Conditional Concern
The PTI, except for KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, has decided to boycott an in-camera meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security unless it gets prior access to incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The decision raises questions about the PTI’s sincerity to anti-terror efforts, as the meeting is to deliberate on a potential response to Afghanistan’s destabilizing role in Pakistan.
Misleading Remarks
The Foreign Office has slammed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for claiming Pakistan has responded with “hostility and betrayal” to attempts to foster peace between the neighboring nations. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted the remarks “conveniently” ignored the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and did not negate India’s role in fomenting terrorism in Pakistan.
Torkham Border
Despite the brokering of a truce by a Pak-Afghan Jirga, confusion persists over the reopening of the Torkham border crossing, shut for nearly a month over the construction of a checkpost in a disputed area. The Afghan side has demanded the border’s reopening without any preconditions, while Islamabad has said it should come with a six-month ceasefire and cessation of all construction.
Trade Deficit
Pakistan recorded exports of $2.491 billion in February against imports of $4.81 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $2.319 billion. Overall, the country’s trade deficit for July–February 2024–25 has hit $15.801 billion. In February, imports declined by 8.52% while exports declined by 15.59% against their January values, highlighting the persistent issues facing the economy.
Infrastructure Development
The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has directed relevant authorities to expedite motorway and highway projects in Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh. The civil-military body’s Executive Committee has also emphasized the adoption of the public-private partnership model for the construction of roads linked to ports.
Economic Stagnation
Data issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics shows that large-scale manufacturing has contracted by 1.8% in the first seven months of the ongoing fiscal year. Observers have cited the tight control over imports and a double-digit policy rate as the key reasons for the decline. The business community has repeatedly stressed growth is not possible unless electricity prices and interest rates are reduced.
Firefighting
P.M. Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a committee to negotiate a reduction in prices with sugar mills after his earlier approval of the commodity’s export triggered a 19% surge in prices. The 10-member committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, has been directed to submit a report on its negotiations to stabilize prices within three days.
Building Capacity
The Balochistan government has decided to establish a counter-terrorism wing of the Levies Force to enable security forces to tackle mounting terrorism in the province. The proposed wing will focus on strengthening collaboration with other security forces and agencies during operations against terrorists to improve the security situation in Balochistan.
Ceasefire Shattered
Israel has ended a ceasefire inked with Hamas in January, unleashing airstrikes on multiple targets that have killed over 220 people, including children. The Israeli military has said the strikes will continue for as long as necessary and extend beyond airstrikes. In response, Hamas has said Israel violated the ceasefire agreement, leaving the fate of 59 hostages still held in Gaza uncertain.
Child Support
The Lahore High Court has ruled that biological fathers are responsible for the financial maintenance of a child born out of wedlock or as a result of sexual assault. The ruling stresses that the development must follow the proving of paternity via established methods. It states the burden of proving a man if the biological father of a child lies on the woman who claims the maintenance.