Overview

• An IMF staff-level accord would provide $1.0 billion under the EFF and $0.2 billion via the RSF once the Executive Board signs off, with the mission chief citing improved inflation, reserves and fiscal performance despite flood-hit growth now projected near 3.25%–3.5%.
• Punjab decided to recommend a federal ban on a named extremist party, move leaders to anti-terror schedules, freeze assets and bank accounts, block posters and social media, and tighten weapons registration and penalties.
• Sohail Afridi was sworn in as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister as the Peshawar High Court dismissed a challenge to his election, and he later said police prevented his requested meeting with the jailed PTI founder.
• Pakistan and Vietnam formally launched negotiations on a preferential trade agreement to deepen commerce and investment, with officials also discussing travel facilitation including potential direct flights.
• The military’s media wing condemned Indian military statements and labeled India the face of cross-border terrorism, warning any aggression would draw a rapid and decisive response.