New Judges
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan has appointed six new judges to the Supreme Court amidst protest from some lawyers’ groups and a “boycott” of its proceedings by four members—two judges and two representatives of the PTI. However, the forum opted to defer its decision on elevating two judges of the Lahore High Court until “later.”
Remittances Boom
The State Bank of Pakistan has recorded $3 billion in remittances from overseas Pakistanis during January 2025, a 25.2% year-on-year increase. The development comes amidst an ongoing “boycott” call from the PTI, with former Prime Minister Imran Khan urging overseas Pakistanis to suspend remittances to “punish” the incumbent government.
Perceived Corruption
Pakistan’s ranking on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index has declined by two points, going from 133 in 2023 to 135 in 2024. According to Transparency International, global corruption levels remained alarmingly high, with more than two thirds of the 180 countries examined scoring below 50 out of 100.
Shifting Seniority
Outgoing Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, who is being elevated to the Supreme Court, has rejected a representation from five judges arguing that judges transferred between provincial high courts do not retain their seniority. The decision leaves recently transferred Justice Sarfaraz Dogar as the senior puisne judge and paves the way for him to become the next chief justice.
Deportations
Over 100 Pakistanis have been deported from six countries, including Saudi Arabia, Canada and the United Arab Emirates over various legal and immigration violations. Separately, immigration authorities at Karachi Airport have offloaded 47 passengers bound for 16 different countries over visa and travel documentation issues.
Afghanistan’s Terror Problem
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram has called for the need to address the threat posed by terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan. Noting the war-torn state is home to Daesh, TTP and the Majeed Brigade, he has warned that the militant groups pose threats not just to Afghanistan, but also the wider region, particularly Pakistan.
Revenue Generation
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is set to introduce changes in the Export Facilitation Scheme aimed at checking revenue leakages and withdrawing the facility from importers of iron and steel scrap. Among the proposed changes is a reduction to input utilization period and replacement of insurance guarantees with bank guarantees.
Shouting into the Void
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has claimed he will pen a third “open” letter to Chief of Army Staff Gen. Asim Munir—despite receiving no response from two earlier missives. The party maintains the letters do not aim to secure any “relief” for Khan, but rather apprise the military of the issues that are widening the gap between the public and the institution.
PECA Challenges
Both the Sindh and Punjab high courts have sought replies from the federal government on petitions pertaining to recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016. Filed by journalistic bodies, the petitions argue that the amendments violate fundamental rights and should be declared ultra vires of the Constitution. The next hearing for both cases will take place in two weeks.
Wobbling Ceasefire
U.S. President Trump has urged Israel to end its ceasefire with Hamas if hostages held in Gaza are not released by Saturday after a spokesman for the group accused Israel of failing to uphold the terms of the agreement. Trump’s vitriol follows his announcement of a controversial proposal to forcibly “relocate” Palestinians from Gaza and grant the U.S. control over the restive region.