Insufficient Spending
The federal government has spent less than 40% of its annual downward revised development budget of Rs. 1.1 trillion in the first nine months of fiscal year 2024-25, affecting hundreds of projects. The lack of funding for approved projects underscores inefficient use of resources, especially as P.M. Shehbaz Sharif denies the public relief in lower fuel prices to fund a road project in Balochistan.
By-poll Win
Preliminary and unofficial results of the by-elections in NA-123 (Umerkot) suggested the Pakistan Peoples Party has retained its seat, defeating the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s candidate. The seat had fallen vacant after the death of the PPP’s Nawab Yousuf Talpur. His widow, Saba Talpur, contested the vacated seat.
Farmer Welfare
Both treasury and opposition lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly have criticized the provincial government’s wheat policy, noting it has failed to address farmers’ concerns. The parliamentarians noted that farmers wanted the restoration of a support price, adding piecemeal “relief” measures are insufficient to ensure the welfare of farmers.
Hefty Surplus
Pakistan has recorded its highest-ever monthly current account surplus in March, $1.195 billion, compared to $363 million in the same month last year. State Bank of Pakistan data shows the country has now achieved $1.859 billion surplus in the first nine months of FY2024-25. Analysts have attributed the March surplus to the $4.1 billion in workers’ remittances of the same month.
Still No Meeting
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s family was left disappointed once more when authorities denied them permission to meet him at Adiala Jail. His sisters protested the decision and were briefly taken into custody before being released some distance from the prison. The PTI has vowed to challenge the denials in court, noting courts have previously granted them permission for the meetings.
Economic Support
Hungary has expressed its support for Pakistan retaining its GSP+ status with the European Union beyond 2027, describing it as a matter of “mutual interest.” In a meeting with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has also agreed to expand cooperation with Pakistan across key sectors and strengthen collaboration at multilateral forums, including the U.N.
One More Try
The government will next week seek expressions of interest for the sale of Pakistan International Airlines. According to authorities, they are seeking to sell off 51-100% stake in the debt-ridden airline to raise funds and reform state-owned enterprises, as committed to the International Monetary Fund. An attempt to privatize PIA last year failed to take off, receiving a single offer below the asking price.
Bilateral Ties
Ahead of an upcoming visit of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka, Pakistan and Bangladesh have revived bilateral political talks at the foreign secretary level after a gap of 15 years. The two countries discussed various bilateral issues, including political, economic and trade ties, cooperation in agriculture, environment and education, cultural exchanges, defense relations and people-to-people contacts.
Judging the Judges
Three judges whose transfer to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been challenged before the Supreme Court have refused to engage any counsel and expressed readiness to accept any ruling of the Constitutional Bench. In their petition, five judges of the IHC have argued that the transferred judges cannot be deemed IHC judges until they take a fresh oath under Article 194.
Positive Progress
After recording 74 new cases of the poliovirus in 2024, authorities have informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that no new cases of the disease have been reported in the country in over two months. Prior to this gap, however, the country recorded six more cases of the poliovirus in the first two months of 2025. Officials claim the break results from rigorous nationwide polio vaccination campaigns.