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In Focus
One in four children in Punjab suffers from child stunting, despite decline in rates
Stunting rate falls from 36 to 27 per cent and wasting falls to 10 per cent; Steady progress made in upgrading health facilities in Punjab
On 11 August, Dawn reported that one in four children were stunted in Punjab, despite a reduction in child stunting from 36 per cent in 2018 to 27 per cent and wasting from 15 per cent to 10 per cent, according to provincial health authorities. The figures were presented during a World Breastfeeding Week seminar organised by UNICEF Pakistan and the Punjab government. Officials credited improvements to expanded maternal and child healthcare, nutrition programmes and breastfeeding initiatives, although more than one in four children in the province remain stunted.
Punjab has upgraded over 2,500 Basic Health Units, established 29 Kangaroo Mother Care centres, 3,000 outpatient therapeutic sites, and 60 nutrition rehabilitation centres, while 911 Clinics on Wheels have screened around 2.6 million children since 2024. UNICEF and health experts stressed that exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months and continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods are essential to improving child health. They also called for stronger support for mothers, sustained funding, and better coordination to address persistent malnutrition.
Child malnutrition has been a persistent public health issue Pakistan has been facing for decades now. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), over 2.7 million children under five face acute malnutrition. The Global Hunger Index found that 33.6 per cent of children under five experience stunting, while 10 per cent experience wasting. Despite some progress made with child stunting, rates of undernourishment have gone up in recent years. (“1 in 4 children in Punjab stunted,” The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026)
In Brief
EXTERNAL
Bahrain Foreign Minister congratulates Pakistan on Makkah pact
On 11 August, Dawn reported that Bahrain's Foreign Minister, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, called Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to congratulate Pakistan on the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and expressed his desire to visit Pakistan in the near future. Dar welcomed the Bahraini minister's intention to visit and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to promoting dialogue and diplomacy to achieve peace and stability in the region. The Makkah agreement, signed on 07 August between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, has received broad support from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and several Gulf states. ("Bahrain FM congratulates Dar on Makkah defence pact, expresses desire to visit Pakistan," Dawn, 11 August 2026)
Three Pakistanis killed in Houthi attack on cargo vessel in Bab al-Mandeb Strait
On 11 August, The Express Tribune reported that four crew members were killed and four others wounded after Houthi forces struck the Yemeni-flagged vessel Tihamah three times with ballistic missiles in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, where the ship was carrying food supplies. Three of the four killed were Pakistani nationals, and one was Indonesian, according to Yemen's Ministry of Transportation. The ministry said a fourth missile was fired at the vessel as rescue teams were approaching, in what it condemned as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the rescue operation. Houthi forces declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on 20 July, and average daily ship traffic through Bab al-Mandeb has since fallen from 50 to 32 vessels. ("'Two Pakistanis' among three killed in attacks on ships in Red Sea, Gulf, sources say," The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026)
Meta and IT Ministry launch small business growth academy for 1,000 Pakistani SMEs
On 12 August, The Express Tribune reported that the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, in partnership with Meta, launched the Small Business Growth Academy to train more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through workshops, structured learning modules, and partner-led training on Meta's digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The programme will be rolled out across nine cities, including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Hyderabad, Peshawar, and Quetta, with particular emphasis on women-led businesses in textiles, handicrafts, and IT services. The initiative forms part of Meta's broader Asia-Pacific programme to equip entrepreneurs with practical digital skills. ("Meta, Pakistan to train 1,000 SMEs," The Express Tribune, 12 August 2026)
Interior Minister visits Tehran to revive Pakistan's mediation push
On 12 August, Dawn reported that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a fresh effort to revive Pakistan's stalled mediation role between the United States and Iran following the breakdown of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The visit aimed to keep Pakistan's diplomatic channel active rather than wait for Iranian leaders to travel to Islamabad, as Iran-Oman talks on the future management of the Strait of Hormuz reached an advanced stage. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif separately told Bloomberg that the US and Iran were close to "some sort of an arrangement", describing recent signals as positive. Iran has maintained that the Islamabad MoU remains the only legitimate framework for resolving the wider dispute and insists on full implementation before agreeing to reopen Hormuz. ("Islamabad looking to breathe new life into mediation push," Dawn, 12 August 2026)
World Bank warns fund diversion from Balochistan flood housing risks deepening poverty
On 11 August, Dawn reported that the World Bank expressed serious displeasure over the Pakistani government's decision to redirect funds from a PKR 115 billion resilient housing programme for flood-affected Balochistan families to infrastructure projects, warning it could deepen poverty and increase disaster risk for over 119,000 verified but now excluded households. In formal communication to federal and Balochistan authorities, World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar noted that 84 per cent of eligible beneficiaries were ultra-poor, earning less than USD 70 per month, and said exclusion could trap them in a cycle of recurring vulnerability. The bank also flagged reputational concerns over the handling of fraud and corruption issues within the project and called for individual notification of each excluded family and a credible grievance resolution mechanism. ("World Bank unhappy over fund diversion from Balochistan," Dawn, 11 August 2026)
ECONOMY
Privatisation Commission approves appointment of financial adviser for outsourcing Lahore and Karachi airports
On 11 August, Dawn reported that the Privatisation Commission approved the appointment of a financial adviser for the outsourcing of Lahore and Karachi airports. The board of directors had approved a “consortium led by EY-Parthenon as the top-ranked interested party” for appointment as financial adviser for the outsourcing of Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, and Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. The board also constituted a negotiation committee to finalise the Financial Advisory Services Agreement (FASA) with the successful consortium. Meanwhile, the commission appointed the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) last month as financial and transaction adviser for the outsourcing of New Islamabad International Airport. (“Privatisation Commission approves financial adviser for outsourcing Karachi, Lahore airports,” Dawn, 11 August 2026)
Government debt jumps to PKR 83.6 trillion by the end of June
On 12 August, The Express Tribune reported that the federal government's debt, excluding loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and some other liabilities, jumped to PKR 83.6 trillion by June this year, as per the State Bank of Pakistan's "debt bulletin for fiscal year 2025-26". It marked a cumulative increase of 75 per cent during the past four years despite a significant surge in revenues. The SBP will release the complete public debt picture by next month. However, compared to the debt burden at the end of June 2022, when the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government presented its first budget after ousting Imran Khan in April, the central government's debt increased by PKR 35.8 trillion. In the past four years, the federal government's debt has increased by 75 per cent. The fiscal numbers released by the Ministry of Finance showed that the debt has been on the rise despite a 107% increase in the federal government's gross revenues in four years, before paying the shares of the provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC). The debt-to-GDP ratio, a yardstick for debt sustainability, can be determined once the complete details are released by the central bank. Under the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation Act, the government is bound to reduce debt by 0.5 per cent to 0.75 per cent of GDP every year until it reaches 50 per cent by 2032-33. However, the coalition government, like its predecessors, is in violation of the law. (“Federal debt hits Rs 83.6tr,” The Express Tribune, 12 August 2026)
Pakistan's seafood exports to China record 24 per cent increase
On 12 August, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan's seafood exports to China reached approximately USD 255 million in 2025, marking a 24 per cent increase compared with 2024. The Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has called for greater efforts to expand Pakistan's seafood exports to China, terming growing demand for Pakistani mud crabs and other seafood products a significant opportunity for export diversification, foreign exchange generation, and development of the blue economy. Pakistan's total seafood export earnings during FY26 reached between USD 482.08 million, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS)-verified data, and USD 568 million based on provisional figures from the Ministry of Finance. China remained the primary destination for Pakistani seafood exports. Chilled and fresh crab exports to China exceeded USD 31.9 million during the first eleven months of 2025. (“Seafood exports to China jump 24%,” The Express Tribune, 12 August 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Petroleum dealers threaten nationwide pump shutdown from 15 August over margin dispute
On 12 August, Dawn reported that the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government, warning that petrol pumps nationwide would shut down indefinitely from 6:00 on 15 August unless its demand for an eight per cent margin on the retail petrol price is met; PPDA chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh said more than 14,000 members had run out of patience after the petroleum minister failed to resolve issues he had promised to review within two weeks when a strike was deferred on 07 August, citing losses from the daily fuel-pricing mechanism and a commission insufficient to cover rising inflation and operating costs. The association also criticised the government's "Company Allocation Policy" as discriminatory and demanded it be made transparent. ("Petroleum dealers issue 72-hour ultimatum," Dawn, 12 August 2026)
Political parties largely reject new provinces, push for empowered local governments
On 12 August, The Express Tribune reported that mainstream parties including PML-N, PPP, PTI and JUI-F opposed creating new provinces at an SDPI seminar, favouring stronger constitutionally-protected local governments instead, with PTI's Salman Akram Raja arguing Article 140-A needed strengthening and dividing Punjab would still leave roughly 40 million people per new province; only MQM-P backed new provinces, while PPP's Qamar Zaman Kaira warned the debate risked exposing "narrow nationalism" fault lines and analyst Farrukh Saleem argued new provinces would multiply bureaucratic costs without adding fiscal space. Several participants, including former finance ministry adviser Khaqan Hasan Najeeb, instead proposed raising local government budget shares from 4.7 to 40 per cent and forming a reorganisation commission, while KP CM's adviser Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif noted that any move toward new provinces would require extensive constitutional amendments likely to face Supreme Court challenge. ("Parties favour stronger LGs over new provinces," The Express Tribune, 12 August 2026)
PTI demands access to Imran Khan amid unverified death rumours and "alarming" health reports
On 11 August, The Express Tribune reported that PTI said "continuously emerging alarming reports" about founder Imran Khan's health had caused "profound anxiety and restlessness" nationwide, following an unverified report by journalist Wajahat Saeed Khan about his alleged death in custody, and demanded the government allow his personal physicians, lawyers, sisters and party leadership to meet him, warning "there will be no compromise" on his health and safety; PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and KP CM Sohail Afridi separately voiced alarm at a Supreme Court gathering, with Raja saying confirmation of the reports could only come if Khan's doctors are allowed to meet his sisters. Khan, imprisoned since August 2023, previously received anti-VEGF injections for a retinal condition in January and March, with PTI leaders stressing that unverified rumours amid his prolonged isolation from family and counsel were "dangerous and irresponsible." ("'Alarming reports' on Imran's health causing nationwide anxiety and restlessness: PTI," The Express Tribune, 11 August 2026)
Government-transporter talks collapse; nationwide wheel-jam strike to continue
On 11 August, Dawn reported that talks between the federal government and the All Pakistan Goods Transport Itehad ended without resolution at the Ministry of Communications, with Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan pledging cooperation but reaching no agreement, prompting transporters to continue their nationwide wheel-jam strike; association spokesman Muhammad Owais Chaudhry said the protest would shift its main camp to Karachi and continue until demands including uniform axle-load enforcement, tax relief and monthly (rather than frequent) diesel price revisions are met, while keeping the door open for further negotiations. ("Goods transporters to continue strike as negotiations with govt end without resolution," Dawn, 11 August 2026)
SECURITY
Rawalpindi: “Active PTI member” shot dead by security forces after opening fire
On 11 August, Dawn reported that security forces killed a man after he allegedly opened fire on them on Rawalpindi’s Mall Road. The police said they had obtained evidence and “links” from his mobile phone and other belongings. PTV News alleged that the attacker was an “active PTI member” from Khyber district, adding that a PTI flag, bullets, and weapons were recovered from him. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its “politics of violence” and claimed that none of the party’s protests were peaceful, as its members always came equipped with arms. The PTI, in response, said it had nothing to do with terrorism and that efforts were being made to link the party to it. PTI’s Islamabad regional president Amir Mughal said the party believed in unarmed political protests and called for facts to be made public. (“Man shot dead on Rawalpindi's Mall Road after 'opening fire' on security personnel,” Dawn, 11 August 2026)
HEALTH
Conflicting reports of gastroenteritis spike at Lahore hospitals spark cholera concerns
On 11 August, Dawn reported that medics from hospitals in Lahore, such as the Mayo Hospital, Lahore General Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said that they witnessed a spike in the number of patients, amid reports of a possible outbreak of gastroenteritis and cholera. Residents and medical professionals from the regions reportedly stated that illnesses could have been caused by contaminated water and food, improper food storage, exposure to street food, and unsafe drinking water, amid concerns over a suspected Cholera outbreak. (“Lahore hospitals report surge in gastroenteritis patients amid conflicting outbreak reports,” Dawn, 11 August 2026)
JUDICIARY
President Zardari approves appointment of 19 additional judges to various high courts
On 11 August, Dawn reported that President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment of 19 additional judges in the Lahore High Court (LHC), Sindh High Court (SHC), Peshawar High Court (PHC), Islamabad High Court (IHC), and Balochistan High Court (BHC). This appointment has been reportedly pending since 20 July, after the Judicial Commission of Pakistan gave a recommendation. The Ministry of Law and Justice also issued notifications of the approvals, further announcing that five additional judges were made permanent. Additionally, the approvals reportedly followed a positive meeting between the legal teams of the President and the federal government, sources said. This comes in the backdrop of the Islamabad High Court issuing notices to President Zardari on 10 August to submit separate reports explaining the timeline and present status of the summary forwarded by PM Shehbaz regarding the judicial appointments. Moreover, President Zardari also approved the equalisation of the salaries, allowances, and pensions of Supreme Court judges with those of the judges of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). (“President Zardari approves additional judges' appointments to high courts, ending weeks-long deadlock,” Dawn, 11 August 2026)
SOCIETY
Demographic changes require evidence-based and long-term policy planning, say researchers at seminar
On 11 August, Dawn reported that policymakers, health experts and researchers at a Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) seminar in Islamabad warned that Pakistan’s population growth and demographic trends required a shift to evidence-based, coordinated policy planning. Experts in the field reportedly estimated that 48 per cent of pregnancies in Pakistan were unwanted, contributing to around 380,000 abortions annually, many reportedly taking place through unsafe procedures. They further noted that Pakistan recorded around 700000 stillbirths a year, while 42 out of every 1,000 babies died within their first month, giving the country the highest neonatal mortality rate globally since 1960. SDPI Deputy Executive Director for Policy Dr Shafqat Munir noted that Pakistan’s working-age population was projected to increase from 164 million to 292 million, and women of reproductive age were expected to exceed 100 million by 2050. He further added that Pakistan’s challenge remains inadequate long-term financing, uneven regional access, and weak inter-departmental coordination. (“Experts warn population policies lag behind demographic realities,” Dawn, 11 August 2026)
AF-PAK
Dir district administration issues evacuation amid reports of Afghan nationals residing in refugee camps
On 11 August, Dawn reported that Afghan refugee camps in Lower Dir still harbour Afghan nationals, despite 41000 refugees leaving, sources said. A source told Dawn that 4200 citizens of Afghanistan possessing Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) were still present in the district. Deputy Commissioner of Lower Dir Basharat Ahmad reportedly held a meeting on 10 August reviewing the status of undocumented Afghan citizens and those residing in Pakistan on sponsorship visas. He instructed officials to conduct an evacuation of these members within two days and submit compliance reports. Moreover, he stated that Lower Dir would not tolerate the continued presence of undocumented Afghan nationals in the region and that the district administration would bear the cost of the transportation of these migrants up to the Torkham border crossing. This comes in the backdrop of sources saying that some Afghans, who returned to Afghanistan, later re-entered Pakistan through the Chaman border, eventually coming back to Lower Dir. (“Scores of Afghans still residing in Dir despite repatriation drive,” Dawn, 11 August 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
The Middle East
Zahid Hussain, “New regional security order,” Dawn, 12 August 2026
"The triangular defence pact signed last week by Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is the most consequential geopolitical development reshaping the strategic landscape of the region and beyond. It has been concluded in the midst of a war that not only affects the region but also has far-reaching implications for the wider world. The three countries span the Middle East, South Asia and Europe."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2022309/new-regional-security-order
Society
Editorial, “Nutrition emergency,” Dawn, 12 August 2026
“Malnutrition has become one of the biggest obstacles to Pakistan’s development. Around 40pc of children under five are stunted, a figure that should trouble us not only because of what it says about child health, but because of what it means for the country’s future. Children who do not get the nutrition they need in their earliest years are more likely to struggle with learning, health and productivity later in life. The damage can follow them into adulthood and, in many cases, into the next generation. Pakistan is also estimated to lose nearly $17bn every year because of malnutrition and undernutrition. That makes it an economic and development problem as well."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2022311/nutrition-emergency
Editorial, “Poison on our plates,” The Express Tribune, 12 August 2026
“A disconcerting amount of packaged kitchen staples fail to meet national quality standards. About 48% of all ghee samples analysed by the Ministry of Planning were found to be substandard, along with 75% of refined palm oil, and 44% of packaged milk. Out of 491 samples of different kitchen staples collected from markets across the country, 176 were found non-compliant - an overall failure rate of about 36%."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623348/poison-on-our-plates
Education
Mehak Anwar, “Our education system needs more than a new syllabus,” The Express Tribune, 12 August 2026
“Pakistan's education crisis is not simply a crisis of outdated textbooks. It is a crisis of an outdated educational philosophy. While the world is moving towards AI, automation and knowledge-based industries, too many of our classrooms remain organised around memorisation, rote learning and examination scores. We have modernised the language of education, but have we modernised the way we teach children to think?"
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623347/our-education-system-needs-more-than-a-new-syllabus
Politics & governance
Editorial, “Redirected funds,” The Express Tribune, 12 August 2026
“There is something deeply troubling about a development programme designed to help some of Balochistan's poorest flood victims becoming the subject of a dispute over whether its funds should be diverted elsewhere. The World Bank's strong objection to the redirection of housing funds should not be dismissed as donor interference. Nor, however, should the government's broader development priorities be ignored. The real question is whether the two can be reconciled without making the province's most vulnerable people pay the price."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2021795/more-provinces-or-modernisation
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