he returned to the White House last year. The results align with findings of other polls, which show he has fallen out of favour with the majority of Americans. The slide isn’t just about an unpopular war with Iran. Trump’s management of the economy is also driving public discontent."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2020266/damage-assessment
Society
Editorial, “Unplanned future,” Dawn, 03 August 2026
“A projection that Pakistan’s population could reach 400m by 2040 should not be treated as another dramatic number to be quoted at ceremonies and forgotten by the next budget. It is a warning about the size of the state’s future obligations. Every additional child will need vaccination, nutrition, schooling, safe water, transport and, eventually, work. Yet the present system already fails millions on each count. The issue, therefore, is not that families are having children irresponsibly while the government looks on helplessly. It is that the state has never made voluntary family planning a dependable part of primary healthcare."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2020268/unplanned-future
Provinces
Haroon Rashid Siddiqi, “Serving on the edge,” The Express Tribune, 03 August 2026
“Balochistan has never lacked natural resources. What it has lacked is a sufficient number of institution-builders willing to look beyond the routine demands of office. Roads can be built, schemes can be inaugurated and statistics can fill annual reports, but lasting change begins when an administrator leaves behind institutions that continue to serve long after he has departed."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621703/serving-on-the-edge
Date centres
Rafia Zakaria, “The terror matrix,” The Express Tribune, 03 August 2026
“Pakistan is facing a profound security crisis as militant violence hit a sharp peak in July 2026. During this deadliest month, over 112 security personnel were martyred while resisting insurgent forces nationwide. Concurrently, intensified counterterrorism efforts led to the elimination of 401 terrorists. This surge, alongside a persistent civilian death toll averaging dozens of casualties monthly, underscores relentless cross-border infiltration from the western frontier. Compounding the crisis, these hostile actors exploit internal safe havens by collaborating closely with groups like TTP and BLA. Neutralising these active sleeper cells demands an unyielding and robust kinetic strategy."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621698/the-terror-matrix
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