Opposition Alliance
Expressing concern over recent reports of the PTI’s overtures to the military establishment, the JUIF has sought clarity from the former ruling party over a potential opposition alliance that has been in the offing for several months. The Maulana Fazlur Rehman-led party has said that if the PTI wishes to pursue engagement with the establishment, then the JUIF would not join any alliance with it.
Minerals Bill
A meeting of the PTI’s political committee has unanimously decided to link passage of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Bill 2025 to approval from incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Critics of the controversial bill have claimed it dampens provincial autonomy and places control of the province’s resources with the federation. KP C.M. Ali Amin Gandapur has denied this.
Skilled Migration
P.M. Shehbaz Sharif has announced that Belarus has extended an offer to invite over 150,000 skilled Pakistani workers to contribute to its nation-building efforts. During an official visit of the premier to Minsk, he inked a series of agreements and MoUs aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two states across multiple sectors, including defense, commerce and environmental protection.
Another Heatwave
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast another heatwave in the country from April 13 until April 18, urging the public to adopt precautionary measures. According to the advisory, most parts of the country will experience higher temperatures, with Sindh, south Punjab and Balochistan forecast to see their daytime temperatures climb 6-8 degrees Celsius above normal.
Dasu Dam
The government’s Central Development Working Party has recommended the approval of the Dasu hydropower project for Rs. 1.7 trillion, making it the most expensive hydropower project in the country’s history. The surge from its original Rs. 479 billion cost has been linked to delays and mismanagement in the project.
Short-Term Inflation
The Sensitive Price Indicator, reflecting short-term inflation, recorded a historic year-on-year decline of 2.81% for the week ended April 10, the largest annual drop since SPI data was available. On a week-on-week basis, the index fell 0.83%, reflecting a continued reduction in prices of key essential items. The SPI comprises 51 essential items, whose data is collected from 50 markets across 17 cities.
Funding Cut
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will cut 20% of its staff globally amidst a $58 million shortfall triggered by the U.S. cutting funding for the organization. The U.N. aid chief has informed staff that the organization will reduce its strength from around 2,600 to 2,100 and reduce its locations, noting there is no reduction in needs.
Tackling Terrorism
The ISPR has claimed that an intelligence-based operation killed Hafeezullah Mubariz, a key terrorist ringleader of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, in the Lower Dir district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Mubariz has been described as the “TTP governor” for Mardan and head of its “special forces” in Malakand in Pakistan and Kuner in Afghanistan.
Wheat Crop
Farmers are fearing a further drop in market prices of wheat as harvesting of the crop gathers pace in Punjab and Sindh. Under an IMF condition, the federal and provincial governments of Punjab and Sindh have all withdrawn their support price. Analysts fear this may lead to the country needing to import wheat later this year, as growers have decreased their cultivation over similar measures last year.
U.S. Travel
All foreign nationals living in the U.S. are required to register with the government and carry documentary proof of their legal status at all times, according to new rules that came into effect on Friday. The rule is applicable to all non-citizens, including Green Card holders, and mandates anyone over 18 years old to carry evidence of their registration at all times.