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In Focus
Terror attack at Kohat Police Lines kills 21 people, injures 103
Ittehadul Mujahideen claims responsibility; PM Shehbaz and President Zardari condemn attack
On 18 September, Dawn and The Express Tribune reported that at least 21 people, including 15 police personnel and six civilians, were killed and more than 100 injured in a suicide bombing and subsequent terrorist attack at Kohat Police Lines during Friday prayers. A vehicle-borne explosive detonated near a mosque before seven attackers entered the compound and targeted police facilities. Security forces killed six attackers, including a suicide bomber, while a clearance operation continued against another attacker.
Police said 103 injured people were treated at two Kohat hospitals, including 73 police personnel and 30 civilians. Several critically injured patients were transferred to Peshawar for further treatment. The attack caused extensive damage to the mosque and surrounding facilities, while authorities launched investigations to identify the attackers and their facilitators. The Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen claimed responsibility.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack and called for the elimination of terrorist groups. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi ordered immediate medical assistance for the injured and sought a detailed report. The attack has also renewed concerns over militant groups operating from Afghanistan, with Pakistani authorities continuing to accuse the Taliban government of failing to prevent cross-border terrorism. (“15 cops among 21 martyred in blast at Kohat Police Lines, more than 80 injured,” Dawn, 18 September 2026; “15 police personnel among 21 martyred in Kohat Police Lines terrorist attack; over 100 injured,” The Express Tribune, 18 September 2026)
Four million girls below 16 out of school, finds Sindh gender report
Female literacy stands at 47 per cent; Labour-force participation increases to 46.2 per cent
On 18 September, Dawn reported that Sindh’s first province-wide gender equality report recorded progress in maternal health, women’s employment and political participation while highlighting persistent disparities in education, economic opportunities and institutional representation. Female literacy stood at 47 per cent compared with 68 per cent for men, while 4.08 million girls aged five to 16 remained out of school. Women made up only 4.34 per cent of police personnel, 18.3 per cent of prosecutors, and 13.7 per cent of judges. However, the maternal mortality ratio fell from 314 to 224 deaths per 100,000 live births.
The report also found that women’s labour-force participation increased from 43.8 per cent to 46.2 per cent, while the number of employed women rose from 2.48 million to 3.32 million. Female voter registration exceeded 12 million, and the number of women contesting elections increased from 23 in 2018 to 53 in 2024. Despite these gains, the report identified limited digital connectivity, financial inclusion, skills development and access to decent employment as continuing barriers. It also recorded 3,085 reported cases of gender-based violence in 2024. (“4m girls out of school as gender divide persists,” The Express Tribune, 19 September 2026)
In Brief
ECONOMY
IMF talks with Pakistan officials scheduled for next week
On 19 September, The Express Tribune reported that the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will hold talks next week for the fourth economic review. The government will brief the IMF on reforms in the electricity and gas transmission systems as well as measures aimed at increasing private-sector participation in the energy sector. The two sides are also expected to discuss changes in the basic electricity tariff. The government has finalised the tariff for the competitive electricity market, but the bidding process has yet to begin. Meanwhile, notices inviting expressions of interest have already been issued for the privatisation of the Islamabad, Faisalabad and Multan electric supply companies (DISCOs). The government has set a target of keeping the power sector's circular debt at PKR 1,614 billion. A revision in the basic electricity tariff is expected in January 2027. (“IMF talks to focus on reforms privatisation,” The Express Tribune, 19 September 2026)
Profits and dividends on foreign investment fall by 13.4 per cent
On 19 September, Dawn reported that Profits and dividends on foreign investment in Pakistan witnessed a decline as the outflow fell by 13.4 per cent during the first two months of the current fiscal year (FY27) compared to the same period last year. The repatriation of profits and dividends from Pakistan fell to USD 557.6 million during July-August from USD 643.7 million in the same period of last fiscal year. The repatriation of profits and dividends on foreign investments had increased by 3.87 per cent in FY26, with the total reaching USD 2.3 billion. Pakistan recorded a 34pc decline in foreign investment in FY26. The country attracted FDI of USD 1.64 billion in FY26, down from USD 2.48 billion in the same period last year. The decline in profit repatriation now reflects the impact of the poor investment in the country. State Bank data shows that the highest profit outflow was to China, which received USD 161.2 million during the first two months of FY27. The biggest decline, of more than 50 per cent, was recorded in profit outflow to the UAE, which fell to USD 19.2 million from USD 45 million last year. (“13.4pc fall in profit outflow during first 2 months of FY27,” Dawn, 19 September 2026)
Short-term inflation rises for the 73rd consecutive week
On 19 September, Dawn reported that Short-term inflation surged by 10.64 per cent year-on-year for the week ending 17 September. Short-term inflation entered a double-digit upward spiral. As per the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) increased by 0.49 per cent on a week-on-week basis. Data showed that the prices of 19 items increased, 9 decreased, and 23 remained stable compared to the previous week. The SPI has now risen for the 73rd consecutive week, reflecting sustained pressure on consumers. (“Short-term inflation surges past 10pc,” Dawn, 19 September 2026)
PM Shehbaz revises fuel scheme structure
On 19 September, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a revised structure for the public under the fuel relief scheme currently in vogue across the country. THE weekly limits were eased to offer motorists more flexibility in how they use the support. The Prime Minister directed that motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws up to 20 years old should also be included in the scheme. In addition, two- and three-wheelers can now benefit from a concession of PKR 500 in one week without quantity limits. Eligible citizens will now be able to avail a maximum concession of PKR 2,000 per month, through multiple token redemptions. According to the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, around 24 million people are currently benefiting from the fuel relief scheme. (“PM widens fuel subsidy eases weekly limits,” Dawn, 19 September 2026)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan condemns Houthi attacks on merchant shipping in Bab al-Mandab Strait
On 19 September, Dawn reported that Pakistan condemned Houthi attacks on merchant shipping in Bab al-Mandab Strait, calling for immediate cessation of provocative acts. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad told the UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting convened by Bahrain that Houthi militia actions could have dire consequences for maritime security and regional peace and stability. Pakistan reaffirmed "unwavering support" for Saudi Arabia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity, standing in "complete solidarity" with the kingdom's leadership, government and people. Disruptions to commercial shipping in Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz demonstrated that crises at sea had consequences beyond affected regions. ("Houthis urged to halt 'provocative acts' in Red Sea," Dawn, 19 September 2026)
Foreign Minister urges closer coordination with Türkiye ahead of Joint Commission meeting
On 19 September, The Express Tribune reported that Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed the need for closer coordination between Pakistan and Türkiye ahead of upcoming Joint Commission and eighth session of High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. Dar made remarks during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador Irfan Nezirolu on progress under various bilateral institutional mechanisms aimed at advancing cooperation. FO (Foreign Office) said Dar "reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further deepening engagement with Türkiye in key priority areas." Dar "emphasised the need for relevant departments to closely coordinate preparations" for forthcoming sessions, which would advance the bilateral agenda. Both sides exchanged views on the evolving regional situation, with FM Dar underscoring "dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path" to resolving issues and achieving lasting peace, stability and prosperity. ("FM Dar urges close liaison with Turkiye," The Express Tribune, 19 September 2026)
EU Ambassador warns Pakistan GSP+ facility conditional on legislative progress
On 19 September, The Express Tribune reported that European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis said Pakistan must demonstrate clear progress in legislating and effectively implementing various international laws and conventions to continue benefiting from the EU's Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) facility. Karoblis urged the business community, particularly exporters, to ensure compliance with relevant conventions without delay. Ambassador visited the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) House, where office-bearers held detailed discussions on strategy, prospects and challenges surrounding GSP+ extension beyond 2027. EU identifies implementation of international conventions underpinning GSP+ as a condition for continued preferential access. Current GSP+ arrangement remains in place through 2027 whilst the EU and Pakistan continue discussing conditions and framework for next phase. ("EU envoy says GSP+ comes with caveats," The Express Tribune, 19 September 2026)
64 per cent decline in illegal migration from Pakistan to Europe, Interior Minister says
On 18 September, Dawn reported that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan recorded a 64 per cent decline in illegal migration to Europe, calling it a challenging task achieved despite limited resources. Naqvi spoke during separate meetings with the Director General (DG) of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Susanne Raab and the Executive Director of Frontex (European Union's Border and Coast Guard Agency), Hans Leijtens. Both ICMPD and Frontex praised Pakistan's measures to curb illegal migration. The meetings decided to enhance cooperation for the prevention of illegal migration and reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen joint measures for curbing illegal migration and border management. Naqvi said the next target was a 100 per cent reduction in illegal immigration, which would be achieved "at all costs." Focus given to enhancing the capacity of institutions in accordance with modern requirements to make border management more effective. ("Illegal migration to Europe fell 64pc: Naqvi," Dawn, 18 September 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
IHC rules protests can't override citizens' fundamental rights ahead of PTI's 27 September push
On 18 September, The Express Tribune reported that the Islamabad High Court ruled that political protests, while constitutionally protected, cannot infringe citizens' rights to free movement, dignity, business, property and access to hospitals, courts and schools, warning that any person or public office holder whose actions violate these rights "shall be deemed to have violated the Constitution" and be liable under the law; the 37-page judgment, from a bench led by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar, came on a trader's petition seeking protection ahead of PTI's planned 27 September Islamabad march. The court held that besieging the capital or indefinitely occupying public roads is not itself a constitutional right, cited PTI's history of violating past court orders and assurances of peaceful conduct, ruled that using Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's government resources for a political march toward Islamabad is "unconstitutional and unlawful," and directed provincial and federal officials not to facilitate or permit any march intended to obstruct movement, trade, education or healthcare access. ("IHC says political protests cannot infringe citizens' fundamental rights ahead of PTI march," The Express Tribune, 18 September 2026)
Government renews outreach to JI as its "super long march" toward Islamabad begins
On 18 September, Dawn reported that Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal contacted JI Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch to invite the party to a fresh round of talks over the petroleum levy, even as JI finalised plans for its 20 September "super long march" on Islamabad; Baloch said he'd consult party leadership before responding but stressed the protest movement would continue until the levy is abolished. JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the party's fiscal proposals, including scrapping the levy, ending capacity payments to IPPs and regasification plants, fixing petrol at PKR 225 per litre, and cutting the policy rate by three percentage points, could save the exchequer PKR 3-4 trillion, and confirmed the party was coordinating with PTI and a farmers' alliance on their respective demonstrations, with caravans converging on Islamabad from all four provinces, including a train contingent from Karachi, while insisting the self-funded march would avoid road blockades and not disrupt the upcoming MDCAT exam. ("Govt reaches out to JI, invites party to another round of talks to break deadlock," Dawn, 18 September 2026)
Opposition alliance TTAP pledges support for PTI's 27 September march
On 19 September, Dawn reported that the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan, chaired by Leader of the Opposition Mahmood Khan Achakzai, resolved to build a joint political, media and outreach strategy for PTI's planned 27 September long march, describing it as a peaceful, constitutional response to what it called political repression and the closure of "avenues for justice" following the 26th Amendment; the alliance agreed to accelerate contacts with other democratic parties toward holding a multi-party conference, with PTI leaders briefing participants on the march plan and KP CM Sohail Afridi's outreach visits to Sindh and Punjab, and committees were formed to coordinate with parties outside the alliance. ("Opposition alliance TTAP assures PTI of its support for Sept 27 long march," Dawn, 19 September 2026)
SECURITY
Balochistan: "Certain" officials, politicians and NGOs bankrolling terrorists, says home minister
On 18 September, The Express Tribune reported that Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langov said some government officials, politicians and NGOs were financially supporting and backing banned terrorist organisations in the province, telling a Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund meeting in Quetta that intelligence agencies had gathered evidence of these financial ties, though he did not name anyone involved; Langov said the groups were pursuing a "foreign-sponsored agenda" rather than genuine grievances, and were also funding themselves through extortion of traders, farmers and transporters, highway robberies, and kidnapping for ransom, citing the recent abduction of two Hazara community members who were released after a PKR 7 million payment. He said intelligence-based operations were underway to trace these financial networks and identify complicit officials and organisations. ("Home Minister Langov says 'certain' officials, politicians, NGOs financing terrorists in Balochistan," The Express Tribune, 18 September 2026)
Balochistan: Seven militants killed in Panjgur and Kachhi operations
On 18 September, Dawn reported that security forces killed seven terrorists in two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan, five in the Fateh Ali area of Panjgur district with a large cache of weapons and ammunition recovered, and two more in the Dhadar area of Kachhi district, with several others reportedly injured; the operations come amid a documented rise in provincial violence, with terrorist attacks up 7 per cent to 89 in August from 83 in July according to PICSS, and follow a string of major recent operations including the killing of 10 militants after a coordinated TTP attack on a Pishin customs house in late August, 12 killed in Kalat, 11 in combined Kharan and Washuk operations with 2.9 tonnes of explosives recovered, 36 across Mastung, Quetta, Kalat and Sibi, and three more in Awaran the previous day. ("Security forces kill 7 terrorists in Balochistan IBOs: state media," Dawn, 18 September 2026)
AF-PAK
Five Afghan medical graduates petition LHC challenging PMDC repatriation directives
On 18 September, Dawn reported that five Afghan graduates of Lahore's Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical & Dental College approached Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) directives ordering their return to Afghanistan. Petitioners Nazrana, Azatullah Stanikzai, Hashmatullah Stanikzai, Ali Talash and Abdullah Mansoor completed a five-year MBBS programme in the 2021-2026 session under the Higher Education Commission (HEC)-administered Allama Iqbal Scholarship, but the PMDC left registration applications undecided for months. The petition argues that without PMDC registration, graduates cannot enrol in the mandatory year-long house job required to practice medicine, stalling careers despite fulfilling academic requirements. PMDC issued notifications on 31 July and 01 September directing medical colleges to facilitate deportation of Afghan students, followed by the college's September 09 expulsion notification. The petition contends the orders violate constitutional guarantees under Articles 4, 9, 10-A, 14 and 25. Justice Khalid Ishaq scheduled a hearing on Friday alongside pending petitions wherein the court already suspended PMDC directives affecting 13 petitioners. ("More Afghan graduates move LHC against PMDC's return orders," Dawn, 18 September 2026)
ENVIRONMENT
Pakistan rises 22 places in 2026 Environmental Performance Index
On 19 September, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan improved 22 places in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), rising from 179th in 2024 to 157th among 177 countries with a score of 29.03. The index, published by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, assesses 47 indicators across environmental health, ecosystem vitality and climate change. Pakistan’s improvement comes amid increased environmental enforcement, particularly in Punjab, including inspections of industrial units and brick kilns, vehicle-emission controls, real-time air-quality monitoring and measures against plastic pollution. However, the country continues to face significant challenges related to air pollution, environmental health, ecosystem protection and climate change. India ranked 176th with a score of 22.46. (“Pak takes big leap in green ranking,” The Express Tribune, 19 September 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Politics & governance
Shahab Usto, “Some critical questions,” Dawn, 17 September 2026
"True to tradition, a ‘plan’ to ‘reset’ the country’s entire structure has come down like an epiphany from apparently ‘non-political’ quarters. The plan envisages creating multiple provinces and changing the country’s very tapestry — its geography, topography, demography, ethnic relations, resource distribution, power sharing, and broader political calculus. The situation raises critical questions."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2030559/some-critical-questions
External
Raashid Wali Janjua, “Ties with UAE,” Dawn, 17 September 2026
“Pakistan-UAE relations have stood the test of time despite geopolitical upheavals. The current souring of relations does not reflect the true potential of ties between the two countries. Bilateral ties are rooted in shared faith, cultural affinity, and enduring people-to-people bonds. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with the UAE after the country’s founding in 1971. Since then, ties have continued to expand."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2030555/ties-with-uae
PIMS tragedy
Editorial, “Pims report,” Dawn, 17 September 2026
“Pakistan's health system is trapped in a loop of doom. A localised electrical failure caused the blaze that killed 14 newborns at the Pims nursery, says an inquiry committee’s report about last month’s tragedy in Islamabad. It holds the hospital management responsible for systemic and institutional collapse due to which the fire morphed into a calamity. More specifically, it suspects that either abnormal electrical heating due to excessive current, a high-resistance connection, or another fault triggered an insulation breakdown and set alight combustible material. These findings deepen concerns about the safety and quality of our healthcare delivery. The scourge of structural weaknesses has plagued this country for decades. It has reached a stage where both recovery and welfare are compromised."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2030552/pims-report
Society
Muhammad Hamid Zaman, “Who speaks for the future?” The Express Tribune, 15 September 2026
“It is indeed true that far fewer women are present in the workforce or professional sectors than men, but no one seems to be interested in asking the next obvious question. Why is that? Who gets to decide for a large number of women that they should stay at home, give up their education, or choose a tiny fraction of available careers with little possibility to professionally develop? The surveys showing that young women in medical schools never practice professionally rarely ask whether they had the full support of their fathers and husbands in pursuing a career, and chose to give that up themselves? Maybe the surveys do not need to ask those questions – we know the answers already."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2629291/who-speaks-for-the-future
Economy
Danyal Adam Khan, “Whither austerity,” The Express Tribune, 16 September 2026
“The government, surprisingly, believes that its so-called relief packages and austerity measures are a panacea for all inflation-driven ills. In a move that feels like déjà vu, it has introduced a Special Relief Scheme for low-income and middle-class consumers reeling under exorbitant fuel prices. Fuel subsidies, it says, will be provided to motorcyclists, rickshaw drivers and owners of vehicles up to 800cc. There is little clarity on how this will be implemented or what cost-effective relief will actually reach the downtrodden. The estimated cost of this benevolence is supposed to be around Rs25 billion per month. The point, however, is that a similar scheme announced earlier only gathered dust on the files, with hardly any trickle-down effect."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2629521/whither-austerity-2
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