Judges’ Seniority
The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench has dismissed a petition seeking an interim order against the appointment of Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar as acting chief justice of the Islamabad High Court. However, the court has scheduled a hearing for petitions challenging the issue of seniority of transferred judges, with the case to continue on April 17.
Rationalizing Subsidies
The government has reportedly assured the International Monetary Fund that subsidies on electricity and gas will be harmonized with the Benazir Income Support Program to ensure the facility is extended only to deserving consumers. Authorities aim to reform the existing subsidies by January 2027 to reduce incentives for overconsumption, wasted energy, and theft and losses.
American Weapons
An American M4A1 carbine rifle, manufactured in Connecticut and sent to Afghanistan in 2018, was among weapons seized from militants killed during the Jaffar Express hijacking in Balochistan, highlighting the threat posed by arms and ammunition abandoned by U.S. forces upon their exit from Kabul. Officials say the militants had M16s, M4s, and advanced PVS14 night-vision devices.
Iran vs. U.S.
President Donald Trump has warned Iran to renounce any pursuit of nuclear weapons or risk facing a potential military strike on its atomic infrastructure. The U.S. leader has accused Tehran of deliberately stalling progress on nuclear negotiations after the two sides engaged in indirect negotiations in Oman. Trump has made clear that the U.S. will not tolerate Iran having any nuclear weapons.
Legal Weed
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to legalize the cultivation of cannabis in specific districts of the province, permitting its plantation through licensed growers under a strict monitoring framework. The provincial agriculture minister has claimed the cannabis cultivation will not reduce food production and aims to boost economic activity.
Canals Issue
Responding to Sindh’s opposition to new canals on the Indus River, the Punjab government has written to IRSA, alleging the southern province is utilizing water from its share. The practice, it has claimed, jeopardizes Tarbela Dam’s storage. It has further alleged the lower riparian province is “underreporting discharge data” at its barrages, threatening fair water distribution.
No Country for Children
A Sustainable Social Development Organization report has claimed that 7,608 new cases of violence against children were reported across Pakistan in 2024, an average of 21 incidents per day. The cases reported span a range of offenses, including physical and sexual abuse, kidnapping, child trafficking, child marriage, and child labor. Officials fear the reported numbers are only a fraction of actual cases.
American Apathy
Almost 100 days since the start of his second presidency, Donald Trump’s administration has shown no interest in securing the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan—despite claims by several PTI leaders that help is forthcoming. The evolving situation has bolstered the incumbent government, which says Washington is more interested in regional security, economic stability and bilateral cooperation.
Pak-Afghan Ties
The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs has been informed that Pakistan is seeking a ‘reset’ in ties with Afghanistan to ease mounting tensions between the neighboring states. To achieve this, authorities are planning high-level visits to Kabul for bilateral talks, with the issue of sanctuaries for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to take center stage.
Divorce ‘Support’
A Senate subcommittee has approved the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2024, requiring family courts to designate monthly maintenance for divorcees and their children at the first hearing of a divorce case. The legislation aims to reduce the impact of prolonged divorce cases on women with no sources of income. Failure to pay the sum monthly can forfeit a defendant’s right to present a defense.