Pakistan in February 2026: the most important developments in politics
Pakistan's politics in February 2026 were marked by an active role in international diplomacy. Pakistan was reported to be invited to US-Iran talks in Turkey, and it later voiced support for those talks and urged a continued diplomatic path. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the inaugural Board of Peace meeting on Gaza in the United States, where President Donald Trump praised him and army chief General Asim Munir and called Pakistan a 'responsible nuclear state'. Trump also repeated his claim that a warning of 200% tariffs made India and Pakistan stop fighting. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Islamabad, and the two countries cemented a strategic partnership. Sharif visited Austria, and Saudi Arabia mediated the release of three Pakistani soldiers held by the Taliban.
Relations with Afghanistan's Taliban government worsened. Pakistan's UN envoy said terror attacks originating from Afghan soil were rising, and Pakistan summoned a senior Afghan diplomat over a deadly attack on a security post in Bajaur, which it said was planned from Afghan soil. The two sides traded accusations after a clash at the Chaman-Spin Boldak border. On 27 February Pakistan declared 'open war' on Afghanistan. The UN Secretary-General called for an immediate ceasefire, Russia urged a return to talks, and Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, China and Egypt urged restraint or offered mediation. Trump said he would intervene, and clashes continued at month end.
Pakistan and India traded charges. Pakistan said evidence linked India to attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army, which India rejected as baseless. At the UN, Pakistan warned that India's suspension of a water-sharing treaty carries security implications, and India told Pakistan to vacate 'forcibly occupied areas' of Kashmir, which Pakistan rejected. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the UN Security Council there can be no peace in Gaza without justice.
At home, the health of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan drew attention. A court was told he has 15 percent vision in his right eye, and his party, the PTI, rejected an inspection by a medical team in Adiala Jail as 'malicious'. Opposition politicians and UK parliamentarians voiced concern.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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