US aid suspension forces closure of 60 health facilities in Pakistan
1 7m people, including Afghan refugees, lose access to reproductive health services
t The suspension of US foreign aid has begun affecting Pakistan with over 60 health facilities set to shut down, depriving 1 7 million people, including 1 2 million Afghan refugees, of life-saving reproductive health services These facilities were run by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which has now halted its US-funded operations following the aid freeze UNFPA s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Pio Smith warned that millions of women and girls across Afghanistan Bangladesh and Pakistan are now at serious risk due to the loss of these essential services He expressed deep concern over the humanitarian impact, stressing that the funding suspension was affecting the most vulnerable populations The aid freeze comes as part of a broader policy review by the US administration Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that while international aid will continue,
Meanwhile
USAID has placed most of its direct-hire personnel on administrative leave, with only essential staff continuing operations The decision has drawn criticism from humanitarian organisations, which warn of severe consequences for vulnerable communities in crisis-affected regions
The Pakistan Customs Agents Association has issued a stern warning that it will suspend import and export clearance services across the country within 15 days a move that could severely disrupt trade operations at ports and border crossings The threat comes in response to what the association claims is the “illegal suspension” of 45 customs agents’ licenses and widespread corruption among customs officials If implemented the suspension could paralyze Pakistan s international trade delaying shipments increasing costs and affecting supply chains for industries reliant on imported raw materials In letters addressed to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and major business chambers across Karachi Hyderabad Islamabad Lahore and Rawalpindi the Association s Chairman Saifullah Khan cited bribery demands by customs officers and unprofessional behaviour towards agents as the primary grievances
He alleged that certain customs officers have been directly contacting agents, coercing them into making illegal payments to clear cargo The association has urged business organizations including the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and the Pakistan Chemical Dyes Merchants Association to prepare for potential trade disruptions and seek alternative solutions for customs clearance Additionally, the Association has called for a thorough investigation into the mass license suspensions asserting that customs authorities have acted arbitrarily It has appealed to the government and trade bodies to intervene warning that continued harassment of customs agents will harm Pakistan s trade and investment climate
On the other hand, Pakistan Customs has firmly rejected the allegations, dismissing the association’s claims as “blackmail and pressure tactics” aimed at shielding certain agents from legal action Customs officials argue that the suspended licenses belong to agents found in violation of customs regulations and that reinstatement will only occur if they are cleared through due process The authorities maintain that their actions are part of broader efforts to curb smuggling, misdeclaration, and under-
invoicing practices that contribute to revenue losses for the national exchequer With both sides standing firm, the situation threatens to escalate into a major standoff between customs authorities and trade intermediaries If unresolved it could not only disrupt Pakistan s importexport operations but also damage investor confidence in the country s regulatory environment Customs agents, also known as customs clearing agents or customs brokers, are private market players licensed by the government to facilitate the import and export of goods They act as intermediaries between businesses and customs authorities ensuring that shipments comply with all legal and regulatory requirements Their responsibilities include preparing and submitting documentation ensuring compliance with trade regulations, and facilitating the smooth movement of cargo through ports, airports, and land border crossings They work closely with customs officers who are responsible for inspecting goods enforcing tariff laws and preventing smuggling Any breakdown in this system such as a mass suspension of customs agents services could lead to cargo backlogs, higher demurrage charges, and financial losses for importers and exporters A potential fallout between these two entities could end up in massive losses in the form of trade halt or delays
Govt scraps plan for transpor t division, mulls merging Aviation with Defence
by advergic com During the session after deliberations, consensus was reached on replacing the TER Capping Regime with a Management Fee Capping approach with the aim of lowering the cost burden on retail investors It was also agreed to
disallow any reimbursement of indirect expenses from the mutual funds and adequate disclosures on total expenses charged
The proposed amendments will take effect from July 1, 2025, ushering in a new era of retail-focused strategies in the mutual fund industry and allowing for a smooth transition
In addition to the expense regime reforms, discussions were held on the establishment of a Market Development Fund aimed at pooling resources for investor
MO R E than just a formality President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China is proving to be more than the usual formality expected when a head of state goes visiting His meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiand showed that the visit was going to lead to an advancement in the relationship between the two countries While the two leaders expressed mutual sentiments of good wishes, the understanding they evolved on the direction the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was going to take going into renewable energy science and technology infrastructure and agriculture This shows that CPEC is to move beyond the original conception of a link between Xinjiang and the outside world, passing through Pakistan and centred around Gwadar
That the understanding of the shape CPEC 2 0 is taking has already reached the stage of implementation is shown by the kind of MoUs that were signed in the presence of Mr Zardari A very significant MoU was signed between the Sindh Energy Department and a renewable energy company, for both wind and solar power It is worth noting that CPEC included a number of thermal power projects, which have either been cancelled or had their tariff agreements revised Therefore the shifting of Chinese interest towards renewable energy projects is not just welcome but timely China is already an indirect contributor to the solarization revolution in Pakistan, as the solar panels for both domestic and agricultural connections are imported from China The boost to wind power is needed, for renewable energy so far have been solar and hydel, even though it is much more extensive, and costs are making them much more feasible
It is also worth noting that another MoU was between a Pakistani cement company and a Chinese construction company While the complementarity is striking, it also shows one way in which Pakistan can boost its exports, by providing a raw material which China needs for its development It is of great importance that the path provided helps Pakistan boost its exports Apart from CPEC and even apart from defence cooperation Pakistan and China need to concert measùres to smooth Pakistan into BRICS, and related to that is the process of dealing with the USA, especially now that it seems bent on dragging China into trade war Pakistan will find itself increasingly on China’s side especially as it furthers ties with Russia The USA’s use of India in the region against China also creates a dynamic that drives Pakistan and China closer
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
The greening of War fare
E are gliding on thin ice and the cracks are getting louder The signs are everywhere raging wildfires increasing heatwaves and rising sea levels swallowing coastlines day by day Yet, despite alarms ringing and clocks tickling, the world remains caught in a vicious cycle of inaction and halfmeasures The climate is no longer a distant threat it’s almost here further aggravated by military emissions The defence sector often overlooked in climate debates is a silent contributor to environmental and
How DeepSeek is quietly changing the game
come increasingly evident This lab in China trained with just a fraction of the resources utilized by leading US companies like OpenAI, which sparked the generative AI revolution with the launch of ChatGPT two years ago Nvidia once a maker of gaming GPUs has transformed into a titan in the AI chip industry However its role in DeepSeek s success was modest, as the lab reportedly used relatively few Nvidia H100 chips This modest usage starkly contrasts with the US efforts to construct AI supercomputers with hundreds of thousands of advanced Nvidia chips DeepSeek s achievements with limited resources challenge the prevailing norms and highlight the potential for innovation with constrained assets The unfolding story of DeepSeek not only underscores the dynamism of the AI landscape but also suggests that the path to AI advancement may diverge significantly from current expectations As the AI revolution accelerates the global stage will witness diverse approaches and strategies in this transformative era Experts in the AI sector, many with connections to OpenAI, assert that the progression of AI is anchored by three core elements: algorithms, data and compute power DeepSeek’s distinct open-source methodology sets it apart from competitors with Meta s Llama standing as a notable US counterpart The data landscape is undergoing significant evolution Some experts suggest a data saturation point has been reached, prompting a pivot towards “synthetic” data This shift is
paving the way for agentic AI, characterized by personalized AI systems capable of autonomous decision-making on behalf of users
Access to Nvidia’s sophisticated chips has created a significant entry barrier for the Chinese and other global tech companies Despite these obstacles the AI revolution is being shaped by diverse approaches, each contributing to the broader narrative of innovation and transformation As AI continues to advance the interplay of algorithms data and compute power will be crucial This dynamic underscores the necessity for strategic collaboration and investment in this ever-evolving field Amidst the high-stakes debate over the funding of US-based Stargate, China’s DeepSeek raises a provocative question: does AI really require such vast sums? Or is this an attempt to create an entry barrier on the path to AGI (artificial general intelligence)? DeepSeek s achievements with open-sourcing and the ability to operate from standard office computers suggest a compelling alternative
The real progress in AI might lie in distillation rather than starting from scratch This narrative underscores a shift towards more efficient resourceful approaches challenging the notion that more money always equates to better AI advancements The future of AI could very well hinge on such innovative strategies The writer is a freelance columnist
The real progress in AI might lie in distillation rather than star ting from scratch. This narrative underscores a shift towards more efficient, resourceful approaches, challenging the notion that more money always equates to better AI advancements. The future of AI could very well hinge on such innovative strategies
Small changes, stronger hear ts
of cardiac health, and to encourage people to make informed choices that positively impact their wellbeing The heart is the engine that powers life, consistently pumping blood to nourish our bodies However heart diseases continue to threaten millions of people
According to a report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 17
mitigating its existential risks As more information emerges about DeepSeek, the comparisons and implications be-
Trump’s Gaza proposal: Diplomacy or dangerous fantasy?
tinians deep ties to Gaza where many fam-
Ostability” and “unlimited jobs ” it has sparked global condemnation drawing comparisons to colonialism and ethnic cleansing This idea is not just impractical but morally indefensible and what it says about the trajectory of US foreign policy in Trump’s second term Trump’s proposal is rooted in his real estate background treating Gaza as a demolition site to be leveled and repurposed He envisions US troops clearing unexploded ordnance, demolishing ruins, and constructing high-end housing and resorts along Gaza’s Mediterranean coast Palestinians, he argues would be resettled in neighbouring countries like Egypt and Jordan where they could live in peace and better conditions
This plan echoes earlier suggestions by Trump s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who in 2024 called Gaza s waterfront very valuable” and proposed relocating Palestinians to “clean up” the territory Trump has doubled down on this vision framing it as a humanitarian gesture: You build really good quality housing where they can live and not die Yet his rhetoric ignores the Pales-
ilies have lived for generations even amid decades of conflict and blockade When challenged by a reporter But it s their home, sir Why would they leave?” Trump dismissed the question, replying, “The place has been hell” The proposal also aligns with the goals of Israel s far-right factions Figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who has long advocated for Palestinian expulsion, praised Trump s plan as the beginning of a beautiful friendship” Netanyahu, meanwhile, called it “worth paying attention to ” framing it as a potential “history-changing” opportunity to neutralize Gaza as a security threat
Trump s plan has been met with swift rejection from Arab states, international bodies, and even members of his own party Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its “firm and unwavering” support for Palestinian statehood, while Egypt and Jordan key US allies denounced forced displacement as an existential threat Jordan s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi bluntly stated: Jordan is for Jordanians and Palestine is for Palestinians Critics argue the proposal undermines decades of US policy centered on a two-state solution By endorsing mass relocation Trump risks legitimizing Israel’s far-right push to annex Gaza and the West Bank further eroding prospects for Palestinian selfdetermination Saudi Arabia, which has conditioned normalization with Israel in progress toward Palestinian statehood, warned that Trump’s plan “threatens the region’s stability” Even Republican Senator Lindsey Graham a Trump ally expressed skepticism: We ll see what our Arab friends say about that I think most South Carolinians are probably not excited about sending Americans to take over Gaza The humanitarian implications are equally dire Over 90 percent of Gaza’s population is already displaced with 46 600 killed in the Israel-Hamas war since October 2023 Forcing survivors to abandon their homes would violate international laws against population transfer, a crime akin to ethnic cleansing As Palestinian American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib argued, Trump is “openly calling for ethnic cleansing while sitting next to a genocidal war criminal Trump s vision for Gaza is steeped in a colonial mindset By framing the territory as a blank slate for US-led development, he echoes European powers that carved up the Middle East after World War I, sowing conflicts that persist today His reference to a
long-term ownership position is particularly jarring evoking 19th-century imperial ventures rather than modern diplomacy
This approach also ignores the catastrophic legacy of US interventions in the region From the Iraq War to the Libyan intervention, US attempts to “remake” the Middle East have resulted in chaos extremism and loss of life Trump s suggestion that Gaza could become an international city under US control akin to his past musings about annexing Greenland or the Panama Canal reveals a troubling fascination with territorial acquisition
Moreover the plan disregards Palestinian agency As Aaron David Miller a former U S The Middle East negotiator noted: It s not a real estate deal for them It s an existential issue Despite Trump s claims of benevolence, his refusal to consult Palestinians or acknowledge their right to return exposes a paternalistic worldview that reduces human lives to bargaining chips
Trump s timing raises questions about his motives The proposal comes amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and escalating legal troubles for Netanyahu, who faces an ICC arrest warrant for war crimes and domestic protests over his handling of the conflict By aligning with Trump Netanyahu gains a political lifeline positioning himself as the indispensable conduit to Washington s power
In the USA Democrats have accused Trump of using the plan to divert attention from controversies closer to home Senator Tina Smith speculated that the announcement might be a “distraction” from Elon Musk’s controversial access to Treasury Department systems which critics call a constitutional crisis Others like Senator
This episode underscores the dang ers of treating g eopolitics as a real estate transaction Gaza is not a „demolition site‰ but a homeland a place of profound suffering, yes, but also of resilience and rootedness As the international community grapples with TrumpÊs latest provocation, one truth remains clear: lasting peace cannot be built on the ashes of forced displacement
Trump’s renewed maximum pressure on Iran will reshape the Middle East
Iran is not our only vulnerable adversar y: Putin’s war time economy is on life suppor t, and the Chinese Communist Par t y ’s centrally-planned economy is under serious strain
We in the first Trump administration, at the president ’s direc tion, successfully targeted Iran’s oil expor ts with historic sanc tions. At the end of our tenure, Iran’s oil expor ts had fallen to just about 400,000 barrels a day
At one point in the administration, Iran was expor ting roughly 2 million barrels of oil per day – five times more than it had been just a few years prior – and Iran sold $144 billion wor th of oil over Team Biden’s first three years
Most of the world’s data travels via ocean cables, which are at risk of frequent sabotage
Telecommunications cables transmit about 95% of global data traffic, including internet searches, online shopping and phone calls
Most cable connec tions are located in the Atlantic bet ween Europe and Nor th America and in the Pacific bet ween the US and East Asia
Abandoning our maximum pressure campaign was a disaster for America’s foreign policy and national security President Trump’s decision to reverse Biden’s appeasement and bring back our maximum pressure campaign was necessary and its timing is perfect: Israel s incapacitation of Hezbollah helped lead to the downfall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and Israel s campaign in Gaza to destroy Hamas is nearing victory
These realities have left the regime in Tehran at its weakest point in years Now is the time not only for maximum pressure to return with support for the organized opposition within Iran but also for the White House to fully support our ally Israel in its mission to ensure Iran never reaches its goal of creating a nuclear weapon
This will set the stage for the Iranian people to decide their own future instead of the tyrannical despots in Tehran, and it will give our partners and allies in the region the space and security they need to deepen their economic and security ties Whether within Iran across the Middle East or elsewhere the return of President Trump s maximum pressure campaign is tremendous news for lovers of liberty – but his team should not stop there Iran is not our only vulnerable adversary: Putin’s wartime economy is on life support and the Chinese Communist Party’s centrally-planned economy is under serious strain Now is not the time to back off relieve pressure or seek deals – now is the time to secure a better future for the United States and the world President Trump s maximum pressure campaign worked once against Iran, and it will work again; he should expand this strategy beyond the regime in Tehran Mike Pompeo served in the Trump administration as
This is why we in the first Trump administration, at the president’s direction successfully targeted Iran s oil exports with historic sanctions At the end of our tenure Iran s oil exports had fallen to just about 400 000 barrels a day Like an animal caught in a trap, the regime thrashed and tried to break free by escalating tensions and instigating conflict President Trump met this escalation with steel resolve in the form of contained lethal strikes – like that which claimed the life of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani – that maintained deterrence while not putting American soldiers in harm s way By bankrupting the Iranian regime and building a coalition of partners and allies willing to contain Iran through the Abraham Accords, the first Trump administration laid the groundwork for a genuinely peaceful and prosperous Middle East I was proud to have contributed to this historic effort as secretary of state Unfortunately the Biden administration favored appeasement rather than deterrence It failed to continue our sanctions program, made obscene ransom payments to the ayatollah, and revived the Obamaera falsehood that the regime would moderate – if only the right deal could be struck Led astray by fantasy Obama s successors in Team Biden went right back to enriching the regime at the expense of America s security and that of our allies At one point in the administration, Iran was exporting roughly 2 million barrels of oil per day –five times more than it had been just a few years prior – and Iran sold $144 billion worth of oil over Team Biden s first three years This infusion of wealth yielded predictable results Iran resumed funding its proxies Hamas perpetrated its grotesque attacks on Oct 7, 2023, and the Houthis initiated a blockade of the Red Sea that lasted more than a year Iranian-backed militias killed six American service members over the administration’s last two years in office Iran built and sold thousands of drones to Russia that bolstered Vladimir Putin s invasion of Ukraine and it sold more oil than ever to the People s Republic of China
of state
Aspate of sabotage attacks on underwater cables, allegedly perpetrated by a Russian “shadow fleet,” have shown global telecommunications infrastructure is poorly protected against deliberate acts of destruction
DIFFERENT TYPES OF UNDERWATER CABLES:
Some submarine cables transport high-voltage direct current (HVDC), electrical energy, over long distances, such as between islands or countries These cables can also connect offshore wind turbines with onshore sites Then there are telecommunications cables They transmit about 95% of global data traffic including internet searches online shopping and phone calls albeit with a slight signal delay, as calling up a US website from Europe takes around 60 milliseconds In addition, some cables link data centers and large network nodes, as well as those for military communication and research, which are more protected than other cables
SATELLITES ARE NOT AN ALTERNATIVE TO
UNDERWATER CABLES: Only a fraction of interna-
tional communication goes via satellites Submarine cables can transmit much more data at a lower cost Satellite connections are slower and more susceptible to interference Nevertheless the US and the EU are investing in satellite technologies such as Starlink and the IRIS (Infrastructure for Resilience Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) program to create more secure alternative communication channels
PROTECTING THE INTERNET’S ARCHITEC-
TURE: Worldwide, there are about 500 cable lines consisting of 1 4 million kilometers of cable The cables are so long that they
M a HoSSaiN
CHINA LODGES SERIOUS PROTESTS
Iran condemns new US sanc tions as ‘illegal ’ , ‘unjustified ’
US lawmakers introduce bill to ban DeepS eek from govt devices
Pak-Hungar y 3rd JCEC concludes with signing of impor tant protocols
Promotion Agency (HIPA)
Kazim Niaz Federal Secretary for Ministry of Economic Affairs and Tamas Vargha, Deputy Minister of Hungarian Ministry of Defence
The session focused on expanding economic, trade, and technical cooperation across multiple sectors according to press release issued by Ministry of Economic Affairs A key outcome of the session
was to establish Joint Working Group (JWG) on different sectors in order to enhance trade and investment the press release added
In addition Hungary s Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA) pledged its support for the development of Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan
Both sides also discussed advancing the agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments and explored opportunities for joint ventures in sectors such as agriculture, energy, healthcare, information technology, and industrial manufacturing Moreover both sides commit to enhance cooperation through Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and Hungarian Investment
Agriculture sector also remained focus of discussions during which Hungary s University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) offered support to Pakistan s Agricultural Research Council (PARC) for research and the adoption of modern agricultural practices Cooperation in water management and environmental sustainability was also a key area of discussion with Hungarian expertise in water purification and waste management being highlighted
The health and education sectors also saw a commitment to increased collaboration with both countries focusing on knowledge exchange the promotion of Hungary s Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program
Bangladesh’s Chief of Naval Staff visits Naval Headquar ters
ISLAMABAD
Chief of the Naval Staff of Bangladesh, Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, called on Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan, Admiral Naveed Ashraf at Naval Headquarters Islamabad The visiting dignitary will also participate in the AMAN Dialogue being conducted alongside the multinational maritime exercise AMAN 25 Upon arrival at Naval Headquarters, the honorable guest was received by the Chief of the Naval Staff A smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Navy presented a Guard of Honour Thereafter the dignitary laid a floral wreath at Shuhada Monument and was introduced to the Principal Staff Officers at Naval Headquarters During the meeting matters of mutual interest the regional maritime security environment, and prospects for enhanced bilateral naval collaboration between the two countries were discussed Various avenues of cooperation including training exchange of
istan
Abdul Aleem K han, CM Gulbar K han
S TA F F R E P O R T Federal Minister for Privatization, Board of investment and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan held two key meetings today with Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Gulbar Khan, and with Azerbaijan s Ambassador to Pakistan, H E Khazar Farhadov Both meetings focused on economic development investment opportunities and infrastructure enhancement in Pakistan During his meeting with Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan discussed the expansion of the National Highway Authority (NHA) in Gilgit-Baltistan and its crucial
role in regional development He emphasized that Gilgit-Baltistan’s progress is vital for Pakistan’s overall prosperity and reaffirmed NHA s commitment to improving the road network Acknowledging the region s growing tourism sector, he highlighted that thousands of tourists visit Gilgit-Baltistan every year, significantly contributing to its economy To further improve infrastructure the Minister proposed the introduction of a toll tax for tourists with collected funds dedicated to enhancing NHA s road infrastructure in the region However, he assured that local residents would be exempt from this tax
Chief Minister Gulbar Khan appreciated the Federal Minister s dedi-
cation to the development of GilgitBaltistan and expressed the provincial government s commitment to working closely with NHA for the region s progress Furthermore, in his meeting with Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Farhadov Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized the importance of strengthening economic relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan He appreciated Azerbaijan’s interest in investing in Pakistan, particularly in infrastructure development The Minister highlighted that Pakistan offers attractive investment opportunities and specifically mentioned that investment in major road projects such as M-6 and M-9 motorways could be highly beneficial for both countries Discussing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ’s upcoming visit to Azerbaijan Minister Abdul Aleem Khan stressed the need to implement key investment agreements and assured full facilitation for Azerbaijani investors through government institutions Ambassador Khazar Farhadov welcomed Pakistan’s initiatives and reiterated Azerbaijan s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will not engage in any confrontation or unrest on February 8, mark marking the first anniversary of last year ’s general elections and the party has decided to mark as black day Talking to the media here in Islamabad PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said that the party would hold a power show in Swabi only, while protests would take place at tehsil and union council levels He clarified that there were no plans for confrontation or chaos The PTI stalwart expressed strong opposition to the 26th Amendment accusing Maulana Fazlur Rehman of supporting the controversial change Speaking to the media at the Judicial Complex on the occasion of a hearing in the Anti-Terrorism Court, Barrister Raja emphasized that PTI has consistently opposed the amendment and continues to stand against any attacks on the judiciary “Maulana Fazlur Rehman voted for the 26th Amendment; this is his politics We opposed the amendment and we will continue to oppose any infringement on the judiciary said Raja adding that anyone supporting the amendment is welcome to do so, but PTI would remain firm in its stance Raja reiterated that PTI’s position is clear, saying the party will always support democracy and human rights “We strongly believe that Maulana Fazlur Rehman will stand with the people who are against this fascism He is a smart politician and in the end he will stand with the people Raja stated expressing confidence in the JUI-F s alignment with public sentiment SC accepts JI’s plea against fuel price adjustment in electricit y bills
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday accepted Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) petition challenging the imposition of Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA) and surcharges in electricity bills after removing objections raised by the Registrar s Office A bench led by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi
g COUNTRY ’S PROGRESS ON STRUCTURAL REFORMS WILL BE KEY TO IMF REVIEWS AND CONTINUED EXTERNAL FINANCING, SAYS CREDIT RATING AGENCY
domestic demand and external financing needs
Economic activity having absorbed tighter policy settings is now benefiting from stability and falling interest rates
istan’s $7 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Fitch s earlier forecasts Gross official reserves
the SBP’s decision to cut policy rates to 12% on 27 January underscored recent progress in taming consumer price inflation which fell to just over 2% YoY in January 2025, down from an average of nearly 24% in the fiscal year ended June 2024 Rapid disinflation reflects fading base effects from earlier subsidy reforms and exchange rate stability underpinned by a tight monetary policy stance, which in turn has subdued
“We expect real value added to expand by 3 0% in FY25 Growth in credit to the private sector turned positive in real terms in October 2024 for the first time since June 2022 Fitch said in its note Strong remittance inflows, robust agricultural exports, and tight policy settings have allowed Pakistan’s current account to move into a surplus of about $1 2 billion (over 0 5% of GDP) in the six months to December 2024 from a similarly sized deficit in FY24 Foreign exchange market reforms in 2023 also facilitated the shift
“When upgrading Pakistan’s rating to ‘CCC+’ in July 2024 we expected a slight widening of the current account deficit in FY25 the rating agency said Foreign reserves are set to outperform targets under Pak-
involves monitoring and enforcement measures by Pakistan s intelligence agencies in collaboration with the Prime Minister s Office The Interior Ministry emphasized that under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), all undocumented foreigners, including Afghan nationals, would be deported
Four SC judges seek delay in new appointments until verdic t on pleas against 26th Amendment
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Four judges of the Supreme Court have penned a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, urging a delay in the appointment of eight new judges until a verdict on challenges to the 26th Constitutional Amendment
The letter addressed to the chairman Judicial Commission of Pakistan, emphasized the importance of forming a full court to address the issue of judicial appointments and the ongoing constitutional amendment case
The letter signed Justice Mansoor Ali Shah Justice Muneeb Akhtar Justice Ayesha Malik and Justice Athar Minallah expressed concern over the potential complications arising from the upcoming judicial appointments and their impact on the ongoing constitutional amendment case The judges highlighted that the con-
stitutional bench hearing the 26th Amendment case should ideally be expanded into a full court They cautioned that if new judges are appointed it may lead to a dispute
