13 September 2025

Politics & Power

1. Zardari in Beijing: President Asif Ali Zardari begins a 10-day visit to China, aiming to deepen strategic and economic ties
2. PTI–Govt Standoff: Talks remain stalled as PTI refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the ruling coalition, keeping Imran Khan’s release uncertain
3. SCO Summit in Pakistan: PM Shehbaz confirms Pakistan will host the next Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, boosting regional diplomacy

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📉 Economy & Finance

1. GDP Outlook: IMF projects 3.5% growth for FY25, contingent on fiscal discipline and stable global commodity prices
2. Remittance Boom: Pakistan celebrates a 27% surge in remittances, hitting $38.3 billion in FY24–25
3. Floods & Budget Strain: Punjab floods trigger rising fatalities and financial losses, prompting fears of a mini-budget
4. SBP Policy Watch: Central bank likely to hold interest rates steady amid inflation concerns linked to climate shocks
5. Trade Deficit Deepens: Balance of trade worsens by 29.01% in July–August 2025 compared to last year

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🧠 Society & Digital

1. Digital Disruptions: Frequent internet outages and social media restrictions raise alarms about Pakistan’s digital future A.
2. Audit Controversy: Auditor General’s latest report faces scrutiny, sparking debate over transparency in public spending