Stern Warning
Chief of Army Staff Gen. Asim Munir has vowed that any aggression from India will trigger a swift and “notch-up” response from Pakistan. Amidst ongoing tensions between the neighboring states, the Army chief reiterated that while Pakistan is committed to regional peace, its preparedness and resolve to safeguard national interests remains absolute.
Economic Losses
A new report has estimated that illicit trade is causing annual revenue losses of Rs. 3.4 trillion to Pakistan’s economy, with nearly 30% of that loss a result of the misuse of the Afghan Transit Trade policy. The report stresses that smuggling is now a critical challenge for the economy, undermining formal businesses, eroding government revenues, and jeopardizing consumer safety.
Case Backlog
The registrar office of the Islamabad High Court has made clear that appeals filed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra against their convictions in the £190 million case cannot be fixed for hearing in 2025 due to a massive backlog of pending appeals. According to a report, the oldest appeal pending before the IHC dates back to 2017, eight years prior to the appeal filed by Khan.
Urging Restraint
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said Washington hopes India’s response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack does not trigger any broader regional conflict. In an interview, he has also hoped that Pakistan will cooperate with India to bring to justice the culprits responsible. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged both countries to de-escalate and seek solutions to the crisis through diplomacy.
Prepping for War
Residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are prepping for a potential war, as concerns persist about India attempting military action against Pakistan in the coming days. Authorities have barred tourists from entering sensitive areas near the Line of Control; ordered all madrassas to shutter for the next 10 days; and commenced emergency drills for children to prepare for any misadventure.
Airspace Losses
Air India has warned it faces losses of around $600 million in additional costs if Pakistan continues to deny its airspace to Indian airlines for a year. In a bid to offset the losses, the airline has urged the federal government to offer compensation, adding the subsidy can be removed when the situation between the neighboring countries improves.
Not Backing Down
The Punjab Health Department has decided to hire doctors on daily wages to maintain healthcare facilities amidst threats from the Young Doctors’ Association’s Punjab chapter to shut down indoor services at all public sector hospitals across the province. The YDA is demanding the provincial government reverse recent terminations and suspensions of young medics and nurses.
Water Share
The Indus River System Authority will meet today (Monday) to review the prevailing water situation and finalize anticipated provincial shares for the remaining Kharif 2025 season. Earlier this year, IRSA had said drought conditions had only left sufficient water for drinking purposes, but has said an improving situation may allow for higher water availability.
Blame Game
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has claimed the caretaker government initiated the controversial Cholistan canals project when Arif Ali was the president, seeking to rubbish allegations of the opposition PTI that President Asif Ali Zardari signed off on it. He has reiterated that the PPP opposed the project from its outset and played a crucial role in having it shelved.
Power Policy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a revised 10-year electricity procurement policy, slashing planned purchases from 14,000MW to around 7,000MW, with an aim to reduce the country’s reliance on costly, long-term contracts. The policy stresses the timely completion of strategic projects and prioritizing of indigenous resources and alternative energy sources