Pakistan

Pakistan's economy remains under IMF oversight with the Prime Minister publicly acknowledging the heavy political cost of bailouts. The government is pursuing unconventional financial deals, including a partnership with a Trump-linked crypto firm for a dollar stablecoin. Regional connectivity saw a minor boost with the resumption of direct flights between Karachi and Dhaka.

• 16IMF updates global growth forecast, warns of trade and AI risks
• 5Pakistan signs deal with Trump-linked crypto firm for dollar stablecoin
• 4Dhaka-Karachi direct flights resume after 14-year hiatus
• 3‘Our heads were bowed’: Shehbaz Sharif reveals the ‘price’ Pakistan paid for multi-billion dollar bailouts
• 2IMF urges transparent, reprioritised spending as SL weighs cyclone recovery costs

Foreign policy is dominated by Pakistan's consideration of and eventual joining of the US-led, Trump-announced 'Board of Peace' initiative for Gaza, alongside other Muslim-majority nations. Diplomatic activity remains broad, with high-level engagements including a phone call between PM Shehbaz and the Iranian president, a visit by the Pakistani President to the UAE, and a meeting between China's top political advisor and Pakistan's National Assembly speaker.

• 6Government mulls Trump Gaza board invitation, as leaders of Israel, UAE, and Pakistan join
• 3Iranian president, Pakistani PM discuss regional issues, emphasize peace and diplomacy
• 2Pakistan says President to visit UAE for 'high-level meetings'
• 2PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir hold meetings with US secretary of state, Azerbaijan president on sidelines of the WEF
• 2Dar expresses hope for peace, stability in Iran in phone call with Araghchi: FO

Security forces are engaged in a major counter-insurgency operation in Balochistan, announcing the killing of scores of militants following coordinated separatist attacks that also left police officers dead. The period was also marked by a devastating civilian catastrophe with a deadly fire at a Karachi shopping mall killing dozens. Military activity included a joint exercise with the US and a naval missile test.

• 16Deadly fire at Karachi shopping mall kills dozens, many missing
• 4Pakistan says 92 militants killed after attacks in Balochistan
• 4Pakistan: Gul Plaza fire death toll jumps to 67
• 3Several countries ‘actively’ engaged in talks for JF-17 fighter jets, Pakistani Prime Minister reportedly says
• 3Newlyweds among eight killed in Islamabad gas cylinder blast

Society is reeling from the trauma of the Gul Plaza mall fire in Karachi, a disaster that dominated public attention for weeks as the death toll rose into the dozens. The government is addressing public health concerns, announcing a comprehensive polio elimination strategy and tightening border surveillance over the Nipah virus threat from India.

• 5Deadly fire at Karachi shopping mall kills dozens, many still missing
• 3Pakistan pursuing comprehensive strategy to eliminate polio: PM Shehbaz
• 3Hours after eruption, blaze at Karachi’s Gul Plaza yet to be extinguished; Edhi says death toll has risen to 6
• 2Governor Kundi blames ‘barrage of statements’ by KP govt for Tirah exodus
• 2Pakistan tightens border surveillance over Nipah virus threat as India confirms two cases