Pakistan Current Affairs 2024-2026
🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)
Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your NLT Pakistan exam.
Pakistan Current Affairs — Key Facts
Political Developments
- Imran Khan: PTI founder, Pakistan’s former PM, incarcerated since 2023
- Shehbaz Sharif: Current PM (since April 2022), PML-N leader
- Asif Ali Zardari: President of Pakistan (since 2024)
- General Elections: Held February 8, 2024 (controversial results, internet shutdown)
Economic Issues
- IMF Program: Pakistan secured IMF bailout ($3 billion standby arrangement 2023)
- Currency: PKR depreciated significantly (~$1 = ~PKR 280+)
- Inflation: Reduced from peak ~38% (2023) to ~10-15% (2025-2026)
- CPEC Phase II: Focus on industrialization, agriculture cooperation
Security and Foreign Policy
- TTP: Resumed attacks in KP (2024-2025)
- Afghanistan: Tensions over TTP safe havens
- India: Strained relations, LOC tensions, no dialogue
- US: Transactional relationship, no major aid
- Saudi Arabia-Iran rapprochement: Positive for Pakistan’s regional standing
⚡ NLT High-Yield: Know current PM, President, major economic challenges, security issues.
🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)
Chapter: Pakistan Current Affairs 2024-2026
1.1 Political Landscape
General Elections 2024
- Date: February 8, 2024
- Result: Hung parliament — No single party majority
- Controversy: Internet shutdown, alleged rigging allegations
- PTI (Imran Khan): Won most seats but denied form
ation
- PML-N + PPP: Formed coalition government
- Shehbaz Sharif: Elected PM (second term)
- Asif Ali Zardari: Elected President (PPP)
Imran Khan Status
- Arrest: August 2023 (Al-Qadir Trust case)
- Convictions: Multiple cases (land corruption, leaking state secrets, marriage violation)
- Popularity: Maintains strong grassroots support despite cases
- PTI: Led by Imran Khan from jail (virtual rallies)
Coalition Government Challenges
- Economic crisis management
- Balancing civil-military relations
- Counter-terrorism operations
1.2 Economic Situation
IMF Program
- 2023: $3 billion Standby Arrangement (SBA) with IMF
- Conditions: Fiscal consolidation, energy tariff hikes, revenue mobilization
- 2024-25: Extended program, 9th review completed
- Success: Pakistan avoided default, reserves stabilizing
Currency and Inflation
- PKR: Depreciated from ~PKR 200/$ (2021) to ~PKR 280/$ (2024-25)
- Inflation: Peaked ~38% in 2023, reduced to ~10-15% by 2025-26
- Food inflation: Variable, affected by global prices
- Petroleum: International prices affect domestic rates
Key Economic Indicators (2025-26)
- GDP Growth: ~2.5-3% (modest recovery)
- Foreign Reserves: Stabilizing ~$10-12 billion
- Current Account: Surplus in some quarters (import compression)
- Tax-to-GDP: Still low (~10-11%)
Major Projects
- CPEC Phase II: Industrial cooperation, agricultural modernization
- Gwadar Port: Operational, though progress slower than planned
- ** renewable energy**: New projects (solar, wind) to address energy crisis
1.3 Security Situation
TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan)
- Resurgence: Attacks increased since 2022 (Taliban takeover in Afghanistan)
- 2024-25: Major attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (DI Khan, Bannu, etc.)
- Military operations: Zarb-e-Azb continues, new operations launched
- ** Durand Line**: Afghanistan refuses to act against TTP
Balochistan
- Insurgency: Ongoing low-intensity conflict
- CPEC projects: Targeted (Gwadar, mining projects)
- Separatists: BLA (Baloch Liberation Front), BRA
Counterterrorism Operations
- Operation Azm-e-Istiqlal (2023): New comprehensive operation
- Intelligence-based operations: Ongoing
- Border management: Fencing along Afghanistan border (Pak-Afghan fence)
1.4 Foreign Relations
India Relations
- No dialogue: Relations frozen since 2019 (Article 370 revocation)
- LOC tensions: Ceasefire agreement (2021) fragile
- Kashmir: Indian actions in IIOJK continue
- Water disputes: Kishenganga, Ratle hydroelectric projects
Afghanistan
- Taliban government: Not officially recognized by Pakistan
- TTP issue: Main bilateral tension
- Refugees: 3+ million, pressure to repatriate
- Border: Closure incidents at Torkham/Chaman
United States
- Relationship: Transactional, no major strategic partnership
- DTTI: Defense cooperation limited
- CAATSA: Pakistan concerned about Indian arms purchases from Russia
- China: Deepening strategic partnership
Middle East
- Saudi Arabia: Strategic partnership maintained
- UAE: Major trade and investment partner
- Iran: Balanced (Gaza, Yemen issue — different positions)
- Israel: No relations (support for Palestine)
Russia
- Growing: Military cooperation, energy discussions
- Afghanistan: Shared interest in stable Afghanistan
1.5 Regional Developments
SAARC
- Inactive: India-Pakistan tensions prevent progress
- Pakistan proposal: Resume trade with India (first step)
China Relations
- CPEC: Ongoing despite some delays
- Military: JF-17 Block III, naval cooperation
- Strategic: All-weather partnership
1.6 Domestic Issues
Water Crisis
- Per capita water: Below 1,000 m³ (water scarce country)
- Indus Waters Treaty: Ongoing (though tensions with India)
- New dams: Basha Dam (Diamer-Basha) — under construction
- Climate change: Glacial melt, changing monsoon patterns
Climate Change
- 2022 floods: Major devastation (30 million affected, $30 billion damage)
- Heat waves: Increasing frequency (2024-25 severe)
- Glacial Lake Outburst: Northern areas vulnerable
- Pakistan’s NDCs: Committed to 50% renewable energy by 2030
1.7 NLT Pakistan High-Yield Points
⚡ Commonly Asked:
- Current PM: Shehbaz Sharif (PML-N)
- Current President: Asif Ali Zardari (PPP)
- Election date: February 8, 2024
- IMF program: $3 billion SBA (2023)
- TTP: Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, attacks in KP
- CPEC Phase II: Industrial cooperation
- Water scarcity: Below 1,000 m³ per capita
- Pakistan’s largest trading partner: China (imports), USA (exports traditionally)
- Major exports: Textiles (60% of exports)
- Pakistan’s ranking: 5th most populous (240 million)