Islamic Ruling
The Council of Islamic Ideology has declared as un-Islamic a Supreme Court ruling granting a first wife the right to annul her marriage if her husband remarries without her consent. The Council has also ruled that premarital testing for thalassemia or other diseases can be included in the Nikahnama as an optional provision, adding that it the decision to marry will remain with both parties under Islamic law.
Economic Revival
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has hailed the inking of a staff-level agreement between Pakistan and the IMF after the first review of the ongoing $7 billion bailout while stressing the need to eliminate debt and achieve sustainable economic growth. In his speech, the premier also appreciated the common man for bearing the burden of price hikes, noting the salaried class’ hefty tax contributions.
Looming Heatwave
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of a looming heatwave in the coming months, noting forecasts indicate temperatures may rise 3°-5°C above normal levels. Referring to a previous drought advisory, he has emphasized the need for water conservation, as shortages can trigger crop failures, the spread of diseases, and adversely impact wildlife.
U.S. Sanctions
The United States has added 80 entities to a trade blacklist in a bid to disrupt China’s artificial intelligence and advanced computing capabilities. The decision impacts businesses in China, Taiwan, Pakistan, the U.A.E., Iran and South Africa, and bars them from obtaining U.S. items and technologies without government authorization.
Solar Reversal
Amidst mounting criticism, the federal cabinet has rejected the Power Ministry’s revised solar net metering policy, directing it to re-submit the recommendations after securing feedback from all stakeholders. Approved by the Economic Coordination Committee, the revised policy had reduced buyback rates and imposed hefty taxes on individuals with rooftop solar setups.
Carbon Levy
As part of Pakistan’s new 28-month arrangement under the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility, the government has committed to imposing a carbon levy on all hydrocarbons, including petroleum products and coal, starting with Rs. 3-5/liter or equivalent. This tax will gradually increase, with generated revenue to be spent on specific climate-related expenses.
Future Threat
A U.S. intelligence report compiled by 18 agencies has declared the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan a “potential future threat” to Washington in light of its historical ties to Al Qaeda and previous support to operations targeting the United States. Observers say the U.S. stance can strengthen Pakistan’s fight against terrorism and potentially revive counter-terror cooperation between the two countries.
‘Selective’ Criticism
The Foreign Office has slammed a statement from independent U.N. experts seeking the release of detained leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, describing it as lacking balance and downplaying terrorist-inflicted civilian casualties. It accused the activists of hiding behind a facade of alleged grievances while colluding with terrorists to obstruct state response to terrorism.
Victims of PECA
Journalist Waheed Murad has become the latest victim of the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, with the Federal Investigation Agency taking him into custody over posts allegedly propagating the views of the banned Baloch Liberation Army. Earlier, web outlet Raftar founder Farhan Malick was similarly detained over controversial posts on the platform.
National Savings
The government has informed a parliamentary panel that it has secured around Rs. 3.5 trillion in savings through revisions to power purchase agreements with 29 private and some state-owned power plants, spanning their remaining three to 20-year terms. As a consequence, it has claimed, the circular debt is expected to decrease to Rs. 400-450 billion by the year’s end, from around Rs. 2.4 trillion currently.