AGP Executive Report

Middle East Security: Pakistan strongly condemned drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, calling them a violation of international law and a threat to regional peace; Islamabad reaffirmed support for Saudi sovereignty and said it will keep working for stability. Regional Diplomacy: Pakistan appointed its first ambassador to Armenia after diplomatic ties were normalised, with Shavqat Ali Khan presenting credentials in Yerevan. Governance & Provinces: PM adviser Rana Sanaullah said any referendum on new provinces would need Parliament’s approval, with boundaries and powers to be decided through constitutional processes. Islamabad Administration Plan: Planning sources say the proposed Islamabad administrative unit would likely start with the existing Islamabad Capital Territory, with any expansion requiring provincial assembly resolutions and formal delimitation; some federal powers could be devolved to local government, while law and order and master planning stay outside its scope. Weather Watch (Karachi): PMD forecasts light rain with thunderstorms in Karachi from Sept 14-16 as a low-pressure system moves westward. Cricket (Edgbaston): England completed a historic 3-0 Test whitewash over Pakistan, winning the third Test by eight wickets as Joe Root and Jordan Cox guided a chase of 130 after Pakistan’s debutant Razaullah’s late fightback.

Cricket Drama (Edgbaston Test): Pakistan’s debutant Razaullah smashed 81 off 63 with nine sixes and took four wickets as he and Mohammad Abbas rescued the third Test, setting England a 130-run target after Pakistan were 318/8. Women’s Asia Cup (Dubai): Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by four wickets in the semi-final, chasing 131 with a late surge as Fatima Sana’s four-wicket spell couldn’t finish the job. Politics & Protests (Petroleum levy): Jamaat-e-Islami has kept up its sit-in against the petroleum levy and announced a Sept 20 march to Islamabad, while PTI escalated its Sept 27 long-march push and challenged IHC handling, arguing due process and warning of restrictions in twin cities. Governance & Services: Senate panel urged a sweeping overhaul of Pakistan Post; NJPMC praised district judiciary performance on time-bound cases; PM ordered load-shedding capped at two hours and set up consumer grievance committees. Economy & Data: EPBD launched a free “Pakistan Economic Dashboard” with decades of official stats; SBP said Roshan Digital Account inflows hit $13.9bn by end-Aug. Health & Safety: Sindh confirmed another mpox case in Karachi, taking the year’s tally to 43. Local Administration (Karachi): Rangers’ deployment in Sindh extended for a year; Karachi police faced suspensions after surprise visits, while a school wall collapse in Orangi Town killed five.

Cricket Fallout: Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq were questioned by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency in Lahore over alleged dressing-room leaks, with their phones reportedly handed over for forensic checks as the PCB also reviews disciplinary issues after Pakistan’s England tour collapse. Test Match Update: At Edgbaston, Pakistan’s Shan Masood and Azan Awais steadied the innings with half-centuries, but Pakistan still trailed England by 136 runs at lunch on Day 3 as England’s lead stood at 320. Domestic Politics: The Islamabad High Court asked KP officials to assure that government machinery won’t be used for PTI’s Sept 27 march, while the hearing was adjourned and PTI moves toward an all-parties conference. Middle East Diplomacy: Iran’s Araghchi and Pakistan’s Army chief Asim Munir discussed de-escalation and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, as Pakistan warns Iran to rein in the Houthis. Public Health: Pakistan confirmed its 4th polio case of 2026 in KP’s Bannu, with a nationwide vaccination drive set for Sept 21-27. Weather Watch: PMD forecasts monsoon rains, thunderstorms and hailstorms across multiple regions from Sept 12-17. Women’s Cricket: Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final in Dubai, with the winner to meet India in the final.

Middle East Security: Pakistan warned Iran to rein in the Houthis after missile and drone attacks hit Saudi oil facilities, with Islamabad stressing its Saudi defence commitments while also saying no military response is being discussed “for now.” Energy Relief: Qatari LNG shipments are set to resume, with tankers expected to ease Pakistan’s LNG squeeze after earlier disruptions tied to Hormuz-linked risks. Counterterrorism: CTD operations in Peshawar killed five terrorists, including an alleged mastermind behind the Tarlai Imambargah suicide attack. Tax & Rights: President Zardari dismissed FBR representations, upholding the Federal Tax Ombudsman’s stance on protecting citizens’ confidential tax data. Telecom Oversight: Parliament’s IT panel summoned Jazz, Zong and Ufone over poor mobile/internet services and flagged possible action against regulators. Cybercrime: A survey found 86% of SMBs faced cyber incidents, while NCCIA data says cyber fraud cost Pakistanis Rs8.32bn over three years. Court & Protests: IHC rejected KP AG’s request to delay arguments over PTI’s Sept 27 long march. Foreign Exchange: Liquid foreign reserves crossed $23.7bn after commercial loan inflows. Polio Messaging: Punjab plans a doctors’ task force to counter polio vaccine rumours. Digital Push: JazzCash got a Zone Enterprise licence under STZA, and SC-NADRA signed an MoU to strengthen digital court services. Sports: England’s Ollie Robinson drove Pakistan’s collapse to 133 in the 3rd Test at Edgbaston, moving hosts toward a series sweep.

Edgbaston Test Fallout: England crushed Pakistan again, bowling them out for 133 and then extending the lead to 166 on Day 2 as Brook and Lawrence pushed the hosts to 299-6 at lunch, piling pressure on a batting unit already under fire. Cricket Off-Field Probe: Pakistan’s NCCIA summoned Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan over alleged dressing-room leaks, with the PCB handing over their phones for scrutiny. Mecca Pact Clarity: Pakistan’s foreign office says there’s no discussion of a military response under the Mecca Defense Pact over Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, and no plans to expand the pact for now. Regional Diplomacy: Ishaq Dar and Türkiye’s Hakan Fidan reaffirmed support for Palestine and backed UK steps on illegal Israeli settlements, while also stressing consultations through the R4 framework. Health Watch: Sindh reported another mpox case in Karachi, bringing the provincial tally to 42. Court Update: Islamabad’s court extended journalist Bilal Ghauri’s physical remand by two days after NCCIA sought more time. Business & Travel: AirSial became Pakistan’s second-largest airline by fleet size after adding a 12th aircraft, while NADRA will run a mobile registration team in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk for NICOP and related services. Sports (Women’s Hockey): India thrashed Pakistan 19-0 to reach the Women’s Junior Asia Cup semis.

Pakistan Cricket in UK: Anti-immigration protesters in Portsmouth wrongly targeted Pakistan’s Under-19 team at a Marriott hotel, after rumours they were asylum seekers; a local councillor intervened and the crowd dispersed once the mistake was confirmed, with the ECB reviewing security. Third Test Fallout: At Edgbaston, England bowled Pakistan out for 133 and reached 156-4 at stumps, taking a 23-run lead; Josh Tongue led with 4-42 as Pakistan’s new-look XI failed to stop the collapse. Security in Karachi: Three suspected dacoits were killed in an Azizabad police encounter after a cash robbery call. Remittances Boost: Pakistan’s overseas workers sent $3.656bn in August, up 16.5% year-on-year, supporting the external account. Saudi-Iran Tensions: Pakistan warned Iran to rein in the Houthis, saying spillover attacks on Saudi territory could activate the Makkah Defence Alliance. Islamabad Sheesha Crackdown: The Islamabad administration imposed a complete ban on sheesha cafés, while the IHC ordered rules within a month. Afghan Students Row: Pakistan’s medical regulator ordered Afghan students to return home and barred new admissions, prompting appeals from students and concern from the Afghan embassy. ADB on ML-1: The ADB says it aims to finalise Main Line-1 railway design by October, with procurement to follow.

Edgbaston Test Turmoil: England won the toss and chose to bowl as Pakistan slumped to 100-7 at lunch on day one of the third Test, with Ollie Robinson taking his 100th Test wicket and Josh Tongue striking again; Pakistan’s reshuffled XI with three debutants failed to stop another top-order collapse, leaving the tour on the brink of a whitewash. PCB Probe: The PCB has launched an internal inquiry into “discipline and conduct” after the mid-series shake-up that saw seven players and two coaches removed. Afghan Students Crackdown: Pakistan ordered medical institutions to expel Afghan students and halt fresh admissions amid deteriorating ties, with enrolled students told to return home. Karachi Crypto Case: Karachi police obtained four years of Binance crypto trading records in the Mir Raza murder investigation, as investigators dig for financial clues. Balochistan Violence: BLA claimed 28 operations across Balochistan, saying 52 Pakistani personnel were killed. Remittances Up: Pakistan received $3.66bn in workers’ remittances in August, up 16.5% year-on-year. Governance & Daily Life: PM Shehbaz gave in-principle approval to Auto Policy 2026-31, while Sindh cut school hours by one hour provincewide.

Karachi & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Coordination: KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi met Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab to discuss inter-provincial cooperation, strengthening local government, and urban development. City Safety & Crime: Wahab said there were no casualties in a fire at the Mayor’s Office, while police reported one death and five injuries in a Fisheries Market firing. Fuel & Cost Pressure: Petrol rose by Rs5.58 to Rs364.35 and HSD by Rs4.18 to Rs385.95; SITE industrialists warned daily oil hikes could force closures, and goods transporters announced a 5% fare increase. Business & Tax Reform: FBR rolled out digitally operated tax settlement and a faceless regime; FBR also promoted the “Aasan Tax” fixed-turnover scheme for small traders. Governance & Housing: Senate Housing Committee ordered NAB to probe alleged annexation in Islamabad’s Sky Gardens Housing Scheme; ECP directed MPs to file asset-liability statements by Dec 31. Tech & Economy: World Bank flagged slow disbursement gaps in a USD 69.16m digital economy project; easypaisa partnered with KTrade for instant PSX account onboarding. Nuclear Safety: PAEC chief reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to IAEA nuclear safety and security standards. Sports: ICC fined Women’s Asia Cup player Gull Feroza for dissent; Pakistan’s cricket squad shake-up ahead of Edgbaston left captain Babar Azam saying it was “news to me.”

EU Pressure on GSP+: EU lawmakers and the Islamabad delegation warned Pakistan that market access won’t be protected by promises alone, with GSP+ “far from guaranteed” without measurable progress on rights and rule of law. Regional Security: PM Shehbaz condemned fresh Houthi strikes on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure, while Iran urged de-escalation via US return to the Islamabad memorandum. Islamabad Governance & Policing: Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated an Islamabad Police command-and-control centre, and a proposal is being drafted to add a local tax if the capital becomes autonomous, with revenue earmarked for services. Data Privacy Shock: NCCIA says it busted a “Mini NADRA” network, seizing 3TB of data tied to 10+ million Pakistanis. Energy & Costs: Petrol rose to Rs358.77/litre and HSD to Rs381.77/litre, adding pressure amid Middle East-linked oil volatility. Sports: Pakistan’s junior hockey team booked Men’s Junior Asia Cup semis by beating Malaysia 5-2; Women’s Asia Cup also saw Pakistan qualify via Nashra Sandhu’s six-wicket haul. Afghan Students: PMDC ordered Afghan medical/dental students to return home and barred new admissions. Karachi Rights Case: A KU professor alleged severe torture after an incident near Safoora Chowrangi; police detained hotel staff.

Fuel & Power Shock: Petrol jumps Rs12.90 to Rs358.77/litre and HSD by Rs3.72 to Rs381.77 as global oil pressures bite. Nepra also approved a quarterly tariff rise of Rs0.5194 per unit, adding about Rs12.67bn to bills, while UoSC rules for open-access users move forward to enable competitive power trading. Security & Governance: ECC okays Rs6.6bn for 30 bullet-proof vehicles for the SCO summit; Senate panel directs rationalising accountability/special courts by caseload. Economy & Markets: PSX clears SE Fruits & Vegetables’ IPO to raise up to Rs1.92bn; TCP issues tender to export 107,739 tonnes of imported sugar to manage surplus. Politics of New Provinces: Opposition warns against hasty province creation without consensus; President Zardari cuts short his London trip amid the debate. Human Rights & Courts: SC upholds Bait-ul-Mal support for Hindu girls; NA panel backs FOSPAH ruling in Dr Ayesha harassment case. Cricket Crisis: PCB launches an internal inquiry into “discipline and conduct” after England tour turmoil and player reshuffles. Sports (Women’s Asia Cup): Pakistan beat Hong Kong to reach the semi-finals after choosing to bat first.

Cricket Discipline: PCB has launched an internal disciplinary inquiry on Pakistan’s England tour, with Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan under scrutiny after reports said phones and contacts in London were reviewed following heavy defeats. Women’s Cricket: ICC fined captain Fatima Sana 10% of her match fee and added a demerit point for a send-off gesture after dismissing Shafali Verma in the Women’s Asia Cup. Human Rights: A National Assembly committee backed implementation of a decision in a sexual harassment case involving former HSA vice chancellor Dr Shahzad Ali Khan, urging action to prevent workplace harassment. Public Safety: A major fire broke out at an old clothes factory in Karachi’s Landhi EPZ, with three people reported in critical condition from smoke inhalation. Local Justice: Police filed an interim challan in the Mir Raza murder case but admitted no suspect has been identified yet. Economy & Prices: Gold prices fell in Pakistan, dropping Rs2,400 per tola to Rs463,136 amid a global bullion dip. Governance: Islamabad’s proposed new administrative model would create a 27-member elected assembly and shift powers toward local government. International Aid: Pakistan handed over 100 tons of relief supplies to flood-hit Nepal.

Defence & Martyrs Day: Pakistan marked 6 September with tributes across the country, with leaders and ISPR highlighting sacrifices from 1965 through Marka-e-Haq and ongoing counter-terror efforts. Power & City Services: IESCO issued a detailed power suspension schedule for parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi for routine maintenance. Lahore Heritage & Tourism: Lahore’s Kamran Ki Baradari is set for restoration and beautification, with plans for a riverfront hotel, gardens, access road, boat rides and a heritage museum; “History by Night” tours resume from Sept 12 with a revised fee. Health & Education: NADRA will set up an International Travelers Vaccination Centre at Lahore airport with digital certificates; obesity is flagged as a major chronic health challenge; SIUT appoints Dr Azhar Rashid as Chief of Oncology Services; a thalassemia postgraduate diploma program is launched in Karachi. Economy & Governance: Cabinet moves to draft a new BIT policy and penalise refineries that miss Oct 1 upgrade agreements; FBR sets timelines to clear deferred sales tax refunds; digital P2G payments keep expanding. Protests & Politics: JI’s petroleum levy sit-in in Karachi enters day 22; KP CM Sohail Afridi’s Karachi rally faces road closures and delays. Sports: PCB’s England tour overhaul continues, while PSL owners discuss shifting the 2027 window to January-February.

Defence Day & security: ISPR released the national song “Manzil Pakistan” to mark Defence and Martyrs’ Day, while armed forces reiterated readiness to defend the country. Regional diplomacy: PM Shehbaz’s government welcomed export insurance support for SMEs via the Export Development Fund and EXIM Bank, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held calls with Saudi, Turkish and Egyptian counterparts on de-escalation and follow-ups under the Makkah Defence Alliance. Gaza stance: Pakistan and seven Arab/Islamic countries condemned Israeli calls for forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, warning it violates international law. Energy & economy: Pakistan issued its third LNG tender for September after rejecting earlier high-priced bids, underscoring pressure to secure fuel at acceptable rates. Public services: NADRA will offer e-passport renewals and reprints at all centres from September 7, with new passport issuance still handled by passport offices. Cricket & politics: India routed Pakistan women in the Asia Cup, bowling Pakistan out for a record-low 55; meanwhile, PTI leader Hammad Azhar was arrested in Multan over May 9 cases, and Pakistan’s England tour turmoil continues with PCB reshuffling after heavy Test defeats. Humanitarian aid: Pakistan sent 100 tonnes of flood relief to Nepal.

Women’s Asia Cup Shock: India spinners tore through Pakistan as the women were bowled out for a record-low 55, with Shree Charani and Prema Rawat taking three wickets each, and India chased 56 in 8.4 overs to win by seven wickets and finish group stage unbeaten. Cricket Turmoil: Ahead of the 3rd Test vs England, the PCB reportedly took Pakistan players’ phones into custody, adding to the already messy England tour. Defence Day Messages: President Zardari and PM Shehbaz paid tribute to martyrs and veterans on Defence and Martyrs Day, linking the 1965 spirit to “Marka-e-Haq” and national unity. Education Reform: IBCC approved a new grading policy with 40% minimum passing marks and moves toward understanding-based assessment, plus B-Form/CNIC inclusion on certificates. Security & Justice: Islamabad High Court ordered a JIT to trace missing girl Aisha Fatima after seven months. Trade & Exports: PM Shehbaz welcomed a Rs3bn export insurance risk pool for SMEs via EDF and EXIM Bank, while EU officials warned GSP+ access depends on measurable progress. Local Governance: Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab handed over 100 homes to minority families in Malir with solar and clean-water support.

Judicial Expansion in Lahore: Chief Justice Aalia Neelum inaugurated 26 new courts at the Lahore High Court’s 11-storey building, adding four courts per floor (ground to fourth), plus record rooms, conference spaces and a cafeteria for staff and police. Security & Justice: In Quetta, businessman Salahuddin Noorzai was shot dead; his family staged a protest sit-in after the killing, while police opened an investigation. Water Tensions: India’s first rock check dam on the Indus in Ladakh is set to divert river water for local irrigation, raising fresh concerns for Pakistan after the Indus Waters Treaty suspension. Public Services: Islamabad Traffic Police facilitation vans delivered driving licence services to 7,000+ citizens this year, including learner permits and renewals. Sports Hosting: Pakistan finalised dates for the South Asian Games 2027 (April 4–11) across Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Defence Day: A Defence Day symposium in Islamabad honoured armed forces’ sacrifices and discussed national security challenges. Power Sector Reform: DPM/FM Ishaq Dar pushed for consumer-focused electricity reforms and privatization outcomes. Cricket Spotlight: Women’s Asia Cup clash in Dubai pits India (semi-finalists) against Pakistan, with Smriti Mandhana’s record form in focus. Health Travel: Islamabad opened an International Travelers Vaccination Center with NADRA-linked, digitised, cashless certification.

Test Cricket Shake-Up: Interim red-ball coach Mike Hesson says he had no role in Pakistan’s mid-series Test squad overhaul and insists reports of Salman Ali Agha “snubbing” King Charles were “made up,” adding the dropped players had already been released before the royal meeting. Pakistan Economy & Finance: Finance Minister Aurangzeb said the government is working on a rupee-denominated, dollar-settled bond and exploring tokenisation of some Eurobond debt to diversify borrowing beyond banks. Infrastructure & Power Oversight: A Senate panel flagged delays and alleged irregularities in the 765kV Dasu-Islamabad transmission line, while PM Shehbaz pushed for early groundbreaking of the ML-1 railway with ADB support. SMEs & Digital Payments: SMEDA and SBP discussed cluster-based lending for SMEs, and SBP clarified that Raast is a legitimate domestic payment channel after a misleading social media claim. Public Services & Cities: Lahore intensified anti-smog enforcement, and Punjab announced seven more electric buses for Sargodha. Security: Pakistan’s military said 48 militants were killed in Balochistan operations. Sports (Grassroots): PFF launched an injury prevention workshop for district football coaches ahead of the District Football Championship.