Cautious Optimism
A consumer confidence survey conducted by Ipsos has found that while seven in 10 Pakistanis believe the country is on the “wrong” track, optimism about the country’s direction has reached its highest level in six years. The survey also found that while two in three Pakistanis believe the country’s economic state is weak, the number who consider it strong has increased fivefold since the first quarter of 2024.
Bounty Issued
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Counter-Terrorism Department has released a picture of a suspected suicide bomber, announcing a reward of Rs. 500,000 for anyone who can provide accurate information about him. The suspect allegedly detonated explosives inside a mosque in Nowshera, killing at least six people and leaving another 18 injured.
Ineffective Prosecution
A Sustainable Social Development Organization report has noted 32,617 cases of gender-based violence were reported across Pakistan in 2024. Of these, 5,339 reported incidents of rape; 24,439 abduction; 2,238 domestic violence; 547 honor killings. Despite the staggering numbers, national conviction rates remain low: 0.5% for rape and honor killings; 0.1% for abduction; 1.3% for domestic violence.
Bracing for Rain
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rain and snowfall in the country’s hilly areas through March 4. According to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority, several major cities such as Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Lahore may receive rain and thunderstorms on March 2 and 3. In Sindh, light drizzle is forecast for Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Ghotki regions.
Skipping Sessions
The attendance report compiled by the National Assembly Secretariat has found that only about 25% of MNAs attended all six sittings of the 13th session of the Lower House from Feb. 10-18, while 46 lawmakers did not attend any sittings. The report states 237 MNAs skipped at least one sitting, and the third sitting saw the highest attendance with 205 MNAs present.
Protecting the Impoverished
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a Ramzan package for the impoverished, providing financial assistance to 4 million households, or roughly 20 million people, across the country. Under the package, each household would receive Rs. 5,000 through a digital wallet. The government has allocated Rs. 20 billion for this purpose.
Lagging Revenue
The Federal Board of Revenue has collected Rs. 7,343 billion in taxes in the first eight months of the current fiscal year against the budgeted target of Rs. 7,947 billion, a shortfall of Rs. 604 billion. Economists warn this leaves the government with just two choices in its upcoming talks with the IMF: requesting a reduction in the collection target or maintaining a fiscal deficit within desired limits.
Ground Zero
Sindh appears to be emerging as a new hub of the poliovirus, with the province reporting its fourth cases of the poliovirus thus far this year. The province had similarly ranked second in terms of total cases last year, recording 23 cases out of 74 reported nationwide. Overall this year, Pakistan has reported six new cases of polio—4 in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Road Mishaps
Sindh capital Karachi has reported 150 road fatalities in the first two months of 2025, a 74.4% increase over the corresponding period last, when the metropolis recorded 86 deaths. The surge in traffic accidents has pushed the Sindh Transport Department to launch a crackdown against traffic law violations, fining 1,856 vehicles and arresting 88 drivers.
Never Too Late
After a public spat with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said ties between the states can be repaired, as they are about more than two presidents. He has also stressed that Ukraine badly needs Washington’s help in its fight against Russia, admitting the conflict will be very difficult if the U.S. pulls its support.