Expedited Judgments
While hearing a Punjab government petition seeking the revocation of bails, the Supreme Court has directed trial courts to conclude all cases linked to the May 9, 2023 riots within four months. The direction has drawn the ire of the accused, whose lawyers have vowed to challenge the decision, arguing that it risks denying their clients the right to a fair trial.
Still Seeking Dialogue
PTI Senator Ali Zafar has confirmed that former Prime Minister Imran Khan has tasked party leader Azam Swati with pursuing dialogue with the military establishment, negating earlier claims of party Chairman Gohar Ali Khan. According to Zafar, the talks are in the “national interest” and should not be construed as the PTI seeking a “deal” for Khan’s release.
Extended Visas
U.A.E. Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi has announced that Pakistanis are now eligible for five-year visas to the Gulf state, further negating reports of citizens facing a “visa ban.” Recently, Pakistanis had complained of increased scrutiny for U.A.E. visas, with the Foreign Affairs Ministry saying these were linked to some Pakistanis’ fraudulent and criminal activities abroad.
Mineral Wealth
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has claimed that Pakistan’s “trillions of dollars” in mineral reserves can free the country from foreign loans, including its repeated seeking of bailouts from the International Monetary Fund. Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, he has urged both local and foreign investors to capitalize on the resources and invest in the country.
Clash at Adiala
Police briefly arrested dozens of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters outside Adiala Jail as they protested authorities’ denial of permission for Aleema Khan to meet her brother Imran Khan. The arrests followed a scuffle, with police using batons to disperse the crowd and the PTI workers pelting stones in retaliation.
Blow for Students
The United States Educational Foundation has announced the discontinuation of its Global Undergraduate Exchange program for students from Pakistan, denying Pakistani students with the opportunity to study in the U.S. Since its launch in 2010, the program had benefited over 2,500 Pakistani students, with an aim to enhance their community engagement and leadership skills.
Ongoing Repatriations
Immigration officials say 11,371 Afghan nationals have repatriated to Afghanistan since the expiry of a March 31 deadline for the exit of undocumented migrants from Pakistan. Overall, per the officials, 469,159 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing from Sept. 17, 2023 to March 2025.
‘Net’ Profit
For the first time since 2003, the PIA has achieved a net profit, with financial results for 2024 showing an operational profit of Rs. 3.9 billion and net profit of Rs. 2.26 billion. Analysts say this is linked to the government’s recent move to offload all debt into a separate holding company to make the flag carrier a more attractive investment for prospective buyers ahead of an upcoming privatization effort.
Ongoing Sit-in
The Balochistan National Party (BNP-M)’s sit-in at Lakpass in has entered its 13th day as the demonstrators and the provincial government have yet to achieve any breakthrough on demands for the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders. BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal has repeatedly threatened to proceed to Quetta, but has yet to make any move toward the provincial capital.
Bilateral Ties
Eric Meyer, the senior Bureau Official for South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. State Department, has stressed that his delegation’s primary focus during its visit to Pakistan is minerals and the promotion of Pak-U.S. trade ties. He has hailed the resumption of U.S. soybean exports to Pakistan, adding it represents a “win-win” for both parties.