March 2025 Current Affairs Bulletin
A chronological timeline of significant affairs curated for high-yield exam retention.
PM Shehbaz expresses satisfaction over Pakistan-Bangladesh relations
PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over improving Pakistan-Bangladesh trade and travel ties. He announced Deputy PM Ishaq Dar's visit to Dhaka in April with a trade delegation.
Read Source ArticleMinister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry visits UK, discusses bilateral issues
Talal Chaudhry attended a dinner with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, discussing border management and illegal immigration. The UK is Pakistan's third-largest trade partner and remittance source.
Read Source ArticleBalochistan’s fiscal management crisis
Balochistan's FY25 budget allocates 63.7% to non-development and 33.6% to development, with federal transfers of Rs647bn. Own revenue is just 13%, and development fund utilisation was only 55% in FY24.
Read Source ArticleLHC halts stamp duty on corporate mergers
LHC Rawalpindi Bench stayed Punjab's stamp duty on corporate mergers, citing Section 282(5) of the Companies Act which exempts such transfers. The division bench suspended the single-bench order and directed a meeting with SECP and revenue authorities, with next hearing on April 15.
Read Source ArticleFBR revenue collection falls short by Rs716bn
FBR collected Rs8.452tr in July-March FY25, missing the Rs9.168tr target by Rs716bn, but recorded 27% growth year-on-year. March collections rose 32% year-on-year to Rs1.114tr, while the IMF revised the annual target to Rs12.333tr from Rs12.913tr.
Read Source ArticleAuto industry wary of IMF's tariff cuts up to 42%
IMF's plan to lower tariffs by up to 42% over five years would cut auto tariffs to a maximum 20%, sparking industry uncertainty. Auto sales rose 50% year-on-year to 89,770 units in 8MFY25, but PAMA fears reduced localisation and increased imports.
Read Source ArticleJustice Sattar questions acting IHC CJ's power to reassign cases
Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court ruled that the acting chief justice cannot administratively reassign cases, citing Rule 4 of the Lahore High Court Rules. He ordered that reassignment requests be routed through the deputy registrar after the office of the acting chief justice improperly returned a case to a recused bench.
Read Source ArticlePublic debt swells to Rs74tr in July-December
Pakistan's total public debt reached Rs74.1 trillion by December 2024, a 10% increase from Rs67.33 trillion a year earlier, while the primary surplus hit 2.9% of GDP in 1HFY25. Debt indicators improved as domestic debt maturity rose to 3.4 years and international agencies upgraded Pakistan's credit rating.
Read Source ArticleArrangements finalised to detain, deport Afghans as deadline nears
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a meeting finalizing plans to detain and deport Afghan Citizen Card holders after the March 31 deadline, with holding centres set up and awareness campaigns completed. The government will crack down on illegal Afghans and penalize those renting to them, while forming a committee to consider talks with the Afghan Taliban.
Read Source ArticleWomen's legal rights not tied to marriage: SC
The Supreme Court declared the exclusion of married daughters from compassionate appointments discriminatory and ultra vires, ordering the reinstatement of Zahida Parveen with back benefits. The court also directed judicial and administrative authorities to adopt gender-sensitive language, affirming that marriage does not erase a woman's legal personhood or autonomy.
Read Source ArticleSBP buys $5.5bn from currency market
The State Bank of Pakistan purchased $5.5 billion from the interbank market during June-December 2024. However, its foreign exchange reserves fell by $540 million to a six-month low of $10.6 billion as of March 21, 2025, due to external debt repayments.
Read Source ArticlePakistan-US counterterrorism dialogue to be held in June
Pakistan and the United States agreed to hold a counterterrorism dialogue in June, following a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker. Naqvi stated that terrorism is an international issue and that a comprehensive policy is being formulated to combat it, while Baker condemned the Jaffar Express attack.
Read Source ArticleCouncil of Islamic Ideology comes out against SC verdict in polygamy case
At its 241st meeting on March 25-26 chaired by Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, the Council of Islamic Ideology ruled that the Supreme Court's Oct 23, 2024 verdict allowing a first wife to annul a polygamous marriage without permission is un-Islamic. The council also supported optional medical tests for thalassemia or infectious diseases before marriage.
Read Source ArticleCarbon levy on the cards after IMF funding secured
Pakistan and the IMF staff reached a Staff-Level Agreement on the first review of the Extended Fund Facility and a new 28-month $1.3 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility, bringing total IMF support to $8.3 billion. The agreement includes a Rs7 per unit electricity tariff cut from April 1, a carbon levy on hydrocarbons from July 1, and a gradual reduction of auto tariffs from 10.5% to 6% by FY2030.
Read Source ArticlePakistani entities linked to China face US curbs
The US Department of Commerce added 80 entities from China, Taiwan, Pakistan, UAE, Iran, and South Africa to its entity list on Tuesday, citing threats to national security and aiming to curb China's AI, supercomputing, and hypersonic weapons development. Chinese firms including six Inspur Group subsidiaries were blacklisted for supporting military supercomputers, and Beijing condemned the move as weaponizing trade.
Read Source Article5 sentenced to death for blasphemy by Rawalpindi court
Rawalpindi Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Tariq Ayub sentenced five men to death under Section 295C for blasphemy, along with life imprisonment and additional terms. The sentences run concurrently, with the death penalty requiring confirmation by the Lahore High Court.
Read Source ArticleBill seeking sanctions on Pakistani officials lands in US Congress
Republican Joe Wilson and Democrat Jimmy Panetta introduced the 'Pakistan Democracy Act' in the US House on Monday, calling for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act. The bill targets the army chief within 180 days if human rights are not improved and has been referred to the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees.
Read Source ArticlePM Shehbaz commends team, nation for unlocking IMF deal, new $1.3bn climate fund
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended his team for the IMF staff-level agreement on the first review of the 37-month EFF and a new $1.3 billion Resilience and Sustainability Trust over 28 months. He noted the provinces passed agricultural income tax laws and inflation fell to 1.5% in February.
Read Source ArticleAll ‘fictitious’ property deals subject to Benami Act: IHC
IHC Justice Mohammad Azam Khan ruled the Benami Act 2017 applies retrospectively, dismissing Brig Imtiaz Ahmed's petition on a 1999 property in F-10/4, Islamabad. The court held the offences under NAB and Benami laws are distinct, and the petitioner must first approach the Adjudicating Authority.
Read Source ArticleRemittances expected to maintain upward trend, says finance ministry
Remittances rose 32.5% to $24bn in July-Feb FY2025, and the finance ministry expects the upward trend to continue due to seasonal factors. The fiscal deficit narrowed to 1.7% of GDP from 2.6%, and FDI increased 41% to $1,618.4m.
Read Source ArticlePakistan pushes UNSC for ‘just and lasting’ settlement of Kashmir dispute
On Monday, SAPM Tariq Fatemi urged the UN Security Council to implement its resolutions for a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute. He also highlighted Pakistan’s peacekeeping contributions, noting 235,000 troops deployed and 181 fatalities.
Read Source ArticleShares at PSX reverse gains, plunge 2,000 points on IMF concerns
The KSE-100 index plunged 2,002.55 points (1.69%) to 116,439.62 on Monday amid IMF concerns over electricity tariffs and property taxes. The prime minister failed to announce a promised Rs8 per unit reduction in his March 23 speech, and the IMF is holding back a staff-level agreement.
Read Source ArticleIHC summons Islamabad IG over disappearance of journalist Ahmad Noorani's brothers
The Islamabad High Court summoned the Islamabad Inspector General of Police on March 26 over the disappearance of journalist Ahmad Noorani's two brothers. Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas expressed dissatisfaction with the police report and noted that no FIR had been filed six days after the incident.
Read Source ArticleUS lifts bounties on Taliban leader Haqqani among three
US lifted bounties on Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani and two others, signaling a potential shift in engagement.
Read Source ArticleIslamabad, Kabul agree to deepen diplomatic ties
Pakistan’s special envoy Sadiq met Afghanistan’s acting FM Muttaqi in Kabul, agreeing to enhance high-level engagements on trade, security, and refugees. The Torkham border reopened after a 27-day closure, with a March 31 deadline for Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave voluntarily.
Read Source ArticleEquities resume record-setting spree in robust week
The KSE 100 index closed at 118,442.18, up 2.52% week-on-week, driven by IMF approval of a Rs1.25 trillion borrowing plan to resolve circular debt. Large-Scale Manufacturing contracted 1.2% in January, while FDI plunged 45% year-on-year to $95 million in February.
Read Source ArticleTop judges seek review of tribunal ruling in promotion case
Islamabad district court judges filed a review against a tribunal ruling that nullified their appointments, arguing the tribunal lacked authority. The tribunal, led by Justices Jahangiri, Sattar, and Khan, suspended its order for 30 days to allow appeal to the Supreme Court.
Read Source ArticleGovt meets another IMF condition of phasing out export financing
ECC approved phasing out SBP's Rs330bn LTFF to Exim Bank, with Rs91.466bn subsidy cost, meeting IMF condition for $1.1bn tranche.
Read Source ArticleDelay in naming climate authority chief irks SC constitutional bench
SC constitutional bench irked by delay in appointing Climate Change Authority chairman and finalising rules, eight years after 2017 Act.
Read Source ArticleJCP to finalise elevation of two LHC judges on April 8
JCP will meet April 8 to finalise elevation of two LHC judges to Supreme Court from five senior-most, deferred from Feb 10.
Read Source ArticleJournalist Farhan Mallick handed into FIA custody for 4 days over ‘anti-state’ content
A Karachi court remanded journalist Farhan Mallick to FIA custody for four days until March 25 under PECA sections including new Section 26A, over alleged anti-state content on his outlet Raftar TV. His lawyer criticized the FIR for lacking specific content, dates, and URLs, and argued Section 26A was applied retroactively.
Read Source ArticleUptick in SBP reserves
SBP foreign exchange reserves rose by $49 million to $11.146 billion for the week ending March 14, with total reserves including commercial banks at $16.015 billion. The reserves had climbed from $9.436bn in August 2024 to $12.037bn in November but have since fallen, making the $13bn FY25 target challenging.
Read Source ArticlePakistan firm on March 31 deadline for foreigners’ exit
Pakistan's FO reaffirmed the March 31 deadline for illegal foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave, dismissing UNHCR concerns and citing PM Shehbaz's plan targeting nearly three million Afghan citizens. The FO also summoned the Afghan charge d'affaires to protest terrorist attacks from Afghan soil and rejected Indian remarks on UNSC resolutions on Kashmir.
Read Source ArticleDepriving women of their inheritance is ‘un-Islamic’, Shariat Court rules
The Federal Shariat Court declared customs depriving women of inheritance un-Islamic and ordered criminal cases under Section 498-A. The 21-page judgment came on a petition by Syeda Fouzia Jalaal Shah against the 'Chaddar' custom in Bannu district.
Read Source ArticleSenate panel approves Civil Courts Amendment Bill
The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice approved the Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to shift litigation burden from the Islamabad High Court to district courts. The bill had already been passed by the National Assembly.
Read Source ArticlePakistan to legalise crypto in bid to lure international investment: report
Bilal Bin Saqib, chief adviser to the finance minister for the Pakistan Crypto Council, said Pakistan plans to legalise cryptocurrency to attract international investment. The finance ministry announced on February 25 the formation of a National Crypto Council.
Read Source ArticleConstitutional Bench issues order to transfer super tax cases
The Constitutional Bench invoked Article 186A to transfer super tax appeals from high courts to the Supreme Court, ordering registrars to submit original case files. The five-judge bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, will hear challenges to Sections 4B and 4C of the Income Tax Ordinance regarding the 2015 tax on incomes above Rs500 million for Operation Zarb-i-Azb reconstruction.
Read Source ArticleBulls stage 801-point rally on IMF optimism
The PSX benchmark KSE 100 index surged 801 points to 117,001 after the IMF allowed Pakistan to borrow Rs1.25 trillion ($4.5bn) from domestic banks to address Rs2.4tr circular debt. Trading volume fell 11.44% to 449.48 million shares, with Fauji Fertiliser, Engro Holdings, Hub Power, TRG, and Lucky Cement adding 541 points to the index.
Read Source ArticleTrump, Putin agree to ‘limited’ Ukraine ceasefire
Trump and Putin agreed to a limited 30-day ceasefire on energy and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, with talks for a broader peace plan to start immediately. Putin did not accept a full ceasefire, demanding an end to foreign military aid and intelligence for Kyiv as conditions for a permanent deal, while negotiations on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea will begin in the Middle East.
Read Source ArticleKarachi Bar Association challenges judges’ transfer to IHC
Karachi Bar Association petitions SC to restrain transferred judges from performing duties, citing judicial independence.
Read Source ArticleGovt seeks to reduce population weightage in NFC share
Government recommends reducing population size weightage in NFC award for 10-year health and population policy.
Read Source ArticleCurrent account deficit falls to $12m in February
Pakistan records $691m current account surplus in 8MFY25, with February deficit shrinking to $12m.
Read Source ArticleFO rubbishes Modi’s ‘misleading and one-sided’ remarks on regional peace
Pakistan's Foreign Office on Monday denounced Indian PM Modi's remarks in a Lex Fridman podcast as misleading and one-sided, accusing him of omitting the 70-year unresolved Kashmir dispute. The FO also rejected Modi's allegations of state-sponsored terrorism, instead blaming India for orchestrating targeted assassinations and subversion.
Read Source ArticleShares at PSX rally over 600 points on hopes of IMF staff-level agreement soon
The PSX benchmark KSE-100 index closed at 116,199.59 points, gaining 663.43 points (0.57%) on hopes of an IMF staff-level agreement and resolution of Rs1.5 trillion circular debt via bank loans. Market sentiment was further buoyed by expectations of reduced power tariffs and improved current account due to higher remittances during Ramazan.
Read Source ArticleParliamentary panel on national security to meet tomorrow
PM Shehbaz Sharif ordered an in-camera parliamentary panel meeting at 1:30pm on March 18, 2025, to address rising terror attacks in Balochistan and KP. The meeting will include PM Shehbaz, army chief Gen Asim Munir, and parliamentary leaders to receive a briefing from military leadership.
Read Source ArticleSignificant progress made towards staff-level agreement: IMF
IMF mission chief Nathan Porter announced significant progress towards a staff-level agreement (SLA) on the first review of Pakistan’s $7 billion EFF, with virtual talks continuing in the coming days. Former finance minister Miftah Ismail attributed the delay to the government's failure to implement structural reforms.
Read Source ArticlePakistan may get 60 days to escape US travel restrictions
Pakistan may be placed on a US intermediate travel list—yellow or orange—granting 60 days to address security concerns, with partial visa restrictions including mandatory interviews. The country avoided the red list due to counterterrorism cooperation, such as helping apprehend Mohammad Sharifullah, but remains under scrutiny for militant activity in Afghanistan.
Read Source ArticlePeshawar High Court petitioned against amendments to cybercrime law
Social media activist Anil Masih petitioned the Peshawar High Court against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, alleging it violates fundamental rights including freedom of expression. The petition specifically challenges Section 26(A) on false information and the creation of SMPRA and NCCIA, arguing the law was passed without proper parliamentary debate.
Read Source ArticleSC to hear Imran’s contempt case next week in petition against 2022 Azadi March
A five-member SC bench will hear on March 21 a contempt petition against Imran Khan for violating orders during the 2022 Azadi March.
Read Source ArticleIMF terms $7bn loan programme implementation ‘strong’ but no staff-level agreement signed
The IMF mission praised Pakistan's $7bn EFF implementation as strong but failed to reach a staff-level agreement, with virtual talks continuing.
Read Source ArticleChina, Pakistan both focused on KKH, ML-1 completion: Chinese consul general
Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong said both countries are focused on completing KKH and ML-1, with Gwadar's new airport enhancing trade.
Read Source ArticleSindh Assembly passes unanimous resolution against six canals project
Sindh Assembly unanimously passed resolution opposing federal six canals project, citing threat to inter-provincial harmony.
Read Source ArticleSolar users face higher costs as policy revised
ECC slashed solar net-metering buyback rate by two-thirds to Rs10 per unit and scrapped net billing, with consumers buying grid electricity at Rs42-48 per unit.
Read Source ArticleSBP reserves fall $152m
State Bank of Pakistan reserves declined by $152 million to $11.097 billion due to external debt repayments in the week ended March 7.
Read Source ArticleMoody's upgrades Pakistan's banking outlook
Moody's upgraded Pakistan's banking outlook to positive, citing resilient financial performance and improving macroeconomic conditions with 3% GDP growth forecast for FY25. Long-term debt sustainability remains a key risk, as government securities account for 55% of banking assets and non-performing loans stand at 8.4%.
Read Source ArticleIn a first, Constitutional Bench invokes power given by 26th Amendment
The Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench invoked Article 186A for the first time, transferring all super tax intra-court appeals from Lahore and Islamabad High Courts to itself, with around 200 cases pending. The bench also heard 38 appeals against the October 2023 ruling on civilian trials by military courts, with the defence ministry arguing for military court jurisdiction.
Read Source ArticleOman offered Gwadar, Karachi ports use for access to Central Asia
Pakistan offered Oman use of Gwadar and Karachi ports for greater access to Central Asian markets during talks between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal and Omani minister Qais Al Yousif in Muscat. The meeting focused on textiles, SMEs, agriculture, and food security, with Islamabad inviting Omani investment in its industrial and manufacturing sectors.
Read Source ArticleLegality of super tax comes under SC Constitutional Bench scrutiny
SC Constitutional Bench questions legality of super tax, citing use of federal funds without provincial consent and undisclosed collection figures.
Read Source ArticleGovt hikes tariff for captive plants on IMF prodding
Govt hikes tariff for captive plants on IMF prodding, with grid levy set to increase multiple times until August 2026 to discourage natural gas use.
Read Source ArticleChina, Russia, Iran to hold nuclear talks in Beijing on Friday
China, Russia, Iran to hold nuclear talks in Beijing on Friday, chaired by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu.
Read Source ArticleFresh SC Constitutional Bench to hear super tax case from today
The Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench was reconstituted with Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Mohammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Shahid Bilal Hassan, and Aminuddin Khan to hear challenges to the super tax under Section 4C. Hamid Khan argued that a constitutional amendment is necessary for military courts, and that the F.B. Ali case was misinterpreted.
Read Source ArticleRemittances jump 40pc in February, total $3.12bn
Remittances from overseas Pakistanis surged 40% year-on-year to $3.12 billion in February 2025, with eight-month inflows reaching $23.97 billion, up 32.5%. Saudi Arabia contributed $5.896 billion and the UAE $4.857 billion during July-February, while the government projected total remittances of $35 billion for FY25.
Read Source ArticlePakistan to take all necessary measures against terrorist outfits based in Afghanistan: Akram
Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram stated that Islamabad will take 'all necessary measures' against terrorist threats, citing Kabul's failure to address the TTP, which has 6,000 fighters. He accused Afghan authorities of being complicit in cross-border attacks and noted that restrictions on women are against Islam.
Read Source ArticleSBP surprises with hold on key policy rate at 12pc
SBP kept its policy rate unchanged at 12% despite February's near-decade low inflation of 1.5%, citing food and energy price volatility. The MPC had cut the rate by 1000bps since June 2024 and noted that the current account turned into a $0.4 billion deficit in January.
Read Source ArticleCompromise not admissible in honour killing, rules Peshawar High Court
Peshawar High Court ruled that compromise is not admissible in honour killing cases, which are classified as 'Fasad-Fil-Arz' under section 311 PPC. Justice Salahud Din rejected Arshad's bail for the double murder of his wife and brother, despite a formal compromise by all legal heirs.
Read Source ArticlePakistan seeks clarity as US mulls restrictions on entry
Pakistan's ambassador Rizwan Saeed Shaikh said the embassy is in contact with the State Department but has no official confirmation of travel curbs. Reports suggest Pakistan may be placed in an 'orange' category, restricting immigrant and tourist visas while allowing business travel for affluent individuals.
Read Source ArticleSupreme Court to hear dispute between ex-SHC CJ and judicial officer
The Supreme Court heard an appeal by the SHC registrar against the reinstatement of former district judge Aijaz Ali Khaskheli, dismissed in 2016 by ex-SHC CJ Sajjad Ali Shah. The Sindh Service Tribunal had ruled the dismissal flawed as the CJ acted as both complainant and punisher, violating natural justice.
Read Source ArticlePlacement on no-fly list sans evidence illegal: IHC
The Islamabad High Court ruled that placing citizens on the Passport Control List without tangible evidence is illegal and unconstitutional. Justice Babar Sattar ordered the removal of petitioner Nadir Mukhtiar's name, who was blocked from travel without notice in December 2024.
Read Source ArticleChina's $2bn debt rollover provides fiscal relief ahead of IMF talks
China extended the repayment of a $2bn loan by one year, originally due March 24, providing fiscal relief and stabilizing Pakistan's forex reserves at $15.87bn. The rollover strengthens Pakistan's position ahead of IMF policy-level talks reviewing its $7bn bailout programme.
Read Source Article30,000 jobs slashed to meet IMF conditions, minister tells Punjab Assembly
Punjab Irrigation Minister Kazim Pirzada told the assembly that 30,000 posts were eliminated to meet IMF conditions during the session on March 7.
Read Source ArticleNo US defence for non-paying Nato members: Trump
Trump said in the Oval Office he would not defend Nato allies not meeting spending targets and warned Iran to negotiate on nuclear weapons or face military action.
Read Source ArticleMarch 31 deadline for Afghan citizen card holders to exit Pakistan
The interior ministry set March 31 as the deadline for Afghan Citizen Card holders to voluntarily leave Pakistan, after which mass deportations will commence.
Read Source ArticleArmy act already upheld by earlier courts, Constitutional Bench told
The Supreme Court Bar Association told the Constitutional Bench on Thursday that the Pakistan Army Act 1952 provisions were already upheld by earlier courts and thus constitutional. Senior counsel Hamid Khan recalled that the Rawalpindi Conspiracy case was tried by a special tribunal, not a military court.
Read Source ArticleAnalysts see seventh rate cut amid low inflation, IMF review
Analysts expect the State Bank of Pakistan to cut rates for a seventh consecutive time on Monday, with a median forecast of 50 basis points as February inflation hit a near-decade low of 1.5%. The key rate has already been reduced from 22% to 12% through six cuts, with most analysts predicting it will stop at 10.5-11% due to potential inflation rise.
Read Source ArticleUS, Pakistan have common interest in fighting terrorism: State Dept
Mohammad Sharifullah, the Afghan suspect in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing that killed 13 US service members, was captured by Pakistani forces and extradited to the US for trial. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce thanked Pakistan, citing a shared common interest in fighting terrorism.
Read Source ArticleJustice Mansoor Ali Shah says courts must respect executive autonomy
Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah ruled that courts must respect executive autonomy in employee management but must intervene for illegality, arbitrariness, or mala fide. He set aside a BISE employee's compulsory retirement as disproportionate and ordered the chairman to impose a proportionate penalty.
Read Source ArticlePakistan rises to second in Global Terrorism Index
Pakistan ranked second in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index with 1,081 terrorism deaths in 2024, a 45% increase from the prior year. The TTP caused 52% of fatalities, while Baloch groups like the BLA conducted 504 attacks, including the Quetta railway station bombing that killed 25.
Read Source ArticleNew Trump travel ban could bar Afghans, Pakistanis soon: report
President Trump's new travel ban may bar Afghans and Pakistanis from entering the US as soon as next week, based on a government review. Afghanistan will be recommended for a complete ban, and Pakistan also recommended, potentially affecting 200,000 Afghans cleared for resettlement.
Read Source Article26th Amendment was born because of what judges were getting right
The 26th Amendment was born because judges correctly ensured polls within 90 days and civilian trials. It returns judicial appointments to the executive and undoes intra-court seniority, marking the greatest judicial regression in 30 years.
Read Source ArticleTough fiscal measures must to unlock IMF tranche
Pakistan must curb development spending and raise retail and real estate revenue to unlock the next $1.1 billion IMF tranche. The measures target a Rs600 billion fiscal gap, with Finance Minister Aurangzeb saying Pakistan is well positioned as IMF talks continue until March 14.
Read Source ArticleArab states adopt Egyptian alternative to Trump’s Gaza plan
Arab leaders at a Cairo summit adopted the $53 billion Egyptian plan to rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians. UN chief Guterres and Hamas endorsed the plan, which includes a technocratic committee for governance and rejects Trump's proposal.
Read Source ArticleJCP forms body to thrash out criteria for Constitutional Benches appointments
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan formed a five-member committee chaired by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail to draft criteria for Constitutional Bench appointments, with AGP Mansoor Usman Awan, Senators Farooq Naek and Ali Zafar as members. The committee will propose legal instruments for the criteria, while the JCP had earlier expanded the Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench to 13 judges.
Read Source ArticleInflation drops to lowest in nearly a decade
Pakistan's annual inflation fell to 1.5% in February 2025, the lowest since November 2015, driven by declining food prices with urban inflation at 1.8% and rural at 1.1%. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif credited his economic team for the decline, as the CPI eased 0.8% month-on-month and food inflation recorded negative growth in both urban (-0.9%) and rural (-4.3%) areas.
Read Source ArticlePakistan, IMF open talks on 1st review of $7bn programme
Pakistan and the IMF began the first biannual review of the $7bn Extended Fund Facility with a nine-member mission led by Nathan Porter from March 3-14, focusing on tax reforms to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio by 3%. The release of the next $1bn tranche depends on the review's outcome, while a separate IMF mission discussed $1bn in climate financing.
Read Source ArticleSC wonders how civilian trials will shape up if transferred from military courts
A seven-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan heard intra-court appeals against the nullification of civilian trials in military courts for May 9 violence, with advocate Faisal Siddiqui arguing that Section 94 of the Pakistan Army Act grants unlimited extradition powers. The hearing was adjourned after Siddiqui contended that the extradition process lacked structured authority.
Read Source ArticleInflation for February clocks in at 1.5pc — lowest since 2015
Pakistan's CPI inflation fell to 1.51% year-on-year in February 2025, the lowest since September 2015, with a month-on-month decrease of 0.8%. The average inflation for the first eight months of FY25 was 5.85%, down sharply from 27.96% in the same period last year.
Read Source ArticleGovt expects no hiccups as IMF reviews targets
A nine-member IMF mission led by Nathan Porter began the first biannual review of Pakistan's $7 billion Extended Fund Facility on March 3, 2025, over a 10-day period. The government expects a successful conclusion and the release of a $1.1 billion tranche within three weeks, citing that revenue shortfalls were offset by a higher primary budget surplus and better non-tax receipts.
Read Source ArticleKP says waiting for federal govt’s approval to negotiate with Afghan Taliban
KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur said his provincial jirga awaits federal approval of TORs to negotiate with Afghan Taliban. He agreed with Afghan Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir on reopening borders to ease trader difficulties during Ramadan.
Read Source ArticleSECP clears amendments to modaraba ordinance
SECP Policy Board approved revised amendments to the Modaraba Ordinance 1980 for submission to the Finance Division after the initial bill lapsed in August 2023. Reforms include unlisted modarabas, strengthened investor rights under the Companies Act, and dissolving the Modaraba Tribunal.
Read Source ArticleExports to Europe up 10pc to $5.3bn
Pakistan's exports to the EU grew 9.86% to $5.345bn in July-January FY25, driven by a 12.72% rise in western Europe. Exports to northern and eastern Europe also rose 17.10% and 18.57% respectively, with GSP+ status extended until 2027.
Read Source ArticleConstitutional Bench expands with addition of five judges
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Friday added five judges to the Supreme Court's constitutional bench, expanding it to 13 members. PTI representatives opposed the move, arguing that a nomination procedure should be set before appointments.
Read Source ArticleConstitutional Bench seeks more details from PTI on May 9 events
The Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench on Friday asked PTI to submit additional documents supporting its plea for a judicial commission on the May 9, 2023 violence. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail noted the absence of death certificates for dozens allegedly killed, and the court adjourned for document submission.
Read Source ArticleCK Hutchison plans $1bn port investment in Pakistan
Hutchison Ports, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, plans to invest $1 billion to upgrade its Karachi terminals, with an expected $4 billion revenue over 25 years. The investment, presented to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, aims to automate operations and improve logistics, though no timeframe was given.
Read Source Article