The United States denied entry to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, K.K. Ahsan Wagan, at the airport despite his valid visa and travel documents. He was detained by immigration officials in Los Angeles during a personal visit, with the authorities raising concerns over a ‘controversial visa reference’. Questions were also raised about his diplomatic protocols, though the exact details of the matter remain unclear. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Wagan was on a personal visit and stated that a thorough investigation is underway.

At least four Pakistani soldiers were killed in an attack by the Taliban in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to an AFP report. The region shares a border with Afghanistan and has witnessed increasing violence in recent years. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that seven others were injured. Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, violent incidents in Pakistan have surged. The outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) remains highly active in the country’s northwest, frequently targeting security forces.

The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory urging citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and security risks. The advisory specifically mentions Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as high-risk regions where militant groups remain active. It warns of potential attacks on transport hubs, shopping malls, military sites, airports, universities, and places of worship. Additionally, U.S. officials in Pakistan have been restricted from attending large public gatherings.

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Khurram Shehzad confirmed that China has extended a $2 billion loan to Pakistan to help stabilize its economy. According to a World Bank report published last December, China remains Pakistan's largest creditor, holding nearly $29 billion in loans. Reuters reported that after securing a $7 billion IMF bailout in September 2024, Pakistan has been striving to strengthen its financial position. If the initial phase of the loan review is successful, Pakistan is expected to receive an additional $1 billion.

Pakistan has instructed all Afghan nationals holding Afghan Citizen Cards to leave the country by March 31, 2025. Since November 2023, Pakistan has been sending Afghan nationals back to their homeland. Although plans to expel all Afghan nationals have been in place, this is the first time the Ministry of Interior has officially confirmed it. Over 800,000 Afghan nationals have already returned to Afghanistan, but an estimated 3 million Afghan nationals remain in Pakistan.

A devastating suicide bombing at the Bannu military cantonment in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has left at least 11 people dead and 30 others injured. Among the deceased are three women and two children, according to local media reports. The attack occurred on Tuesday after Iftar, when two explosive-laden vehicles were driven into the military facility’s perimeter wall. Following the blasts, an exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the deaths of six attackers. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister and cricket World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan is being held in solitary confinement in Adiala Jail, reserved for death row inmates, according to his party, PTI. Party spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram alleged that authorities are preventing Khan from meeting anyone, in violation of court orders. Imran Khan has been in jail since August 5, 2023.

Pakistan has appointed a new local coach to lead their team. The announcement comes as the team gears up for important international matches. In the FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month, Argentina will face Brazil and Uruguay. Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, has already named a 33-player preliminary squad, which includes star forward Lionel Messi. The team will take on Uruguay in Montevideo on March 22, and will host Brazil in Buenos Aires on March 26. Lisandro Martinez has been excluded due to injury, but the squad remains largely intact, with Scaloni fielding a fully-strength team for the upcoming qualifiers.

Desperate for a better life, Pakistani youth like Amir Ali are risking perilous journeys to Europe. After being denied a visa seven times, Ali resorted to illegal migration. Moroccan authorities recently rescued him along with 21 other Pakistanis from a stranded boat near the Atlantic coast. Tragically, out of 50 men who perished from starvation and dehydration, 43 were Pakistani. Ali’s father cited financial hardship as the reason for the journey. Experts argue that migrants seek not only financial security but also a higher standard of living, as similar work in Pakistan pays only $3 compared to $20–$25 in Europe.

At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Pakistan has condemned India’s “illegal occupation” of Jammu and Kashmir and its continued suppression of Kashmiri self-determination. Pakistani Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar highlighted his country’s commitment to human rights, citing over 70 new laws passed in the past decade. He also called for an update on the UN’s Kashmir report and condemned ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza.

After 29 years, Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament and is leaving no room for security risks. Over 12,000 police officers have been deployed in Rawalpindi alone.

However, frustrations over excessive duty hours and non-compliance with orders have led to the dismissal of over 100 security personnel.

A senior Punjab police official confirmed that many officers assigned to protect foreign teams were either absent or refused to take responsibility. Consequently, strict disciplinary actions were taken, leading to their dismissal.

After multiple postponements, the South Asian Games (SA Games) are finally set to take place in Pakistan after five years. According to a decision made in a meeting of the South Asian Games Federation in Lahore on Tuesday, the event will be held from January 23 to 31 next year.

Bangladesh Olympic Association’s Deputy Secretary General, Ashikur Rahman, and Executive Member, Sirajuddin Alamgir, attended the meeting. The games will be hosted across three cities—Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad. A wide range of sports, including football, hockey, athletics, swimming, volleyball, basketball, handball, cricket, and archery, have been approved for the competition.

International human rights organizations and foreign governments have raised serious concerns over Pakistan’s ongoing deportation of undocumented Afghan refugees and eviction of legal refugees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Reports suggest that many deported refugees could face severe persecution under the Taliban regime. The Shehbaz government stated that those with agreements to migrate to third countries will be allowed to do so, while others will be sent back to Afghanistan. The UN Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration have expressed deep concern over the sudden arrests of refugees.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter has announced a province-wide strike on February 25 to protest the delays in resolving cases against former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Protests will take place in every district, with the central demonstration planned for Peshawar. PTI leaders are mobilizing supporters across the province, aiming to intensify pressure on the authorities.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed his desire to make Pakistan a nation greater than India. Speaking at a large rally on Sunday, he said, “One day, we will leave India behind. And if we fail to do that, my name won’t be Shahbaz Sharif. We will work day and night to transform Pakistan into a great nation and surpass India.” Shahbaz added that his government is focused on achieving economic stability, with the goal of reducing Pakistan’s reliance on foreign loans.