‘Artificial’ Political Crisis
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has warned the incumbent government will not permit any group or political party to derail hard-won economic gains. In an interaction with PMLN Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Sharif urged authorities to “expose” elements within and outside Parliament who are attempting to sow chaos and instability, stressing any issues should be resolved through meaningful negotiations.
Poor Show
New Zealand has defeated Pakistan in the inaugural match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, placing even more emphasis on a decent showing by the national squad in its upcoming match against India later this week. The loss, at Karachi’s National Stadium, has dampened the celebratory mood arising from Pakistan’s hosting of its first ICC tournament since 1996.
Foreign Intervention
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has claimed hostile foreign powers have supported the ongoing conflict in Kurram district by supplying weapons and explosives to fuel sectarianism. He has said the government is working to contain the violence, vowing that all culprits will be brought to justice and peace restored.
Pak-Afghan Tensions
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has rejected a statement from the Afghanistan Embassy in Islamabad alleging authorities are unilaterally deporting and mistreating Afghans. A spokesperson has said the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan is repatriating illegal migrants and urged Kabul to create conducive conditions for the safe and dignified return of its citizens.
Visa Issues
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.A.E. has acknowledged the Gulf country’s refusal of visas to Pakistanis, adding both countries are working to resolve the situation. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi has said the refusals primarily stem from document authenticity and criminal records of some applicants, adding even genuine documents can be flagged if there are flaws in attestation.
Mounting Losses
The Ministry of Finance has reported that Pakistan’s state-owned enterprises reported losses of Rs. 851 billion in fiscal year 2023-24. At the same time, the companies’ loans have reached Rs. 9.2 billion, posing serious financial and credit risks. Collectively, the biggest loss-makers are power sector companies, while the single-highest loss of Rs. 295.5 billion was posted by the National Highways Authority.
Personal Benefit
The Economic Advisory Council, primarily comprising businessmen affiliated with export-oriented sectors, has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to devalue the rupee in a bid to boost their competitiveness. While the move may benefit businesses, it risks unleashing another wave of inflation, with direct consequences for the common man.
Wet Spell
Parts of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have received heavy rainfall, ending nearly four months of a dry spell that has raised fears of an impending drought. Last month, the Pakistan Meteorological Department warned that the lack of rain is deteriorating groundwater levels, adding the situation risks boosting food insecurity, as the country may be unable to produce required agricultural output.
HIV Hotspot
In 2024, Sindh’s Mirpurkhas district reported 150 children tested positive for HIV. The district now accounts for over 26% of all pediatric HIV cases from Sindh. The province remains the second highest HIV-affected province in Pakistan, after Punjab, with health experts blaming poor prevention strategies, especially the reusing of syringes and IV drips by health practitioners.
Trade War
The European Union has warned U.S. Donald Trump it will act “firmly and swiftly” to protect its interests if the U.S. imposes tariffs on its goods. Rejecting Trump’s claims of U.S. trade ties with Europe being unfair, E.U. trade chief Maros Sefcovic has said there is no justification for “sudden, unilateral” tariff hikes. He has vowed that Europe will do its best to avoid any trade restrictions.