The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the formation of a medical team to examine former premier Imran Khan’s eye, after a report submitted in court quoted the PTI founder as claiming that “only 15 per cent” vision was left in his right eye. The SC also directed that Imran be allowed to speak to his children. It was ordered that both the eye inspection and the phone calls be conducted before February 16 (Monday). The instructions came as a two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and including Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan resumed hearing the case regarding the PTI founder’s living conditions in Adiala jail. Imran underwent a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad on the night of January 24 — a development confirmed days later amid an apparent lack of knowledge by the family. “The issue of Imran’s health is most important,” CJP Afridi observed, adding that “intervention was necessary”. “We want to know the government’s stance on the matter of his (Imran’s) health,” the top judge said, at which Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan affirmed that it was the state’s responsibility to provide medical facilities. “If the prisoner is not satisfied, then the state will take measures,” AGP Awan added. CJP Afridi then noted that the issue of Imran’s “telephone calls with his children is also important”. “We are trusting the government. The government is in a good mood today,” he remarked. PTI counsel Advocate Salman Safdar, who was appointed amicus curiae and met Imran at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail on Tuesday, had submitted a seven-page report to the SC regarding Imran’s living condition in the prison. In his report, seen by _Dawn,_ Safdar quoted Imran as telling him that “despite the treatment administered (including an injection), he has been left with only 15pc vision in his right eye”. Imran told Safdar that approximately “three to four months earlier, until October 2025, he had normal 6 x 6 vision in both eyes”. He then began experiencing persistent blurred and hazy vision, which he repeatedly reported to the then-jail superintendent but “no action was taken by the jail authorities”. The report read: “[Imran] stated that he subsequently suffered a sudden and complete loss of vision in his right eye, following which an ophthalmologist from Pims Hospital, Dr Muhammad Arif, was called to examine him. “According to [Imran], he was diagnosed with a blood clot that caused severe damage, and despite the treatment administered (including an injection), he has been left with only 15pc vision in his right eye.” Adding to Imran’s claims, Safdar said he “personally observed that the petitioner appeared visibly perturbed and deeply distressed by the loss of vision and the absence of timely and specialised medical intervention”. “Throughout the meeting, the petitioner’s eyes were watery, and he repeatedly used a tissue to wipe them, reflecting physical discomfort,” the lawyer recalled. However, during the hearing, the SC dismissed the request to have the condition of Imran’s eye examined in the presence of his family members. On the request to provide some books to the PTI founder, AGP Awan said it would be done after consultation with eye doctors. Noting that the SC had received reports from Safdar and the Adiala jail superintendent, CJP Afridi said: “Most of the things in both reports are similar — the place is good, the facilities are fine.” Noting that the issue of Imran’s meetings with his family members was pending before the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the top judge said it would be appropriate for the relevant forum to decide on that. ## ‘No access to personal physicians amid deteriorating eye condition’ The report detailed Safdar’s meeting with Imran, the cell conditions, the facilities and amenities provided to the ex-premier, his living compound’s description, as well as the lawyer’s process of reaching the jail. Safdar further quoted Imran as claiming that “regular and periodic blood tests” were not conducted. While his personal physicians Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim Yusuf had previously been permitted access, “despite repeated requests and a deteriorating ocular condition, no such access was allowed during the relevant period”, the ex-premier was quoted as saying. “[Imran] stated that for nearly three months, the only treatment administered consisted of eye drops, which resulted in no improvement and was followed by a major impairment of vision in his right eye,” Safdar said. Imran also claimed that “despite being 73 years old and requiring dental consultation, no dentist had examined or treated him over the past two years, notwithstanding repeated requests”. According to Safdar, Imran told him about “rapid and substantial loss of vision over the preceding three months while he was living and detained under the ‘care and custody’ of Abdul Ghafoor Anjum”, the jail superintendent. “This concern of his was neither taken seriously nor addressed by the relevant jail authorities,” Safdar was told. Upon inquiry, the jail staff informed the lawyer that Anjum had been transferred on Jan 16, 2026, and replaced by Sajid Baig. Safdar stated that upon inquiry, the jail superintendent informed him that Imran was currently under the care of Pims’ Dr Arif and that the on-duty jail doctor recorded the PTI founder’s vital signs three times daily. A day ago, Safdar denied making any statement on Imran’s health on Tuesday, making it clear that if anything was attributed to him in this regard, it was “misrepresented and misreported”. On Tuesday, the day he met Imran, Safdar had reportedly told the media that the incarcerated PTI founder was fine and looking healthy. The SC’s order allowing Safdar to meet Imran came after the bench rejected senior PTI leader Latif Khosa’s request for an immediate meeting, but issued notices to the parties. ## Diagnosis and treatment Meanwhile, a medical report dated February 6 — signed by Pims Executive Director Professor Dr Rana Imran Sikander and addressed to the Adiala jail administration — was also submitted to the SC. It noted that Dr Sikander had been directed by the prime minister’s office to communicate to the jail staff about Imran’s medical condition. Imran “reported reduced vision in the right eye”, Dr Sikander said, without specifying when. He added: “A qualified ophthalmologist from Pims, Islamabad, conducted a complete eye assessment at Adiyala Jail _[sic]_ , including slit lamp examination, fundoscopy, intraocular pressure measurements, essential laboratory tests and OCT (optical coherence tomography) of the retina. “Based on his assessment, a diagnosis of right central retinal vein occlusion was made and hospital-based follow-up treatment was recommended.” Recalling Imran’s treatment on the night of January 24, the doctor said the ex-premier was “brought to Pims on the night of Saturday/Sunday for advised procedure”. “At the hospital, the treatment plan i.e. need for administering anti-VGEF intravitreal injection was explained in full to the patient. Accordingly, an informed consent was obtained from the patient prior to the procedure,” Dr Sikander stated. He reiterated that the procedure was carried out in the operation theatre under standard sterile protocols and monitoring, adding that it was “completed smoothly in approximately 20 minutes”. In his report, Safdar said Dr Sikander’s note was provided to him by Imran’s family and it did not “contain full details of the episodes”. “Nor does it identify the qualified ophthalmologist who conducted the tests and administered the treatment,” he highlighted.

The suspect in a deadly school shooting in western Canada was an 18-year-old woman with mental health issues who killed her mother and stepbrother before attacking her former school, police said on Wednesday, but investigators did not offer a motive for one of the worst mass slaughters in Canadian history. The killer, who police identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, died by suicide after the shooting on Tuesday in Tumbler Ridge, a remote community of 2,400 people in the Pacific province of British Columbia. Police revised the death toll down to nine, including Van Rootselaar, from the initially reported ten. On more than one occasion, Van Rootselaar had been apprehended under the provincial Mental Health Act for an assessment, said Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia. She once attended the school but dropped out four years ago. “Police had attended that (family) residence on multiple occasions over the past several years, dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect,” McDonald said. Unlike the United States, school shootings are almost unheard of in Canada, and federal politicians initially struggled to maintain their composure. “We will get through this. We will learn from this,” a visibly upset Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters. Carney, who at one point looked close to tears, postponed a trip to Europe and ordered flags on all government buildings to be flown at half-mast for the next seven days. Hours later, legislators in the House of Commons observed a minute’s silence and listened as a sombre Carney said the killings had left the country in shock and mourning. “It is a town of miners, teachers, construction workers – families who have built their lives there, people who have always shown up for each other there … Tumbler Ridge represents the very best of Canada,” he said. McDonald said Van Rootselaar, who was born male but began identifying as female six years ago, had first killed her mother, 39, and 11-year-old stepbrother at the family home. She then went to the school, where she shot a 39-year-old woman teacher as well as three 12-year-old female students and two male students, one aged 12 and one aged 13. Police recovered a long gun and a modified handgun. Dozens were injured, and two severely wounded victims, aged 12 and 19, remain in hospital. Police officers who arrived at the scene two minutes after the initial call encountered active gunfire, including rounds fired in their direction, according to authorities, before discovering Van Rootselaar dead from an apparent self-inflicted wound. “We do believe the suspect acted alone … it would be too early to speculate on motive,” McDonald told a press conference, saying police did not have information to suggest that anyone had been specifically targeted. Several prominent world leaders sent messages of condolence. King Charles, Canada’s head of state, said he was “profoundly shocked and saddened” by the deaths. ## **Shooting among deadliest in Canadian history** Details about some of the victims were slowly emerging on Wednesday. In an anguished Facebook post, Abel Mwansa said his 12-year-old son, also named Abel, had died in the shooting. Abel had once cried when his father proposed homeschooling because he loved going to school so much, his father wrote. He raised his son, Mwansa added, to respect his elders, “be strong, work hard, put a smile on the face like I do, focus on his studies, never miss school and to be a good kid.” Another woman, Shanon Dycke, said her 12-year-old niece, Kylie May Smith, was among the victims. “Pray for the other families who have lost their child, or are waiting to hear news,” she wrote on Facebook. “Just pray for Tumbler Ridge.” The attack sent shockwaves through the tiny community. “Everybody knows everybody,” Jordon Kosik, a resident, said in an interview. “People don’t lock their homes. They don’t lock their cars. You can just go to your neighbour’s house, just walk right in.” McDonald said police had seized firearms from the family residence about two years ago but returned them after the owner, who he did not identify, successfully appealed the decision. Canada has stricter gun laws than the United States, but Canadians can own firearms with a licence. Van Rootselaar previously had a firearms licence, but it expired in 2024. Canadians between the ages of 12 and 17 can obtain a minor’s firearms licence after taking a firearms safety course and passing tests. The shooting ranks among the deadliest in Canadian history. In April 2020, a 51-year-old man disguised in a police uniform and driving a fake police car shot and killed 22 people in a 13-hour rampage in the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia, before police killed him at a petrol station. In December 1989, a gunman killed 14 female students and wounded 13 at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, Quebec, before dying by suicide. “There’s not a word in the English language that’s strong enough to describe the level of devastation that this community has experienced,” said Larry Neufeld, a local provincial legislator. “It’s going to take a significant amount of effort and a significant amount of courage to repair that terror,” he told _CBC_ News.

Pakistan dispatched another consignment of humanitarian supplies to Gaza on Thursday as part of measures to provide Palestinians with life-saving aid following Israel’s invasion of the enclave. The latest aid consignment was dispatched by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), with the support of Al-Khidmat Foundation. This is the second aid consignment sent by Islamabad within the last week. Earlier, on Monday, the 28th consignment was dispatched. Pakistan had _sent the first aid_ __ consignment, including medicines and tents, for the people of Gaza on Oct 19, 2023, days after the Israeli bombardment began. > The relief goods were dispatched through a chartered flight from Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore to Egypt’s Al-Arish airport for onward delivery to Gaza. Israel, which controls all access to the Gaza Strip, denies withholding supplies for its two million residents. Tel Aviv’s _two-year_ relentless onslaught on the Gaza Strip killed _more than 71,000_ Palestinians, displaced most of its population and left much of the strip in ruins. Israel faced tremendous international criticism over the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with _Amnesty International_, _Human Rights Watch_ and _experts_ declaring its actions in Gaza as a “genocide”, which Tel Aviv rejects.

Gold prices dipped on Thursday as the US dollar firmed after stronger-than-expected January jobs data dented expectations for near-term interest rate cuts, while investors awaited inflation data due on Friday for more monetary policy cues. Spot gold edged 0.3 per cent lower to $5,063.11 per ounce by 04:53 GMT. It closed Wednesday with a more than 1pc gain. US gold futures for April delivery lost 0.3pc to $5,083.90 per ounce. “The stronger jobs report leading to a slight pare back in Fed rate-cut expectations may have played a role in gold’s lacklustre move,” said Christopher Wong, a strategist at OCBC. The US dollar index rose following the surprisingly strong employment report that suggested underlying US economic health. A stronger dollar makes greenback-priced metals more expensive for other currency holders. “Sensitivity to the dollar, yield repricing, and uncertainty around Fed policy should continue to pose two-way risks for gold in the interim,” Wong said. US job growth unexpectedly accelerated in January, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.3pc, though the largest increase in payrolls in 13 months likely exaggerates the labour market’s health, as revisions showed the economy added only 181,000 jobs in 2025 instead of the previously estimated 584,000. The US budget deficit will grow slightly in fiscal 2026 to $1.853 trillion, the Congressional Budget Office forecast on Wednesday, showing that on balance, President Donald Trump’s economic policies are worsening the country’s fiscal picture amid low economic growth. The Federal Reserve will keep rates unchanged through Chair Jerome Powell’s term ending in May but cut immediately afterward in June, a Reuters poll showed, with economists warning that policy under his likely successor, Kevin Warsh, could become too loose. Investors now await the weekly jobless claims report on Thursday and inflation data on Friday for more cues on the Fed’s monetary policy path. Spot silver fell 0.8pc to $83.32 per ounce, after a 4pc climb on Wednesday. Spot platinum shed 0.8pc to $2,113.79 per ounce, while palladium rose 0.9pc to $1,715.30.

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration’s point man for South and Central Asia has told Congress that Pakistan remains an important US partner in the region, with Washington seeking to expand trade, economic cooperation, and security ties with the country. Addressing the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Sub-committee on South and Central Asia on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur underscored Pakistan’s role in regional engagement and highlighted growing bilateral cooperation. “Pakistan is another important partner in the region. We are working together with Pakistan to realise the potential of its critical mineral resources, combining US government seed financing with private sector know-how would benefit both of our countries,” he told the sub-committee. Referring to broader economic engagement, Kapur said: “Our trade in energy and agriculture is expanding as well.” He also pointed to continued security cooperation between the two countries, adding: “And our ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation helps Pakistan combat internal security threats while addressing transnational dangers that can harm the US or our partners.” During the subsequent question-and-answer session, lawmakers raised issues related to militancy, Pakistan’s past security strategy and broader regional dynamics. Referring to Kapur’s academic work, a congressman noted that his book examined militancy and national security in Pakistan and asked whether militant groups based in South and Central Asia were operating in the United States. Kapur said the purpose of his book had been to examine Pakistani strategy and how the Pakistani state had interacted with militant and terrorist groups. When asked whether this meant that South and Central Asian militant groups were importing Sharia into the United States, Kapur said that as coherent or organised entities, such groups were not known to be operating in the country. He cautioned, however, that individual members could be present anywhere. The assistant secretary of state added that one of the challenges in dealing with terrorism was that small numbers of individuals could blend into the general population, making their presence difficult to detect. The hearing then turned to India’s role in the US strategy toward China. Asked how India was likely to support US efforts to counter what was described as an increasingly aggressive China, Kapur said an India that was able to develop independently, stand on its own and preserve its freedom of action served US strategic interests. He said the broader objective was to prevent China, or any single hegemonic power, from dominating the region or imposing leverage over it. An independent India, he said, reduced China’s ability to become a dominant power across the Indo-Pacific. Responding to a question on China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Kapur said India’s economic development, infrastructure growth and independent military development constrained Beijing’s ability to expand its influence. At the hearing, lawmakers from both parties underscored the stakes of US engagement in South Asia. House Foreign Affairs Sub-committee on South and Central Asia Chairman Bill Huizenga said Washington’s approach must be broad-based and values-driven. “Our strategy in South Asia must be comprehensive, anchored in strong partnerships, economic engagement, and a commitment to democratic values,” he said. Democratic concerns focused on recent regional crises and the direction of US diplomacy. Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), the ranking member of the sub-committee, recalled that India and Pakistan “fought their most serious military conflict in decades” in May, warning that the confrontation risked nuclear escalation in a region home to nearly two billion people. She said the episode should have reinforced “the indispensable role of US diplomacy,” but argued that this was eclipsed by President Trump’s insistence on taking credit for the cease-fire and his offer to mediate the Kashmir dispute. Kamlager-Dove also voiced alarm over Afghanistan, saying she feared it was “only a matter of time” before the administration moves toward recognising the Taliban without securing meaningful improvements in the rights of Afghan women and girls—an outcome she described as unconscionable. Testifying before the panel, Kapur said the US has begun offering financial assistance to Afghans to return home as it works to close a long-standing camp in Qatar. More than 1,100 people have been held at the former US Army base Camp As Sayliyah (CAS) since early 2025, when the Trump administration halted resettlement for Afghans fearing Taliban reprisals for their ties to US forces. “We are not forcibly repatriating Afghans to Afghanistan. Some have gone of their own volition, but we’re not forcing anybody,” Kapur said, noting that roughly 150 had accepted the payments, though their status after returning was unknown.

Israel has joined US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday during his visit to Washington, where he met Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Visuals released earlier on Wednesday after the Netanyahu-Rubio meeting showed them holding a document with Netanyahu’s signature on Israel joining the board. Netanyahu said on X that he “signed Israel’s accession as a member of the “Board of Peace.” He later discussed Iran with Trump. > A UN Security Council resolution, adopted in mid-November, authorised the board and countries working with it to establish an international stabilisation force in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire began in October under a Trump plan on which Israel and Palestinian group Hamas signed off. Under Trump’s Gaza plan, the board was meant to supervise Gaza’s temporary governance. Trump thereafter said the board, with him as chair, would be expanded to tackle global conflicts. The board will hold its first meeting on February 19 in Washington to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction. Many rights experts say that Trump overseeing a board to supervise a foreign territory’s affairs resembled a colonial structure. Israel’s presence on the board is expected to bring further criticism as the board does not include a Palestinian. Countries have reacted cautiously to Trump’s invitation to join the board launched in late January. Many experts are concerned that the board could undermine the United Nations. While some of Washington’s Middle Eastern allies have joined, many of its traditional Western allies have stayed away. The ceasefire in Gaza has been repeatedly violated, with at least 580 Palestinians killed since it began in October, according to Palestinian and Israeli tallies, respectively. The next phase of Trump’s Gaza plan calls for resolving complex issues like Hamas’ disarmament, which the group has long rejected, further Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force. Israel’s invasion of Gaza has killed over 72,000, according to Gaza’s health ministry, caused a hunger crisis and internally displaced Gaza’s entire population. Multiple rights experts, scholars and a UN inquiry say it amounts to genocide.

Bangladeshis lined up outside polling booths on Thursday as voting began for what many say is a pivotal election for the South Asian nation, marking a return to democracy after the 2024 ouster of long-time premier Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-driven uprising. Analysts say a decisive result is crucial for steady governance in the nation of 175 million, as the deadly anti-Hasina protests triggered months of unrest and disrupted key industries, including the garments sector, the worlds second-largest exporter. It is the world’s first election after a revolution led by under-30s, or Gen Z, to be followed by Nepal next month. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party leader Shafiqur Rahman reacts after casting his vote at a polling station during Bangladesh’s general election in Dhaka on February 12, 2026. — AFP The contest pits two coalitions led by former allies, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami, with opinion polls giving an edge to the BNP. In Dhaka, the capital, people queued up outside voting booths before polls opened at 7:30am local time (0130 GMT), including eager participants like Mohammed Jobair Hossain, 39, who said he last voted in 2008. “I am feeling excited because we are voting in a free manner after 17 years,” Hossain said as he waited in line. “Our votes will matter and have meaning.” Hasina’s Awami League is banned, and she remains in self-imposed exile in long-term ally India, opening the window for China to expand its influence in Bangladesh as Dhaka’s ties with New Delhi deteriorate. Unlike previous elections marred by opposition boycotts and intimidation, more than 2,000 candidates, including many independents, are vying for 300 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation. Bangladeshi soldiers stand guard as people line up outside a polling station ahead of the polls opening for Bangladesh’s general election in Dhaka on February 12, 2026. —AFP Voting in one constituency has been postponed due to the death of a candidate. At least 50 parties are contesting in total, a national record. “This election is not just another routine vote, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, head of an interim government installed after Hasinas ouster, said this week. The public awakening we witnessed against long-standing anger, inequality, deprivation and injustice finds its constitutional expression in this election. In parallel, there will be a referendum on a set of constitutional reforms, including establishing a neutral interim government for election periods, restructuring parliament into a bicameral legislature, increasing women’s representation, strengthening judicial independence and imposing a two-term limit on the prime minister. Despite the crowded field and expectations of a close race, the campaign period remained largely peaceful, barring a few incidents. Voters stand in the queue to cast their vote at a polling station during the 13th general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 12, 2026. — Reuters The crucial test for Bangladesh now will be to ensure the election is conducted fairly and impartially, and for all parties to then accept the result, said Thomas Kean, a senior consultant with the International Crisis Group. If that happens, it will be the strongest evidence yet that Bangladesh has indeed embarked on a period of democratic renewal. On election day, more than 100,000 soldiers from the army, navy and air force will assist nearly 200,000 police in maintaining law and order. ## Early start, late finish Polling opened at 7:30am (0230 GMT) and closes at 4:30pm. Counting will begin soon after, with early trends expected around midnight and results likely to be clear by Friday morning, Election Commission officials said. Nearly 128 million people are registered to vote, 49% of them women. But only 83 female candidates are contesting. Members of the army patrol outside the polling station during the 13th general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 12, 2026. —Reuters Corruption and inflation are the biggest issues among voters, a recent survey found. The two prime ministerial candidates are the BNP’s Tarique Rahman and Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman. They are not related. Several voters are conflicted about participating in the election. Some, like rickshaw puller Chan Mia, say they cannot afford to travel to their villages to vote and lose their daily income in Dhaka. Others, such as gatekeeper Mohammad Sabuj, feel disillusioned because Hasina’s party is barred. But some are determined to cast their ballots. “During Hasina’s time, we couldn’t cast our votes,” said Shakil Ahmed, a driver. Its my right to vote. This time, I won’t miss it.

LAHORE: Punjab Police and traffic personnel will be provided body cameras in phases within the next two months, said Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem on Wednesday. He was chairing a meeting at the Central Police Office to review the implementation of reform measures in the Punjab Police under the ‘Fast, Fearless, Transparent Justice’ initiative. He said that panic buttons were being installed outside police stations so that citizens could immediately lodge complaints in case of any misconduct or lack of hearing. He directed that at all police stations, offices, checkpoints, and Khidmat Marakaz, citizens should be addressed respectfully as “sir or madam” and “sahib or sahiba”. He said that counseling and training of officers and personnel would be arranged to improve the overall perception of Punjab Police’s conduct. > IGP also speaks to citizens through 1787 Complaint Centre It was made clear that officials involved in corruption, abuse of authority, and misconduct would face immediate and strict accountability. The IGP directed that CCTV cameras installed in all police stations be kept fully operational and backup systems be ensured. A modern control and monitoring room was being activated at the Central Police Office for effective monitoring of police stations, while through the Safe Cities mechanism, direct monitoring of police stations, SHOs, moharrirs, and investigation rooms would be carried out. He emphasised on making core policing, supervision, and the command system more effective for crime control and said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was herself overseeing all police reform measures. The meeting also issued instructions to strictly enforce traffic laws and to continue the crackdown against violations. He said that the investigation process and the activities of citizens visiting police stations would be fully recorded and that key performance indicators (KPIs) scorecards would be implemented in practical terms. He said that he was himself calling applicant citizens from the Central Police Office to obtain feedback. He directed RPOs and DPOs to initiate direct contacts and meetings for redressal of citizens’ grievances, while in cases of abuse, harassment, and violence, investigations involving affected women and children should be conducted within the bounds of complete civility and respect. Instructions were also given to resolve cases of women and children on a priority basis with the help of data from Virtual Women Police Stations and the Center for Child Safety. Meanwhile, the IGP initiated direct contact with citizens through the 1787 Complaint Center and spoke with several citizens via phone calls. He obtained information about the duration of redressal of received applications and complaints, police response, and overall conduct. Citizens also shared their feedback regarding the actions taken and responses by the police. Mr Kareem directed RPOs, DPOs, and other supervisory officers to take immediate action on citizens’ applications and provide relief without delay. He further directed that all complaints received via phone calls, SMS, email, and other channels be resolved immediately in accordance with the prescribed timelines and SOPs. He urged citizens to register complaints on 1787 in case of any irregularity or misconduct by the police force. The IGP received a detailed briefing on the 1787 dashboard and complaints from across the regions. During the briefing, Punjab Additional IG Imran Arshad, Additional IG (Internal Accountability) Imran Mehmood, Additional IG (Logistics) Fawad-ud-Din Qureshi, AIG Inspection, AIG Operations, and other officers were also present. _Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026_

ISLAMABAD: Senior counsel Salman Safdar formally submitted to the Supreme Court a seven-page report regarding PTI founder Imran Khan’s living condition in the prison on Wednesday. Advocate Safdar, who was appointed amicus curaie to visit Adiala jail, told the media after submitting his report that he met the PTI founder and also visited his cell. However, he refrained from divulging what he came across during his meeting or recommended in his report, saying his first responsibility was to submit his report to the SC. On Thursday, a two-judge SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, will resume the hearing of the case regarding living conditions of the ex-premier in Adiala jail. Mr Safdar explained that PTI founder’s sister Aleema Khan and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja “understood his compulsion that he could not talk to them about his report”, which was assigned to him by the court. He made it clear that he did not inform any of them about the health or living condition of Mr Khan. Advocate Safdar also denied making any statement on Mr Khan’s health on Tuesday, making it clear that if anything was attributed to him in this regard it was “misrepresented and misreported”. Before the appointment of Advocate Safdar as ‘friend of the court’ on Tuesday, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan had informed the Supreme Court that he had “submitted a written response to the chamber in light of the order of Aug 24, 2023”. The SC had directed the AGP to submit a report on Mr Khan’s living conditions in jail, he said, adding that the PTI founder was in Attock jail at the time of the order. “We had submitted a written report to the chamber on Aug 28, 2023,” the AGP said, adding that a medical report was also submitted. Subsequently, the court appointed Advocate Safdar as amicus with direction to visit the Adiala jail and meet Imran Khan. In the court order, it was noted that the report submitted by the AGP pertained to the period when the ex-premier was imprisoned in Attock jail in 2023. Hence, the court considered it appropriate that a report regarding the present living conditions of the petitioner in jail be submitted. _Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026_

• Cites constitutional question over nomination of Balochistan bar representative • SJC examines complaints against IHC judges; references against ECP members ‘filed to record’ ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Wednesday deferred the consideration for the elevation of two additional judges to the Balochistan High Court from the provincial district judiciary. Presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, the consideration was postponed in view of a constitutional question concerning the nomination of the representative of the Balochistan Bar Council. The members of the commission stressed the need for comprehensive consideration of the issue before proceeding further. Names of six serving district and sessions judges (DSJ) were under consideration of the JCP for their appointment to the BHC. They were: Jan Muhammad Gohar, Pazir Ahmed Baloch, Allah Dad Roshan, Abdul Qayyum Lehri, Inayatullah Khan and Rehmat Ullah. On Tuesday, the JCP was requested on behalf of vice chairman of Balochistan Bar Council, Jadain Dashti, to postpone its meeting until the finalisation and notification of clear rules and procedures governing the removal or replacement of those members of the commission who have lost confidence of their respective nominating authorities. The two-page letter said that lawyers of Balochistan were deeply aggrieved and have lost confidence in the member representing Balochistan owing to serious allegations and concerns regarding his conduct and integrity. The prevailing situation has created dissatisfaction within the legal fraternity of the province and has undermined the confidence reposed by the nominating authority, the letter said, adding that in the absence of finalised rules addressing such circumstances, the continuation of meetings of JCP may give rise to ambiguity and institutional complications. The letter further said the matter directly concerns the authority, confidence, and representation of the nominating authorities, including provincial bar councils and, therefore, requires clarity and resolution before any substantive proceedings are undertaken. In these circumstances, it is earnestly requested that the scheduled meeting be deferred until the relevant rules are duly finalised and notified, so that the proceedings of the commission may be conducted within a clear, transparent, and undisputed legal framework, the letter stated. Meanwhile, the CJP also presided over the commission’s meeting to discuss the proposed framework for framing rules governing interviews of candidates at the time of their appointment as judges. After preliminary discussion, the commission resolved to defer the agenda to enable members to undertake further in-depth deliberations on the proposed regulatory contours. **SJC meeting** Separately, CJP Yahya Afridi also presided over a meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and examined 59 complaints filed under Article 209 of the Constitution. Among them were references related to IHC Justices Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan and Saman Rafat Imtiaz, sources said. The complaint against Justice Khan was filed over his announcement of a judgement after reserving it for nearly three years. Sources also said that a reference against former IHC judge Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri has been placed on the record as infructuous, as he had already been removed from office. Insiders said that IHC CJ Sarfraz Dogar had recused himself when cases involving judges from his court were taken up. He was replaced by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice S M Atiq Shah for the relevant proceedings. Sources also revealed that the SJC reviewed and filed to record references against the chief election commissioner, and other members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). According to an official statement, of the 59 complaints, 50 were ordered to be disposed of, six were deferred, and three were directed to be processed further in accordance with the law. The council also unanimously decided to defer the finalisation of draft rules on the code of conduct until its next meeting. _Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026_

• Orders Power Division to file review petition to protect existing contract holders • Nepra approves Rs132bn fixed charges for 28.5m households • Decision applied retrospectively; lowest slabs to face up to 75pc jump ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stepped in on Wednesday to seek a review of Nepra’s revised rules for rooftop solar users, while the power regulator simultaneously rubber-stamped a government plan to impose hefty fixed charges on residential consumers. The premier also directed the Power Division to file a review petition against the regulator’s move regarding new solar regulations. On Monday, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) revised the terms for all existing and future net-metered solar consumers — known as prosumers — on the pretext of rising solar penetration and the need to protect an expensive and inefficient state-run power network. The notification effectively ended the net-metering regime and shifted prosumers to net billing. A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said the premier had taken “immediate notice” of the matter, following criticism in the Senate from lawmakers across party lines, including ruling ally PPP and opposition PTI. > The PMO quoted the prime minister as directing the Power Division to file a review petition before Nepra “to ensure every possible safeguard of the existing consumer contracts”. He was of the view that the “burden of 466,000 users benefitting from solar should not be put on 37.6 million domestic consumers” receiving electricity directly from the national grid. “Power Division should chalk out a comprehensive strategy in this regard,” he said. The directives were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister on the new Nepra regulations. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Power Minister Awais Leghari, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani and the prime minister’s adviser Muhammad Ali. Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, Mr Leghari defended Nepra’s move, saying it was aimed at easing the burden on consumers. “Changing regulations according to the law and the Constitution is a regulator’s job,” he said, adding that he would not step back. “This is not policy; there should be clarity on that,” he maintained. Stakeholders and policy experts have warned that the proposed Prosumer Regulations 2025 could undermine a decade of citizen-led expansion in clean energy. Under the new regulations, registered prosumers will be immediately shifted to net billing in place of net metering, and their exported units will be credited for one month instead of the current three months. Other terms will remain unchanged until their seven-year contracts expire. Under net billing, electricity generated by a prosumer is purchased by the relevant distribution company (Disco), and the consumer is billed for electricity imported from the grid at about Rs37-55 per unit (depending on the slab) after receiving credit for exports at the National Average Energy Purchase Price (NAEPP) of around Rs10 per unit. The new rules bar prosumers from installing solar power systems for net metering beyond their originally sanctioned load, effectively reducing the capacity limit by 50 per cent. **Nepra approves fixed charges** Meanwhile, Nepra on Wednesday approved a government decision to impose about Rs132bn in fixed charges on more than 28.5m residential electricity consumers, at rates ranging from Rs200 to Rs675 per kilowatt per month of sanctioned load. The regulator’s fast-tracked approval of the federal government’s Feb 4 decision will come into retrospective effect from February, increasing the effective unit price by up to 75pc for the lowest strata with a declining scale for higher consumption groups. The Rs132bn fixed charges do not include about Rs24bn general sales tax and other taxes, surcharges and duties. This will adequately address cross-subsidy on industrial consumers, reducing their average tariff by Rs4.04 per unit as announced by the prime minister to make export products competitive in the global market. For the first time, the burden of cross-subsidy on the industrial sector has come to zero. Given “the fact that the revised tariff proposed by the federal government is within the determined consolidated revenue requirement of all the XWDISCOs (ex-Wapda distribution companies) and already budgeted tariff differential subsidy (TDS) of Rs249bn for the calendar year 2026, the authority has no objection in approving the motion”, Nepra wrote in its decision to the government for formal publication in the Gazette of Pakistan. The revised schedule of tariff shows that new fixed charges have been imposed on monthly consumption of up to 300 units, raised for the 400-600 unit slabs and slightly scaled down for higher users to discourage defection from the grid. As a result, the average power tariff (including energy and capacity components) for both protected and non-protected consumers in the first 100-unit slab has risen by 76pc, or Rs8 per unit, and 73.5pc, or Rs16.5 per unit, respectively, following the imposition of fixed char­ges at Rs200 and Rs275 per kilowatt of sanctioned load. More than 22m consumers fall into these two categories. “This is the highest-ever price hike for this consumer category since the creation of separate distribution, generation and transmission companies in the early 1990s,” a senior official told _Dawn_. For protected consumers using 101-200 units, the average cost has increased by Rs4 per unit, or 31pc, due to a Rs300-per-kW fixed monthly charge, while the non-protected category in the same slab has seen a rise of Rs6 per unit, or 21pc. Consumers in the 200-300 unit slab will face a Rs350-per-kW fixed charge per month, lifting their average price by 12.7pc, or Rs4.20 per unit. About 5.6 million consumers fall into this group. The fixed rate for the 301-400 unit category has been doubled to Rs400 per kW from Rs200, raising average unit rates by 6.5pc, or Rs2.5 per unit, despite a slight downward adjustment in base tariffs. More than two million consumers are in this bracket. Higher-consumption households will also face increases. The fixed rate for the 401-500 unit slab has been raised to Rs500 per kW from Rs400, and to Rs675 per kW for the 501-600 slab, resulting in a 5.8pc, or Rs2.30-per-unit, rise in average tariffs, even after a Rs1.25-per-unit cut in base rates. For consumers using 601-700 units a month, the fixed charge has been reduced to Rs675 per kW from Rs800, while those exceeding 700 units will also pay Rs675 per kW instead of Rs1,000. Nevertheless, both groups will still see average-rate increases of Rs2 and Rs1.80 per unit, or about 5pc and 4pc, respectively. Only time-of-use consumers with sanctioned loads above 5kW will benefit from an average reduction of about 7pc, or Rs3.30 per unit, after the abolition of their Rs1,000-per-kW fixed charge in view of peak rates of Rs47 per unit, excluding taxes and duties. Even they, however, will face a 6pc, or Rs2.5-per-unit, rise during off-peak hours. An official said the Power Division had estimated that the fixed charges would generate an additional Rs132bn for distribution companies, although another calculation suggested the inflow could exceed Rs250bn because most residential subsidies had been eliminated. _Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026_

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) enabled the recovery of about Rs506 billion in disputed tax revenue over the past year by deciding hundreds of long-pending tax and revenue cases and lifting stay orders that had blocked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from collecting dues, according to the court’s Annual Report 2025-26. The report highlights that prolonged litigation and judicial delays in tax matters have kept vast amounts of public revenue locked in courts, adversely affecting fiscal stability and economic circulation. To address this critical challenge, the IHC chief justice introduced a series of strategic administrative and judicial reforms aligned with the policy directions of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC). A central pillar of this reform agenda was the constitution of specialised division benches dedicated exclusively to tax and revenue cases — a step aimed at ensuring focused hearings, uniform legal interpretation and faster resolution of high-value disputes. Two specialised division benches were formed for this purpose. One bench comprised Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, while another included Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas. Later, Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz also served on a tax bench with Justice Sattar, further strengthening the court’s capacity to clear the backlog. > LHC strikes down PRA sales tax case against Fauji Wind Energy on jurisdiction grounds Between April 1, 2025, and Feb 4, 2026, the specialised benches decided 788 tax and revenue cases, involving a total disputed amount of Rs506.13bn. According to bench-wise data, the bench led by Justice Azam Khan and Justice Minhas decided 178 cases, accounting for the largest share of revenue — approximately Rs456.18bn. The benches headed by Justice Babar Sattar, along with Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, collectively decided 610 cases, involving more than Rs49.9bn. The adjudication of these cases resulted in the vacation of stay orders that had previously prevented the FBR from enforcing tax recovery, thereby unlocking substantial funds that had remained tied up in litigation for years. The high court noted that this intervention has significantly contributed to the early realisation of public revenue, stren­gthening the national fiscal stream and supporting broader economic objectives. The annual report describes the initiative as a “targeted, result-oriented case management strategy”, demonstrating how judicial specialisation can produce “tangible economic and institutional benefits within a relatively short period”. Beyond tax matters, the report outlines broader institutional reforms aimed at enhancing judicial efficiency. The court expedited the disposal of over 3,000 bail applications during the year, facilitated by the establishment of a dedicated police cell within court premises to ensure rapid service of notices and timely production of records. **Fauji Wind Energy sales tax dispute** Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench set aside a judgement of the appellate tribunal of the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) in a sales tax dispute involving Fauji Wind Energy, declaring the proceedings illegal and without lawful jurisdiction. A Division Bench comprising Justice Jawad Hassan and Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf allowed sales tax reference and quashed the show-cause notice, order-in-original, and the appellate tribunal’s order dated Feb 25, 2025. Justice Jawad Hassan authored the judgement, relying on earlier precedents including Fauji Cement Company Limited vs Government of Punjab and Rahat Cafe, Rawalpindi vs Government of Punjab, holding that the PRA had exceeded its statutory and territorial authority. The case stemmed from a show-cause notice issued on June 15, 2016, in which the PRA alleged that Fauji Wind Energy failed to withhold Punjab Sales Tax on services received during the period July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, involving payments exceeding Rs3.05bn and an alleged tax liability of Rs488 million. The court ruled that the PRA lacked jurisdiction because the services were received and consumed in Sindh, where the company’s wind power operations are located, and not in Punjab. _Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026_

LAHORE: A new ordinance promulgated by Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan on Wednesday declared child marriage a non-bailable offence and set 18 years as the minimum legal age of marriage for both males and females, eliminating the previous gender-based distinctions. Up until now, the minimum legal age for marriage in Punjab was 18 years for men and 16 years for women under the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929. This has changed with the promulgation of the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026, under which offenders could face up to seven years in prison and fines of up to Rs1 million. The law comes into effect immediately across the province and was promulgated under Article 128(1) of the Constitution as the Punjab Assembly is not in session. Under the new legal framework, _nikah khawans_ (marriage registrars) have been barred from registering child marriages and could face imprisonment of up to one year and fine of Rs100,000 in case of violations. Similarly, adults contracting marriage with a child will face rigorous imprisonment of up to three years but not less than two years, as well as a fine of up to Rs500,000. The ordinance also criminalises cohabitation resulting from a child marriage as “child abuse”, carrying penalties of five to seven years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs1 million. It also introduces strict punishments for child trafficking linked to marriage and holds guardians accountable for promoting or failing to prevent underage marriages. It further stated that if a guardian or any other person in any capacity, lawful or unlawful, committed any act to promote child marriage, child abuse or permitted child marriage to be solemnised, or intentionally or negligently failed to prevent it from being solemnised, they will be punished with rigorous imprisonment between two to three years and will also be liable to a fine of up to Rs500,000. All offences under the ordinance have been declared cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable, and will be tried exclusively by Courts of Session, with cases to be concluded within 90 days. According to the statement of objects and reasons, the ordinance is aimed at modernising child protection laws in Punjab, removing gender discrimination in minimum marriage age, and strengthening legal safeguards against exploitation and abuse.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday appreciated efforts for easing tensions and promoting regional peace, warning that any military escalation involving Iran could destabilise the Gulf region, South and Western Asia. He said this while addressing a ceremony hosted by the Iranian embassy in Islamabad on the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. “Any instability involving Iran, or any attempt to resolve issues through military means, carries grave risks. Such actions could … undermine global peace, and cause serious harm to the global economy. The stakes are far too high for confrontation,” President Zardari said. He further stated that Pakistan opposed unilateral sanctions and coercive measures, including against Iran, and believed that “peaceful engagement best serves regional and global security”. “Pakistan welcomes efforts aimed at easing tensions and encourages continued dialogue among relevant parties in a constructive spirit, with the objective of promoting peace and stability in the region,” he added. Earlier, the president requested the participants of the ceremony to observe one minute of silence in the memory of victims of the recent blast in Islamabad, and the tragedies in Iran. “Let’s pray that wars never come to us,” he said. Referring to ongoing conflicts, terrorism, external interference and unresolved regional flashpoints in the region, the president said Pakistan firmly believed that such challenges could not be addressed through force or unilateral actions. He also emphasised that Pakistan and Iran shared responsibilities as neighbouring countries and remained committed to cooperating on border management, counter-terrorism and “turning the shared frontier into a zone of cooperation, lawful trade and development”. The president stressed that Pakistan valued balanced relations globally and was ready to play a constructive role in promoting restraint, dialogue and regional peace. He extended his warm congratulations to the leadership and people of Iran. “May our partnership continue to grow, and may our region move towards security, stability and shared prosperity,” he said. The president added Pakistan and Iran were not just neighbours, but also “civilisational partners”. “Our shared border reflects centuries of interaction, coexistence and mutual respect,” he stated. “Our relationship is rooted in faith, history and enduring cultural bonds that continue to shape our region.” He noted that the Persian language and its great literary tradition had profoundly influenced Pakistan’s intellectual life, adding that for hundreds of years, it was the official language of some of the regions that were now a part of Pakistan. “Its influence remains deeply embedded in our national consciousness. Pakistan’s national anthem itself reflects the deep imprint of the Persian language on our collective identity,” he stated. The president remembered Sachal Sarmast, a renowned 18th-century poet in Sindh, on the occasion, saying that he composed poetry in Persian, which reflected “a shared spiritual and philosophical space”. “Poets and thinkers such as Rumi, Hafiz, Saadi and Ferdowsi are widely respected in Pakistan, while Iqbal, who wrote much of his work in Persian, remains a shared symbol of dignity and renewal for both our societies,” he added. In his welcome address, Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam said that despite facing various external pressures and challenges, Iran had made remarkable progress in key sectors, including technology, defence, science and the economy. He noted that the Iranian nation had “consistently demonstrated resilience and self-reliance”, turning challenges into opportunities and continuing its journey of development with determination. Moghadam said that Iran did “not seek war and believes in resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy”. However, he made it clear that if a war broke out, Iran would “fully retaliate in defence of its sovereignty”. The ambassador appreciated the government and people of Pakistan for their support, particularly during “Israeli aggression against Iran”.

ISLAMABAD: Former chief of army staff Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa has been admitted to a military hospital after sustaining injuries in a fall at his home, according to an informed source. Bajwa slipped at his residence and suffered multiple injuries, according to initial information. He was moved to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for treatment and was reported to be in stable condition. He was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit, though the extent of his injuries was not immediately clear. It is not known exactly when or how the fall occurred. His family could not be reached for comment. Bajwa, 65, served as the 10th chief of army staff from Nov 29, 2016, to Nov 29, 2022, with an extension in his tenure granted in 2019. Since retiring in late 2022, Bajwa has largely stayed out of the public eye.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: At least four policemen, including a station house officer (SHO), were martyred on Wednesday as armed terrorists attacked a police party in Paniala’s Wanda Budh area, police said. According to a police statement, the incident occurred as the police party was returning after a search operation. The operation was conducted in the jurisdiction of Shaheed Nawab police station following intelligence reports about militants’ presence in the area, it said, adding that the area was cordoned off before the search operation was initiated. While the police party was returning, militants hiding in nearby forests opened fire on them, prompting the officers to return fire, the statement said. Four policemen were martyred in the attack and there were reports of as many militants being killed in the exchange of fire. The officers who lost their lives included SHO Faheem Mumtaz, Constable Irfan Khan, Constable Ghulam Subhani, and Constable Wajahat, the statement said. Paharpur Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police Hafiz Adnan and Assistant Sub-Inspector Tariq were injured in the attack. A police spokesperson earlier said that the martyrs and the wounded officers were shifted to the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital for treatment. Following the incident, the spokesperson said, a heavy contingent of police, led by District Police Officer Sajad Ahmed Sahebzada, reached the scene and launched clearance a search operation to apprehend the militants. The police statement said that the area had been sealed off and the search and clearance operation was under way. It added that efforts were being made to recover the bodies of the slain militants from the forest area, while security in nearby localities has been further tightened. President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack. “Eliminating the cancer of terrorism sponsored from abroad from the country is the topmost priority,” the president was quoted as saying. The statement added that he extended his prayers to the martyrs’ families and wished the wounded a swift recovery. > Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the incident and strongly condemned it. In a statement, he paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyred personnel. “The provincial government will provide all possible assistance to the affected families,” he said. He further said that the KP police were at the frontline in the fight against terrorism. “Terrorism is a common challenge for the entire country. Actions against elements hostile to peace will be further intensified in the province,” he said. He said police morale could not be dampened by such cowardly acts. CM Afridi said that a comprehensive and effective strategy was essential for the complete eradication of terrorism. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed deep sorrow over the attack. He said he was saddened by the deaths of the police personnel and praised the bravery and sacrifice of Dera Ismail Khan police in protecting the public and the nation. The governor also directed that all possible medical care be provided to the injured officers and prayed for their speedy recovery. PTI’s Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, the former chief minister of the province, also expressed profound grief over the incident, stating that the officers laid down their lives in defence of the country and the people. He prayed for the swift recovery of the injured officers and extended his condolences to the families of the martyred personnel, while praying for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks.

United States President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, with the latter expected to press him to widen talks with Iran to include limits on Tehran’s missile arsenal and other security threats beyond its nuclear programme. In his seventh meeting with Trump since the president returned to office nearly 13 months ago, Netanyahu was looking to influence the next round of US discussions with Iran following nuclear negotiations held in Oman last Friday. Trump threatened strikes on Iran if no agreement is reached, while Tehran vowed to retaliate, stoking fears of a wider war. He has repeatedly voiced support for a secure Israel, a longstanding US ally and arch-foe of Iran. In media interviews on Tuesday, Trump reiterated his warning, saying that while he believes Iran wants a deal, he would do “something very tough” if it refused. ## Trump says no to Iranian nuclear weapons, missiles Trump told _Fox Business_ that a good deal with Iran would mean “no nuclear weapons, no missiles,” without elaborating. He also told _Axios_ he was considering sending a second aircraft carrier strike group as part of a major US buildup near Iran. Israel was concerned that the US might pursue a narrow nuclear deal that does not include restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile programme or an end to Iranian support for armed proxies, according to people familiar with the matter. Israeli officials have urged the US not to trust Iran’s promises. “I will present to the president our perceptions of the principles in the negotiations,” Netanyahu told reporters before departing for the US. The two leaders could also discuss potential military action if diplomacy with Iran fails, one source said. Iran said it is prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions, but ruled out linking the issue to missiles. “The Islamic republic’s missile capabilities are non-negotiable,” Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said on Wednesday. Netanyahu’s arrival at the White House was lower-key than usual. He entered the building away from the view of reporters and cameras, and a White House official then confirmed he was inside meeting with Trump. ## Gaza on the agenda Also on the agenda was Gaza, with Trump looking to push ahead with a ceasefire agreement he helped to broker. Progress on his 20-point plan to end the war and rebuild the shattered Palestinian enclave stalled, with major gaps over steps such as Hamas disarming as Israeli troops withdraw in phases. Netanyahu’s visit, originally scheduled for February 18, was brought forward amid renewed US engagement with Iran. Both sides at last week’s Oman meeting said the talks were positive and further talks were expected soon. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of the Oman meeting that negotiations would need to address Iran’s missiles, its proxy groups, and its treatment of its own population. Iran said Friday’s talks focused only on nuclear issues. Trump has been vague about broadening the negotiations. He was quoted as telling _Axios_ on Tuesday that it was a “no-brainer” for any deal to cover Iran’s nuclear programme, but that he also thought it possible to address its missile stockpiles. Iran says its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, while the US and Israel have previously accused it of past efforts to develop nuclear weapons. Last June, the US joined Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day war. Israel also heavily damaged Iran’s air defences and missile arsenal. Two Israeli officials say there are signs Iran is working to restore those capabilities. Trump threatened last month to intervene militarily during a crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran, but ultimately held off. ## Israel wary of a weakened Iran rebuilding Tehran’s regional influence was weakened by the 12-day war, losses suffered by proxies in the region and the ousting of its ally, former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. But Israel was wary of its adversaries rebuilding after the multi-front war, triggered by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on southern Israel. While Trump and Netanyahu have mostly been in sync and the US remains Israel’s main arms supplier, Wednesday’s meeting could expose tensions. Part of Trump’s Gaza plan held out the prospect for eventual Palestinian statehood, which Netanyahu and his coalition — the most far-right in Israel’s history — have long resisted. Netanyahu’s security cabinet on Sunday authorised steps that would make it easier for Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank to buy land while granting Israel broader powers in what the Palestinians see as the heartland of a future state. The decision drew international condemnation. “I am against annexation,” Trump told _Axios_ , reiterating his stance. “We have enough things to think about now.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced compensation for those martyred and injured in the suicide attack on an imambargah in Islamabad last week. The premier made the announcement while visiting the site of the attack. On February 6, a suicide bomber ripped through the Friday congregation at the Imambargah Qasr-i-Khadijatul Kubra on the outskirts of Islamabad. At least 38 people were killed in the incident and more than 150 were injured. During the visit, PM Shehbaz announced a sum of Rs 10 million for Oun Abbas, who resisted the suicide attacker; Rs5m for each martyr; Rs3m for those critically injured and under treatment at the hospital; and Rs1m for those with minor injuries who had been discharged. > Speaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz said, “These terrorists have no religion, and they have crossed all the limits of cruelty.” Talking to the affected families, he said the entire nation was in a state of grief and saddened over the tragic incident, which resulted in the martyrdom of elders and kids while scores of others were injured. He termed the incident the “worst kind of barbaric act”. PM Shehbaz said that all religious leaders had strongly condemned the incident with unity and praised them for foiling the nefarious designs of the enemies with solidarity. The prime minister observed that the attempt to sow seeds of disunity in society had failed miserably. He also commended the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and police force fighting against terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Later, the prime minister also visited Abbas’ residence to offer his condolences. * * * _Additional input from APP_

The first-ever player auction for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was held in Lahore on Wednesday, with fast bowler Naseem Shah sold to Rawalpindi for Rs86.5 million — the highest bid of the auction. The auction ended after several unsold players were snapped up by the eight franchises. Earlier rounds of bidding saw major players auctioned off, including Fakhar Zaman, David Warner and Muhammad Amir. Last month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) _announced_ that the upcoming season of the country’s premier cricket league would adopt an auction model, replacing the previous draft system. ## Islamabad United The auction began with bidding on all-rounders, starting with Faheem Ashraf at the base price of Rs42m, with Islamabad United putting in the final bid at Rs85m. The team also scored New Zealand cricketer Mark Chapman after they bid Rs70m against Peshawar Zalmi’s Rs68.5m. Mohammad Waseem Jr joined the team at the winning bid of Rs41m — a marked increase from his base price at 22m — against Quetta Gladiators. The team secured Mir Hamza Sajjad as well at a winning bid of Rs7m. Islamabad United also bagged Sameer Minhas at the bid of Rs19m after back-and-forth bidding against Quetta Gladiators. Sameen Gul also joined the team. All-rounder Imad Wasim, who was unsold in the prior rounds of bidding, was secured for Rs22m. He was followed by England’s Richard Gleeson, who was snapped up with an Rs11m bid. Batter Haider Ali was secured for Rs15m after back-and-forth bidding with Sialkot. Hyderabad and Lahore bid for bowler Mohammad Hasnain, before the latter bowed out and Islamabad United joined the fray. Hyderabad dropped out of the race, with Hasnain secured by Islamabad for Rs7.75m. Additionally, Nepalese batter Dipendra Singh Airee was bought for Rs6m. The squad also includes Shadab Khan, Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Devon Conway, Mehran Mumtaz, Shamar Josheph and Max Bryant. ## Karachi Kings Islamabad United and Karachi Kings went neck and neck bidding for Pakistan team captain Salman Ali Agha. However, with the final bid of Rs58.5m, Karachi Kings secured the player. Australian cricketer Adam Zampa is also set to join the team after the Karachi Kings secured him with a bid of Rs45m. Bidding on wicket keepers began with Azam Khan — at the base price of Rs11m. With the final bids of Rs31.5m by Sialkot Stallionz and Rs32.5m by Karachi Kings, the latter managed to secure Khan. Karachi Kings also secured Shahid Aziz with a winning bid of Rs9.25m. It also secured Mir Hamza with a bid of Rs24m along with Aqib Illyas at a bid of Rs6m. Additionally, the team also bagged Australian batsman David Warner for Rs79m after a round of back-and-forth bidding with Peshawar Zalmi. Mohammad Hamza Sohail also joined Karachi Kings. Later, the West Indies’ Johnson Charles was finally sold, with an Rs20m bid from the Karachi Kings. Khuzaima bin Tanveer was sold to the team after it bid Rs9m for the player against Rawalpindi and Peshawar Zalmi. Muhammad Waseem was sold for his base price of Rs11m, while pacer Ihsanullah was picked up for Rs10.5m after back-and-forth bidding with Sialkot. Rizwanullah was purchased by the franchise for his base price of Rs6m. ## Lahore Qalandars Lahore Qalandars regained fast-bowler Haris Rauf at Rs76m against Rawalpindi’s Rs74.5m bid. The team also managed to retain Fakhar Zaman with a winning bid of Rs79.5m against Peshawar Zalmi. It bagged Usama Mir at Rs35, followed closely by Ubaid Shah at Rs27m. Mohammad Farooq was sold to the team at a winning bid of Rs6m. Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka was snapped up after the break for Rs7.5m. Afterwards, they bought Bangladeshi opening batter Parvez Hossain Emon for Rs6m. The Lahore Qalandars then bagged Asif Ali at his base price of Rs6m, later snapping up all-rounder Hussain Talat for Rs7.75m. Right-handed batter Tayyab Tahir was bought for Rs6m, while the West Indies’ Gudakesh Moties was snapped up for Rs11m. ## Sialkot Stallionz Sialkot Stallionz bagged Sahibzada Farhan against Karachi Kings, with a bid of Rs57m. The team also secured Australia’s Ashton Turner at Rs42m. Australian cricketer Peter Siddle was also sold to Sialkot Stallionz with the winning bid of Rs25m, while spinner Tabrez Shamsi was sold to the team at a bid of 22m. Delano Potgieter was sold to the team at Rs6m. Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe was sold to Sialkot Stallionz after the break for Rs23m. Batter Shan Masood, meanwhile, was snapped up for a bid of Rs6.5m. Spinner Momin Qamar was secured by Sialkot for Rs10.75m after a flurry of bidding with Hyderabad. They then raised the paddle at the very last moment to buy Muhammad Awais Zafar for his base price of Rs6m. The squad also includes Steve Smith, Muhammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal, Lachlan Shaw and Saad Masood. ## Quetta Gladiators Quetta Gladiators secured Khawaja Mohammad Nafay with a winning bid of Rs65m. The team also bought Faisal Akram with the final bid of Rs12.5m. Wasim Akram Jr and Khan Zeb are also set to join the team. The team also secured Bismillah Khan, Saqib Khan, Brett Hampton, and Samuel Harper at the winning bid of Rs6m for each. Bevon Jacobs also joined the team. Later, batter Saud Shakeel was snapped up by the Quetta Gladiators for Rs6.5m after a bidding war with Sialkot Stallionz. English all-rounder Tom Curran was bought by Quetta for Rs42m. Australia’s Ben McDermott was secured at the last minute for Rs11m. ## Team Rawalpindi Karachi Kings put in the first bid for Naseem Shah at Rs65m, followed by Islamabad United bidding Rs66.5m. However, after a series of back-and-forth bids between the two, Rawalpindi bid Rs86.5m, following which Karachi Kings bowed out. With the auction’s third-highest bid, the team secured New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell at Rs80.5m. Bangladeshi spinner Rishaad Hossain was also sold to Rawalpindi for a bid of Rs30m. Rawalpindi also secured Muhammad Amir with a winning bid of Rs54m. The team also secured Amad wicket-keeper Amad Butt, with the winning bid of Rs8m. The previously unsold Dian Forrester was snapped up for Rs6m after the break. Rawalpindi also successfully bid Rs11m for English wicketkeeper batter Laurie Evans. After a flurry of back-to-back bids by the Peshawar Zalmi and Team Rawalpindi, all-rounder Asif Afridi was secured by the latter with Rs24m — a bid four times higher than his base price of Rs6m. Rawalpindi and Lahore began bidding for Kamran Ghulam, with the former securing the batter for Rs6.5m. Pacer Fawad Ali was secured by the team for Rs6m at the last moment, with Mohammad Amir Khan snapped up for his base price of Rs6m. Rawalpindi also bought Shahzaib Khan for his base price of Rs6m. The squad also includes Muhammad Rizwan, Sam Billings, Zaman Khan, Abdullah Fazal, and Yasir Khan. ## Peshawar Zalmi So far, Peshawar Zalmi has secured Aamir Jamal at a bid of Rs19m and Khalid Usman at a bid of Rs6m. Aaron Hardie joined the team after it bid Rs63m. The team also secured Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Haris, Sufyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, and Ali Raza. Peshawar Zalmi secured Ali Subhan after the winning bid of Rs6.25m. After the 90-minute recess, Peshawar secured English batter James Vince for an Rs30m bid, as well as New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell for Rs42m. They also secured Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis for Rs42m, up from a base price of Rs22m. All-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed was secured for Rs18m after a bidding war with Team Rawalpindi. Bangladesh’s Nahid Rana and batter Miraz Tahir Baig were snapped up for their base price of Rs6m. At the auction ceremony’s conclusion, the franchise made an official announcement that Kashif Ali, from their player development programme, would be part of their squad. ## Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen The newly introduced Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen in a last-minute bid of Rs21.5m bought fast-bowler Mohammad Ali against Rawalpindi’s Rs20.5m. The team also secured Hassan Khan at the winning bid of Rs18.5m after back-and-forth rounds of bidding with Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars. Shayan Jahangir also joined the team. The Kingsmen acquired Ottneil Baartman at Rs11m. Australian fast bowler Riley Meredith was snapped up for Rs42m after the break, having previously been unsold. The franchise secured several players at their base price of Rs6m, including left-handed batter Sharjeel Khan, all-rounder Asif Mehmood, bowler Hunain Shah and batters Saad Ali, Mohammad Tayyab Arif and Rizwan Mehmood. So far, the team includes Saim Ayub, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khan, Maaz Sadaqat, Hassan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Kusal Perara, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Ali, Otteneil Baartman, Hammad Azam and Akif Javed. ## Many players unsold As the auction began, Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz was auctioned at the base price of Rs11m, however, no bids were made by any of the teams. England’s David Willey remained unsold as well, while batter Shaan Masood also received no bids. All-rounder William Sutherland — at the base price of 42m — received no bids either. Similarly, Sri Lankan cricketer Dinesh Chandimal, England’s Chris Jordan and Muhammad Hasnain also went unsold. Following the 90-minute recess, Australia’s Usman Khawaja and New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham and Bangladesh legend Shakib Al Hasan were among the players still unsold. At the outset of the ceremony, PSL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer addressed the audience. “When the HBL PSL X ended, and the euphoria died down a little, and we looked ahead at the path in front of us, all commercial contracts had come to an end…monumental challenges lay ahead,” he said. “The PSL and PCB teams have burned midnight oil day in and day out to get us where we are today,” Naseer said. The tournament is scheduled to be held from March 26 to May 3. The forthcoming PSL will also feature two new franchises — Hyderabad and Sialkot — raising the total number of teams to 8.

India’s oil minister said on Wednesday he had communicated with and met the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time in the United States, but said he had no connection to any wrongdoings or crimes. Hardeep Singh Puri, a career diplomat-turned-politician, said he was part of the International Peace Institute, a New York think tank headed by Norwegian diplomat and former cabinet minister Terje Roed-Larsen until 2020, and met Epstein “three or maximum four times” during his time there. > Roed-Larsen, 78, has apologised for his connection to Epstein and his wife, Mona Juul, a Norwegian ambassador, stepped down over her links to Epstein. Puri’s comments came in response to questions by India’s opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in parliament on Wednesday. Gandhi said Puri’s name had been mentioned in Epstein’s emails and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to clarify what his dealings with Epstein were. Puri, who served as India’s ambassador to the United Nations from 2009-2013, became a minister in Modi’s cabinet in 2017. He denied any wrongdoing. Documents released by the US Department of Justice show emails between Puri and Epstein, mostly referring to Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn, who Puri said he wanted to invite to India so he could explore the country’s potential for internet-based businesses.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti addressed the issue of terrorism in the province on Wednesday, asserting that no one was allowed to take up arms and kill innocent people. He made this statement while addressing the Balochistan Assembly, around 10 days after a _spate of attacks_ on January 31 brought parts of the restive province to a standstill for _several days_. Security forces responded to the attacks by killing a total of 216 terrorists during “ _Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1_”. Speaking about terrorism today, Bugti said there was, unfortunately, “confusion” on the issue in Pakistan. He linked this “confusion” to the use of “propaganda”, which he said was used to create distance between the state and the youth of Balochistan. Moreover, he claimed, “a forced narrative has been created against Pakistan that is purely based on perceptions and devoid of reality”. The minister decried that terrorism in Balochistan was linked to the lack of development in the province, adding that the problem of “unparalleled development” existed across the country. Why were arms not being taken up elsewhere, the CM said, adding, “How are you rationalising violence?” Again criticising the linking of terrorism with the lack of development, he remarked: “The monopoly of the right of violence is only with the state [_sic_]; be it whichever state in the world.” The CM then emphasised that no one was allowed to take up arms and kill innocent people on any issue. He said that those involved in terrorism in Balochistan wanted to “break the country and create a nation state on the basis of Baloch identity”. Bugti further said the aim behind the creation of such a nation state was to employ it for the use of three “tools”. “The first tool is of violence, the second is of social manoeuvre and legitimate voices, and the third is of social media,” he outlined, without elaborating any further on this. Bugti said that the “Baloch are being pushed towards a futile war. What can be gained of this futile war except for bloodshed?” he said, reiterating that he “feels that attempts are made to rationalise violence”. “This is very dangerous,” he added. The CM said that the National Action Plan was the most important document after the Constitution. In the NAP, he added, terrorism in the name of religion had been recognised with consensus as an act of terrorism. But, he continued, “terrorism in the name of so-called nationalism is treated differently”. The CM said that as far as the prospect of dialogue was concerned, “what will be the end result? What do you want from it?” He said he had requested the opposition in the provincial assembly multiple times to “take the lead” if they believed a resolution was possible through dialogue. “I, on behalf of the state of Pakistan, am ready to talk. But I cannot talk to those who are talking to us with the barrels of guns, those who are killing us, those who are killing our innocent children, those who are killing our innocent teachers, our doctors, our policemen and our security forces.”

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: At least four policemen, including a station house officer (SHO), were martyred on Wednesday as armed militants attacked a police party during a search operation in Wanda Budh, the police spokesperson said. According to the police spokesperson, the search operation was being conducted in the jurisdiction of Shaheed Nawab police station following intelligence reports about militant presence in the area. During the operation, militants suddenly opened fire on the police party, prompting the officers to return fire, he added. The officers who lost their lives included SHO Faheem Mumtaz, Constable Irfan Khan, Constable Ghulam Subhani, and Constable Wajahat, the spokesperson said. He also added that Paharpur Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police Hafiz Adnan and Assistant Sub-Inspector Tariq were injured in the attack. He said that the martyrs and the wounded officers were immediately shifted to the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital for treatment. Following the incident, the spokesperson said, a heavy contingent of police, led by District Police Officer Sajad Ahmed Sahebzada, reached the scene and launched a search operation to apprehend the militants. Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the incident and strongly condemned it. In a statement, he paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyred personnel. “The provincial government will provide all possible assistance to the affected families,” he said. He further said that the KP police were at the frontline in the fight against terrorism. He said police morale could not be dampened by such cowardly acts. CM Afridi said that a comprehensive and effective strategy was essential for the complete eradication of terrorism. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed deep sorrow over the attack. He said he was saddened by the deaths of the police personnel and praised the bravery and sacrifice of Dera Ismail Khan police in protecting the public and the nation. The governor also directed that all possible medical care be provided to the injured officers and prayed for their speedy recovery. PTI’s Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, the former chief minister of the province, also expressed profound grief over the incident, stating that the officers laid down their lives in defence of the country and the people. He prayed for the swift recovery of the injured officers and extended his condolences to the families of the martyred personnel, while praying for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks.

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday criticised National Assembly (NA) Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai over his recent remarks about the army, saying that the “irresponsible” statement was an attempt to “belittle the sacrifices” of security personnel. Asif’s rebuke came during a session of the lower house of Parliament, where he recalled Achakzai’s recent remarks and quoted him as saying that the army was a “force of four districts”. Asif did not elaborate on the context of the remarks attributed to Achakzai. Terming it “highly irresponsible” and a “deliberate attempt to malign” the national institution, Asif asserted that the army was a national force. “It is the force of the federation, with representation from all provinces,” he stressed. “It is the force of the entire country.” During his address, the minister also shared data about the representation of different provinces in the army, reading out statistics from a document. According to the document, seen by _Dawn_ , the province-wise representation in consonance with the population of districts in the army as per the 2023 census was 51.1 per cent from Punjab, 16.28pc from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 20.52pc from Sindh, 6.04pc from Balochistan, 2.54pc from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan and 3.52pc from the minorities. However, while reading out the numbers, Asif mistakenly stated that representation from Punjab was 91.1pc instead of 51.1pc. He also highlighted that the armed forces had rendered several sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. “Over the past five years, 3,141 personnel, including officers, junior commissioned officers, and _jawans_ have embraced martyrdom in this fight,” the defence minister said, adding that those martyrs were from all regions of the country. He added that the opposition leader’s “irresponsible statement is an attempt to belittle these sacrifices and tantamount to attacking public sentiments”. The minister said that the opposition leader’s position was a respectable one and such statements were not expected from Achakzai. He further asserted that the fight against terrorism was not confined to any particular province or district, but “is a collective struggle of the entire nation”. “Martyrs are our red line … We are indebted to the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for our safety and protection,” he said. Asif went on to say, “We are in the middle of a very bloody war. Daily …” At this point, the NA’s live stream was disrupted for less than a minute. When the stream resumed, the defence minister said that “such attacks and behaviour, the spilling of blood is not allowed in our religion”. “The bodies of our soldiers are decapitated after their martyrdom. This is also happening. It is happening in Tirah Valley,” he said. Turning his attention to politicians, he said, “We are fighting a war for our political interests. If someone says that we are fighting for the country, then they are wrong. We are fighting a war for our political interests and power. Over the past 60-70 years, whenever someone was deprived of power, they fought for it, and there were no underlying principles in that fight. “And then a voice is raised in this house that it (army) is a force of four districts. I don’t want to use any strong words for this house as it has earned me immense respect.” But, he continued, if an individual crossed a “line drawn with blood” while safeguarding their political interests, they had no right to “sit in this house”. The defence minister also said that “no voice is raised from Balochistan when Punjabis are shot after their identity cards are checked … I don’t believe in provincial discrimination, but I take strong exception [to Achakzai’s remark]”. He also moved a resolution, which paid tribute to the armed forces for their “unparalleled sacrifices” in the fight against terrorism. The resolution was adopted by the house, which reaffirmed its commitment that the sacrifices of the martyrs would not go in vain. The resolution underscored that the nation was standing firmly alongside the armed forces in the fight against terrorism. It further lauded the “professional capabilities, bravery and dedication” of the military, declaring full support for its continued efforts to safeguard national security, uphold stability and maintain peace across the country. ## NA passes 6 bills During the session, the short of quorum NA also passed six bills amid an outcry from the opposition, with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq refusing to order a count. Just 66 members were present in the house at the time of passage of the bills after rules were suspended to take those up for immediate consideration. The bills included the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026, The Pakistan Names and Emblems (Prevention of Unauthorised Use) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, National Archives (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has stated that there is a “fair chance” of sighting the new moon of Ramazan on the evening of February 18, it emerged on Wednesday. According to a letter by the department’s Climate Data Processing Centre (CDPC) in Karachi to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, dated January 26, the new moon of Ramazan “will be born on the crossing conjunction point of 5:01pm on February 17”. “According to astronomical parameters, there is a ‘fair chance’ of sighting the new moon of Ramazan 1447 AH on the evening of February 18, 2026,” it said. Furthermore, the weather was expected to be partly cloudy/fair in most parts of the country, it added. In their letter, the PMD also shared the last expected times for moon sighting in various regions on February 18: 6:58pm in Azad Jammu and Kashmir; 7:47pm in Balochistan; 6:53 pm in Gilgit-Baltistan; 7:13pm in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; 7:08pm in Punjab; and 7:24pm in Sindh.

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad expects the economy to grow as much as 4.75 per cent this fiscal year, pushing back against a recent downgrade by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In written responses to _Reuters_ , the SBP chief argued the recovery is broader and more durable than headline export data suggest. The central bank raised its FY26 growth forecast to 3.75–4.75pc at its January meeting, 0.5 percentage points higher than its previous range, despite a contraction in exports in the first half of the year and a widening trade deficit. The governor said differences in projections were not unusual and reflected timing issues, including the IMF’s incorporation of flood-related assessments in its latest outlook. “All these sources and indicators, along with FY26-Q1 data, point to a broad-based recovery in all three sectors of the economy,” he said. He added that the SBP believed that agricultural activity had remained resilient despite floods and “it is even performing better than its targets”. He added that financial conditions had eased significantly following a cumulative 1,150-basis-point cut in the policy rate since June 2024, and that the full impact was still feeding through. This, he said, was supporting growth while preserving price and economic stability. The SBP last month held its benchmark rate at 10.5pc, defying expectations for a cut. The divergence with the IMF comes at a delicate moment for Pakistan, which is emerging from a balance-of-payments crisis under a $7 billion IMF programme. ## Export drag, remittance cushion Pakistan’s previous growth spurts have often led to currency pressure and a decline in foreign exchange reserves, making the sustainability of the current rebound a key question for investors. Ahmad said high-frequency indicators and 6pc growth in large-scale manufacturing in July-November point to strengthening demand, while agriculture has remained resilient despite last year’s floods, he said. While exports declined in the first half of the fiscal year, Ahmad said the fall reflected low global prices and border disruptions rather than softer activity. He said the current account deficit should stay within 1pc of the gross domestic product (GDP), as strong remittances offset the wider trade gap and lift reserves above programme targets, with further gains expected due to Eid-related inflows. “Additionally, if the government decided to tap global capital markets for any debt issuance, then that would be on the upside of our current assessment,” he said. Pakistan plans to issue panda bonds, a yuan-denominated debt sold in China’s domestic market around the upcoming Lunar New Year, as part of efforts to diversify external financing and broaden its investor base. He said the SBP has been consistently purchasing dollars in the interbank market to strengthen foreign exchange buffers, with data published regularly. He said that while economic stability has improved, structural reforms remain key to sustaining stronger growth and improving productivity.