National

Nov. 16: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka to complete a 3-0 ODI series sweep.

Nov. 17: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) became operational after two more judges were sworn in to serve on the newly formed court established under the recently passed 27th Constitutional Amendment.

Nov. 17: AJK Assembly voted to remove Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq from his post, replacing him with PPP’s Raja Faisal Rathore.

Nov. 17: Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail was sworn in as the Acting Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court.

Nov. 17: PIA signed a cargo interline special agreement with Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Nov. 18: Pakistan launched its first standardized bunkering operations at the Karachi Port, aligning Pakistan's largest port with global maritime safety and operational standards.

Nov. 18: Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was sworn in as the 16th prime minister of AJK.

Nov. 18: The Population Council launched the District Vulnerability Index for Pakistan.

Nov. 18: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet granted its approval for the export of minerals from Reko Diq through the Bulk Terminal at Port Qasim and winding up of Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation Limited (Passco).

Nov. 18: A strategic partnership was finalized between Pakistan's private company Himalayan Earth Exploration and the American company Nova Minerals Limited for the exploration and development of valuable minerals across the country.

Nov. 18: Nazar Abbass was appointed as Additional Registrar of the Federal Constitutional Court.

Nov. 19: Pakistan's javelin ace Arshad Nadeem won a gold medal at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games.

Nov. 19: PMSS approved a five-year flood management strategy — fix, expand and rebuild.

Nov. 19: A 20-member cabinet of the AJK, comprising 18 ministers and two advisers, took the oath of office.

Nov. 20: British-Pakistani Lord Aamer Sarfraz was appointed Honorary Colonel in British Army's 31 Signal Squadron.

Nov. 22: The 7th Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and the EU was held in Brussels, Belgium.

Nov. 22: The federal government lifted the ban on import and export of gold.

Nov. 23: Pakistan Shaheens defeated Bangladesh 'A' in a thrilling Super Over to claim the ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars title.

Nov. 23: Pakistan's former World Cup and Test umpire Khizar Hayat breathed his last.

Nov. 24: The Federal Constitutional Court dismissed the intra court appeals of five sitting judges of Islamabad High Court and others against the verdict of Supreme Court, declaring transfer of three judges to the high court as legal.

Nov. 24: PMLN emerged as the major winner of the by-polls held at six National Assembly seats and seven Punjab assembly seats.

Nov. 24: Former judge of the GB Chief Court, Justice (R) Yar Muhammad Nasir, was appointed as the caretaker Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, after the expiry of the five-year term of the GB Assembly.

Nov. 24: The federal government appointed Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil of the Information Group, as the new Federal Secretary for Information and Broadcasting.

Nov. 24: CM Punjab appointed Bilal Ahmed Rana as her Special Assistant.

Nov. 25: Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Ardeshir Larijani visited Pakistan where he held important meetings to strengthen bilateral ties with Pakistan.

Nov. 25: The Pakistan Navy successfully conducted a test flight of an indigenously developed ship-launched Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile.

Nov. 26: PMSS paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Nov. 26: Pakistan was re-elected to the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the 2026-2028 term.

Nov. 26: The joint counter-terrorism drills between troops of the Pakistan Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces – Al Battar-II – concluded with a closing ceremony in Tabuk.

Nov. 27: Sultan Ahmed Chaudhry was appointed as Inspector General of National Highways and Motorway Police.

Nov. 27: Lt Col (R) Waqas Anwar was appointed as Member Planning Commission (Infrastructure and Regional Connectivity).

Nov. 27: Dr Muhammad Tariq Moza was posted as Secretary, Federal Public Service Commission.

Nov. 27: Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, retired as the 18th and final occupant of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) post.

Nov. 28: Three Pakistani students at the Oxford University won a debate against the Indian counterparts in an exciting and closely-watched debate on India's populist national security policy geared to incite hate against Pakistan for the domestic purposes.

Nov. 28: Guinness World Records recognized Muhammad Shahzeb Awan, Chancellor of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), as the youngest university chancellor (male) globally.

Nov. 29: The Supreme Court held that divorce cannot be effective until after the expiration of ninety days.

Nov. 29: Aiman Ridhwan Bin Mohammad Ramlan of Malaysia clinched the top position in Pakistan's First International Qiraat Competition.

Nov. 29: Pakistan's greatest tennis icon, Aisamul Haq Qureshi, officially walked away from the international circuit.

Nov. 29: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka to clinch the T20I tri-series.

Nov. 30: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty separately called on President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to discuss trade and security ties.

Nov. 30: Renowned shehnai player Ustad Abdullah Khan passed away. He was 72.

Dec. 01: The KP Assembly passed a unanimous resolution calling for amendments to the Constitution for the creation of a separate Hazara province.

Dec. 01: Pakistan's Ch Saad Muhammad was appointed to the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), becoming the youngest member ever to hold the position in the organization's 105-year history.

Dec. 01: Australia defeated Pakistan to win the IMC Over-40s T20 World Cup 2025.

Dec. 02: Pakistan and Turkish firm signed five petroleum agreements worth $300m.

Dec. 02: A joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate passed the landmark National Commission for Minorities Rights Bill, 2025 to safeguard the rights of non-Muslims.

Dec. 02: The 9th edition of Pakistan-China joint military exercise, Warrior-IX, commenced.

Dec. 02: The JCP unanimously recommended appointing permanent chief justices to Sindh and Balochistan high courts.

Dec. 02: The Ministry of Interior appointed Ali Akbar as the first Senior Superintendent of Federal Prisons (SSFP) for the facility.

Dec. 02: Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) Chief Executive Officer Bilal Bin Saqib stepped down as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Dec. 02: JCP approved Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb as permanent SC judge.

Dec. 03: Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Zhaparov reached Islamabad for a two-day maiden state visit.

Dec. 04: President Zardari approved the summary submitted by PMSS for the appointment of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir concurrently as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for a period of five years.

Dec. 04: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed 15 MoUs and agreements covering trade, energy, mining, agriculture, culture, tourism, education, law and security.

Dec. 04: The Punjab Government officially approved the transformation of the Suthra Punjab Programme into the Suthra Punjab Authority.

Dec. 04: The world's largest sculpture of the markhor, Pakistan's national animal, was installed in Kaghan Valley.

Dec. 04: Lady Inspector Iram Khanam of Rawalpindi Police won two gold medals at the World Powerlifting Championship 2025 in Sri Lanka, defeating top Indian competitors to secure first place in both her categories.

Dec. 04: The PTA approved the merger of Telenor Pakistan with PTCL.

Dec. 05: Farooq Ahmad Khan, a hockey Olympian who was a member of Pakistan's gold medal-winning team at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, passed away.

Dec. 05: Karachi Blues outsmarted defending champions Sialkot in the final of the 68th edition of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to claim its 22nd title in the historic tournament.

Dec. 06: The ECP formally wrote to Barrister Gohar Ali Khan declining to accept him as the chairman of PTI.

Dec. 06: The ADB approved three projects totalling $381 million to advance agriculture, education and health services in Punjab.

Dec. 06: The federal government approved the appointment of Qamar-uz-Zaman as the chairman of the Evacuee Trust Properties Board (ETPB).

Dec. 06: President Zardari appointed Allama Raghib Hussain Naeemi as chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for a period of three years.

Dec. 06: The opening ceremony of the 35th National Games was held at the National Stadium Karachi.

Dec. 07: The Sindh Cultural Day also known as “Topi and Ajrak” Day was celebrated.

Dec. 08: PMSS approved electricity projects for Gilgit-Baltistan and Gwadar, including a 100 MW solar project in Gilgit-Baltistan, to ensure uninterrupted, affordable and sustainable power supply.

Dec. 08: PML-N leader Abid Sher Ali was elected unopposed to the Senate on the general seat left vacant following the death of Senator Irfan Siddiqui.

Dec. 08: The IMF approved a fresh disbursement of around $1.2 billion to Pakistan.

Dec. 09: During the visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to Islamabad, Pakistan and Indonesia signed seven MoUs and agreements to further enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

Dec. 09: The Punjab Assembly passed a resolution seeking a ban on the founder of PTI Imran Khan.

Dec. 10: The SBP directed exchange companies to implement facial recognition for biometric verification using the Nadra services for customers.

Dec. 10: Dr Sohail Saleem was appointed CEO of Pakistan Anti-Doping Board.

Dec. 10: The United States approved the sale of advanced technology and support for Pakistan's F-16 fighter jets, valued at $686 million.

Dec. 11: The Field General Court Martial (FGCM) sentenced former ISI director general Faiz Hameed to 14 years rigorous imprisonment.

Dec. 11: Pakistan received $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) loan programs.

Dec. 11: Muhammad Haroon Ar-Rafiq (PAS) was posted as Additional Registrar in Federal Constitutional Court on deputation for two years.

Dec. 12: Punjab launched Pakistan's first digital civil registration app, the CRMS e-registration app.

Dec. 12: Pakistan Police's Head Constable Majeed Hussain Dogar won two gold medals at the World Powerlifting Championship.

Dec. 12: PMSS held informal interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov on the sidelines of the international forum held in connection with the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality and the anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality.

Dec. 12: The World Bank approved $400 million in financing for a new project to provide safely managed water, sanitation and basic hygiene services and help improve the institutional and financial performance of local urban administration in Punjab province.

Dec. 13: A provincial anti-corruption court exonerated Dr Asim Hussain, former petroleum minister and close aide of President Zardari, from all charges of corruption on the recommendations of the Anti-Corruption Establishment, Sindh.

Dec. 13: The 35th National Games concluded in Karachi with Pakistan Army securing the highest number of medals at the event.

Dec. 13: Renowned Pakistani stuntman Sultan Golden set a new world record of 57 seconds for one mile by breaking the 2022 record for the fastest reverse car drive, achieving the feat in Quetta.

Dec. 14: A meeting of Special Representatives for Afghanistan from neighbouring countries, plus Russia, was held in Tehran whereby they urged the Afghan Taliban to rid their country of all militant groups.

Dec. 14: Pakistan issued NOCs to global cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance and Huobi (HTX).

Dec. 14: Pakistan Navy conducted a successful Live Weapon Firing of FM-90(N) ER (Extended Range) Surface-to-Air Missile in the North Arabian Sea..

Dec. 15: PMSS approved the appointment of Lieutenant General (R) Hassan Azhar Hayat as the Managing Director of Pakistan Land Port Authority.

Dec. 15: National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) Chairman Justice (retd) Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui served a one-month notice to the President, seeking termination of his service agreement.

Dec. 15: Pakistan's Zainab Khan etched her name in the history books by winning a gold medal at the 5th Kyokushin World Karate Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, becoming the first Pakistani woman to claim gold in full-contact karate.

State of Pakistan's Economy

The economy of Pakistan has endured a rather gloomy start to the fiscal year, with the first quarter of FY26 bringing a slew of worrying data. The current account deficit posted a year-on-year increase of 255 percent, foreign investment fell by 26 percent (YoY) and inflation climbed to 6.2 percent in October, the highest rate in a year. The Labour Force Survey 2024-25 has only added to the bad news by revealing that the unemployment rate had climbed to 7.1 percent over the last four years, with the total number of unemployed increasing by a painful 32 percent. If this is what an economy in recovery and 'stablization' looks like, then one shudders to think what an actual decline is like. And things are not looking like they will get any better. New analysis from the Lahore School of Economics expects growth to remain stagnant at 2.4 per cent for the current fiscal and the current account deficit to widen to $2.4 billion after a surplus of $2 billion in the previous fiscal.

A new industrial policy is in the pipeline but contingent on IMF approval. The government has removed the 0.25 per cent export development surcharge (EDS), directed the formation of an interim steering committee, which will oversee the utilization of the Rs52 billion currently available in the Export Development Fund and approved over Rs507 billion in development projects. These are encouraging steps forward but it still seems like the leadership is playing at the margins.

Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority

PVARA is an autonomous federal body governed by a multi-stakeholder board, including the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue. Its mandate is to curb illicit finance, protect consumers and unlock opportunities in fintech, remittances and tokenised assets, while fostering Sharia-compliant innovation through regulatory sandboxes.

Fafen's proposed reforms to strengthen local governments

Highlighting persistent gaps in the implementation of constitutional provisions related to devolution, the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) has published a policy brief, “Devolution in Practice: Ensuring Effective and Accountable Local Governments in Pakistan,” which calls for comprehensive reforms to ensure continuity and autonomy of local governments across all federating units.

In this paper, Fafen has proposed a set of actionable reforms to address chronic challenges in local governance:

(a) Timely local elections and defined tenure: The Constitution should clearly stipulate the tenure of local governments and mandate that elections be held within 60–90 days of expiry or dissolution, similar to general elections. The Constitution should also guarantee that the incumbent local government laws remain in effect and are not subject to being repealed. Pending amendments to local government laws should not become a reason to delay, postpone or cancel an election. Matters pertaining to elections, including the definitions of peasants, workers, and youth, as well as the qualifications and disqualifications of candidates, the nature of party- or non-party-based elections, and the use of secret ballots in both direct and indirect election modes, should be comprehensively addressed by the Elections Act 2017. These issues should not be subject to provincial legislation.

(b) Standardized powers across provinces: Provinces must devolve essential political, administrative and fiscal powers, with constitutional minimum standards defining core local functions such as primary education and municipal services.

(c) Guaranteed fiscal autonomy: Local governments should be empowered to collect and utilize local revenues, supported by regular, formula-based transfers through transparent Provincial Finance Commissions.

(d) Transparent district boundary changes: Instead of executive authorities, the provincial assemblies should control boundary alterations of districts through open legislative processes to prevent gerrymandering.

(e) Inclusive coordination and accountability: Provincial-local coordination committees and citizen accountability forums should be established to align development priorities and enhance oversight.

(f) Two-thirds majority for amendments to LG laws: Any change to local government laws should require approval from a two-thirds majority in the provincial assembly to safeguard continuity and prevent partisan manipulation.

Economic Cooperation Organization

ECO was originally established as the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) in 1964 by Iran, Pakistan and Türkiye, and was renamed the Economic Cooperation Organization in 1985. The grouping now covers a region of more than 460 million people and over 8 million square kilometres, connecting South, West, and Central Asia with Europe and the Arab world. The organization's core objective is to promote sustainable economic development and improve the collective welfare of its member states through enhanced regional cooperation.