Widening Cracks
In an address to the joint session of Parliament, President Asif Ali Zardari has cautioned the federal government against “unilateral” policies placing strains on the federation. Specifically referring to the Cholistan Canal System project, he urged a rethink of the initiative amidst opposition from provinces. Nationalists in Sindh, particularly, have alleged the project infringes upon the province’s water rights.
Going Slow
The State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee has retained the key policy rate at 12%, citing elevated levels of core inflation and inherent volatility in food and energy prices. In a statement, the Committee has reiterated the need for a cautious monetary policy stance to achieve inflation in the targeted range of 5-7% and proceed toward sustainable economic growth.
Remittances Surge
Despite calls from the PTI for a “boycott” of remittances, overseas Pakistanis remitted $3.12 billion in February 2025, 3.8% higher than January and 38.6% higher than February 2024. Data issued by the State Bank of Pakistan shows the bulk of February’s remittances arrived from Saudi Arabia ($744.4 million), followed by the U.A.E. ($652.2m), the United Kingdom ($501.8m), and the United States ($309.4m).
Curbing Sugar
A newly implemented monitoring and enforcement system for sugar millers has seen a surge in sales tax collection, indicating massive tax evasion in the past. In response, the sugar cartel has allegedly sought to raise the commodity’s price in the open market, leading Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to suggest the import of raw sugar to stabilize prices.
Try, Try Again
The federal government has informed a visiting IMF delegation it will attempt another round of privatizing the Pakistan International Airlines by July. The government’s previous attempt failed to take off, with a real estate developer emerging as the sole bidder. A paltry Rs. 10 billion, the bid was rejected as it failed to meet the minimum ask price of Rs. 85 billion.
American Decline
Nonprofit Civicus has placed the U.S. in the “narrowed” category of its Human Rights Watchlist, joining countries such as Serbia and the Congo, over concerns about the erosion of civic freedoms under the Donald Trump administration. The organization has described the relisting of the U.S. as a “significant” decline in its democratic standing.
Diplomacy Fail
The U.S. has denied entry to Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkmenistan, deporting him upon arrival, over an immigration objection. The envoy had previously represented Pakistan in the U.S. He was flagged for “controversial visa references” despite possessing a valid U.S. visa and all necessary travel documents. The incident has raised concerns about diplomatic protocol and the nature of the decision.
TTP Threat
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. has warned the United Nations Security Council that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is rapidly emerging as an umbrella organization for regional terror groups and is currently the largest terror group in Afghanistan. In his address, the envoy has alleged Islamabad has evidence of Kabul’s complicity in the TTP’s attacks on Pakistan.
Mea Culpa
A special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has penned a letter to the American leader, apologizing for a public argument that saw Washington officials threaten to suspend all aid to Ukraine. Last week, during a joint address to Congress, Trump had referred to the letter, claiming Ukraine was “ready for peace” with Russia.
Penalizing Magic
The Senate Standing Committee on Interior has approved a bill seeking stringent punishments for practitioners, promoters and advertisers of black magic. The legislation also requires anyone offering spiritual healing services to obtain a license from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Under the bill, anyone involved in the occult faces up to 7 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 1 million.