September 2026 Current Affairs Bulletin

SCO national coordinators to meet in Islamabad under Pakistan’s chairmanship

SCO national coordinators will meet in Islamabad from September 28-30 to review cooperation and preparations under Pakistan’s chairmanship.

September inflation expected to slow to 10.75% amid oil-price risks

Stakeholders forecast September inflation at 10.75%, citing elevated oil prices near $100 per barrel and persistent macroeconomic pressures.

President Zardari approves ordinance protecting Islamabad Safe City infrastructure

President Asif Zardari approved an ordinance imposing fines up to Rs2 million per damaged Safe City camera or infrastructure component.

Supreme Court bars retrospective curbs on time-scale promotions

Supreme Court ordered departments to reassess denied time-scale promotions within three months, barring retrospective application of 2021 and 2025 OMs.

Pakistan, Saudi and Turkish military chiefs vow to operationalise Makkah alliance cooperation

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye’s military chiefs pledged enhanced intelligence sharing, coordination and capability integration under the Makkah Defence Alliance.

PM Shehbaz warns at UNGA that any Indian attempt to divert Pakistan’s water would be treated as an act of war

At UNGA’s 81st session, PM Shehbaz Sharif called India’s water diversion an “act of war” and criticized its IWT abeyance.

Federal Constitutional Court rejects inheritance claim by children of predeceased brother

FCC ruled Section 4 Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961 does not grant inheritance rights to predeceased brother’s children.

Govt working on 174 IMF-sought reforms, NA panel told

Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal told NA committee that IMF seeks 174 legal amendments under Pakistan’s $8.4bn programs pending parliamentary approval.

Supreme Court rules original vehicle design determines classification in customs case

Supreme Court held a privately modified five-seat limousine remains classifiable under PCT 87.03, rejecting its 10-seater classification under PCT 87.02.

Pakistan says it conducted strikes at 10 Afghan locations after drone attacks

Pakistan said it struck 10 Afghan locations after eight drones entered its airspace near Torkham and Kohat on September 23.

NEPRA notifies K-Electric base tariff at Rs32.37 per unit

NEPRA notified K-Electric’s FY24-FY30 base tariff at Rs32.37 per unit, down 19% from Rs39.97, while consumers retain uniform tariffs.

LHC chief justice summons Punjab IG Rao Abdul Kareem in contempt plea against Lahore police

LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum summoned IG Rao Abdul Kareem over Chung police's alleged unlawful FIR and rejected inquiry report.

Asian Development Bank keeps Pakistan’s FY27 growth forecast at 3.7pc

ADB retained Pakistan’s FY27 growth forecast at 3.7% and projected 8.3% inflation, citing Middle East conflict and reform risks.

Retired Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood appointed first head of Makkah Defence Alliance secretariat

FO appointed retired Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood as alliance secretary general for three years, heading its Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkiye secretariat.

Supreme Court rules dower is a mandatory legal right, not a price for wives

Pakistan’s five-judge Supreme Court ruled dower is the wife’s mandatory proprietary right and ordered precise nikahnama recording in Columns 13–16.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia sign visa-waiver agreement for diplomatic, official passport holders

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a UNGA-side agreement abolishing visa requirements for diplomatic, official and special passport holders.

ADB, World Bank show interest in Pakistan's $6.8bn ML-1 railway project

ADB may lead financing for Pakistan’s revised $6.68–6.80bn ML-1, with AIIB and World Bank co-financing commitments.

Pakistan, EU sign financing agreements worth €65m

Pakistan and EU signed €65m agreements launching three programmes for Global Gateway investment, KP energy resilience, and rule-of-law support nationwide.

Pakistan carries out 'calibrated’ airstrikes against terrorist targets in border region with Afghanistan

Pakistan destroyed three terrorist targets near Afghanistan, killing 28 militants, while ground operations in Kohat and Hangu killed nine.

Naqvi meets Iranian counterpart, president; Tehran lauds Pakistan's efforts for regional peace

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni thanked Pakistan’s leadership as Mohsin Naqvi met him and President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran.

Government invites bids for Pakistan’s first 400MW electricity wheeling auction

ISMO invited proposals for Pakistan’s first 400MW CTBCM wheeling auction, with submissions due November 20, 2026, and 160MW participant caps.

Government proposes 11 specialised cadres under sweeping civil-service reforms

Government proposed 11 specialised cadres, BS-20-plus open competition, performance-linked pay, and Rs11bn reforms after committees agreed on 43 recommendations.

Pakistan rejects Afghan Taliban’s dialogue appeal, demands action against terrorist networks

Pakistan demanded Taliban dismantle TTP sanctuaries under the Doha Agreement, insisting dialogue cannot shield threats and warning of defensive measures.

LHC directs Foreign Ministry to process pleas over detention of two Pakistanis in UAE

LHC ordered MOFA to decide within 15 days representations concerning PTI affiliates Syed Salman Raza Zaidi and Muhammad Junaid Jahangir.

Short-term inflation surges past 10pc as petrol, diesel prices drive pressure

SPI inflation rose 10.64% year-on-year and 0.49% week-on-week by September 17, with petrol and diesel up 48% and 54.21% annually.

WTO chief calls Strait of Hormuz disruption worst threat to global trade in 80 years

WTO's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called Hormuz disruption the worst threat to trade in 80 years, warning blockades could raise food costs.

IHC rules infringement of fundamental rights breaches Constitution ahead of PTI protest

IHC’s 37-page judgment held peaceful assembly cannot infringe citizens’ rights, while Article 199(1)(c) permits jurisdiction protecting Islamabad residents.

Pakistan prefers dialogue on Houthi threat as FO says Saudi defence pact operational

FO spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan called Bab al-Mandab’s situation exceptionally serious, reaffirming operational SMDA commitments while favouring dialogue over coercion.

Ten parties pre-qualified for Fesco privatisation as bids for power firms undergo evaluation

Ten parties were pre-qualified for Fesco, while 11 EoIs for Gepco remained under evaluation; Iesco’s process was recently completed.

Punjab opposition leader moves LHC against law allowing confidential terrorism trials

Punjab opposition leader petitions LHC to declare anti-terror amendments permitting confidential trials ultra vires the Constitution.

Pakistan’s current account deficit narrows to $98m in August

Pakistan’s current account deficit narrowed to $98 million in August, while FDI surged 80% to $315.9m amid higher oil prices.

IAEA safeguards deal secured for Pakistan’s Chashma-5 nuclear power plant

IAEA safeguards were secured for Chashma-5, scheduled for commissioning in 2028 to provide Pakistan low-carbon, low-cost electricity.

DG ISPR says Makkah defence pact has no regional aspirations and aims at collective deterrence

ISPR chief Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye Makkah Defence Alliance is defensive, complementary, and aimed at collective deterrence.

Pakistan extends ban on Indian aircraft using its airspace until October 24

Pakistan’s PAA extended its airspace ban on Indian aircraft through October 24, 2026, covering Karachi and Lahore flight information regions.

Government increases petrol price by Rs6.88 and HSD price by Rs5.62 per litre

Petrol rose Rs6.88 to Rs391.22 per litre and HSD Rs5.62 to Rs421.45, effective September 17.

FCC summons Supreme Court records in Imran Khan hospital-transfer case under Article 175-E

FCC summoned SC records on Imran Khan’s Shifa transfer after three Adiala inmates sought similar medical facilities under Article 175-E.

Business community split as SBP keeps policy rate unchanged

SBP maintained its 11.5% policy rate; FPCCI demanded single-digit rates, while OICCI and Rawalpindi Chamber supported the decision.

ECC allows 200,000 tonnes of sugar exports and approves Rs3bn for SCO Summit security vehicles

ECC approved 200,000-tonne sugar exports and Rs3bn for 15 bulletproof sedans for Pakistan’s SCO Council Summit this month.

Supreme Court stresses gender-sensitive investigations in domestic violence cases, upholds life sentence

Supreme Court upheld Habibullah’s life sentence and Rs500,000 fine for murdering Aqeela Bibi in Karachi in 2011, urging gender-sensitive investigations.

SBP keeps policy rate unchanged at 11.5pc amid accelerating inflation

SBP’s MPC retained the 11.5% policy rate by seven-to-three vote as August inflation rose to 11.1% from July’s 9.2%.

Sindh Assembly passes local government law amendment amid opposition protest

Sindh Assembly passed the 2026 LG Act amendment, allowing outgoing mayors and chairmen as administrators until elected heads assume office.

SHC allows FIA to arrest Unity Foods CEO in graft case

SHC suspended Godil’s discharge order, allowing FIA to arrest him; FIR alleges Rs5.318m misappropriation and Rs44.7bn accounting discrepancies.

SBP faces policy-rate dilemma as inflation rises amid Gulf conflict

SBP’s 11.5% policy rate faces a Monday decision as inflation reached 11.1%; 20% of traders expect a 50bps hike.

Xi proposes expanded BRICS economic cooperation through AI and special economic zones

Xi proposed a BRICS AI Open Source Zone, Special Economic Zone partnership, and China-hosted Service Trade Forum next year.

NEPRA approves $58bn 11-year power plan amid CCI concerns

NEPRA conditionally approved ISP-2025’s $58bn, 11-year plan, excluding $900m BESS investment and citing CCI concerns over project changes.

Government weighs NFC-based financial framework for Gilgit-Baltistan

GB Assembly unanimously approved an AJK-style agreement providing Rs250bn, pending constitutional amendment for eventual NFC inclusion.

Shafqat Ali Khan presents credentials as Pakistan’s first envoy to Armenia

Shafqat Ali Khan presented credentials as Pakistan’s first ambassador to Armenia, after diplomatic relations were established in August 2025.

LHC suspends PMDC return orders for Afghan medical students

LHC suspended PMDC return orders affecting Afghan medical students and sought replies from PMDC, health ministry, and relevant universities.

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.