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Thousands attended funeral prayers at Quetta's Ayub Stadium for 27 policemen martyred in the Ziarat attack. The burials followed the end of a 10-day sit-in by relatives after the government agreed to a judicial probe into the Ziarat and Hanna Urak attacks.
Pakistan's Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced daily fuel price adjustments to curb market abuse, replacing the weekly cycle. The reform, approved by PM Shehbaz Sharif and the cabinet, follows US-Iran hostilities causing oil price fluctuations. Petrol rose by Rs5.44 and diesel by Rs31.05 per litre for three days starting July 18, 2026.
The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has filed a petition with Nepra seeking a Rs1.20 per unit increase in fuel cost charges for August, citing higher costs from expensive imported fuels, including a near doubling of RLNG prices to Rs35 per unit. If approved, the hike would add Rs15.7 billion to consumer bills. Nepra will hold a public hearing on July 29.
This commentary argues that CPEC 2.0 represents a critical shift from infrastructure to market-driven economic cooperation between China and Pakistan. It contends that while the first phase addressed infrastructure gaps, the new phase must navigate macroeconomic imbalances and security constraints to succeed.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal government to grant provisional provincial status to the region. The resolution, supported by both sides, calls for implementing the Sartaj Aziz committee recommendations, including representation in the National Assembly, while safeguarding Pakistan's stance on Kashmir. It also sought constitutional and political rights for the people.
Authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demolished about 200 houses in the Afghan settlement of Mattani, known as 'Mini Kabul', as part of a crackdown on undocumented Afghans. The interior ministry ordered nationwide arrests of Afghan citizens without visas starting July 10. About 2.3 million Afghans have been repatriated since the drive began in 2023.
Pakistan and Kuwait are negotiating an expanded defense pact that would include Pakistani troops, fighter jets, drones, and air defense systems in exchange for energy cooperation and investment. Talks are at an early stage and could be complicated by US-Iran tensions. Pakistan is not considering combat troop deployment at this stage.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall in AJK, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northeastern Balochistan from July 18 to 25. Sindh will remain hot and humid with isolated storms. Strong monsoon currents and a westerly disturbance are driving the system.
Security forces killed 24 terrorists in Bannu district and adjoining areas, according to the ISPR. The slain individuals were linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatist groups. The raids were in response to recent militant attacks, including a suicide bombing. President Zardari and PM Sharif praised the forces.
Pakistan extended its airspace ban on Indian civilian and military aircraft until August 23, 2026, via a Notice to Airmen issued on July 18. The ban applies to both Karachi and Lahore flight information regions, continuing restrictions initially imposed in April 2025.