Category: Pakistan

Overview. With the relaxation of the lockdown during Ramadan and on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, the number of C19 cases has risen to around 68,000 with 1399 fatalities. The majority of the people, especially in the provinces, have completely ignored social distancing rules and other mitigations. The government remained focused on countering the pandemic, and…

Overview. As C19 related deaths continue to increase in Pakistan, PM Khan welcomed debt relief measures by G-20 countries, the IMF and the World Bank. Under pressure from clergy and the faithful, the government has allowed a slight relaxation of lockdown measures for Ramadan. C19 Response. Pakistan’s initial response to the pandemic was firstly, much…

Overview. Coronavirus (C19) has overtaken all aspects of Pakistani life. Having failed to control their own outbreak, Iran was compelled to push Afghan refugees as well as Pakistani pilgrims to Afghanistan and Pakistan without enough warning or reaction time. Most virus victims in Pakistan have therefore arrived from neighbouring Iran.…… Read the rest

Overview. A fairly stable month in security terms, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and United Nations’ Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited during the month, and there were some political rumblings that undermined the stability of the PTI’s coalition. The ruling government’s coalition is shaking somewhat. In Punjab Province, the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) has attracted…

Overview. Pakistan wisely chose to remain neutral regards the confrontation between the US and Iran. Major terrorist incidents in KP and Balochistan Provinces and series of isolated terrorist attacks in the border regions featured during the month. Politically there was no major agitation against government. An FATF plenary on 16th February will be important for…

Overview. The last month 2019 proved testing for Pakistan on several fronts. There was a slight increase in terrorist activity by previously quiet organisations, coupled with various threat alerts issued by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). The Special Court’s death sentence verdict against ex-President Pervez Musharaf and subsequent concerns shown by the armed forces…