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Monthly Bulletin

February 2025 Current Affairs Bulletin

A chronological timeline of significant affairs curated for high-yield exam retention.

February 28, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

SC hears military trials case, cites Zia-era poet detention

The Constitutional Bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, on Feb 27, 2025, heard appeals against military trials of civilians, referencing poet Ahmad Faraz's 1977 detention.

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February 28, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

PECA tweaks face constitutional hurdles over free speech

PECA amendments creating the Digital Rights Protection Authority and imposing up to three years' imprisonment for disinformation face constitutional challenges under Article 19.

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February 28, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

SBP forex reserves climb to $15.92bn

SBP's forex reserves rose $21m to $11.22bn on Feb 27, while total reserves including commercial banks reached $15.92bn.

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February 27, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Pakistan, UAE sign 5 accords on Abu Dhabi crown prince’s first official visit

Pakistan and UAE signed five accords during Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed’s first visit, strengthening bilateral cooperation.

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February 27, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Legal procedures must be followed in military trials, lawyer argues before SC

Supreme Court hears that military trial accused must be given right to appeal before high court.

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February 27, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Ahsan Bhoon joins JCP as new PBC rep

Ahsan Bhoon appointed as Pakistan Bar Council representative to Judicial Commission, meeting to consider LHC judges.

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February 26, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

SC 'dictated' law for army chief's extension: Justice Afghan

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan observed that the Supreme Court dictated the law for former army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa's extension in 2019, as parliament legislated on the court's suggestion. The remark came during a hearing on petitions against military trials of civilians, where the bench also debated its power to direct government on administrative matters.

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February 26, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Abu Dhabi crown prince to make first official visit to Pakistan tomorrow: Foreign Office

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will make his first official visit to Pakistan on February 27, leading a delegation of ministers and business leaders. Pakistan and the UAE plan to sign agreements to enhance economic and investment cooperation, building on PM Shehbaz's February 11 meeting with the UAE president.

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February 26, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Pakistan and Uzbekistan agree to expand bilateral trade to $2bn

Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to expand bilateral trade to $2 billion, up from $400 million, during PM Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Tashkent on Wednesday. The two sides signed several MoUs and agreed to establish a high-level strategic council to boost industrial cooperation and connectivity.

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February 25, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

JCP to meet on Feb 26 to choose new member as dissenting senior counsel resigns

Senior PBC representative Akhtar Hussain resigned from the JCP on Feb 24, 2025, over Justice Dogar's appointment; the JCP will meet Feb 26 to select his expected replacement, ex-PBC vice chairman Mohammad Ahsan Bhoon.

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February 25, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Govt claims saving Rs1.5tr by revisiting IPP contracts

Power division officials told the Senate panel that negotiations with 27 IPPs yielded Rs1.571 trillion in savings: Rs411bn from 5 contract terminations, Rs238bn from 8 bagasse-based revisions, and Rs922bn from 14 thermal tariff revisions; electricity rates have dropped Rs4.11 per unit since June 2024.

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February 25, 2025
newspaper Dawn News International

US releases $397m for monitoring programme of Pakistan’s F-16s

The Trump administration released $397 million for the Technical Security Team monitoring Pakistan's F-16s as part of $5.3 billion in exempted foreign aid; the program enforces end-use rules to restrict the aircraft to counterterrorism operations and prevent use against India.

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February 24, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Senior lawyer resigns as JCP member citing controversies over judicial appointments

Advocate Akhtar Hussain, nominated thrice by the Pakistan Bar Council, resigned from the Judicial Commission of Pakistan on February 21, citing "present controversies" over judicial appointments. His resignation followed the oath-taking of six Supreme Court judges on February 14 and the transfer of three judges to the Islamabad High Court.

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February 24, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

PFUJ declares Peca changes ‘martial law for media’

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists at its three-day Biannual Delegates Meeting in Islamabad declared the Peca amendments "martial law for media" and demanded their immediate withdrawal. It condemned the government for using advertisements to pressurize media houses like Dawn and elected Afzal Butt president for 2025-27.

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February 24, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

IMF talks on $1bn climate funding kick off today

An International Monetary Fund technical mission begins discussions in Islamabad on February 24 on Pakistan's request for over $1 billion in climate resilience financing under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The first review of the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility follows next week, with Pakistan having completed all but one structural benchmark.

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February 23, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

IHC upholds Auditor General of Pakistan’s exclusive power to conduct audits

The Islamabad High Court ruled that no law or government directive can restrict the Auditor General of Pakistan's constitutional audit mandate under Article 170(2). The ruling also emphasized aligning audit practices with international standards to strengthen parliamentary oversight.

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February 23, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Another plea lands in SC against judges’ transfer

Outgoing IHCBA president Riasat Ali Azad filed a Supreme Court petition challenging the transfer of judges from other high courts to the IHC and the revised seniority list. The challenged transfers included Justices Dogar, Soomro, and Asif, leading to changes in the IHC's administrative committees.

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February 23, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

SBP issues criteria for Raast participants

The SBP issued Raast Participation Criteria outlining minimum functional and technical requirements for entities to provide digital payment services through the instant payment system launched in 2021. The criteria aim to increase the number of participants, with 44 entities already onboarded, and promote innovation and competition in payments.

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February 22, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

‘Unfeasible’ to swap Aafia with Shakil Afridi, IHC told

The Islamabad High Court was told swapping Dr Aafia Siddiqui for Shakil Afridi is unfeasible due to no Pakistan-US agreement. The court adjourned until February 28, directing the government to clarify its stance on Aafia's US legal battle.

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February 22, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

IMF appreciates govt commitment to governance, corruption assessment

An IMF scoping mission visited Pakistan from February 6 to 14 to lay groundwork for a Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCD) under the $7 billion EFF. The IMF appreciated the government's commitment and will return later in 2025 to continue gathering information.

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February 22, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Weekly inflation rises on spike in sugar rates

Short-term inflation measured by the SPI rose 1.21% year-on-year in the week ending Feb 20 due to higher sugar prices. The increase ended seven consecutive weeks of deceleration, with a week-on-week rise of 0.27%.

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February 21, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Article 245 does not grant judicial powers to military, Supreme Court CB told

Uzair Karamat Bhandari told the Supreme Court bench that Article 245 does not grant military judicial powers, noting only 105 of 5,000 May 9 suspects were tried by military courts.

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February 21, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

IMF, Pakistan to open $1bn climate finance talks

An IMF mission will visit Pakistan from Feb 24 to 28 to negotiate $1 billion in climate financing under its Resilience and Sustainability Trust.

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February 21, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

'Pakistan can't afford boom-bust cycle': Aurangzeb

Finance Minister Aurangzeb warned Pakistan cannot afford another boom-bust cycle, stressing all sectors must pay taxes and announcing SOE rightsizing by June 2025.

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February 20, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

IMF mission to visit Pakistan next week for $1bn climate fund talks

Finance Minister Aurangzeb announced an IMF team will visit Pakistan from February 24-28 to discuss a $1 billion climate resilience fund under the RSF. Pakistan, which sought the fund in October, incurred $33 billion in losses from 2022 monsoon floods that affected 33 million people.

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February 20, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

PM Shehbaz visits CJP Afridi, agrees to give input on judicial reforms

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Chief Justice Yahya Afridi on February 19 and agreed to give input on judicial reforms to reduce case pendency. The chief justice said he will also seek opposition input for sustainable reforms.

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February 20, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

5 judges urge SC to restrain Justice Dogar from acting as IHC CJ

Five IHC judges petitioned the Supreme Court on Thursday to restrain Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar from acting as chief justice, challenging his transfer from the Lahore High Court. The judges also argued that transfers under Article 200(1) must serve public interest and affect seniority only after new oaths.

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February 19, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

SC constitutional bench urged to strike down Army Act provisions under Article 10A

Salman Akram Raja, representing Arzam Junaid sentenced to six years by a military court, argued before a seven-judge bench that Sections 2(1)(d)(i) and (ii) of the Pakistan Army Act violate Article 10A's fair trial guarantee. Uzair Bhandari, representing PTI founder Imran Khan, will begin arguments on Wednesday.

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February 19, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Foreign debt inflows plunge 38pc in July-Jan

Foreign debt inflows fell 38% to $4.585bn in July-January FY25, with a 66% drop in the first half to $3.6bn, according to EAD data released after a month-long delay. The decline was attributed to delays in securing an IMF bailout, with bilateral disbursements slumping to $329m from $794m and multilateral inflows at $2.322bn.

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February 19, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Lawyers’ convention rejects 26th Amendment

A PTI-backed lawyers' convention hosted by the Lahore High Court Bar Association rejected the 26th Amendment, demanding a full court of pre-amendment judges hear challenges. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan alleged coercion during voting and said the amendment created a parallel judiciary, while Hamid Khan urged the military to return to barracks.

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February 18, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Pakistan wants OIC to back Saudi initiative for Palestinian state

Deputy PM Ishaq Dar urged the OIC to endorse a Saudi initiative for Palestinian statehood as a precondition for regional normalization. He also warned of Indian threats to cross the Line of Control and daily TTP attacks from Afghan safe havens.

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February 18, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Senate sees uproar after result of vote on SBP bill ‘withheld’

PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz moved a bill to amend the SBP Act requiring banks to extend at least 60% of provincial deposits as credit, causing an uproar when Deputy Chairman Nasar withheld the vote result. The government opposed citing Article 74, while some PPP, PML-N, and BAP senators supported it, and the Senate also passed a salary bill raising senators' pay to over Rs500,000.

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February 18, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Supreme Court sees shake up after entry of new judges

CJP Yahya Afridi reconstituted the Case Management Committee and appointed five judges to monitor anti-terrorism courts across provinces and Islamabad. He also reshuffled committees for IT, archives, and buildings, dissolved the staff uniform committee, and nominated Justice Miangul Hassan as liaison for UK-Pakistan protocol.

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February 17, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Justice Dogar takes up plea against Peca changes in first hearing as acting IHC top judge

Acting IHC Chief Justice Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar on Monday took up a petition by the IHC Journalists Association challenging the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, and ordered it clubbed with other related pleas before Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas. The amendments introduce harsher penalties for "fake news", expand state oversight of digital platforms, and have been criticized by journalist bodies and international groups including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders.

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February 17, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

PM Shehbaz welcomes $40bn investment from World Bank

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed a $40 billion World Bank investment under a 10-year Country Partnership Framework, with $20 billion allocated to the private sector via the International Finance Corporation and $20 billion for development sectors. The actual lending envelope for FY26-35 is estimated at $20 billion, comprising $14 billion from IDA and $6 billion from IBRD.

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February 17, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Aurangzeb participates in key debate at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ula moot

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb attended the Emerging Markets Conference-2025 in Al-Ula upon invitation of Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, joining a luncheon with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. He will also participate in a panel discussion on "Navigating the Path for Resilient Emerging Markets" moderated by Georgieva, alongside finance ministers from Egypt, Brazil, and Turkiye.

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February 16, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Blasphemy convict on death row acquitted in Rawalpindi

The Lahore High Court acquitted Sajid Ali, sentenced to death in 2023 under Section 295-C, citing insufficient evidence and inconsistent witness accounts. The court ordered his immediate release, overturning the trial court's verdict.

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February 16, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Sindh cabinet rejects governor’s objection, passes varsities bill again

The Sindh cabinet rejected Governor Tessori's objections and re-approved the universities bill allowing non-PhD bureaucrats as VCs, originally passed on Jan 31, to be presented again on Monday. It also approved the Sindh Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, which Tessori had returned over jurisdiction concerns.

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February 16, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

PSX snaps three-week losing streak on robust economic data

The PSX’s KSE-100 index snapped a three-week losing streak, rising 1.6% week-on-week to 112,085.29, driven by strong auto sales and remittances. Auto sales surged 65% month-on-month to 17,010 units in January, while remittances rose over 25% to $3 billion.

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February 15, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

New SC judges take oath as old guard vows to put up a fight

Seven new Supreme Court judges took oath on Friday, raising the court's strength to 25 including two ad-hoc judges. Senior puisne judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah vowed to 'put up a befitting fight' amid rumours of a possible government reference against two senior judges.

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February 15, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

ECC orders transfer of Discos shares to president, approves New Development Bank membership

Pakistan's ECC approved $582 million membership in BRICS' New Development Bank and ordered transfer of Discos shares to the President. It also cleared Rs27 billion in supplementary grants, including Rs5.36 billion for parliamentarians' development schemes.

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February 15, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Islamabad indignant after US offers F-35 jets to India

Pakistan warned the US that selling F-35 jets to India would exacerbate military imbalances in South Asia. The Foreign Office rejected a terrorism reference in the US-India joint statement as 'one-sided' and 'misleading', and announced FM Dar's visit to a UN summit.

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February 14, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Six newly appointed Supreme Court judges take oath

Six new SC judges, including Justices Hashim Kakar, Shafi Siddiqui, and four others, were sworn in on Feb 14 by CJP Yahya Afridi. Separately, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb took oath as Acting SC Judge and Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar as Acting IHC Chief Justice.

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February 14, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

FO dismisses India-US statement against Pakistan as 'one-sided, misleading'

Pakistan's FO rejected the India-US joint statement as one-sided and misleading, denying allegations of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attack. The FO also opposed US military technology transfer to India, warning it undermines regional strategic stability.

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February 14, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

SBP reserves fall $500m in less than a month

SBP forex reserves dropped by $559 million to $11.166 billion by Feb 7 from $11.725 billion on Jan 10, driven by external debt repayments. Total reserves including commercial banks stood at $15.862 billion.

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February 13, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Justice Sarfraz Dogar appointed IHC acting chief justice amid reservations over seniority

President Zardari appoints Justice Sarfraz Dogar as acting IHC chief justice; 7 other judges sworn in for SC roles.

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February 13, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Pakistan, Turkiye pledge to achieve $5bn bilateral trade target

PM Shehbaz and President Erdogan pledge to achieve $5bn bilateral trade target during Turkish president's visit.

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February 13, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Two more IMF missions due in next few weeks

Two IMF missions to visit Pakistan for climate resilience funding and EFF performance review in coming weeks.

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February 12, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

IMF chief meets PM Shehbaz, pledges support for govt's actions

IMF MD Kristalina Georgieva met PM Shehbaz on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai, pledging support for Pakistan's reforms under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility. She commended Pakistan's economic recovery with rising growth and declining inflation while an IMF team conducts governance scrutiny in the country.

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February 12, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Turkish president due in Islamabad today

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Islamabad on February 12, 2025 to co-chair the 7th Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council session with PM Shehbaz Sharif. The visit aims to boost bilateral trade from $1bn to $5bn and finalize agreements in defence, trade, and investment, with Turkiye being Pakistan's second-largest arms supplier (11% of imports).

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February 12, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

CJP seeks input on judicial reforms from PM, opposition leader

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan to suggest judicial reforms for the upcoming National Judicial Policymaking Committee meeting. He also met an IMF delegation led by Joel Turkewitz to discuss judicial performance and governance, emphasizing the judiciary's independence.

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February 11, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Two SC judges walk out of JCP meeting over appointment process

Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar walked out of a JCP meeting with PTI members after their postponement request was rejected. The commission nominated four high court chief justices, two other judges, and IHC Justice Aurangzeb as acting Supreme Court judge.

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February 11, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

IMF seeks details of programme implementation, property rights in meeting with CJP

An IMF technical team met CJP Yahya Afridi to discuss programme implementation and property rights as part of the $7bn bailout. CJP Afridi highlighted judicial reforms and the upcoming NJPMC meeting, while the team emphasized protecting property rights for foreign investment.

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February 11, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

PM Shehbaz meets UAE president in Abu Dhabi to further strengthen bilateral ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, his second visit since March 2024, to strengthen bilateral ties. Deputy PM Ishaq Dar separately invited UAE telecom company e& to invest more in Pakistan's telecom sector.

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February 10, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

JCP names 6 high court judges for Supreme Court as PTI boycotts meeting

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan nominated six high court chief justices for elevation to the Supreme Court, including Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar and five others, while also nominating Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb as acting judge. PTI boycotted the meeting and declared the appointments unconstitutional, as lawyers protested in Islamabad against the 26th Amendment and JCP meeting.

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February 10, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

IMF mission to inspect regulatory, judicial system

An IMF technical mission is in Pakistan for a week-long examination of six governance sectors under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility. The mission will engage with finance, revenue, election bodies and judiciary to assess corruption vulnerabilities, and the government must publish a Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment report by July 2025.

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February 10, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Turkiye’s President Erdogan to visit Pakistan this week amid three-nation Asia tour

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Pakistan this week as the final stop of a four-day Asia tour to Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan, focusing on enhanced defense cooperation including MILGEM naval vessels and UAVs. His last Pakistan visit was in February 2020, and President Zardari met him at Istanbul Airport on Monday en route to Portugal.

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February 9, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

PM Shehbaz to embark on 2-day visit to UAE on Monday: FO

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit the UAE on February 10-11 for the World Governments Summit, delivering a keynote on Pakistan's economic vision. He will also hold bilateral meetings with UAE leaders and multinational CEOs, and the UAE recently rolled over a $2 billion debt to Pakistan.

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February 9, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

PSX stays bearish for third straight week on IMF concerns

The KSE-100 index fell 3,933 points (3.44%) week-on-week to close at 110,323, driven by profit-taking and concerns ahead of the IMF review. Headline inflation in January dropped to a 101-month low of 2.4% year-on-year, while foreign selling totaled $9.88 million.

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February 9, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Banks’ investment in risk-free govt papers surges to Rs26tr

Scheduled banks' investment in government securities reached Rs26 trillion by December 2024, accounting for 57.6% of central government domestic debt. Banks earned record profits from high interest rates—e.g., 22% in FY24—while the government uses taxpayers' money to pay these returns.

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February 8, 2025
newspaper Dawn News International

Trump cuts South Africa funding over land policy, ICJ genocide case

President Donald Trump signed an executive order cutting US financial assistance to South Africa over its land policy and ICJ genocide case against Israel, with nearly $440 million allocated in 2023. The order also directs a plan to resettle white South African farmers and their families as refugees.

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February 8, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Aman-25 naval drills with 60 nations begin in Pakistan

The ninth multinational maritime exercise Aman-25 began on February 7, 2025, in Karachi with 60 nations participating, featuring 11 to 12 naval ships including vessels from China and Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh's naval chief held meetings with Pakistan's military leadership, signaling a shift in bilateral relations.

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February 8, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

PM Shehbaz vows further power tariff cuts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to further reduce electricity tariffs for domestic and industrial consumers through power sector reforms. Discos' receipts reached 93.26% by December 2024 due to reforms and anti-theft campaigns, he said.

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February 7, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

SC judges urge CJP to hold judicial appointments until 26th amendment pleas resolved

Four SC justices urged CJP Yahya Afridi to postpone eight Supreme Court appointments until challenges to the 26th Amendment are resolved.

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February 7, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

JCP appoints nine additional judges to Lahore High Court

JCP appointed nine advocates as additional Lahore High Court judges, with no district judges elevated after the chief justice withdrew her list.

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February 7, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Govt abolishes support price for wheat to comply with IMF agreement

Government abolished wheat support price to comply with an IMF agreement, the National Assembly committee was informed.

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February 6, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Zardari, Xi chart course for expansion of CPEC

President Zardari on a five-day visit to Beijing met Xi Jinping, vowing to expand CPEC and signing MoUs on science, clean energy, and media cooperation.

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February 6, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

SBP buys $3.8bn to repay debt, boost reserves

SBP bought $3.8bn from June to October 2024, with $2.1bn increasing reserves and $1.7bn repaying debt, as remittances rose 33% to $17.8bn.

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February 6, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

PM Shehbaz, son Hamza Shehbaz acquitted in Ramzan Sugar Mills case

PM Shehbaz and Hamza Shehbaz were acquitted on Thursday in Ramzan Sugar Mills case after court found NAB reference below Rs500m threshold.

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February 5, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Supreme Court, SHC hear challenges to PECA amendments

Muhammad Qayum filed a Supreme Court petition and Fahim Siddiqui filed a Sindh High Court petition challenging PECA amendments as violations of Article 19. Both seek judicial review and striking down of the law, arguing it threatens press freedom and fundamental rights.

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February 5, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Provinces agree to impose agriculture tax to meet IMF condition

PM Shehbaz Sharif announced all provinces agreed to impose an agriculture tax from July 1, 2025, fulfilling an IMF condition. Inflation dropped to a nine-year low of 2.4% in January 2025 from 28.73% a year ago.

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February 5, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Zardari, Xi reaffirm support on core issues, agree to enhance intelligence sharing

President Zardari met President Xi Jinping in Beijing, reaffirmed support on core issues, and signed MOUs on science, technology, media, and clean energy. Interior ministers agreed to enhance intelligence sharing, and Zardari invited Xi to visit Pakistan.

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February 4, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Justice Aminuddin questions dual military-civilian trial system

Justice Aminuddin Khan questioned how civilians and soldiers can be tried for the same offence in different courts during a Supreme Court hearing on military trials.

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February 4, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Inflation hits nine-year low at 2.4pc

CPI inflation fell to 2.4% in January 2025, a nine-year low, driven by a decline in perishable food prices.

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February 4, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Zardari leaves for China today for five-day visit

President Zardari left for a five-day state visit to China to meet President Xi Jinping and discuss CPEC and security cooperation.

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February 3, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

CJP Afridi welcomes transfer of judges to IHC, hails 'fair chance' for provinces

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi welcomed President Zardari's transfer of three high court judges to the IHC as a 'fair chance' for provinces.

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February 3, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

CPI inflation slows to 2.41pc for January — lowest in 9 years

Pakistan's CPI inflation fell to 2.41% year-on-year in January 2025, the lowest level in nine years.

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February 3, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Pakistan signs agreement to defer $1.2bn payment for Saudi oil

Pakistan signed a $1.2 billion oil payment deferment deal with Saudi Arabia, which also provided $41 million for water.

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February 2, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Islamabad lawyers announce strike tomorrow over ‘unconstitutional’ judicial appointments

Islamabad bar associations announced a Feb 3 strike against the transfer of Justice Dogar to IHC and Peca amendments, demanding nullification of the 26th Amendment.

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February 2, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

JCP appoints 10 additional judges to Peshawar High Court

JCP appointed 10 additional judges to PHC, including eight advocates and two sessions judges, while PBC rejected proposed amendments to bar election eligibility.

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February 2, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Azerbaijan to invest $2bn as PM Shehbaz plans Baku visit

Azerbaijan will sign $2 billion investment agreements with Pakistan during PM Shehbaz Sharif's February visit to Baku, focusing on oil, gas, and renewable energy.

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February 1, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

President approves LHC judge’s transfer against request of 5 IHC justices

President Asif Ali Zardari approved transfer of LHC's Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and two other judges to IHC, overruling opposition from five IHC justices who deemed it unconstitutional. Justice Dogar is now among five candidates for IHC chief justice, with the JCP meeting on February 10 to finalize appointments.

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February 1, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

‘Prosecutor, judge & jury’: fairness of May 9 trials disputed in SC

The seven-judge Constitutional Bench heard arguments claiming military trials for May 9 riots are unfair because the army serves as prosecutor, judge and jury while being the affected party. Justice Mandokhail observed that acquitting 100 offenders is preferable to sentencing one innocent, highlighting Pakistan's 130th rank in rule of law.

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February 1, 2025
newspaper Dawn News National

Weekly inflation slows to 0.4pc

Short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Index, slowed to 0.44% year-on-year in the week ending Jan 30, driven by declines in tomatoes, onions and wheat flour. On an annual basis, potato prices rose 34.95% while onion prices dropped 54.36%.

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