September 2026 Current Affairs Bulletin

Pakistan greenlights $200m ADB loan for TADRA tax digitalisation project

Pakistan approved a $200m ADB TADRA loan targeting a 13.5% tax-to-GDP ratio by 2029, up from 11.1%.

Key port falls as Houthis advance toward Bab el-Mandab gateway

Houthi forces captured a key port near Bab el-Mandab, with attacks injuring over 70 people in southern Saudi Arabia and Riyadh retaliating.

ECP bars three ex-MNAs from contesting elections over undisclosed assets

ECP again disqualified Zartaj Gul, Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Abdul Latif until they submit 2024-25 Form-B asset statements under Section 137.

IMF mission scheduled for September 23 to review Pakistan’s economic performance

Iva Petrova will lead IMF’s September 23 mission reviewing Pakistan’s $7bn EFF and $1.4bn RSF performance through June 30, 2026.

FO calls Makkah defence pact defensive; expansion not currently planned

FO spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye’s Makkah pact is defensive, with expansion deferred pending consolidation.

Federal Constitutional Court upholds ban on 23-volume Ahmadi publication, citing law, policy and morality

FCC dismissed petitions challenging Punjab’s 2014 ban on Rohani Khazayeen Volumes 1–23, citing statutory authority and Article 20’s limits.

IHC reserves verdict on challenge to ordinance extending NAB physical remand to 40 days

IHC reserved verdict on Najiullah’s challenge to the 2024 ordinance extending NAB physical remand from 14 to 40 days.

Pakistan’s UN envoy Asim Iftikhar named foreign secretary

Ishaq Dar announced UN envoy Asim Iftikhar as foreign secretary; Amna Baloch retires September 17 and becomes ambassador to Türkiye.

Pakistan, Oman Plan to Link Gwadar, Sohar Ports

Pakistan and Oman plan a sister-port arrangement linking Gwadar and Sohar to connect CPEC with Gulf and Central Asian markets.

PML-N Backs Proposal to Give Islamabad Provincial Status

PML-N supports granting provincial status to Islamabad, potentially delaying local government elections due to required legal and delimitation changes.

IHC Forms Larger Bench to Hear Plea Against PTI's Sept 27 Protest

Islamabad High Court constitutes a larger bench to hear a petition challenging PTI's planned Sept 27 protest, citing constitutional implications.

Senate panel passes bill proposing death penalty for acid attack perpetrators

Senate panel approved a bill proposing death or life imprisonment plus Rs2m fine for acid attack perpetrators.

Pakistan rejects India's 'baseless' claims on status of occupied Kashmir

FO spokesperson rejected India's unilateral sovereignty claims, stating official maps have no bearing on the disputed territory's status.

Petroleum Division notified petrol price hike of Rs12.90 and HSD increase of Rs3.72, effective Sept 8.

Sindh Raises Concerns Over Chiniot Dam Plan

Sindh province formally objects to the proposed Chiniot dam, citing inter-provincial water rights concerns.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Sign Military Pact

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan finalize a military cooperation pact, signaling a major shift in regional alliances.

PIC Rules NA Speaker's Employee Records Ruling Cannot Restrict Citizens' Right to Information

PIC rules NA speaker's employee records ruling cannot restrict citizens' right to information, finding public interest outweighs non-disclosure claims.

PPP blocks parliamentary proceedings on 2 gas revenue bills amid rift with govt

National Assembly's Standing Committee on Petroleum defers GIDC and gas development surcharge bills as PPP protests legislative moves.

Higher food prices push up Sensitive Price Index

Weekly SPI inflation rose 8.35pc year-on-year for the week ending Sept 3, driven primarily by rising food prices.

Nepra raises electricity costs by Rs2.58 per unit

Nepra adds Rs2.06 fuel adjustment per unit to September bills, with a 52-paisa quarterly charge continuing through November.

Pakistan's trade gap swells 18% to $7.1bn as import bill surges

Pakistan's trade deficit widened 18% to $7.1 billion, reflecting mounting pressure from a surging import bill amid persistent external account challenges.

Supreme Court rules banking courts cannot award unclaimed markup

The Supreme Court held that Section 152 of CPC cannot be invoked by banking courts to alter substantive rights or rehear concluded cases.

IHC bars invoking multiple jurisdictions in NAB cases

Islamabad High Court restricted parallel jurisdiction invocation in NAB cases and sought government reply on excluding Supreme Court from such matters.

Pakistan raises $3bn through dual-tranche Eurobond sale

Finance ministry says the sale is Pakistan's single largest international capital market transaction, attracting nearly $6bn in orders.

UN adopts Pakistan-led resolution on access to assistive technology

The resolution links assistive technology access with education, employment, healthcare, social protection, and societal participation.

Punjab's budgetary borrowing jumps 145pc

State Bank data shows Punjab borrowed Rs753.4bn between July 1 and Aug 21, up from Rs306.8bn last fiscal year.

IHC sets aside 2022 verdict declaring Pakistan Naval Farms, sailing club in Islamabad illegal

Islamabad High Court nullified its 2022 ruling against Naval Farms and sailing club, rescinding directions for auditing alleged financial losses.

Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan sign agreement to boost bilateral trade to $200m in two years

During PM Shehbaz's Bishkek visit, 17 documents signed targeting $200 million bilateral trade within two years, up from $16 million currently.

Pakistan launches dual-tranche Eurobond offering

Pakistan initiated a dual-tranche Eurobond issuance, marking renewed access to global capital markets as stated by a minister's aide.

Punjab Assembly passes resolution seeking ban on social media for under-16s

Punjab Assembly passed a resolution banning under-16s from social media, recommending federal legislation.

Balochistan passes bills on child labour, reproductive health

Balochistan Assembly passed child labour and reproductive healthcare bills, plus a resolution against acid attacks.

US secures 100-year concessions in Venezuela oil deal: White House

White House announced 100-year oil concessions in Venezuela, granting US 35% equity stake and board veto.