loader

Daily Briefs


Photo : Dawn

20-21 February 2024, Wednesday| Vol 5, No.31

PPP and PML-N reach a consensus for government formation at the centre



Supreme Court disposed of a plea asking for the general elections held on 8 February to be ruled invalid and null

PR Daily Brief | PR Team

In Brief
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2024
PR Exclusive Update #71

PPP and PML-N reach a consensus for government formation at the centre
On 21 February, Dawn reported that PPP and PML-N have reached a consensus after multiple rounds of talks for a power-sharing formula at the federal level. In a press conference, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto revealed that both parties have substantial numbers to form the federal government with PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif as the Prime ministerial candidate.  He further stated that the PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari will be the joint candidate for the president’s office. Bilawal said: “We pray the upcoming coalition government manages to overcome external and internal problems faced by the country.” He added: “We are thankful to the PML-N for throwing its weight behind PPP candidate Asif Ali Zardari. Despite the discussions, an insider told Dawn that as per the deal, PPP would not be able to join the federal cabinet and the National Assembly (NA) speaker slot would be assigned to the PML-N. The source further revealed that the senate chairmanship would go to PPP and the slot of deputy chairman to PML-N. The governorships in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab would go to PPP and both parties would form a government in Balochistan with Sarfaraz Bugti as the likely chief minister. (Syed Irfan Raza, “Consensus at midnight paves way for PDM 2.0,” Dawn, 21 February 2024
 
Supreme Court disposes of a plea requesting 8 February elections be declared invalid and null
On 21 February, the Supreme Court disposed of a plea asking for the general elections held on 8 February to be ruled invalid and null. The plea was disposed of as the petitioner Ali Khan failed to show up for two consecutive hearings. The petition had filed a petition on 13 February, requesting the court to pass an order to hold elections again within 30 days under “the direct supervision and oversight of the judiciary” in order “to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability.” According to the plea, a stay order was requested to prevent the formation of a new government until the lawsuit was resolved. In the petition, it was stated that the court should order “a thorough and impartial investigation” into the claimed election fraud, malfeasance, and pre-poll rigging and hold those accountable who have undermined the country’s democratic foundations. Referring to the petitioner’s absence, CJP Isa, observed that “It seems that Ali Khan had done a publicity stunt by filing a petition before the Supreme Court.” The plea was heard by a three-member bench, including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali along with the CJP. The bench not only disposed of the plea but also mandated the petitioner to pay a fine of PKR 500,000.
(“SC disposes of plea seeking nullification of Feb 8 polls,” Dawn, 21 February 2024, “SC moved to declare elections void, order repolling,” Dawn, 13 February 20

LHC nominates two judges as election tribunals
On 21 February, Dawn reported that two judges have been nominated by the Lahore High Court (LHC) as election tribunals, owing to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s request, to decide the petitions regarding the polls held on 8 February. An official stated that the names of Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad have been sent to the ECP for their nomination. The ECP had requested for the nomination of nine judges for the tribunal. However, Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti rejected the request owing “to the huge backlog of cases and low strength of the judges.” According to Dawn, LHC currently has 39 judges against the commissioned strength of 60. The appointment of judges to the election tribunal will leave LHC with 37 Judges. Dawn further added since 2021 no appointment of judges have been made. (“Two Lahore High Court judges to act as election tribunals,” Dawn, 21 February 2024)
 
Senators call for action against CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja amid rigging allegations
On 20 February, senators from different political parties called for action against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja over a “stolen mandate.” The senators called for his arrest and trial for high treason under Article 6. The senators condemned alleged rigging in pre and post elections and sought investigations into the charges of manipulated results and audit of Forms 45 and 47. Speaking in the senate house, senior politician Tahir Bizenjo criticized ECP for its failure to act according to its responsibility of conducting “free and fair elections.” He said: “Mandate given by the people to their real representatives had been stolen to bring “drug lords” and “land grabbers” to the assemblies.” He further questioned the right of the judiciary to strip PTI’s electoral symbol ‘bat’. He added: “Can these rigged elections bring stability to the country?” Subsequently, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmed in his speech demanded the trial of CEC on charges of “high treason” for “failing to meet his constitutional obligation.” Followed by Senator Ahmed, PTI senator Syed Ali Zafar said that “a revolution of hope” was brought by the country’s youth despite the pre-poll rigging. He further warned of spreading anarchy and unrest in the country if those to whom the “people had given a mandate were not given the right to rule.” (Iftikhar A. Khan, “Senators call for CEC’s arrest, trial for treason,” Dawn, 21 February 2024)
 
2024 elections saw a 70 per cent drop in complaints filed with the ECP despite allegations of rigging
On 20 February, The News International reported that in the 2024 elections, there were 87 complaints filed with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), a 70 per cent drop from 2018, when there were 299 petitions filed. Allegations of rigging were 340 per cent higher in 2018. The article cited the geographical analysis by Najam Ali, as per which 22 of the 87 complaints were pertaining to the National Assembly (NA), ten from KP, seven from Punjab, three from Sindh and two from Balochistan. Ali thus questioned how the PTI could claim that 80 NA seats were “stolen” from them if only 12 petitions had been filed from Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. He also pointed out that 43 per cent of the petitions originated from KP, where the PTI has won with an overwhelming majority. Ali therefore additionally questioned why KP had a ‘disproportionate share’ of both NA and provincial assembly seats. Another argument that he raised was whether the 70 per cent drop in petitions from 2018 to 2024 marked a ‘genuine leap in electoral integrity,’ given the fact that social media amplified the perception of rigging during the electoral process. (Farrukh Saleem, “Rigging petitions drop 340pc,” The News International, 20 February 2024)
 
PTI’s proof of post-election rigging video debunked
On 19 February a viral video, touted by the PTI as being ‘proof’ of post-election rigging, was shared by Imran Khan only to be debunked later. The video showed two journalists inspecting ballot papers for NA-15, where Nawaz Sharif had contested, prompting questions on why papers were being printed so long after elections. Simultaneously, the two journalists and an editor raised questions over the authenticity of the video, alleging that they were led to the printing press and were forced to release the videos. Senior journalist Nasrullah Malik questioned whether the news was ‘planted,’ calling for a “detailed investigation into the matter” to prevent it from becoming a part of “any political party’s agenda.” Those who filmed the video said the press was owned by a PML-N member, though PML-N Punjab information secretary Azma Bokhari labelled the journalists as “PTI social media activists.”  (Mansoor Malik, “‘Post-poll rigging’ videos or a damp squib?” Dawn, 20 February 2024)
 
IHC suspends the announcement of three returned candidates who were elected to NA from constituencies in Islamabad
On 19 February, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the announcement of three returned candidates who were elected to the National Assembly from the three federal capital constituencies. The notifications of NA-46, NA-47, and NA-48 were put on hold by a division bench made up of Justices Minagul Hassan Aurangzeb and Arbab Mohammad Tahir. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Anjum Aqeel Khan, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Raja Khurram Nawaz Khan were all proclaimed returned candidates. With the backing of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Amir Mughal, Muhammad Shoaib Shaheen, and Muhammad Ali Bukhari ran as independent candidates from these constituencies. They had contested the ECP’s notification, arguing that it was sent out against the ECP’s status quo order. Their petitions had previously been dismissed by a one-member bench, which instructed the ECP to determine their submissions. However, the three appealed the verdict made by the one-member bench within the court. The registrar of the IHC objected to the appeals, stating that the appellants were ineligible to submit an appeal against the ECP’s notification because a tribunal had been established to adjudicate disputes pertaining to elections. The ECP attorney argued that the commission had not yet released a notification in this respect. The court then dismissed the registrar’s objection. (Malik Asad and Munawer Azeem, “Court suspends ‘victories’ on all three capital seats,” Dawn, 20 February 2024)
 
 PPP solidifies its position in Balochistan with maximum seats
On 19 February, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) gained three independent MPAs (Member of Provincial Assembly) to its ranks, solidifying its position as the only party with the most seats in the 51-member assembly of Balochistan. Asfandyar Kakar, Mir Liaquat Ali Lehri, and Maulana Noorullah were the three independent MPAs-elect who declared their intention to join the PPP. Noorullah won the Qila Saifullah election against the provincial chairman of the JUI-F Maulana Abdul Wasey. Former minister Asfandyar Kakar ran for office as an independent and won when the PPP refused to offer him the party ticket. Lehri was an MPA during the time Asfandyar Kakar was elected on the PPP ticket. According to PPP sources, one more independent MPA would join the PPP. The identity of the PPP’s nominee to fill the top position and form the new Balochistan administration has not yet been finalized. (Saleem Shahid, “PPP now largest party in Balochistan,” Dawn, 20 February 2024)
 
Former Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, likely to be PPP’s candidate for the new leader of the house
On 20 February, Dawn reported that the former Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah’s name emerged as the frontrunner for the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) nomination for the new leader of the house. The PPP is poised to form the next government in Sindh for a record-breaking fourth time. Party insiders asserted that Shah’s selection as the province’s chief executive was now certain, despite the PPP having not yet made an official declaration. Initially, Murad Ali Shah’s name gained momentum for the spot, but the names of former local government minister Nasir Shah, former communication minister Sharjeel Memon, and Zardari’s sister, Faryal Talpur, were also in circulation. However, they added that the leader of the party, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in particular, was completely happy with his performance, especially during and after the province’s historic floods and COVID-19 pandemic. (Tahir Siddiqui, “Murad tipped as CM as PPP set to rule Sindh for fourth time in a row,” Dawn, 20 February 2024)
 
PTI joins the SIC to claim its share of reserved seats
On 19 February, in an effort to secure its share of reserved seats in the national, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formally joined forces with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). On the same day, the SIC informed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a letter, that 50 PTI-backed independents had joined their party. The leader of the SIC Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, was elected as an independent from Faisalabad, and it is noteworthy that the party does not own a single member in parliament. As per a document from the ECP, Raza is the head of the SIC, which is enlisted with the ECP. The party, however, is not represented in the provinces or at the centre. Raza’s attorney, Jawadul Hasan Kazmi, who submitted the SIC’s paperwork to the ECP, informed Dawn that Raza had emerged victorious in the election from NA-104 (Faisalabad) running as an independent. Kazmi said: “After winning the election, Mr Raza has given a formal notice to ECP to consider him as a member of the SIC as the party is enlisted with the ECP.” He further stated  “However, it is the right of the candidates to join any enlisted party within 72 hours after the victory notification, so Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza will join the SIC and the PTI will also get the reserved seats.” PTI founding member Akbar S Babar responded to media reports regarding the PTI leadership’s alliance with SIC by stating that the alliance has no legal significance and will not affect how reserved seats are distributed in the parliament. Meanwhile, a delegation of PTI leaders met with the leadership of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-Sheerani) in Islamabad to solicit their support for possible protests on the streets. (Ikram Junaidi, “PTI ‘merges’ with seatless party for three assemblies,” Dawn, 20 February 2024)
 
PTI petitions PHC in a bid to reclaim its reserved seats in assemblies
On 19 February, the PTI filed a petition for reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies with the Peshawar High Court (PHC). According to the petition filed by advocate Mashal Yousafzai through advocate Qazi Muhammad Anwar, the ECP’s interpretation of a political party as stated in Rule 94(4) of the Election Rules 2017 should be declared unconstitutional and unlawful. The petition has been filed as the PTI has been deprived of reserved seats for women and minorities due to it being stripped of its election symbol. According to the plea, PTI has provided a list of names for seats designated for minorities and women in the assembly. It stated that PTI candidates ran for office as independents and that, despite numerous obstacles, they were able to secure the majority of seats in both the national and KP Assembly elections. According to the petition, should the party choose not to affiliate with any political party, it would forfeit its allotted seats. It made clear that the Supreme Court, not the ECP, had the authority to delist a party. The petition further asked the court to declare the Election Rules 2017 null and unlawful and order their party to be allocated women’s and minority-reserved seats in the same manner as other political parties, arguing that the ECP’s interpretation of Rule 94(4) was unconstitutional. (Umer Farooq and Mohammad Ashfaq, “PTI moves PHC to reclaim reserved seats in assemblies,” Dawn, 20 February 2024)
 
Legal obstacles on PTI’s path to reclaiming reserved seats
On 20 February, The News International in an article highlighted legal obstacles that the PTI would face in securing its independents’ share of reserved seats in the National Assembly by joining the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). Additionally, there is another argument that an ‘incomplete parliament’ would be formed if the PTI is not given its complete seats. The article cited journalist Majid Nizami, who said that despite the SIC not winning any NA seat, it is a registered party which anyone can join. As per Nizami, if the PTI were to get its reserved seats, its strength in the NA would increase; however, the partnership would not be ‘smooth sailing’ and there is a potential for a legal battle to ensue. On 19 February, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja said if “someone wants to create a legal obstacle” in PTI’s quest to get its reserved seats, “they can.” He then pointed out that “these seats can’t go to any other party in addition to whatever reserved seats they have acquired based on seats they have won.” Regardless, journalist Mehmal Sarfraz said the PTI “has no choice at the moment other than joining a smaller political party so that it doesn’t lose on its reserved seats quota.” Constitutional lawyer Usama Khawar also highlighted that aligning with the SIC would not “necessary mean that the PTI loses its identity as a political party outside the NA.” Instead, the alliance would “enhance” the party’s representation. (Zebunnisa Burki, “PTI’s quest for reserved seats may not be smooth sailing,” The News International, 20 February 2024)
 
POLITICS
Source to The News International details events of meeting that led to Imran Khan’s ouster
On 21 February, The News International reported on a meeting that took place on 26 March 2022 between the then opposition leaders. As per an “informed source,” PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had told the former army chief Gen (R) Qamar Javed Bajwa that if the opposition leaders were pressurized by the military establishment to withdraw the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan, the former would ‘go public.’ This meeting had become a contentious issue last week, after JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman alleged that Bajwa had directed the opposition leaders to move the motion. Although some leaders denied what Rehman said, the article pointed out that Bhutto Zardari had spoken to Bajwa on the motion, after Khan had sent the army chief and the DG ISI to persuade the opposition leaders to withdraw the motion. The article also claimed that Rehman and Bhutto Zardari had opposed Bajwa’s proposition in which the no-confidence motion would be withdrawn in exchange for midterm elections. The News cited a source, who stated that Bhutto Zardari told Bajwa that going forward with the motion against Khan and the PTI was the democratic right of the opposition and the constitutional method of removing a prime minister. This was when Bhutto Zardari warned Bajwa that if they were pressed by the military establishment to withdraw the motion, he would go public about it. (Ansar Abbasi, “Bilawal warned Bajwa of going public if pressed to revoke no-trust against Imran,” The News International, 21 February 2024)
 
X remains inaccessible for the fourth consecutive day
On 21 February, X was accessible for a few hours before its access was disrupted without an official announcement. This marks the fourth consecutive day of disruptions which began on 17 February. Earlier, ahead of the polls, authorities had claimed that an error led to social media sites being inaccessible, while on poll day, the internet faced a complete shutdown on the pretext of security and terrorism concerns. However, users have reported problems with using X even after the results were declared. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had ruled in 2018 that internet shutdowns went against fundamental rights and the constitution. The freedom of information (Article 19-A), freedom of speech (Article 19), and freedom of association (Article 17) are all constitutionally guaranteed rights in Pakistan. Geo TV claimed that it was told to contact the minister information technology and chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), after reaching out to the caretaker Information Minister, Murtaza Solangi, on the matter of disruptions. Digital rights activist Farieha Aziz pointed out that no official acknowledgement was given by the PTA or the caretaker government on the ban on X, and alleged that the “prime minister and the IT minister are using VPNs to post on X.” Aziz also highlighted PECA laws, as per which only the PTA has blocking powers but is not obliged to do so at the behest of the government. She called for an end to “snatching away of platforms where citizens’ voices are heard.” Additionally, the Director of Bolo Bhi, Usama Khilji, said that the fact there was “no notice, no announcement, no certainty around when the block will be lifted” had created “uncertainty” and made way for an “environment of disinformation.” (“X still inaccessible for more than 4 days in Pakistan,” The News International, 21 February 2024)
 
“The PTA has quietly become just another tool in the hands of our habitually oppressive state,” laments an editorial in Dawn
On 21 February, an editorial in Dawn titled “Silencing the public” highlighted the “stench of desperation” in Islamabad that hung heavy as officials have faced “a lot of trouble” in trying to keep the “public under their thumb.” He linked this to access on X being blocked in Pakistan, claiming that since the authorities were “afraid of the public setting the narrative agenda,” they decided to “pull the plug” on a site that provides a platform for self-expression. With no announcements from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) or the IT ministry trying to justify the disruption, the editorial pointed out the “hypocrisy” of some caretaker ministers, who have used “VPN services” to continue posting on X. The IT minister in particular seemed to be more interested in “self-promotion” as he praised the ‘take-off’ of Pakistan’s IT industry and announced two new schemes. With mobile phone services suspended throughout and following the Election Day, the PTA “wreaked immeasurable damage on Pakistan” as denying citizens their constitutional rights to communication worsened the political instability by “providing a convenient cover for the alleged irregularities that occurred later that night.” The editorial lamented that the authority still refused to learn, noting that the PTA had become a tool in the hands of the “habitually oppressive state” to be used against Pakistanis when they start “inconveniencing the powers that be.” (“Silencing the public,” Dawn, 21 February 2024)

Caretaker government elevates IB, giving it financial autonomy and operational independence
On 19 February, the caretaker government granted the Intelligence Bureau (IB) the status of a full-fledged division, effectively giving it financial autonomy. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar issued the notification, as per which the IB was elevated as a division, with the director general becoming the ex-officio secretary to the division. The division will work directly under the prime minister, ending the interference of other departments in IB’s operations. A source told  Dawn, that because the IB used to work under the cabinet division, it faced multiple obstacles financially and administratively, as it could not spend anything without sanction from the finance division. Additionally, the secretary of the cabinet division was the IB’s principal accounting officer and would scrutinize all of the bureau’s expenditures. However, following Kakar’s decision, the IB can directly seek funds from the prime minister and independently make decisions regarding the transfer, posting and promotion of officials. (Syed Irfan Raza, “Intelligence Bureau’s status elevated, with full financial autonomy,” Dawn, 20 February 2024)

Senate rejects bill for public execution of sex offenders
On 19 February, Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan of the JI introduced a bill seeking public execution of sex offenders and rapists, which was rejected by the Senate. Khan highlighted a report as per which of the 1122 cases of rape recorded in KP in the last five years, 581 individuals were arrested, of which 494 were acquitted and 87 were convicted. Additionally, of the 341 individuals booked for raping women, only 23 received sentences. Khan further stated: “According to one report, in the first six months of 2023, 12 children were targeted for sexual assault every month.” He thus proposed four “public executions,” explaining the need for “strict punishments” to control crime. Some senators from different parties supported Khan, saying “what is happening in the world is not important; what Islam says is important.” They also argued that countries with public executions had low crime rates. However, those who opposed the bill contended that public executions would spread barbarism, and attention should instead be given to improving policing. PPP senator Sherry Rehman added that “public hanging does not suit a society of the 21st century” and would not be able to stop crime. The bill failed, with 14 bvoting in favor and 24 against. (Waqas Ahmed, “Senate shoots down public hanging bill,” The Express Tribune, 20 February 2024)
 
ECONOMY
“Clarity on political direction” on formation of new government helps boost PSX
On 20 February, shares on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) gained more than 900 points, with analysts linking the bullish trend with the agreement reached between the PML-N and the PPP to share power in order to form the new government. Last week, political uncertainty owing to rigging allegations and doubts on forming the coalition government had led to a fall in the PSX. The head of research at Arif Habib Limited, Tahir Abbas, said that the 1.58 per cent increase in market on a day-on-day basis was due to “clarity on the political direction regarding the formation of a new government,” though investors remained vigilant for the new government’s economic strategy. Similarly, the director of research at Akseer Research, Awais Ashraf, noted that the new setup would “continue with the reforms and take a more cohesive approach for settling issues between the Centre and provinces required for fiscal discipline.” (Mahira Sarfraz, “Shares at PSX rally 900 points in early morning trade over ‘clarity’ on govt formation,” Dawn, 21 February 2024)
 
CPPA seeks highest ever increase in fuel cost adjustment
On 21 February, Dawn reported that the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) sought a PKR 7.13 per unit increase in fuel charges in electricity bills from January, with the intention of generating PKR 57 billion for power distribution companies (Discos). This would mark the highest fuel cost adjustment (FCA) that the CPPA has ever demanded, and will be on top of a 26 per cent increase in the annual base tariff and an 18 per cent hike in quarterly tariff adjustments. With consumers being forced to pay excessive bills in spite of comparatively lower consumption owing to the winter, questions have arisen on the power sector bureaucracy’s ability to forecast fuel costs for the short-term. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has agreed to a public hearing on the matter on 23 February. An increase in domestic coal and gas prices are the main causes for the higher proposed FCA for January 2024. The CPPA in a petition sought an additional FCA of PKR 7.1308 per unit in the March bill for January’s electricity consumption, claiming that the actual fuel cost was PKR 7.131 per unit more than the reference fuel cost for January. If Nepra approves the increase, the amount would be adjusted in the March bill of all consumer categories except lifeline power consumers and protected domestic consumers using up to 300 units, and agricultural consumers and electric vehicle charging stations. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Electricity bills to surge with record fuel cost adjustment,” Dawn, 21 February 2024)
 
“Politicking over a new deal and the reforms mandated by it is no longer an option for Pakistan,” says an editorial in Dawn
On 21 February, an editorial in Dawn titled “Fitch’s concern” highlighted how the uncertainty created by the scramble to form a “potentially weak coalition” in the center was giving Pakistan’s investors “jitters.” Doubts over the new government’s ability to negotiate a new and larger bailout with the IMF, and ability to “adhere to tougher policy commitments” were voiced by Moody’s in its post-election comments on Pakistan’s macroeconomic weaknesses. The uncertainty is prevailing despite a “strong political consensus” that another IMF deal is “critical for Pakistan’s long-term economic trajectory” and the country’s ability to secure financing flows from other creditors. The editorial cited the “disquiet” expressed by Fitch Ratings over the political conditions in the country, and its belief that “finalizing a new IMF deal is likely to be challenging” due to “near-term political uncertainty.” According to the American credit rating agency, even though the new government would prioritize securing new loan goals given the “worrying nature of the economic challenges and the limited options in Pakistan,” there is concern of prolonged discussions with the IMF due to “continued political volatility.” The editorial justified the fact that creditors and investors remain worried, given the fact that Pakistan’s politicians are “known for changing their stated position on crucial economic and other policy matters when in the opposition.” In the past, governments withdrew from financial deals as a result of “political backlash.” The editorial concluded by arguing that “politicking over a new deal and the reforms mandated by it is no longer an option for Pakistan.” Referring to Fitch, it stated that the failure to secure a deal could lead to an increase in both liquidity stress and the potential for a default. (“Fitch’s concern,” Dawn, 21 February 2024)
 
“It is a reform programme of the bureaucracy by the bureaucracy for the bureaucracy,” says opinion in The Express Tribune on the FBR restructuring
On 21 February, Haroon Khawaja argued in an opinion in The Express Tribune titled “Lost FBR hits a dead end” that fiscal deficit was the “mother of all problems” facing Pakistan’s economy, noting that if the country were to spend more than it earned, a need for borrowing would arise which would cause “fiscal deficit to bloat” and inflation to remain “stubbornly high.” The country’s “astronomical” potential to mobilize taxes is “under-explored” given the tax to GDP ratio of 8.5 per cent. Khawaja regarded the Federal Bureau of Revenue as the “single biggest obstacle” to Pakistan raising its earnings, as majority of the due taxes are either evaded or end up in “the pockets of FBR officials.” The agency’s proliferation of “harassment in the business community” further disincentivizes taxpayers to disclose their income while creating a “culture of harassment.” Khawaja also pointed out that reforms to change the “jumbled tax policy” and the FBR itself have been “without essence” as they have failed to address the issues of “rent-seeking and harassment.” The non-performance of the government has forced the IMF to “intervene to control the direction of the FBR.” As per the opinion, there is no need for a “humungous bureaucratic entity that has continued to fail in delivering” when the bulk of Pakistan’s tax revenue is paid by a few hundred corporates and more than 9 per cent is collected through withholding at source. For nearly a decade, Khawaja has been advocating for a “sleek, professional, efficient, competent and faceless tax authority that acts like a service provider to win the confidence of its customers (the taxpayers) while having the ability to use technology to identify evasion.” This entity should deal with existing taxpayers, “plugging the holes in identification and accountability of tax evaders,” and eliminating any communication between the taxman and the taxpayer. On the other hand, the FBR should be focused on bringing new taxpayers. Khawaja goes on to contend that the recent FBR restructuring failed to address the “core issue” of eliminating harassment and corruption as it only looked at creating another board under the finance minister for tax policy, and bifurcating the Customs from the IRS with separate oversight boards. While he agreed with the separation of the two, Khawaja stated that tax policy should be discussed by the public and media, debated in parliamentary committees, and then moved before the parliament for final arguments and enactment. He concluded by stating that the current restructure plan would “confuse the real reforms that ought to be made,” as it is a “reform programme of the bureaucracy by the bureaucracy for the bureaucracy.” (Haroon Khawaja, “Lost FBR hits a dead end,” The Express Tribune, 21 February 2024)
 
Pakistan records its highest net outflow of FDI in six years
On 20 January, Dawn reported that according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s latest data, the net outflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Pakistan stood at USD 173 million in the month of January 2024. This is the highest outflow of FDI from Pakistan in the last six years and reflects the ongoing political uncertainty in the country. The SBP data revealed that the net outflow of FDI (USD 173.2 million) in January 2024 is in sharp contrast with the net inflow of FDI (USD 237 million) in January 2023. The data further revealed that that during July-Jan FY24, the FDI inflow stood at USD 689.5m in contrast to USD 876.8m in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. This translates into a decline of 21.4 per cent amounting to a loss of USD 187.3 million FDI. Even though Pakistan does not depend on FDI inflows to maintain its foreign exchange reserves, the current outflow “reflects the erosion of confidence of foreign investors,” according to a senior analyst. Experts and analysts are also certain that there would be no improvement in the situation until a “stable” government takes over in at the centre. (Shahid Iqbal, “Foreign direct investment outflow hits six-year peak on instability,” Dawn, 20 February 2024)

 

Pakistan on Twitter

We're dealing with a different generation that can't be easily fooled. They don't rely on mainstream media that's been crafting false narratives for decades. World leaders need to grasp this reality before it's too late. Pakistani youth have already demonstrated this, seizing control, and it won't stop there. With 2024 being an election year in many countries, including the USA, we're bound to witness significant changes worldwide.
-Atif Khan
 
 Manufacturing a hung parliament by through extensive manipulation and electoral fraud, in order to impose a failed coalition against the will of the people of Pakistan will not change reality: the people's choice is Imran Khan!
-PTI
 
 Documentary on Mandate Thieves of Pakistan! There is one day in five years where Awaam gets to have an input on the system. Rejecting their mandate is a recipe for disaster. It’s not PTI vs PDM anymore, it’s people vs establishment now!
-Salman Ahmad

“Pakistan’s most powerful institutions and individuals have a chance to course correct. The ECP need to be held to account, the wrongdoings of February 9 need to be fixed,and the efforts to suppress citizen expression need to stop.”
-Hamid

“Only in Pakistan an army chief imposes his ideas on how to form a democratic government in the country.”
-Irfan

“Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja MUST Resign as he has Failed to Hold Free, Fair and Transparent Elections in Pakistan and has to be Tried Under Article 6 of High Treason Against the People of Pakistan.”
-Sana

Also read...

Abdullah Khalid, ‘Better democracy
Dawn, 21 February 2024
“Pakistan’s current electoral system, though efficient, often omits minority and smaller party voices. PR could ensure inclusivity and reduce unrest from underrepresentation. Critics fear fragmentation and unstable coalitions, but Pakistan’s political landscape might find stability in PR. Implementing PR requires consensus and constitutional recognition. A hybrid system, blending FPTP and PR, could suit Pakistan’s unique context, considering its political and demographic fabric.”
 
Editorial, ‘Public hanging bill
The Express Tribune, 21 February 2024
“One cannot overlook the moral ambiguity inherent in the public execution debate. While there may be arguments in favour of deterrence, there are equally compelling ethical considerations, including the potential for the dehumanisation of both the accused and society as a whole. The rejection of the bill, however, reflects a willingness to sacrifice ethical principles for the sake of a perceived expedient solution to a complex societal issue.”
 
Editorial, ‘Navalny’s death
The Express Tribune, 21 February 2024
“Such high-handed tactics by the Russian establishment are behind the concerns suspecting a fair deal for the opposition leaders. Last but not least to recall is the silencing of failed coup leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner chief, who mysteriously died in a plane crash during his self-exile in Belarus last year.”
 
Syed Asad Ali Shah, ‘Reinventing basic education’
The News International, 21 February 2024
“The current centralized and bureaucratic government school system that manages approximately over 115,000 schools by federal and four provincial governments has proven to be totally ineffective, largely due to inherent limitations in public-sector governance and the reluctance of federal and provincial authorities to instigate meaningful change.”
 
Nauman Ahmad Bhatti, ‘What matters is delivery
The News International, 21 February 2024
“But even with such feasible circumstances of forming a government, the participants appear to be hesitant. Not one party is particularly thrilled about taking the reins by getting a majority vote in the coming days. At the heart of politics, these parties are, in fact, rivals. Megalomaniacs. They have anticipated worsening state affairs in the coming years.”

Dr Moonis Ahmar, ‘Stuck in the dead end post-election
The Express Tribune, 20 February 2024
“For the third time in its political history, Pakistan finds itself stuck in a dead end after a general election. The first time the country came to this pass was after the December 1970 general election. The outcome of the vote triggered a critical crisis as the stakeholders reached a dead end, ultimately resulting in the country breaking up into two. Then again, the results from the March 1977 general election triggered a large-scale agitation against alleged rigging in the polling, leading to the imposition of what turned out to be the country’s longest martial law.”

Mosharraf Zaidi, ‘Did Imran win or did the status quo lose?
The News International, 20 February 2024
“If Pindi has concluded that the incredible PTI showing in the February 8 election is mostly a product of Imran Khan and his populist politics, then the effort to continue muzzling the PTI and its rank and file will probably continue. If instead it sees the election result as more of a generational expression of Pakistan’s overwhelmingly youthful, underserved and pessimistic populace being done with the status quo of dinosaurs, then the pressure on the PTI is likely to start relenting. More space for the PTI to restore its standing as a power broker is then likely to start to emerge. The constant references to the current game being a zero-sum equation between individuals (military or civilian) forces the analysis into territory where personalities, such as Imran Khan, are the center of gravity. They may well be. But if it is all about individual personalities, and the agency of ordinary Pakistanis – such as those that voted for PTI-endorsed independents  is seen as negligible or menial, then it necessitates a steep escalatory ladder and leaves no wiggle room.”

Arifa Noor, ‘A giant’s strength
Dawn, 20 February 2024
“Our political engineering formula has come undone. The hawa which was clearly blowing hard couldn’t secure a win for the blue-eyed party and engineer an election in Punjab. The ever-capricious electables have been playing up for some time now and refuse to swing around with the wind. And parties refuse to fall apart quietly after the first dozen or so among their leadership are given a software update. And then, the people. Decades ago, it was decided they were illiterate, poor and desperate for money, and hence the political process could be reduced to ‘they sell their vote for a few thousand, let’s not blame them’, while the more organised or better off went for the promise of a naali (drain) or sadak (road). But this time around, the poor and the sadak lovers have changed their colours. Their blood has also turned white. Caste and community no longer mean the political world to them. They have turned into selfish adults who want to exercise the individual right to vote, even encouraging their mothers and sisters to think similarly. The absence of the bat didn’t confuse them, for the wily creatures used smartphones, believing it over mainstream media.”
 
Wara Irfan, Aniqa Atiq Khan, Hawwa Fazal, ‘Pakistan’s elections in numbers — low turnout, gender inequality and voting mishaps
Dawn, 20 February 2024
“While political parties fight over who gets to form the government at the centre and each of the provinces, there are cries from various quarters of their mandate having been stolen. But what does that mean? How many Pakistanis actually exercised their right to adult franchise on Feb 8? And where the voter turnout was less than ideal, does the winning candidate actually represent the will of the people? In the words of political analyst Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, voter turnout is as vital a sign of the political health of a democracy as is blood pressure in a human body. Broadly speaking, a total of 60.8 million voters exercised their right to vote in Pakistan’s 12th general elections, according to an analysis conducted by Dawn.com through the published Form 47s of the 264 constituencies, whose results have been announced, on the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) website. This number was almost 6 million more compared to when 54.8 million Pakistanis cast their votes in 2018.”
 

 






“The depressing prospect for the people of Pakistan is that there is no end in sight to their financial woes.”
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Endless wait for a plan
 

Other Daily Briefs

25 July 2024, Thursday | Vol 5, No.154

Growth and Investment in Pakistan: Four Takeaways

22 July 2024, Monday | Vol 5, No.152

Imran Khan says no to any deal with the PPP

22 July 2024, Monday | Vol 5, No.152

Imran Khan says no to any deal with the PPP

19 July 2024, Friday| Vol 5, No.150

Health and Nutrition in Pakistan: Four Takeaways

18 July 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.149

Education in Pakistan: Four Takeaways

17 July 2024, Wednesday| Vol 5, No.148

Public Debt in Pakistan: Five Takeaways

15 July 2024, Monday| Vol 5, No.146

Climate Change in Pakistan: Five Takeaways

12 July 2024, Friday| Vol 5, No.144

TTP dominates Pakistan's discourse again

5 July 2024, Friday| Vol 5, No.142

PM Shehbaz Sharif at SCO

4 July 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.141

Inflation in Pakistan: Five Takeaways

3 July 2024, Wednesday| Vol 5, No.140

SIC’s reserved seats case hearing divides judges

29 June 2024, Saturday| Vol 5, No.137

Azm-i-Istehkam: Pakistan's ambassador asks US for

26 June 2024, Wednesday| Vol 5, No.134

PM expects “good news” from IMF

24 June 2024, Monday| Vol 5, No.132

The Continuing Controversy over Reserved Seats for SIC

New political party “Awaam Pakistan” I Second case of mob lynching in two months over blasphemy allegations

Punjab budget 2024-25: Prioritising Health and Initiatives

20 June 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.129

Sindh Provincial Budget 2024-25: Urban and Political

12 June 2024, Wednesday| Vol 5, No.122

Pakistan Economic Survey 2023-24 highlights "modest recovery"

11 June 2024, Tuesday| Vol 5, No.121

Tax suggestions: Internal inputs vs IMF recommendations

7 June 2024, Friday| Vol 5, No.118

Sharif's China Visit: Day Three

6 June 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.117

Sharif's China Visit: Day Two

5 June 2024, Wednesday| Vol 5, No.116

Sharif's China Visit: Day One

3 June 2024, Monday| Vol 5, No.114

Increase in PSDP proposed after shortfall in FY24

30 May 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.111

Dasu Hydropower Project: A Profile

28 May 2024, Tuesday| Vol 5, No.109

Pakistan observes 26th anniversary of its nuclear tests

27 May 2024, Monday| Vol 5, No.108

Pakistan supports 'One China' policy, says PM Sharif

25 May 2024, Saturday| Vol 5, No.107

Defamation Bill in Punjab: Who is opposing it and why?

24 May 2024, Friday| Vol 5, No.106

State of Media in Pakistan (PR Review-III)

23 May 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.105

Pakistan and Turkmenistan to fund TAPI pipeline project

22 May 2024, Wednesday| Vol 5, No.104

Pakistan to launch communication satellite with Chinese help

20 May 2024, Monday| Vol 5, No.102

State of Media in Pakistan (PR Review-II)

14 May 2024, Tuesday| Vol 5, No.97

Protests in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir: What and Why?

11 May 2024, Saturday| Vol 5, No.95

“Downside risks remain exceptionally high,” says IMF

3 May 2024, Friday| Vol 5, No.88

PTI's Election White Paper calls for Judicial Probe

16 April 2024, Tuesday| Vol 5, No.73

MQM-P warns of protests against crimes in Karachi

08 April 2024, Monday| Vol 5, No.66

Rising Street Crimes in Karachi

06 April 2024, Saturday| Vol 5, No.65

Sharif announces decision to personally review security SOPs

05 April 2024, Friday| Vol 5, No.64

Naeem becomes the new party chief of JI

02 April 2024, Tuesday| Vol 5, No.61

PTI intends to form a grand opposition alliance

26 March 2024, Tuesday| Vol 5, No.56

‘Fake news’ is a major challenge, says PM Shehbaz

5 March 2024, Tuesday | Vol 5, No.38

20 PTI activists granted post arrest bail in 9 May riot

22 February 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.32

MQM-P demands four portfolios in the federal cabinet

20-21 February 2024, Wednesday| Vol 5, No.31

PPP and PML-N reach a consensus for government formation at the centre

19 February 2024, Monday| Vol 5, No.30

Fafen calls on the ECP to conduct audit of election results

16 February 2024, Friday| Vol 5, No.28

36 per cent newcomers for the National Assembly

15 February 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.27

PML-N gains more lawmakers

10 February 2024, Saturday | Vol 5, No.23

Pakistan Elections, Two Days After: What do the numbers say?

09 February 2024, Friday| Vol 5, No.22

PTI-backed independents gain ground in preliminary results

05-06 February 2024, Monday| Vol 5, No.19

Campaigning window closes tonight, says ECP

30 January 2024, Tuesday| Vol 5, No.16

PPP raises concerns over the test trial of new EMS

24-25 January 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.14

PML-N is Punjab’s favorite: IPOR survey

23 January 2024, Tuesday| Vol 5, No.13

Nawaz Sharif promises “economic overhaul” if elected

18 January 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.10

All set for the general elections, says CEC

17 January 2024, Wednesday| Vol 5, No.9

PTI to face challenges in maintaining control over members

13 January 2024, Friday| Vol 5, No.7

PTI releases list of candidates for elections

05 January 2024, Tuesday | Vol 5, No.4

Imran Khan indicted for contempt | MQM-P unveils manifesto

02 January 2024, Tuesday | Vol 5, No.2

PTI candidates appeal against rejection of nomination papers

01 January 2023, Monday | Vol 5, No.1

PML-N leader criticizes rivals

30 December 2023, Saturday | Vol 4, No.261

Election Commission to challenge the PTI symbol reinstatement

29 December 2023, Friday | Vol 4, No.260

Army to provide necessary assistance for election

28 December 2023, Thursday | Vol 4, No.259

PML-N requests public feedback on its election manifesto

27 December 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.258

PHC order ignites discussion around legal procedures

20 December 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.255

ECP’s reserves judgment in PTI’s party symbol case

19 December 2023, Tuesday | Vol 4, No.254

PTI tries AI-generated Imran Khan

13 December 2023, Wednesday| Vol 4, No.251

The US reaffirms itself as Pakistan's ally

12 December 2023, Tuesday | Vol 4, No.250

PPP accused of killing MQM-P party workers

11 December 2023, Monday | Vol 4, No.249

Pakistan’s army chief leaves for inaugural visit to the US

29 November 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.247

Pakistan summons Hafiz Gul Bahadur to return to Pakistan

28 November 2023, Monday | Vol 4, No.246

Protests against the authorities continue

25 November 2023, Saturday | Vol 4, No.244

Pakistan elected as vice chair of UNESCO Executive Board

23 November 2023, Thursday | Vol 4, No.242

Pakistan applies to join BRICS, seeks Russia’s support

22 November 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.241

Chaman border closure upon month-long protest

17 November 2023, Friday | Vol 4, No.237

Possibility of more IMF loans, says Finance Minister

16 November 2023, Thursday | Vol 4, No.236

Pakistan set to bag USD 700million from IMF

15 November 2023, Tuesday | Vol 4, No.235

PTI demands justice as Imran approaches his 100-day detention

14 November 2023, Tuesday | Vol 4, No.234

Bilawal Bhutto rejects “selected government”

PR Evening Brief | 13 November 2023, Monday | Vol 4, No.233

PML-Q on merger with PML-N

11 November 2023, Saturday | Vol 4, No.232

Bilawal on the distinguishing between terrorists and refugees

09 November 2023, Thursday | Vol 4, No.230

Nawaz to court BAP to strengthen PML-N

08 November 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.229

Sindh suspends deportation of illegal migrants by one day

01 November 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.228

NCHR petition against the forced repatriation plans of Pakistan

30 October 2023, Monday | Vol 4, No.226

Sindh government needs PKR 2 billion to repatriate migrants

28 October 2023, Saturday | Vol 4, No.225

UN calls on Pakistan to stop deporting Afghan refugees

27 October 2023, Friday | Vol 4, No.224

Centers for illegal immigrants

25 October 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.222

PIA: Spokesperson expresses fear of closure

23 October 2023, Monday | Vol 4, No.220

Chaman border protest intensifies over visa and passport rules

18 October 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.216

Anwaarul Haq Kakar holds bilateral talks at BRF in Beijing

14 October 2023, Saturday| Vol 4, No.216

Saudi Arabia finds 12,000 phony Pakistani passports

11 October 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.213

PIA approved for privatization as all legacy liabilities parked

07 October 2023, Saturday | Vol 4, No.210

Criticism against government's repatriation plan

05 October 2023, Thursday | Vol 4, No.208

Discos to be provided to the private sector by interim in

30 September 2023, Saturday | Vol 4, No.205

'Twin bombings' targeting a mosque in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

28 September 2023, Thursday| Vol 4, No.203

Protests in Balochistan by BNP-M

26 September 2023, Tuesday| Vol 4, No.201

PTI women leaders rearrested

25 September 2023, Monday| Vol 4, No.200

Anchor Riaz is finally ‘home’ after 4 months

21 September 2023, Thursday| Vol 4, No.197

UAE bans meat imports from Pakistan

20 September 2023, Wednesday| Vol 4, No.196

Bilawal demands “Level Playing Field” from PML-N

19 September 2023, Tuesday| Vol 4, No.195

Pakistan rejects claims of selling arms to Ukraine for IMF bailout

16 September 2023, Saturday| Vol 4, No.193

Torkham border reopens after eight- day closure

15 September 2023, Friday| Vol 4, No.192

Torkham border crossing set to reopen

13 September 2023, Wednesday| Vol 4, No.190

US Envoy’s visit to Gwadar Port

08 September 2023, Friday| Vol 4, No.186

Supreme Court Bar Association resolution on civilian supremacy

07 September 2023, Thursday| Vol 4, No.185

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Terrorist attack in Chitral kills sixteen

06 September 2023, Wednesday| Vol 4, No.184

Supreme Court debates retrospective amendments to NAB law

02 September 2023, Saturday| Vol 4, No.181

Ten main economic threats, identified by the Finance Ministry

01 September 2023, Friday | Vol 4, No.180

Election Commission of Pakistan prepares for upcoming polls

30 August 2023, Wednesday| Vol 4, No.178

Imran Khan Rearrested

29 August 2023, Tuesday| Vol 4, No.177

PTI urges Supreme Court for timely general elections

28 August 2023, Monday | Vol 4, No.176

Protests against the Power bill

26 August 2023, Saturday | Vol 4, No.175

Nawaz's Return: The debate from

21 August 2023, Monday| Vol 4, No.170

PTI leader remanded and Asad Umar 'missing' in cipher case

19 August 2023, Saturday| Vol 4, No.169

ECP: Transparent elections prioritized over timely elections

18 August 2023, Friday | Vol 4, No.168

Composition of Pakistan’s new Cabinet

17 August 2023, Thursday | Vol 4, No.167

Internal debate within the PML-N on Nawaz’s return

16 August 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.166

On Elections: Supreme Court to the Election Commission of Pakistan

2 August 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.158

PTI withdraws membership of 22 leaders

29 July 2023, Saturday | Vol 4, No.155

Names shortlisted for caretaker PM

27 July 2023, Thursday | Vol 4, No.154

Pakistan and Russia on Black Sea Grain initiative

25 July 2023, Tuesday | Vol 4, No.152

‘Non-Partisan’ Interim set-up for PPP

24 July 2023, Monday | Vol 4, No.151

PML-N onboard for Ishaq Dar as Interim PM, PPP disagrees

20 July 2023, Thursday | Vol 4, No.148

IMF’s staff report on Pakistan

19 July 2023, Wednesday | Vol 4, No.147

National Counter Violent Extremism Policy 2022 to be amended

17 July 2023, Monday | Vol 4, No.145

Iran and Pakistan to deepen security cooperation

11 July 2023, Tuesday | Vol 4, No.140

Supreme Court rejects the IPP plea to ban PTI

10 July 2023, Monday | Vol 4, No.139

PM Sharif condemns campaign threatening army chief

07 July 2023, Friday | Vol 4, No.137

Lahore court acquits Nawaz Sharif for a 34-year-old case

04 July 2023, Tuesday I Vol 4, No.134

Ishaq Dar points that PML-N wants Nawaz Sharif’s rule

30 June 2023, Friday I Vol 4, No.131

PDM leaders meet in Dubai on IPP

29 June 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.130

Upcoming elections to decide the coalition strategy

28 June 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.129

Jahangir Tareen will be the IPP's candidate for Prime Minister

16 June 2023, Friday I Vol 4, No.120

Pakistan and Belgium discuss on strengthening the ties

15 June 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.119

IPP accused of plagiarizing their party name

14 June 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.118

Chaos in Senate over federal budget debate

09 June 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.115

 IPP Party launch with PTI defectors

07 June 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.114

US administration engages with Pakistan on regional security

02 June 2023, Friday I Vol 4, No.110

Detention of PTI workers is unconstitutional, says LHC

01 June 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.109

Pakistan’s Political Crisis: PR Daily Updates: Day 22

31 May 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.108

Imran Khan believes PTI deserters forming "Kings Party"

27 May 2023, Saturday I Vol 4, No.105

Day 17 Pakistan’s Political Crisis: PR Daily Updates

25 May 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.103

Day 15 Pakistan’s Political Crisis: PR Daily Updates

20 May 2023, Saturday I Vol 4, No.99

Sindh government demands early local government elections

17 May 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.96

The NSC approves the trial of rioters under the Army Act

10 May 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.91

Omar Cheema arrested during a raid by ACE at dawn

27 April 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.82

NA Speaker writes a letter to CJP on behalf of Parliament

25 April 2023, Tuesday I Vol 4, No.80

PML-N demands the resignation of CJP over audio leaks

22 April 2023, Saturday I Vol 4, No.79

NA forces the halted Practice and Procedure bill into law

21 April 2023, Friday I Vol 4, No.78

President approves amendments to Tax Law Bill 2023

12 April 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.69

PAC takes stock of audit of public entities by AGP

10 April 2023, Monday I Vol 4, No.68

Polls fund issue to be consulted with the Parliament

08 April 2023, Saturday I Vol 4, No.67

Justice Minallah notes garners support and criticism

06 April 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.65

PBS: Digital census sees 90 per cent completion

04 April 2023, Tuesday I Vol 4, No.63

Elections: Three-member bench to deliver the verdict today

01 April 2023, Saturday | Vol 4, No.61

Meeting of the government allies

22 March 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.59

Imran Khan agrees to participate in multi-party conference

14 March 2023, Tuesday I Vol 4, No.55

Imran Khan kicks off election campaign in Lahore

10 March 2023, Friday I Vol 4, No.53

Punjab and KP: Elections affected by logistic requirements

08 March 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.51

Centre ready to answer PPP's concerns over digital census

02 March 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.46

Split Verdict: Supreme courts orders timely elections

27 February 2023, Monday I Vol 4, No.43

The new ‘Austerity Measures’

16 February 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.39

The Director-General of IAEA lands in Pakistan for a two-day visit

13 February 2023, Monday I Vol 4, No.36

Federal Health Ministry begins polio vaccination drives

9 February 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.33

LHC suspends the acceptance of 43 PTI MNAs resignation

7 February 2023, Tuesday I Vol 4, No.32

Federal reschedules APC meeting 

6 February 2023, Monday I Vol 4, No.31

Pervez Musharraf died at the age of 79 in Dubai

4 February 2023, Saturday I Vol 4, No.30

Imran Khan will not attend the All Parties Conference

2 February 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.28

Islamabad Police arrests Awami League leader Sheikh Rashid

27 January 2023, Friday I Vol 4, No.23

PDM huddle: Asif Zardari, Fazl calls on PM Shehbaz

25 January 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.22

Sindh: PPP’s modest edge in local polls shrinks further

23 January 2023, Monday I Vol 4, No.20

Sindh: PML-N offers to bridge the gap between JI and PPP

20 January 2023, Friday I Vol 4, No.17

Nawaz Sharif comments on Punjab assembly dissolution

18 January 2023, Wednesday I Vol 4, No.15

National Assembly speaker accepts resignation of 34 PTI lawmakers

17 January 2023, Tuesday I Vol 4, No.14

Sindh: PPP wins the majority of the seats in the LG polls

12 January 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.9

Elahi passes the no- confidence test in the assembly

10 January 2023, Tuesday I Vol 4, No.7

PTI leaders get arrest warrants in contempt case by ECP

09January 2023, Monday I Vol 4, No.006

Pakistani Rupee falls to 0.31 per cent

03 January 2023, Tuesday I Vol 4, No.002

NSC states Afghan government should deny safe heavens to TTP

28 December 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.285

Political parties urge Imran Khan to return to parliament

23 December 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No.281

SBP’s forex reserves plunge to 8-year low

21 December 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.279

Punjab Assembly Speaker terming the Governor's demand illegal

20 December 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No.278

Lahore High Court allowing time for Imran Khan to file a rejoinder

19 December 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No.277

Imran Khan announces the date of assembly dissolution

15 December 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No.274

ECP ensures equal representation of women in the panel

14 December 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.273

ECP begins steps to remove Imran Khan as the PTI chairman

12 December 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No.271

opposition protesting in National Assembly over Swati's arrest

10 December 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No.270

PTI gets notice from ECP regarding the change in party amendment

6 December 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No.266

National Flood Response and Coordination Centre shuts down

3 December 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No.264

Senators claims parliament was never allowed to talk with the TTP

2 December 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No.263

Forex reserves dropping to 4.2 per cent to USD 7.498 billion

1 December 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No.262

ECP reporting a four per cent drop in the gender gap

29 November 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No.261

Senate Committee passes the Corporal Punishment Bill

25 November 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No.258

Foreign exchange reserves plummeting to USD 7.8 billion

22 November 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No.255

Imran Khan summoned for Toshakhana case hearing

19 November 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No.253

NAB going to probe into Toshakhana reference against Imran Khan

17 November 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No.251

Default risks reaching the maximum measure

16 November 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.250

Imran Khan vilifying the Chief Election Commissioner

12 November 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No.247

Imran Khan gets tightened security

7 November 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No.242

PTI to resume long march from Wazirabad

31 October 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No.240

Imran Khan declares talks with government are underway

28 October 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No.238

ISI and Army question PTI in a joint presser

27 October 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No.237

PTI to reach Islamabad with the Azadi march on 4 November

19 October 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.231

National Assembly passing nine bills despite lack of quorum

18 October 2022, Tueday I Vol 3, No.230

Imran Khan admitting to backchannel negotiations

11 October 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No.224

Interior Ministry claims to have resolved audio leaks issue

4 October 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No.218

Imran Khan sets a Long March date in October

29 September 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No.214

Chinese nationals targeted in Karachi, one person killed

23 September 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No.210

UN to hold a donors’ conference to raise funds for Pakistan

22 September 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No.209

Imran Khan announces PTI's movement for "Haqeeqi Azaadi"

21 September 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.208

Federal Shariat Court to hear petitions challenging transgender law

9 September 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No.198

UN Secretary-General arrives in Pakistan amid flood devastations

7 September 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.196

WHO warns of worsening humanitarian situation in Pakistan

31 August 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.194

ECC approves disbursement of Rs 103 billion for flood victims

19 August 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No.187

COAS meet with US CENTCOM chief

16 August 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No.184

Government set to dispatch letter of intent to IMF

12 August 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No.183

National Assembly hold Minority Convention for the first time

11 August 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No.182

Raid on Gill's driver's house 'legal,' says ICT police

6 August 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No.179

ECP issues notice to Imran Khan, fixes hearing for 23 August

5 August 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No.178

PTI withdraws case against CEC

2 August 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No.175

PTI received funding from prohibited sources, says ECP

1 August 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No.174

The country's economic challenges are temporary, says FM

30 July 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No.173

CJP releases audio of JCP meeting

23 July 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No.167

Hamza Sharif takes oath as chief minister of Punjab

20 July 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.164

Ruling coalition vows to save the Punjab government

18 July 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No.162

Landslide victory for PTI over PML-N

2 July 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No.154

PTI to hold rally from Rawalpindi to Islamabad

29 June 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.151

National Assembly completes budgetary proceedings

27 June 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No.149

PM promises to restore the role of provinces in the NAP

3 June 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No.129

Imran warns of a civil war: PPP and PML-N condemns

31 May 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No.126

Government and TTP agree on an indefinite ceasefire

25 May 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.121

Police clash with PTI workers

21 May 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No.119

FM Bilawal promises to strengthen Sino-Pak cooperation

30 April 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No. 102

Punjab: Hamza Shehbaz takes oath as chief minister

28 April 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No. 100

Prime Minister Shebhaz Sharif orders for the review of NAP

26 April 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No. 98

Finance minister positive on cooperation with IMF

20 April 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No. 93

PM Shehbaz Sharif meets with COAS Bajwa

19 April 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No. 92

PM Shehbaz Sharif's 34-member cabinet takes oath

18 April 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No. 91

PM Shehbaz Sharif finalises federal cabinet

16 April 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No. 90

PPP's Raja Pervaiz Ashraf elected NA speaker

14 April 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No. 88

PM Sharif promises to address Karachi’s development

13 April 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No. 87

PM Shehbaz Sharif meets coalition leaders

7 April 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No. 82

Supreme Court resumes hearing on NA deputy speakers ruling

4 April 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No. 79

Imran Khan de-notified as prime minister

2 April 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No. 78

Establishment gave me three options, says PM Khan

25 March 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No. 71

NA session adjourned until 28 March

24 March 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No. 70

OIC concludes meeting, adopts 70-point Islamabad Declaration

22 March 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No. 68

Broadsheet CEO apologises to Nawaz  

21 March 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No. 67

NA Speaker summons no-confidence motion for 25 March

19 March 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No. 66

PTI supporters enter Sindh house after hours of protesting

17 March 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No. 64

PPP accepts PDM’s invite to join the long march

16 March 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No. 63

PDM reschedules long march towards Islamabad

15 March 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No. 62

PDM announces long march towards Islamabad

9 March 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No. 57

PPP’s march reaches Islamabad

4 March 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No. 53

PDM and PPP reaches consensus on snap elections

2 March 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No. 51

PM Khan meeting with PML-Q leadership

28 February 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No. 49

PPP begins long march against PTI government

26 February 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No. 48

PTI to hold long march against PPP

25 February 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No. 47

PM Khan meets with President Putin

24 February 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No. 46

PM Khan to meet President Putin during a two-day official visit

21 February 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No. 43

Zardari and Fazl to meet as part of the PPP-PDM alliance

16 February 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No. 40

Bilawal approves the route plan for the long march

15 February 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No. 39

COAS meets with President and PM on the same day

14 February 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No. 38

Shehbaz visits Chaudhry Shujaat after 14 years

5 February 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No. 31

IMF demands six more requirements in its detailed report

4 February 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No. 30

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Two Police officers killed in Nowshera

1 February 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No. 27

Gilani resigns from the post of the opposition leader in Senate

31 January 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No. 26

PTI to hold march against PPP government in February

29 January 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No. 25

Four security personnel killed in Bugti landmine blast

26 January 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No. 22

PDM's plan for a long march to Islamabad on 23 March

19 January 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No. 16

Bilawal offers conditional possibility of working with the PDM

14 January 2022, Friday I Vol 3, No. 12

Mini-Budget passed through National Assembly

13 January 2022, Thursday I Vol 3, No. 11

PDM to discuss option of no-confidence on 25 January

10 January 2022, Monday I Vol 3, No. 8

Over 500 families rescued in Murree

4 January 2022, Tuesday I Vol 3, No. 3

Violence-related casualties increased in 2021, says report

28 December 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 336

Search for new chairman for National Accountability Board begins

27 December 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 335

Benazir Bhutto: 14 years after her assassination 

24 December 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 334

Senate passes resolution against Sialkot lynching, extremism

17 December 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 330

33 more suspects arrested in Sialkot lynching incident

15 December 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 328

Nacta formulates first-ever policy to counter violent extremism

14 December 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 327

Government asks ECP to frame a timeline for implementation of EVMs

13 December 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 326

18 more arrested for involvement in Sialkot lynching case

10 December 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 324

TTP ends ceasefire with government

09 December 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 323

PM unveils Naya Pakistan Card Initiative

08 December 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 322

PDM keen on holding its long march on Pakistan Day

03 December 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 318

Joint opposition to boycott national security committee meeting

02 December 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 317

NSA Moeed meets with Russian counterpart Nikolai in Moscow

25 November 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 311

NA committee chair disallows vote on NAB amendment bills

24 November 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 310

Cabinet establishes committee on EVMs for 2023 elections

19 November 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 308

Senate passes journalist protection bill and NAB bills

18 November 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 307

Opposition indicates no-trust motion against NA Speaker

16 November 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 305

Government calls for joint parliamentary session

13 November 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 303

Speaker invites opposition for talks 

12 November 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 302

Extended Troika meets in Islamabad

11 November 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 301

Opposition questions TTP talks in Senate

10 November 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 300

Supreme Court resumes hearing of APS attacks

09 November 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 299

ECP releases another report on Daska by-poll

08 November 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 298

Government lifts ban on TLP

03 November 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 295

TLP allowed to contest elections under deal with the government

02 November 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 294

Deal with TLP only solution to ward off bloodshed, says PM Khan

1 November 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 293

Three reports outline shrinking space for press freedom

27 October 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 289

PM Khan appoints Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as new DG ISI after interviews

25 October 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 287

Jam Kamal Khan Alyani resigns as chief minister

23 October 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 286

Three police men killed in clashes with TLP protesters

22 October 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 285

FATF decision to retain Pakistan on the grey list.

21 October 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 284

TLP protests for the release of Rizvi

20 October 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 283

Balochistan MPAs to move no-trust motion against CM Kamal in assembly

19 October 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 282

PDM to start nationwide agitation from 20 October

11 October 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 276

Lowest number of COVID-19 cases in a single day

07 October 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 272

Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum appointed as new chief of ISI

06 October 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 271

Controversy brews over the appointment of NAB chief

30 September 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 266

Senate alarmed over anti-Pakistan bill moved in US Senate

27 September 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 263

Statue of Mohammad Ali Jinnah destroyed in Gwadar

22 September 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 258

Government and Opposition agree to set up a panel for poll reforms

21 September 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 257

Government fails to make Urdu official language, says Supreme Court

20 September 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 256

Fazl asks Islamabad to immediately recognise the Taliban government

16 September 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 253

Government and media agree to form a body for PMDA review

15 September 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 252

If govt is not behind PMDA, it should take its notice, says PFUJ

14 September 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 251

COAS warns against hybrid threats

11 September 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 248

PDM to boycott joint parliament session

10 September 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 247

Opposition parties blame each other for PDM’s disintegration

09 September 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 246

Bilawal asks for parliament debate on Afghanistan, CPEC attacks

08 September 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 245

Cabinet reiterates plan to use EVMs in 2023

07 September 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 244

CCI decided to includes hydel power in renewable energy targets

03 September 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 241

PTI asks ECP to deploy army during cantonment polls

02 September 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 240

Mohsin Dawar launches Nationalist Democratic Movement

01 September 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 239

PM launches Pak-ID mobile app for computerised National Identity Card

31 August 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 238

Shehbaz and Bilawal's support to the media

30 August 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 237

PDM holds power-show in Bagh-i-Jinnah, Karachi

26 August 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 233

ECC approves import of sugar, wheat

25 August 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 232

PPP welcomes PDM activities in Karachi, says Bilawal

24 August 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 231

PM directs all provinces to implement Single National Curriculum

23 August 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 230

PML-N to back no-trust move if PPP presents workable idea

21 August 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 229

FDI inflows to Pakistan drop by 39 per cent in July 2021

20 August 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 228

Another Woman, Another Attack, but Same Questions

19 August 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 227

The debate on the Pakistan Media Development Authority

16 August 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 224

Pakistan on Taliban’s takeover

14 August 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 222

Foreign exchange reserves to make a new record, says SBP Chief

12 August 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 220

The increase in car sales

11 August 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 219

Pakistan sees a decline in remittance

10 August 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 218

Pakistan in the Olympics

09 August 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 217

Blast in Quetta's Serena hotel

07 August 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 215

Sharif, UK and the Visa issue

06 August 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 214

“AJK’s” new Prime Minister

05 August 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 213

Pakistan’s narrative on Kashmir

04 August 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 212

Pakistan has other options, says NSA Moeed Yusuf

03 August 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 211

The backlash against Aurat March

02 August 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 210

Decoding the Sialkot by-elections

30 July 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 207

The Digital Pakistan Policy

29 July 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 206

Pakistan’s urban flooding problem

28 July 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 205

Pakistan’s move towards Central Asia

27 July 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 204

Civilian causalities hit record level: UNAMA Report

26 July 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 203

The "AJK" elections

24 July 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 202

Pakistanis trend #JusticeForNoor

22 July 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 200

Pakistan’s IPP Saga

20 July 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 199

The “AJK” elections

17 July 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 196

Pakistan caught in the crosshairs of Afghan government

15 July 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 194

Targeting of Chinese investment in Pakistan

14 July 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 193

Pakistan's “I am not Malala” narrative

13 July 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 192

Pakistan's Debate on Afghan Fallouts

12 July 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 191

The problems of Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline

10 July 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 189

PM's meeting with Balochistan lawmakers

09 July 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 188

Will not impose complete lockdowns, says Planning Minister

08 July 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 187

The problem of gender-based violence in Pakistan

07 July 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 186

Understanding Pakistan’s water shortage

06 July 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 185

The TLP debate in Pakistan

05 July 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 184

Pakistan, China and Xinjiang: Deciphering Imran's statement

03 July 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 182

The return of the PDM

02 July 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 181

Child soldiers in Pakistan: A never-ending ordeal

30 June 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 179

Pakistan in between China and the West

29 June 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 178

Pakistan's current Afghan narratives

28 June 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 177

Roshan Digital Account and the rising remittances

26 June 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 175

Pakistan and the FATF: Still in grey

25 June 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 174

Evolving Pakistan-Turkey Axis

24 June 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 173

From Musharraf to Imran Khan: Victim Blaming across the leaders

23 June 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 172

The Single National Curriculum debate in Pakistan

21 June 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No. 170

Electoral Reforms: Good idea, bad strategy

19 June 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No. 168

The electoral reforms bill & the domestic debate

18 June 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No. 167

Budget 2021-22: Mapping the domestic response

16 June 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 165

National Assembly witnesses fistfights and profanities

15 June 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 164

Shireen Mazari accuses India of Nuclear Smuggling

09 June 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 158

Analysing the problems of Pakistan Railways

08 June 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No. 157

Beyond the CPEC: Expanding Chinese footprints in Pakistan

02 June 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.151

Media organisations oppose a proposal for regulatory authority

01 June 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.150

Police in Peshawar fire tear gas, baton charge govt teachers

26 May 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.144

Govt will not provide US bases in the country, says Qureshi

25 May 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.143

Pakistan and US NSAs meet in Geneva

21 May 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.139

70 years of Pakistan-China friendship

20 May 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.138

Qureshi calls for joint action to end Palestine crisis

19 May 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.137

PBS releases the 6th Population and Housing Census 2017

13 May 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.133

COAS meets with the US Charge d' Affairs

11 May 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.131

COAS Gen Bajwa meets with President Ghani

08 May 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.128

FIA stops Shehbaz from flying abroad 

07 May 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.127

Speaker sets up committee for poll reforms

06 May 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.126

Pakistan’s third COVID-19 wave

05 May 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.125

COAS Bajwa arrives in Saudi Arabia

04 May 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.124

PM Khan urges OIC to vehemently counter Islamophobia

01 May 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.121

TLP files appeal against the ban 

30 April 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.120

Authorities raid Bashir Memon’s Cooking Oil Mill

29 April 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.119

Government keen on seeing Balochistan prosper, say PM 

28 April 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.118

Record number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day

27 April 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.117

SC accepts Justice Isa's review petitions

26 April 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.116

Province ask for army’s assistance in enforcing SOPs

24 April 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.114

Army called to assist in the COVID-19 situation

23 April 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.113

TTP claims responsibility for the Quetta blast

22 April 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.112

Punjab govt places 214 TLP activists under the Fourth Schedule

21 April 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.111

No intention of lifting the ban on TLP, says PM

20 April 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.110

TLP chief Saad Rizvi released from jail

16 April 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.106

French embassy asks its citizens to leave Pakistan

15 April 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.105

Government decides to ban TLP

14 April 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.104

Law enforcement agencies begin clearing TLP protesters

13 April 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.103

Violence erupts over TLP chief’s arrest

12 April 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.102

Daska by-poll generally transparent, says Fafen 

10 April 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.100

Re-polling for NA-75 Daska begins

09 April 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.99

Pakistan commits Rs1.27tr in taxes with IMF

08 April 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.98

Pakistan and Russia agree to boost defence ties

05 April 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.95

PDM issues show-cause notice to PPP and ANP

03 April 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.93

PDM splits as five parties move to form a separate bloc

01 April 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.91

Divide deepens within the PDM

31 March 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.90

Government raises USD 2.5 billion from international market

30 March 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.89

PM replaces Hafeez Shaikh over inflation

29 March 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.88

COVID-19 test positivity rate surpasses 11 per cent

26 March 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.85

Yousuf Gilani declared as opposition leader in the Senate

25 March 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.84

PDM leaders agree to keep alliance together

22 March 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.81

PPP, PML-N disagree on Senate opposition leader nomination

20 March 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.79

Government to promulgate ordinances to fulfill IMF conditions

18 March 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.77

PPP says no post-resignation strategy was given by the PDM

17 March 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.76

PDM postpones long march amid differences over mass resignation

16 March 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.75

Government demands resignation of CEC and ECP members

15 March 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.74

Government offers to hold talks on electoral reforms

13 March 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.72

PDM to challenge election of Sanjrani as Senate chairman

12 March 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.71

Chaos marks beginning of elections to the Senate chairman

11 March 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.70

Supreme Court rejects PTI plea to suspend re-polls in Daska

09 March 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.68

Pakistan observes Aurat March across cities

06 March 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.65

Imran secures vote of confidence in National Assembly

04 March 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.63

Senate elections conclude, Imran to seek vote of confidence

03 March 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.62

Polls underway for 37 Senate seats

02 March 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.61

Political temperatures rise as Senate elections close in

01 March 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.60

Senate polls will be held through secret ballot, says SC

27 February 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.58

Ready to resolve issues with India through dialogue, says Imran

26 February 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.57

FATF to keep Pakistan on 'grey list' till June

24 February 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.55

Pakistan, Sri Lanka discuss trade cooperation and regional security

23 February 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.54

Military dismisses rumours about appointing new ISI chief

22 February 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.53

By-elections turn controversial and violent

19 February 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.50

ECP rejects 25 nomination papers after scrutiny

18 February 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.49

SC pushes for proportional representation in Senate

16 February 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.47

Remittances cross USD two billion for seventh consecutive month

15 February 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.46

Navies conducts counter-terrorism demonstrations at Aman-2021

13 February 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.44

FO claims Pakistan made progress on remaining FATF items

12 February 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.43

Justice Isa should not hear cases involving PM, says the CJP

10 February 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.41

Legal fraternity extends support to lawyers; condemns CDA

9 February 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.40

Lawyers storm into chamber IHC’s Chief Justice

05 February 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.36

National Assembly turns chaotic amid open vote debate

04 February 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.35

Pakistan begins nationwide vaccination drive

03 February 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.34

Pakistan rolls out COVID-19 vaccines

02 February 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.33

Government passes CPEC Authority bill

30 January 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.30

US seeks custody of Omar Sheikh

29 January 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.29

Supreme Court orders release of Omar Sheikh

28 January 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.28

Former ISI chief had links with RAW since 2008: Defence Ministry

27 January 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.27

Cabinet to table bill to hold open vote in Senate elections

25 January 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.25

Government, opposition to meet today

23 January 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.23

Oppositions demands new head for Broadsheet inquiry committee

22 January 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.22

ECP rejects open hearing of cases

21 January 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.21

Pakistan conducts another test of Shaheen-III

20 January 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.20

PDM holds protests outside the ECP

19 January 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.19

Cabinet constitutes committee to probe Broadsheet scandal

18 January 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.18

PDM to discuss ECP protests plan today

16 January 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.16

Vaccines will be procured in first quarter, says SAPM

15 January 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.15

Govt permits PDM to stage protest outside the ECP office

14 January 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.14

PTI blames agents in foreign funding case

13 January 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.13

Broadsheet revelations vindicate struggle against elite, says PM

11 January 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.11

India stalling progress of Mumbai attack case, says FO

09 January 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.9

Slain miners finally laid to rest

08 January 2021, Friday I Vol 2, No.08

Pakistan successfully tests Multi-Launch Rocket System: ISPR

07 January 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No.07

PM promises to visit mourning Hazaras in Quetta

06 January 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No.06

Supreme Court directs ETPB to rebuild Hindu Shrine in KP

05 January 2021, Tuesday I Vol 2, No.05

Hazara mourners refuse to bury Mach victims

04 January 2021, Monday I Vol 2, No.04

Militants kill 11 Shia Hazara coal miners

02 January 2021, Saturday I Vol 2, No.02

PDM raises the pitch; targets the Establishment

30 December 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.214

NA speaker told to accept resignations from the opposition

29 December 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.213

Govt ready for dialogue with the opposition, except Fazl, Maryam

23 December 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.212

Govt approves the 6th National Census-2017

21 December 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.210

Pakistan asks UN to forcefully condemn the attack on UNMOGIP

18 December 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.208

Qureshi's UAE visit

17 December 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.207

Imran Khan reiterates his support for the Afghan talks

16 December 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.206

PTI rejects ultimatum for PM’s resignation

12 December 2020, SaturdayI Vol 1, No.204

Cabinet Reshuffle: Portfolios of three ministers changed

11 December 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.203

PM asks the opposition to rethink conducting rallies 

08 December 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.200

Nawaz to make a ‘decisive speech’ at the Lahore rally

07 December 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.199

Pakistan’s surging second COVID-19 wave

04 December 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.198

EU retains ban on PIA flights

01 December 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.195

PDM stages another power show in Multan

28 November 2020, Saturday I Vol 1, No.194

Qureshi talks about Kashmir and the India dossier at the OIC

27 November 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.193

FO says Kashmir issue is a permanent item on OIC agenda

26 November 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.192

Pakistan shares dossier on India with the UN

25 November 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.191

Asad says COVID-19 numbers worsening, urges SOPs compliance

24 November 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.190

Pakistan to set up a new intelligence committee chaired by DG-ISI

23 November 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.189

PDM calls for the end of PTI’s “puppet rule”

20 November 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.188

Imran Khan’s maiden visit to Afghanistan

19 November 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.187

PDM may present its reforms as legislation in Parliament

18 November 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.186

PDM rejects Center’s move to ban public meetings

16 November 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.184

GB Polls: PTI becomes the single largest party

13 November 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.183

Maryam softens stance, says will talk to the Army

12 November 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.182

Survey predicts PTI’s victory in GB elections

11 November 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.181

Army takes action against the officials from the ISI and Rangers

10 November 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.180

COAS and DG-ISI to brief the Parliament

09 November 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.179

On Gilgit-Balitistan elections

06 November 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.177

Farmers protest in Punjab

04 November 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.175

FO rejects Indian Defence Minister’s remarks on GB

03 November 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.174

Maulana Fazlur calls for a PDM meeting

30 October 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.172

Pakistan criticizes the Indian media

29 October 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.171

"We gave India a bloody nose and it's still hurting" says DG ISPR

28 October 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.170

Pakistan observes 'Kashmir Black Day'

27 October 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.169

Quetta Rally and the PDM

26 October 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.168

PDM's strong rally in Quetta

24 October 2020, Saturday I Vol 1, No.167

Do More, says the FATF to Pakistan

23 October 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.166

Pakistan's Gender Gap

22 October 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.165

The "Karachi incident" spirals

21 October 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.164

"Who surrounded Sindh Police Chief's house," asks Bilawal Bhutto

20 October 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.163

FM Qureshi meets with Hekmatyar

19 October 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.162

PDM's second big rally in Karachi

17 October 2020, Saturday I Vol 1, No.161

PDM's first rally takes off to a great start in Gujranwala

16 October 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.160

PDM's first rally set to take off

15 October 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.159

Pakistan's pre-conditions for a dialogue with India

14 October 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.158

Pakistan re-elected to the UNHRC

13 October 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.157

Pakistan and the FATF's Grey List

12 October 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.156

Maulana Adil Khan laid to rest in Karachi

09 October 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.154

Khalilzad in Pakistan to discuss Afghan peace

08 October 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.153

Pakistan to experience muted economic recovery

07 October 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.152

20-point 'code of conduct' to promote sectarian harmony

06 October 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.151

A five-year development programme for the Gilgit- Baltistan

05 October 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.150

The next FATF meeting on Pakistan

02 October 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.148

Targeting Nawaz Sharif and the PML-N

01 October 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.147

On Pakistan Democratic Movement's rally:

30 September 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.146

PM Imran Khan wants to bring back Nawaz Sharif at the earliest:

29 September 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.145

Shahbaz Sharif's arrest causes an upheavel:

28 September 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.144

Abdullah Abdullah in Pakistan for a three days visit:

25 September 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.142

The Fallouts of the All Parties Conference:

24 September 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.141

Establishment and the PML-N:

23 September 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.140

For the US, the priority in Pakistan is to advance human rights :

22 September 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.139

One day after the All Parties Conference:

21 September 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.138

Nawaz Sharif goes on an offensive and talks about

19 September 2020, Saturday I Vol 1, No.137

Kashmir will be the focus of PM Khan’s UN address, says FO

18 September 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.136

Pakistan’s Persisting Polio Problem:

17 September 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.135

The need for a twin strategy in south Balochistan:

16 September 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.134

A non-bailable arrest warrant for Nawaz Sharif:

15 September 2020, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.133

The CPEC march continues:

11 September 2020, Friday I Vol 1, No.130

Pakistan and the SCO

10 September 2020, Thursday I Vol 1, No.129

Accountability Court declares Nawaz Sharif as an absconder

09 September 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.128

Federal-Provincial divide over Karachi increases

07 September 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.126

On Karachi, PPP and PTI divide comes to open

05 September 2020, Saturday I Vol 1, No.125

Kashmir in the UN and Pakistan

02 September, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.122

Court directs Nawaz Sharif to appear before the court

01 September, Tuesday I Vol 1, No.121

Rains and Floods continue to haunt Pakistan

26 August 2020, Wednesday I Vol 1, No.116

"General Bajwa stabilized Pak-Saudi ties"

24 August 2020, Monday I Vol 1, No.114

Pakistan, China and J&K

22 August 2020, Saturday I Vol 1, No.113

Pakistan and China pledge to safeguard common interests

20 August 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No.111

The tragedy of Scientists from Pakistan's minority communities

19 August 2020, Wednesday, Vol 1, No.110

"Pakistan can never recognise Israel," says Imran Khan

18 August 2020, Tuesday, Vol 1, No.109

PTI's two-year report card

15 August 2020, Saturday, Vol 1, No.107

Pakistan's Palestine Dilemma

14 August 2020, Friday, Vol 1, No.106

Pakistan at 73: Celebrating the Independence Day

13 August 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No.105

COAS Gen Bajwa to visit Saudi Arabia soon

12 August 2020, Wednesday, Vol 1, No.104

Government and opposition agree on six FATF bills

10 August 2020, Monday, Vol 1, No.102

The FATF divides within Pakistan

09 August 2020, Sunday, Vol 1, No.101

Pakistan This Week

08 August 2020, Saturday, Vol 1, No.100

National Assembly clears two FATF bills, but blocks one.

07 August 2020, Friday, Vol 1, No.99

Govt decides to lift restrictions as COVID cases decline

06 August 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No.98

Pakistan's continuing Kashmir frenzy

05 August 2020, Wednesday, Vol 1, No.97

Pakistan's new Map of J&K

04 August 2020, Tuesday, Vol 1, No.96

Kashmir obsession in Pakistan

31 July 2020, Friday, Vol 1, No.94

Two FATF bills passed in the National Assembly

30 July 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No.93

Religiosity in Pakistan: From Creeping to now Galloping

29 July 2020, Wednesday, Vol 1, No.92

Opposition parties attempt to come together

28 July 2020, Tuesday, Vol 1, No.91

Pakistan's internal debate on Kulbhushan Jadav

26 July 2020, Sunday I Vol 1, No.89

Pakistan This Week

23 July 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No.86

On the abduction of a Journalist in Islamabad

19 July 2020, Sunday I Vol 1, No.82

Pakistan This Week

17 July 2020, Friday, Vol 1, No.80

The licences are not fake but only dubious

16 July 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No.79

On building Diamer-Bhasha dam in Gilgit-Baltistan

15 July 2020, Wednesday, Vol 1, No.78

On Af-Pak Transit Trade

12 July 2020, Sunday, Vol 1, No. 75

Pakistan This Week

11 July 2020, Saturday, Vol 1, No.74

FATF action plan to be completed at the earliest: Shaikh

08 July 2020, Wednesday, Vol 1, No.71

Return of Lal Masjid Maulana

07 July 2020, Tuesday , Vol 1, No.70

Female Literacy in the Pashtun tribal regions

06 July 2020, Monday, Vol 1, No.69

The problem with Pakistan Railways

02 July 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No.65

The Curious case of "Minus One" Formula in Pakistan

30 June 2020, Tuesday, Vol 1, No.63

BLA claims the attack on Stock Exchange in Karachi

28 June 2020, Sunday, Vol 1, No.61

Pakistan This Week

27 June 2020, Saturday, Vol 1, No.60

PTM accepts the dialogue offer, but wants CBMs

24 June 2020, Wednesday, Vol 1, No.57

Reviewing Pakistan's Space Programme

23 June 2020, Tuesday, Vol 1, No.56

Imran Khan says he was against the idea of lockdown

21 June 2020, Sunday, Vol 1, No.54

Pakistan This Week

20 June 2020, Saturday, Vol 1, No.53

Budgets presented in KP, and in Gilgit-Baltistan

19 June 2020, Friday, Vol 1, No.52

PTI tries to get the BNP back into coalition,

18 June 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No.51

Baloch partner of the PTI government leaves the coalition

15 June 2020, Monday, Vol 1, No.48

The PTI government invites the PTM for a dialogue

14 June 2020, Sunday, Vol 1, No.47

Pakistan This Week

13 June 2020, Saturday, Vol 1, No.46, Special Brief

Pakistan Budget 2020-21: The First Cut

12 June 2020, Friday, Vol 1, No.44, Special Brief

Pakistan’s Economic Survey 2019-20

07 June 2020, Sunday I Vol 1, No.38

Pakistan This Week

05 June 2020, Friday, Vol 1, No.36

Highest COVID Spike

04 June 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No.35

Imran receives a briefing at the ISI HQ

03 June 2020, Wednesday, Vol 1, No.34

Covid cases spike and Lahore becomes the epicentre

01 June 2020, Monday, Vol 1, No.32

Drivers of Karachi Violence

30 May 2020, Saturday, No 1, No.30

Gwadar port ready for the Afghan goods

29 May 2020, Friday, Vol 1, No.29

Pakistan remembers 28 May Nuclear Tests

24 May 2020, Sunday, Vol 1, No.24

Pakistan This Week

22 May 2020, Friday, Vol 1, No.22

The missing girls of Pakistan

21 May 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No.21

Locusts threaten Pakistan's food security

17 May 2020, Sunday, Vol 1, No 17

Pakistan This Week

15 May 2020, Friday, Vol 1, No.15

Disregard for SOPs peaks Covid-19 cases

14 May 2020, Thursday, Vol 1, No 14

Violence in Afghanistan and the Media in Pakistan

12 May 2020, Tuesday, Vol 1, No 12

Smart Lockdown, SOPs vs Social Realities

9 May 2020, Saturday, Vol 1, No 9

Record COVID-19 spike in a single day;