August 2026 Current Affairs Bulletin
A chronological timeline of significant affairs curated for high-yield exam retention.
Hague court orders India to uphold Indus Waters Treaty, suspend work on its hydropower project
Court of Arbitration orders India to suspend work on Ratle plant, upholding Indus Waters Treaty.
Read Source ArticleOpposition walks out as Punjab Assembly passes controversial Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026
Punjab Assembly passes Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill 2026; opposition condemns as draconian.
Read Source ArticleMakkah Defence Alliance to be institutionalised, Pakistan to head secretariat for 3 years: FO
Pakistan to head Makkah Defence Alliance secretariat for three years; tripartite agreement institutionalised.
Read Source ArticleIslamabad, Riyadh agree to boost Pakistani agri and food exports to $3bn
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to boost agricultural and food exports to $3bn over two years, prioritizing rice, red meat, fruits, and green fodder.
Read Source ArticlePakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye to hold first meeting under Makkah pact in Istanbul on Monday
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye will hold the first Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting under the Makkah Accord in Istanbul on Monday, with Dar, Asif, and Munir attending.
Read Source ArticleIceland votes 'No' to resuming talks for joining EU
Iceland rejected resuming EU membership talks with 52.8% voting 'No' in a non-binding referendum, burying the issue until 2028; turnout was 82.5%.
Read Source ArticlePM Shehbaz orders suspension, criminal action against 8 officials in Pims fire inquiry
PM Shehbaz ordered suspension and criminal action against 8 officials after inquiry panel submitted interim report on Pims fire.
Read Source ArticleSindh Assembly to discuss new provinces issue next week
Sindh Assembly approved adjournment motion for two-hour discussion on new provinces issue on Monday.
Read Source ArticleBangladesh confirms deal to buy Chinese J-10 fighter jets: report
Bangladesh's Press Information Department confirmed deal to buy Chinese J-10 fighter jets, attack and transport helicopters, and drones.
Read Source ArticleECP withdraws Senate by-poll notification for PTI's Murad Saeed over oath issue
ECP withdrew Senate by-poll notification, ruling Murad Saeed, convicted under Article 63(1)(h), never acquired membership without oath, so no vacancy arose.
Read Source ArticleSBP profits shrink to Rs1.9tr transfer after rate cuts in 2025-26
SBP remitted Rs1,932bn to government for FY26, down from Rs2.5tr in FY25, as policy rate fell from 22pc to 11.5pc.
Read Source ArticleSC rules administrative delays aren't employees' fault, govt must be model employer
Supreme Court ruled employees can't suffer for administrative delays, setting aside KP tribunal verdict and ordering seniority from 2018 regularisation.
Read Source ArticlePunjab Assembly speaker stalls anti-terrorism amendment bill after opposition objections
PTI's Rana Aftab termed the bill unconstitutional, demanding open and fair trials, prompting the speaker to stall it.
Read Source ArticleBangladesh to 'positively' consider joining Makkah pact if invited: foreign minister
Bangladesh's foreign minister said the country would positively consider joining the Makkah pact if invited, subject to parties' intentions.
Read Source ArticleDPM Dar, British foreign secretary discuss Indus Waters Treaty, regional security: FO
DPM Dar and UK Foreign Secretary Miliband discussed the Indus Waters Treaty and regional security, with Dar raising Afghan terror threats.
Read Source ArticleUS pauses immigrant visa applications worldwide; to revoke 200,000 asylum visas
US pauses immigrant visa applications worldwide for consular training; to revoke up to 200,000 asylum visas for fraud.
Read Source ArticleIran-Oman talks on Strait of Hormuz: What we know
Iran-Oman discuss temporary corridor, mine clearance in Hormuz; Tehran links full reopening to US concessions, lifting blockade.
Read Source Article14 infants killed in fire at Pims' gynae ward in Islamabad
Fire at PIMS gynae ward killed 14 infants; health minister vowed accountability for negligence after oxygen-fed blaze.
Read Source ArticleGovt forms high-powered body to break deadlock over Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline amid penalty threats
Pakistan formed a committee to resolve the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline dispute, now in Paris arbitration, after Tehran sought billions in damages.
Read Source ArticleUN chief proposes mechanism for shipping essential goods through Hormuz
UN chief Guterres proposed a mechanism for shipping essential goods through the Strait of Hormuz, where transits are near standstill.
Read Source ArticleKP Assembly urges SC to initiate contempt proceedings against federal govt
KP Assembly passed a resolution urging the federal government to implement Supreme Court orders for Imran Khan's hospital transfer and family meetings.
Read Source ArticleMoody's lifts Pakistan sovereign rating to B3 from Caa1, cites improved governance and easing of external risk
Moody's upgraded Pakistan's sovereign rating to B3 from Caa1, with stable outlook, citing improved governance, eased external risks, and FX reserves reaching $17 billion.
Read Source ArticleFood imports rise 8.12pc to $805.5m in July
Food imports increased 8.12% to $805.5 million in July, driven by higher edible oil purchases, while exports saw modest growth.
Read Source ArticlePakistan Army deployment in Rawalpindi okayed for 6 months to respond to 'any unforeseen situation'
The federal government approved Pakistan Army deployment in Rawalpindi for six months to handle any unforeseen situation ahead of PTI's planned September long march.
Read Source ArticlePakistan, Malaysia agree on joint working group, security cooperation
Pakistan and Malaysia agreed to establish a joint working group and enhance security cooperation, covering illegal immigration and cybercrime, as President Zardari called for deeper strategic alliance.
Read Source ArticleJustice Rizvi takes oath as acting Constitutional Court chief justice
Justice Rizvi sworn in as acting Constitutional Court of Pakistan chief justice, with Justice Aminuddin Khan on overseas visit.
Read Source Article8 Pakistan Bar Council members condemn govt's 'wilful disregard' of SC order on Imran's hospital transfer
Eight Pakistan Bar Council members condemn government's 'wilful disregard' of Supreme Court order on Imran Khan's hospital transfer, citing constitutional separation of powers.
Read Source ArticleUS hits Canadian goods with 50pc tariffs after trade talks fail
US imposed 50% tariffs on Canadian goods after trade talks failed, with Canadian PM Mark Carney vowing retaliatory tariffs.
Read Source ArticlePM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to strengthening ties with Malaysia in security, trade
PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan-Malaysia ties as Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail met him and signed a prisoner-transfer agreement with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Read Source ArticleSBP extends housing loan tenor to 30 years
SBP raised housing finance maximum tenor to 30 years from 20, with mandated 90:10 loan-to-value ratio and 65pc debt-burden limit.
Read Source ArticleInternational Finance Corporation signs first $100m deal with private bank
IFC signed its first $100 million DPR financing with Bank Alfalah, with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presiding over the ceremony.
Read Source ArticleNA passes bills related to military, nuclear command structure
National Assembly passed Defence Forces Act 2026 and NCA Act 2010 amendments despite opposition walkout and PPP objections.
Read Source ArticleSC returns govt's review plea against Imran's transfer to Shifa Hospital
Supreme Court registrar returned federal government's review petition citing incomplete paper books; refiling with amendments possible.
Read Source ArticleTrump threatens economic punishment on any country helping Iran
President Trump announced 'most crushing economic operation' targeting Iran, threatening 'tremendous consequences' for assisting countries.
Read Source ArticleGovt files review plea against SC ruling to move Imran to Shifa International Hospital, terms it 'discriminatory'
Government's review plea calls SC's interim order discriminatory, warning it could open floodgates for similar prisoner requests.
Read Source ArticlePPP 'stalls' NA business, forces govt to shelve 21 bills
PPP stalled National Assembly proceedings, forcing government to shelve 21 bills; 43 MNAs spoke on points of order.
Read Source ArticlePakistan posts $328m current account deficit in July
Pakistan's current account deficit hit $328 million in July, driven by higher imports; FDI plunged 20%.
Read Source ArticleSC orders moving jailed ex-PM Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical checkup
Supreme Court ordered transfer of Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical checkup, forming a medical board and allowing weekly family meetings.
Read Source ArticleGovt seeks overhaul of gas surcharge law to tackle defaults, circular debt
Government amendment bill to overhaul gas surcharge law likely tabled in NA; gas sector circular debt exceeds Rs3.5tr.
Read Source ArticlePakistan assumes presidency of UN disarmament conference: FO
Pakistan assumed presidency of the 65-member UN Conference on Disarmament, the world's sole multilateral forum for negotiating arms control treaties.
Read Source ArticleTrump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea, citing costs
Trump ordered the Pentagon to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing costs and lack of help with Iran.
Read Source ArticleElection tribunal dismisses PTI-backed candidate's plea challenging PML-N's Faisal Akram's PP-46 win
Tribunal ruled the petition failed mandatory legal verification requirements, upholding Akram's victory.
Read Source ArticleWork on $2.5bn Karachi-Peshawar ML-1 railway project to begin in January
Phase-I covers 480km Karachi-Rohri section; online market engagement with contractors set for Sept 8.
Read Source Article33 stockbrokers offer Shariah windows, covering 52% of PSX traded volume
Dedicated Shariah-compliant windows at brokerage houses represent significant share of Pakistan Stock Exchange activity.
Read Source ArticleTop govt functionary says new administrative units ‘under serious consideration’
A top government functionary confirmed proposals to divide Punjab into three, KP into two and Balochistan into two provinces, with Karachi and Gwadar under federal control.
Read Source ArticleGovt raises petroleum dealers’ margin to Rs9.98 per litre
The ECC approved a 15.5% increase in petroleum dealers' margin to Rs9.98 per litre effective Sept 1, prompting the PPDA to call off its strike.
Read Source ArticleTrump signals plan to claim Hormuz ‘soon’
President Trump said he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory after defeating Iran, urging Americans to accept higher gas prices.
Read Source ArticleSC judges' pay, benefits raised to FCC-level
Supreme Court judges' salaries raised to Rs1.5m per month; CJP Afridi retains title until retirement, then goes to senior FCC or SC chief.
Read Source ArticlePetroleum levy collection hits record Rs1.57tr
Petroleum levy collection hit record Rs1.57tr, civil govt running costs rose 16% to Rs1tr, fiscal deficit shrank to 2.6%.
Read Source ArticlePM Shehbaz briefs President Zardari on Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact
PM Shehbaz briefed President Zardari on Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact, strengthening strategic partnership, according to officials.
Read Source ArticlePakistan Army major general appointed new force commander of UN mission in Western Sahara
UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Pakistan's Major General Jawwad Ahmed Qazi as Minurso force commander, announced Thursday.
Read Source ArticlePakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia will form political, military mechanisms to coordinate under defence pact, Ankara says
Turkish defence ministry announced political/military mechanisms under Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, including joint exercises and defence industry cooperation.
Read Source ArticleSC restores Jangiz Marri as Kohlu MPA
Supreme Court suspended Balochistan Election Tribunal's July 29 order, restoring Nawab Jangiz Marri as PB-9 Kohlu MPA.
Read Source ArticleSC rejects Punjab plea seeking review of rape-to-fornication verdict
SC dismissed Punjab's review petition, upholding Hassan Khan's five-year sentence under Section 496-B, commuting rape conviction.
Read Source ArticlePakistan warns UN Security Council of ‘tipping point’ in occupied West Bank
Pakistan's UN envoy warned West Bank approaching 'dangerous tipping point', urging Israel to halt settlements and end occupation.
Read Source ArticleGovernment cuts petrol price by Re0.94, raises high-speed diesel by Re0.54
Petrol price cut by Re0.94 to Rs324.98, HSD raised by Re0.54 to Rs382.79, effective August 13.
Read Source ArticleSBP warns of price spirals due to geopolitical developments in Middle East
SBP's biannual Monetary Policy Report warns of price spirals from Middle East geopolitical tensions and highlights climate risks from El Nino and floods.
Read Source ArticleRemittances rise 13pc to $3.6bn in July
Worker remittances rose 13 percent to $3.6 billion in July, with inflows from the Middle East staying robust amid ongoing war.
Read Source ArticlePresident Zardari approves additional judges' appointments to high courts, ending weeks-long deadlock
President Zardari approved additional judges for high courts, confirmed five as permanent, and equalized SC judges' salaries with FCC judges.
Read Source ArticlePak-Saudi-Turkiye defensive pact not aggression, PM Shehbaz says
PM Shehbaz clarified the Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact is defensively oriented, promoting regional peace, not aggression.
Read Source ArticleIHC tells govt to explain consequences of pending PM's advice on judicial appointments
IHC directed respondents, including president, to report timelines and status of judicial appointment summary forwarded by prime minister.
Read Source ArticleSME loans cross Rs1tr for first time in FY26, up 37pc
Loans to SMEs surged 37pc in FY26, crossing Rs1tr for the first time, signaling revival in small business lending.
Read Source ArticlePakistan to partner with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar on oil storage scheme
Pakistan's petroleum minister announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar for an oil storage scheme to enhance energy security.
Read Source ArticlePak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact open to any other country in region, 'purely defensive': DPM Dar
DPM Dar stated the Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact is open to other regional countries and is purely defensive, not targeted against any nation.
Read Source ArticleGovt pays Rs10bn in decade-old export refunds
Government paid Rs10 billion in decade-old export refunds, partially clearing textile and non-textile dues, with Rs1.94 billion still outstanding.
Read Source ArticleOIC welcomes Pak-Saudi-Turkiye joint defence pact, calls it 'important strategic step'
OIC chief welcomed the trilateral defence pact as a "fundamental pillar" for regional security; Bahrain and Somalia also welcomed it.
Read Source ArticleKP amends controversial law on lawmakers’ privileges
KP Assembly amended its privileges law, scrapping lifetime blue passports and reducing lifetime arms licences for MPAs to four.
Read Source ArticleNAB chief urges withdrawal of Rs500m graft probe limit
NAB chairman told Senate panel that the amended law's Rs500m limit hampers accountability, as private sector accounts for 45pc of corruption.
Read Source ArticlePakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye sign tripartite defence agreement in Makkah
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye signed a tripartite defence pact in Makkah, stipulating that an armed attack against any one state shall be regarded as an attack against all.
Read Source ArticleUNSC condemns Swat suicide blast after Pakistan sounds alarm on Afghan terrorist havens
UNSC condemned Swat suicide blast; terrorism constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security, after Pakistan flagged Afghan havens.
Read Source ArticleSBP tells banks to settle prize bond sales daily
SBP directed banks to settle prize bond sales daily; SBP Banking Services Corporation will debit accounts based on reported daily sales.
Read Source ArticleSC rules unconditional No Demand Certificate bars contractors from reopening settled claims
Supreme Court, led by CJP Yahya Afridi, dismissed contractor appeal, holding unconditional NDC bars reopening settled claims.
Read Source ArticleECP seeks powers to verify lawmakers' asset declarations
ECP proposed amending Election Rules 2017 to verify lawmakers' asset declarations, inviting objections by Aug 15.
Read Source ArticleIran, Oman agree on route thru Hormuz
Iran and Oman agreed on Hormuz route coordinates, joint statement pending; reopening hinges on US ending blockade.
Read Source ArticlePakistan, Iran agree to keep border crossings open round the clock to boost trade
Technical-level FTA negotiations underway as border crossings will stay open 24/7 to boost bilateral trade.
Read Source ArticlePakistan, US hold counter-terrorism dialogue, reaffirm commitment to combating terrorist groups
Joint statement affirms resolve against terrorist groups; talks on potential bilateral trade agreement also held.
Read Source ArticleIHC moved over delay in presidential nod for judicial appointments
Petitioner argues President's inaction violates Article 48(1) of the Constitution regarding judicial appointments.
Read Source ArticlePeshawar High Court upholds abolition of free electricity for Wapda, Discos officials
PHC upheld free electricity monetisation for Wapda/Discos officials, rejecting Pesco and Tesco petitions over 2023 and 2026 notifications.
Read Source ArticlePakistan, Uzbekistan sign accord to expand Customs collaboration
Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to extend digital connectivity to share transit trade data, expanding bilateral Customs collaboration.
Read Source ArticlePeshawar High Court stops deportation of ailing Afghan nationals for 30 days
Peshawar High Court barred deportation of two ailing Afghan nationals and their families for 30 days, directing medical visa applications.
Read Source ArticleIran, Oman near Hormuz deal after Trump calls off strikes
Iran neared a Hormuz transit deal with Oman; Trump cancelled strikes; OPEC+ approved a 188,000 bpd production increase.
Read Source ArticlePresidential nod delay hits superior judiciary appointments
Presidential delay expires SHC Justice Khalid Hussain Shahani on July 29; four PHC additional judges face Aug 4 expiry.
Read Source ArticlePunjab appoints Irfan Sadiq Tarar as new prosecutor general
Punjab appoints Irfan Sadiq Tarar as Prosecutor General, effective 3 years under Criminal Prosecution Service Act 2006.
Read Source ArticleEU enforces world's toughest AI law
EU enforces AI Act on Sunday, fining up to €35m or 7% global turnover for banned practices.
Read Source ArticleFBR beats July revenue target by Rs40bn
FBR collected Rs820bn in July FY27, exceeding Rs780bn target by Rs40bn, with sales tax up 18%.
Read Source ArticlePM Shehbaz calls for Ogra overhaul to curb fuel hoarding
PM Shehbaz ordered FBR-style digital monitoring of fuel supply chain and Ogra restructuring to curb hoarding.
Read Source ArticleImaan Mazari seeks urgent SC hearing against conviction in controversial social media posts case
Imaan Mazari sought urgent SC hearing, citing IHC's violation of May 12 directives and 140-day detention.
Read Source Article