Back to ‘Austerity’
With the conclusion of Eidul Azha, Islamabad’s district administration has re-imposed restrictions on market timings, requiring closures by 8 p.m. daily. Under the guidelines, restaurants, tandoors, grocery stores, bakeries, and meat, fruit and vegetable vendors can remain open until 10 p.m. The decision is likely to attract the ire of traders, who claim early closures are adversely impacting their businesses.
No End in Sight
Despite multiple reports claiming a deal to end the Iran was is near, both Tehran and Washington are continuing limited exchanges, though neither side is willing to call off the ceasefire in place since April. Most recently, the U.S. has said it struck Iranian military targets over the weekend, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have claimed to target a U.S. base in response, without identifying it.
Revising Subsidies
Power Minister Awais Leghari has once again rejected reports that the government is planning to withdraw all electricity subsidies for protected consumers in the upcoming fiscal year. In a press conference, he has claimed “eligible” users will continue to avail financial support through a QR code-based system, adding over 20 million consumers are currently in the “protected” category.
Contradictory Policies
The IMF has reportedly directed Islamabad to increase the general sales tax on electric vehicles and hybrid cars to 18%, removing tax exemptions aimed at encouraging EV adoption to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel. The policy direction is also in direct contrast with the IMF’s RSF facility, which also claims to seek reduction in fossil fuel usage, highlighting the IMF’s flawed taxation approach.
Tackling Terrorism
In a bid to revive ties with Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban government has reportedly informed Islamabad that the banned TTP has been warned to halt attacks within Pakistan or risk losing Kabul’s support. However, Islamabad remains unconvinced by this approach, maintaining there is no indication of verifiable actions aimed at curtailing the use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan.
Back to Blame Game
In what has become a reoccurring theme, the Sindh government has once again accused the Indus River System Authority of “unfairly” reducing the province’s water share, resulting in shortages in the province. The Sindh information minister has claimed this is impacting drinking water supply to Karachi, a city infamous among residents for requiring regular water deliveries for daily needs.
Tax Shortfall
The Federal Board of Revenue’s revenue shortfall for the first 11 months of FY26 has widened to Rs. 868 billion, as the tax body collected Rs. 11,227 billion against the revised target of Rs. 12,095 billion. FBR officials have blamed the shortfall—an annual occurrence—on a slowdown in economic activity due to the Gulf war and prolonged Eid holidays.
‘Fake News’
Incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, has rejected reports claiming her brother recently met an ex-Army chief at Adiala Jail. In a post on X, she has cited discussions with PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, stating he has confirmed the reports are “totally fake.” In her post, she has alleged the reports are part of a disinformation campaign to distract from Khan’s health concerns.
GB Elections
Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan has alleged that all political parties are violating the code of conduct during the campaign for the June 7 elections, warning candidates risk disqualification over repeated violations. Pushing back against PTI’s claims of unfair treatment, he has said the party’s leaders failed to secure NOCs, adding police had arrested no PTI member.
Studies Suspended
A teachers’ boycott of semester examinations over allegedly unpaid dues is nearing a month, leaving the Karachi University’s nearly-50,000 student body with no clear timeline for a return to normalcy of their academic calendar. Amidst the impasse, students are demanding intervention of the provincial government, which has thus far failed to take any significant actions toward resolution.