Attempting Diplomacy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to a high-level delegation to the U.S. for negotiations aimed at enhancing bilateral trade relations and addressing concerns related to newly imposed U.S. tariffs on Pakistani imports. The delegation will include prominent businessmen and leading exporters, reflecting the government’s intent to engage key stakeholders in shaping a mutually beneficial path forward.
Misplaced Anger
A violent mob attacked a local franchise of KFC in Mirpurkhas, causing damage to the building, looting its kitchen, and setting part of it on fire. The assailants have claimed they were motivated by anger against Israel. This is the second such attack in the past year, as a similar incident had occurred in Sukkur last April.
Karachi Unrest
Enraged citizens have set fire to several dumper trucks at locations across Karachi after a speeding dumper truck crushed two motorbikes. In recent weeks, there have been several reports of dumper trucks colliding with cars and motorcycles, at times even leading to deaths. Authorities have vowed to take action and have ordered the arrest of the driver and those involved in the arson.
Strategic Ties
The U.S. has expressed a strategic interest in Pakistan’s mineral sector, indicating a willingness for long-term cooperation in the development of critical mineral resources key to American advanced technologies. The decision coincides with the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, during which Islamabad urged both local and foreign companies to invest in the sector.
Prepping for Summer
Amidst a mounting risk of heatwaves, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority has recommended an early start to summer vacations in educational institutions if temperatures continue to rise. The organization has also stressed on improved classroom ventilation, functioning fans and cooling systems, and the establishment of first-aid counters staffed with heatwave-trained personnel.
Deregulation Talks
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet is considering deregulating the sugar sector to end annual controversies and unjustified price hikes of the commodity. Prior to implementing the decision, however, the ECC has decided to assess its impact on local storage and the supply and demand of the commodity.
Balochistan Crisis
National Party chief Abdul Malik Baloch has met Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) President Nawaz Sharif, who has assured of playing an “active role” in addressing Balochistan’s issues. According to Baloch, Nawaz has agreed to visit the province. However, it remains unclear when this visit would occur and what role Nawaz could play, especially as his party does not lead the provincial government.
Backtracking Tariffs
After days of collapse, global markets have surged in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pause for 90 days the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on countries that have not taken any retaliatory measures against his earlier announcement. Notably left out is China, which Trump has accused of “ripping off” the U.S., raising the tariff charged on its products to the U.S. to 125%.
Targeting Protesters
Rights groups have criticized a U.S. government decision to pre-screen the social media of immigrants and visa applicants for “anti-Semitic” activity, describing the move as a threat to free speech. The primary target is pro-Palestinian voices, with the Trump administration ramping up efforts to deport foreign students who had participated in protests against Israel’s genocidal actions in Palestine.
Infighting Intensifies
The bickering between leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf shows no signs of abating, as party Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja lash out at each other over differences regarding meetings with the incarcerated Imran Khan. The clash has widened prevalent fissures, with reports of tense exchanges within all tiers of the party.