|
In Brief
SECURITY
Army successfully tests extended-range Fatah-2 missile, says ISPR
On 13 October, Dawn reported that the Pakistan Army successfully test-launched the extended-range Fatah-2 ballistic missile, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The missile features advanced navigation systems and avionics, with the military claiming it can engage targets with high precision and overcome enemy missile defence systems through its manoeuvrability. The test was witnessed by senior military officers, scientists and engineers, while President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshall Asim Munir congratulated the development team.
The latest launch follows a series of recent missile tests by Pakistan’s Army Rocket Force Command. On 06 October, the military successfully test-launched an extended-range version of the Fatah-IV ground-launched cruise missile, following earlier Fatah-IV and Fatah-II training launches in May and April, respectively. These tests form part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to improve the precision, range and operational capabilities of its domestically developed missile systems. (“Army conducts successful test launch of hypersonic Fatah-2 extended range missile: ISPR,” Dawn, 13 October 2026)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Government made every effort to avoid KP emergency, says PM Shehbaz
On 13 October, Dawn reported that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had stated the Centre took every effort to avoid the “extreme step” of imposing emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sharif stated that the government had engaged in negotiations with an open heart, but did not receive a positive response. He also alleged that the provincial government in KP had failed to raise its voice against terrorist groups, and the long march of the PTI was a conspiracy to destroy the country’s improving economy. The PM further accused the KP government of paying negative attention towards improving the lives of its citizens. Sharif also held a meeting with leaders of parties allied to his PML-N party, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement- Pakistan (MQM-P), PML-Q, Balochistan Awami Party(BAP), Istehkam-i- Pakistan Party (IPP) and PML- Zia.
Additionally, the KP government led by the governor transferred most of the administrative secretaries, divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners. The Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed the citizens of KP had “welcomed” the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule. According to Attaullah, the population now had hope, and they believe they would be provided with safety and security with the political-crime nexus eliminated. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who addressed a joint press conference alongside Attaullah, stated counterterrorism efforts taken by federal and provincial agencies needed to be ‘harmonised.’ He also accused the previous KP government of having a non-serious attitude. (“PM Shehbaz takes allies into confidence on KP governor’s rule, says Centre made every effort to avoid ‘extreme step’,” Dawn, 13 October 2026; “Massive reshuffle in KP bureaucracy under governor’s rule,” Dawn, 13 October 2026; “Govt says people of KP ‘welcomed’ governor’s rule as it gave them ‘hope’,” Dawn, 13 October 2026)
PTI protests against KP emergency turn violent; law fraternity condemns governor’s rule proclamation
On 13 October, Dawn reported that workers from the PTI had clashed with the police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in protest against the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule. Reports indicated that police fired tear gas and live rounds at protestors with dozens injured. However, eyewitnesses stated protestors forced police to flee, forcing them to take shelter in nearby shops and commercial buildings. There were also reports of government buildings such as the National Database and Registration Authority’s office being burnt down. A case was also registered against two PTI national assembly members (MNAs), four members of parliament (MPAs) and dozens of workers. According to the warrant, the individuals charged had made provocative, threatening and controversial speeches against the federal government and state institutions at a 28 September rally. Raids were conducted across KP, arresting several PTI leaders and workers.
Meanwhile, the legal fraternity also challenged the decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule. The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) decided to file a constitutional petition before the Supreme Court. Eight members of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) condemned the imposition and urged the president to withdraw the unconstitutional proclamation. The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) and the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) also condemned the imposition of the emergency. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council (KPBC) expressed concern over the condemnation of the emergency. (“PTI protest in KP’s Bara turns violent as demonstrators clash with police,” Dawn, 13 October 2026; “Scores of PTI workers held in crackdown across KP,” Dawn, 13 October 2026; “Legal fraternity rails against emergency proclamation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Dawn, 13 October 2026)
EXTERNAL
Finance Minister pledges to build G-24 influence as incoming chair, pushes reform of global financial architecture
On 13 October, The Express Tribune reported that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, speaking as the G-24's first vice-chair at the World Bank-IMF meetings in Bangkok, said Pakistan would strengthen the group's collective influence as incoming chair, warning of trade fragmentation, climate shocks and widening financing gaps for developing economies. He set three priorities: putting development back at the centre of the international financial system, making the Bretton Woods institutions more representative, and building a development-oriented financial architecture. On the sidelines, he also met the Saudi Fund for Development, discussing the bilateral investment protection agreement and refinery upgrades, and the IFC, where he reaffirmed commitment to Reko Diq and announced plans for a National Population Council led by the prime minister. ("Finance Minister Aurangzeb vows to strengthen collective influence of G-24," The Express Tribune, 13 October 2026)
Makkah pact purely defensive and “not a new pact”, President Zardari tells MDA chief
On 13 October, The Express Tribune reported that President Asif Ali Zardari received Lt Gen (retd) Nauman Mahmood, the first secretary general of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, and said the 7 August pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye would strengthen regional peace through defensive cooperation guided by the UN Charter. Zardari stressed it was "not directed against any country" and did not form a new bloc, with Pakistan committed to peaceful conflict resolution; Mahmood, appointed on 23 September, will lead the alliance's Riyadh-based secretariat during its three-year formative period. ("President reaffirms commitment to regional peace under Makkah pact in meeting with MDA chief," The Express Tribune, 13 October 2026)
Pakistan presses Ethiopia to speed up pharma approvals amid trade talks
On 14 October, The Express Tribune reported that Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan urged faster regulatory approvals for Pakistani pharmaceutical firms seeking access to the Ethiopian market during a meeting with Ethiopian Ambassador Dr Oumer Hussein Oba, saying timely, transparent procedures were essential for exporter confidence. The ambassador said he had raised pending registration issues with Ethiopian health authorities and received positive assurances, while the two sides also reviewed Ethiopia's WTO accession, with Khan stressing reciprocal market access, and discussed a visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders. ("Pharma market access tops Pak-Ethiopia talks," The Express Tribune, 14 October 2026)
Israel must withdraw from all occupied Syrian territory, Pakistan tells UNSC
On 13 October, Dawn reported that Pakistan's acting UN representative, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, told a Security Council briefing on Syria that Israeli military actions violate international law and Syrian sovereignty, called for Israeli withdrawal from all occupied territory and respect for the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, and reaffirmed that the occupied Golan remains Syrian under resolutions 338 and 497. He backed Syria's inclusive political transition, urged that issues like Suweida be resolved through dialogue, called for sanctions relief and reconstruction support, and stressed vigilance against Daesh and foreign terrorist fighters. ("Pakistan condemns Israeli actions in Syria, calls for withdrawal," Dawn, 13 October 2026)
PM Shehbaz discusses legal pathways with EU migration chief
On 13 October, Dawn reported that PM Shehbaz Sharif told EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, on his first visit to Pakistan, that efforts against irregular migration and smuggling should be matched by practical routes for safe, regular migration, arguing that legal pathways for skilled workers would meet European labour needs while reducing vulnerability to smugglers. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi separately told Brunner the 64 per cent fall in illegal migration to Europe was a stepping stone to eliminating it, with Brunner calling the FIA's work commendable and both sides agreeing to deepen border management cooperation, work on the EU's Eastern Corridor Initiative and build up Pakistan Coast Guard's capacity. ("PM Shehbaz, EU official discuss Pakistan's efforts to curb migrant smuggling," Dawn, 13 October 2026)
ECONOMY
Pakistan crosses USD 1.054 billion in digital subsidies, lays over 17,000 kilometres of optical fibre cable
On 14 October, The Express Tribune reported that the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Symposium on Digital Transformation and Universal Service Fund (USF) began in Islamabad, with member states set to develop a framework that moves universal service beyond traditional coverage and voice subsidies towards gigabit fibre, satellite networks, smartphone financing and rural artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication said about 2.2 billion people worldwide and nearly 48 per cent of the Asia-Pacific population still lack internet access, a figure higher than the global average. Pakistan has crossed USD 1.054 billion in digital subsidies, with over 17,000 kilometres of optical fibre cable laid. Fibre broadband home passes rose from under three million in 2024 to over five million. Fibreisation of mobile towers increased from 15 per cent to over 19 per cent, against a target of at least 60 per cent for 5G delivery. (“Pakistan crosses $1b in digital subsidies,” The Express Tribune, 14 October 2026)
PM Shehbaz directs authorities to double financing for small and medium-sized enterprises by 2028
On 13 October, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities to increase financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from PKR 1.1 trillion to PKR 2.2 trillion by 2028. PM Shehbaz said the business community was the backbone of any country’s economy, while Pakistan’s SME sector had immense potential to accelerate economic development. PM Shehbaz directed SMEDA to formulate a comprehensive plan to educate more people about the procedures for obtaining business loans and take effective measures to raise awareness about entrepreneurship. He also instructed the authority to commission feasibility studies for setting up SMEs in various sectors with the help of relevant industry experts and make them available in local languages. At a separate meeting, PM Shehbaz directed the authorities concerned to develop the Daanish IT Park Islamabad into a world-class technology hub and a centre for a modern IT ecosystem through effective collaboration between academia and industry. (“PM sets Rs 22tr-SME financing target by 2028,” Dawn, 13 October 2026)
Digital transformation can generate economic benefits of USD 60-80 billion, paper finds
On 13 October, Dawn reported that Pakistan could realise economic benefits of USD 60 billion to USD 80 billion over the next five years through digital transformation. A working paper issued by the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) says digitalisation is a major opportunity to accelerate economic growth, improve public service delivery, and streamline government operations. The working paper has been forwarded to the Ministry of IT & Telecom. However, it notes that the lack of interoperability among government digital systems remains a significant challenge. The paper adds that digital transformation could generate more than USD 9 billion in economic benefits for the agriculture sector by 2030, while digital reforms in healthcare could yield savings of over USD 450 million. (“Digital push could yield 80 bn,” Dawn, 13 October 2026)
Government cuts foreign-funded project portfolio by more than half
On 13 October, Dawn reported that the Government had to cut the foreign-funded project portfolio by more than half, from PKR 537 billion to PKR 255 billion, due to a shortage of matching funds in local currency for the current fiscal year. This was reported to the Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives by a team led by the Planning Secretary. The meeting presided over reviewed allocations for foreign-funded development projects under PSDP 2026–27. Planning Secretary informed the committee that work on the Sukkur-Hyderabad (M6) Motorway would begin within months as foreign financing totalling USD 705 million was now available. The panel was informed that 98 foreign-funded projects, with a total estimated cost of PKR 8.1 trillion, were included in the current fiscal year’s PSDP, involving foreign assistance of PKR 4.65 trillion. (“Foreign-funded project portfolio halved,” Dawn, 13 October 2026)
PM Shehbaz assures no leniency for hoarders amid rising wheat floor prices
On 13 October, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the first National Agricultural and Food Security Council (NAFSC) meeting in Islamabad. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz said that wheat was available in abundant quantities to meet domestic needs, while vowing no leniency for hoarders. He also emphasised that it is essential to determine the fair price of wheat before sowing so that farmers receive appropriate compensation for their labour. The prime minister noted that the livestock sector also had vast potential to increase national exports, noting that measures were being taken to boost exports of Pakistani halal meat. Meanwhile, Punjab CM Maryam called an emergency meeting in response to rising flour prices, expressing strong displeasure over the increase. A decision was made to increase the government-subsidised wheat quota for flour mills. A subsidy of PKR 10 billion was approved to ensure the availability of affordable flour. (“Prime minister says wheat available in abundance for domestic needs vows no leniency for hoarders,” Dawn, 13 October 2026)
SOCIETY
Poverty rate in Pakistan higher than India and Bangladesh, UNDP data finds
On 13 October, Dawn reported that the UNDP Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) released showed that over one-third of the Pakistani population faced overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards. This report differs from other ones, since it assesses overlapping disadvantages in diverse areas such as nutrition, child mortality, sanitation, electricity and years of schooling. According to the MPI figures, 38.3 per cent of the Pakistani population was classified as multidimensionally poor; in comparison to 16.4 per cent in India and 14.9 per cent in Bangladesh. The intensity of deprivation among those classified as multidimensionally poor in Pakistan was 51.7 per cent. Additionally, another 12.9 per cent of the population was regarded as vulnerable towards falling into multidimensional poverty. The report also highlighted how the number of individuals living in multidimensional poverty had risen for the first time in 15 years, reaching 1.2 billion. South Asia is particularly affected, with a multidimensional poverty rate of approximately 19.3 per cent. Additionally, another 18.4 per cent of the population are vulnerable towards entering poverty of this nature. UNDP Administrator Alexander de Croo stated the rise in poverty should be a wake-up call for the world. ("Pakistan’s poverty rate higher than India, B’desh," Dawn, 13 October 2026)
PROVINCES
Punjab: Five killed in Rehman Baba Express derailment in Multan
On 13 October, Dawn reported that five people were killed and more than 40 injured when the Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Railway Station in Multan district. An initial Pakistan Railways investigation suggested a fault in a passenger coach, prompting the appointment of the federal government inspector of railways to lead an inquiry. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi ordered assistance for victims and compensation for affected passengers. The incident follows several derailments in recent months, raising concerns over railway maintenance and safety. The minister said his ministry was working to address mechanical issues affecting locomotives, coaches and wagons, with repairs targeted for completion by 31 December. (“5 killed, several injured as Peshawar-bound train derails in Punjab's Multan district,” Dawn, 13 October 2026)
Editorials/Opinions
Politics & governance
Zahid Hussain, “A perfect storm,” Dawn, 14 October 2026
"Some statements by the ruling party leaders hailing the decision to impose a state of emergency and governor’s rule in KP bring to mind the words of a political leader following the military operation in East Pakistan in 1971: “Thank God, Pakistan is saved.” In fact, that action led to the separation of the eastern wing. Indeed, comparing the two situations may not be correct. Still, such reckless action against a provincial government that holds a two-thirds majority in the assembly could provoke a combustible environment, further destabilising a country that is facing multiple challenges on both the internal and external fronts."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2037055/a-perfect-storm
Economy
Iman Shahbaz Cheema, “Faceless taxman,” Dawn, 14 October 2026
“In June 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a New Tax Operating Model — launched this month — to adopt a centralised, digital ‘faceless’ system that replaces individual tax officers with one that has sweeping authority over taxpayers’ cases. Cases will be allocated via an algorithm, and the hearings will move online. The goal is to end direct, discretionary contact between officials and taxpayers, which has long been accused of harassment, bribery, and outright collusion."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2037053/faceless-taxman
Poverty in Pakistan
Editorial, “Deeper poverty,” Dawn, 14 October 2026
“Pakistan's poverty crisis is far deeper than official indicators suggest. While the government celebrates economic stabilisation, almost four in every 10 Pakistanis suffer from deprivation in health, education, and living standards. The latest UNDP figures put multidimensional poverty at 38.3pc of the population against 19.3pc for South Asia. We are worse off than nearby countries — poverty affects 16.4pc of India’s and 14.9pc of Bangladesh’s population. These estimates are based on surveys from different years, however, and should not be treated as a strictly contemporaneous ranking. Still, the comparison is an indictment of our development priorities."
https://www.dawn.com/news/2037049/deeper-poverty
Terrorism
Editorial, “K-P's terror surge,” The Express Tribune, 14 October 2026
“Terrorist incidents in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa surged by almost 200% between March 2024 and September 2026, with police and security personnel targeted in 73% of attacks recorded this year. One of the most concerning findings in the government security reports recently shared with the federal cabinet was that terrorist drone attacks more than doubled in the past year, reaching 170 in 2026."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634670/k-ps-terror-surge
Health
Muhammad Siddique Ali Pirzada, “Priced out of survival,” The Express Tribune, 13 October 2026
“The state must recognise that access to cancer care is not a privilege reserved for those with sufficient means. No patient should have to choose between the possibility of survival and the financial security of their family. Allowing poverty to determine who receives treatment and who does not is a failure that no responsible healthcare system should accept."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634469/priced-out-of-survival
|
