Category: Pakistan

Pakistan is suffering. Adding to its economic, security and political woes, devastating floods hit almost all parts of the country, affecting more than 30 million people. The government declared a national emergency and deployed the army to conduct rescue operations and establish relief camps. Internal Politics. After winning the Punjab Province bi-elections last month, the…

Political instability continues to plague the country. The US dollar hit an all-time high of PKR 239 for first time in history. Apart from the on-going political fracas, economists cite the country's depleting foreign reserves, rising imports, and the government's "reluctance" to take decisions on some International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions, as key factors behind…

Twin economic and political challenges continue to plague the country but on a positive note the number of terrorist attacks across the nation has fallen this month thanks to a TTP ceasefire, and Pakistan finally looks set to exit the FATF grey list.   How the mighty have fallen. It is saddening to see a…

Overview. The PTI’s long march towards Islamabad in the last week of May was marred by violence, tear gas, and some injuries and fatalities. Terrorist attacks continue to grow, and economic hardship is biting with the devaluation of the Rupee combined with inflationary pressures. Violent clashes between opposition protesters and security forces are likely in…

Overview. Pakistan’s political environment has remained highly charged since PM Khan’s ousting, with tens of thousands of PTI supporters protesting in the major cities against his dismissal via the no confidence vote in the national assembly. Much of the ire, unusually for Pakistan, was directed at the military. Terrorism threats continue to grow across the…

Overview. March has been largely defined by the Opposition’s no confidence move against PM Khan, and associated rallies by both sides. C19. The NCOC has revised the policy for inbound passengers, no longer requiring a pre-flight negative PCR test result for fully vaccinated inbound travelers. Un-vaccinated passengers over the age of 12 will still be…

Overview. Security continues to deteriorate across Pakistan, especially in the Afghan border provinces. There is potential for a release from the FATF grey-list in the month ahead, as a plenary sits now as we type in Paris to consider Pakistan’s compliance with their conditions. The IMF has sounded a hopeful note, and provided the Pakistan…

Overview. C19 case rate rises, especially in the capital city Islamabad and metropolitan Karachi, have once again put the NCOC under pressure, leading to lockdowns in different parts of Islamabad and restrictions on large gatherings. PM Khan appears to be struggling to defend his cabinet in the light of significant pressure from Opposition parties, and…

Overview. The PTI suffered a set back after losing local elections in KP province, the PTI’s stronghold. Omicron has been detected in Karachi and in Islamabad. The TTP ceasefire was not extended and so ended on 9th December, prompting a rise in terrorist attacks. C19. After its detection in Karachi almost a fortnight ago, Omicron…

Overview. Further cracks in Pakistan’s civil-military relations are appearing, now sparked by the outwardly positive development of a ceasefire with the TTP. Opposition party protests continue, as do price-hikes and subsequent strikes. These developments could threaten Prime Minister Imran Khan’s chances of re-election in the 2023 general elections. C19.…… Read the rest