Pakistan’s Worst Economic Crisis and the Engineering Paradox: Why a Nation of Builders Is Being Forced to Watch Itself Collapse
This contradiction—between national need and institutional neglect—lies at the heart of Pakistan’s economic crisis. Many unemployed engineers are forced into survival jobs such as delivery services, retail sales, clerical work, or private tutoring. Contractors bidding for public and private projects are legally required to employ Pakistan Engineering Council–registered engineers. Unemployed engineers, desperate for income, are forced to sell their PEC stamp for as little as Rs. Pakistan’s chronic energy crisis, water mismanagement, and infrastructure decay are structural outcomes of this mismatch between authority and expertise.
Source:The Nation
January 22, 2026 08:00 UTC
'Wanted criminal' shot dead
He had been involved in crimes including murder, dacoity, highway robbery and contract killingsA suspect wanted in 48 criminal cases in South Punjab, was killed in an alleged encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) Khanewal, police said on Tuesday. Police said Nazir Ahmed alias Nazir Awad, a resident of village 4-AH near Khanewal, was killed during an exchange of fire with CCD personnel in a mango orchard in Kabirwala. Police said Nazir Awad had been active in the criminal world since 1996 and was considered a "mentor" by dacoits operating in riverine (kacha) areas as well as criminal gangs across the province. He was regarded as one of the most feared criminals in Khanewal, often terrorising rivals by opening fire on their homes. Last year, he allegedly shot dead a Khanewal Municipal Committee employee, Zafar Gujjar, in broad daylight while the victim was on his way to duty.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 22, 2026 04:44 UTC
Karachi administration has become helpless in the face of such incidents: SK Niazi
PTI has reached this point because of its own deeds: Tahirah Aurangzeb, PML-N and PPP are united for the national interest: Shahida Rehmani, Protest is our right: Prince GustasapBy Staff ReporterISLAMABAD: Editor In Chief Pakistan Group of Newspaper and Chairman Roze News SK Niazi while talking in his renowned talk show Sachi Baat, Prince Gustav defeated Nawaz Sharif, Mehmood Achakzai used to come to my programs every week, Incidents happen every day in Karachi, Sindh government is not doing the work it should have done there, Karachi administration has become helpless in the face of such incidents, the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is much worse than in other provinces, you have been in power for thirteen years, the people are also with you, PTI could not improve the conditions of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, elections have never been fair in our country, a lot of health work is being done in Sindh, very good hospitals have been built in Sindh, corruption has reached its peak in the country, what can they do on February 8, they have held rallies before, they will be wasting their time on February 8, Bilawal Bhutto is doing good work, the government, together with the Field Marshal, established good relations with other countries, corruption should be eradicated from the country, Pakistan’s internal situation could not fix this. business people are not coming to the country; people are sending money out of the country. Tahirah Aurangzeb said everyone can wish, what’s wrong with Bilawal Bhutto becoming Prime Minister, differences are the beauty of democracy, PPP and PML-N have made great sacrifices for the country, PTI has reached this point because of its own deeds, I have no desire to meet the founder of PTI, Mahmood Achakzai is a very confused politician, we have no confrontation with the PPP, Fire in Gul Plaza is a big tragedy, Karachi is a very big city, the lives lost in Gul Plaza are extremely sad, the provinces also help us, the 18th Amendment has given powers to the provinces, many illegal encroachments were demolished in Punjab too, during the Plaza incident, the machinery was working very slowly, human lives are all important, Whoever is involved in this incident should be punished, operation underway in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there was zero terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the PML-N era, Field Marshal has said that the operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated, terrorism is on the rise in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Prime Minister has asked Syed Murad Ali Shah to purchase the latest equipment to control the fire, very good hospitals have been built in Punjab too, you won’t see much garbage in Rawalpindi, If you see garbage, I will give up my seat, Nawaz Sharif gave her space for Shaukat Khanum Hospital. Shahida Rehmani said PPP and PML-N are separate parties, the person the people vote for will be elected, PML-N and PPP are united for the national interest, we are committed to the Charter of Democracy, there is no room for chaos in the country, Karachi Gul Plaza is a very heartbreaking incident, Plaza’s union is responsible, the union there had not taken any emergency measures, the union did not install a fire and fighter system, there is no compensation for the lives lost, when the news came, water reached the plaza within twenty minutes, there is a lot of pressure on MA Jinnah, Deputy Mayor arrived immediately after the incident, debris is being removed, the intensity of the fire was very high, people who were inside could not come out because the doors were closed, the nation comes together on the occasion of such tragedies, we should work together during such incidents, A lot of work has been done in Sindh after NFC, people from all over the country come to Sindh for treatment. MNA Tehreek-e-Insaf Prince Gustasap said PTI is fighting for the national interest, I have heard Khawaja Asif’s conversation, A population of 42 million cannot be controlled like this, Punjab’s population has crossed 120 million, similarly, the population of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also increased, After the 18th Amendment, powers have been transferred to the provinces, after the provinces were given these powers, they could not be extended further, powers are not being given at the lower level, If there were powers at the grassroots level, incidents like Karachi would not have happened, we need to fix the system in the country, Founder built Shaukat Khanum Hospital for all four provinces, we must leave behind and move forward, all parties should unite for the national interest, Governance will not improve until action is taken, protest is our right, no one can stop it.
Source:The Patriot
January 21, 2026 19:26 UTC
Mahmood Achakzai as Opposition Leader
Asif MahmoodPakistan Tehreek e Insaf is hailing Mahmood Achakzai’s appointment as Leader of the Opposition as a political win. The message this decision sends is brutal: when it comes to real political engagement, PTI believes none of its own people are up to the job. If, however, PTI expects Achakzai to lead a high voltage resistance campaign inside parliament, the choice is no less puzzling. PTI’s political behavior follows a familiar pattern. Now Mahmood Achakzai has entered this arena.
Source:The Patriot
January 21, 2026 19:26 UTC
A new engine for economic revival
Pakistan and China have long shared a strategic partnership, but the future of this relationship increasingly depends on economic depth rather than symbolism. The focus of the meeting exports, manufacturing, mining, minerals, and national industrial policy reflects a pragmatic understanding of Pakistan’s real economic strengths. At a time when Pakistan faces persistent balance-of-payments pressures, low industrial output, and declining foreign investment, such high-level engagements signal a renewed seriousness in translating diplomatic ties into economic dividends. For too long, Pakistan’s industrial development has been hampered by policy inconsistency, red tape, and lack of coordination between institutions. In essence, Pakistan–China industrial cooperation is no longer just a diplomatic slogan it is becoming a strategic economic necessity.
Source:The Patriot
January 21, 2026 19:26 UTC
IHC seeks response on petition challenging presiden
ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday sought responses from the federal government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on a petition filed by Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) challenging the presidential ordinance delaying local government elections in the federal capital. During the proceedings, Jamaat-e-Islami Islamabad Ameer Mohammad Nasrullah Randhawa appeared before the court along with his counsel, Advocate Chaudhry Shoaib Ahmed. The counsel further contended that local government elections in Islamabad had now been delayed for the fourth time. He requested the court to declare the presidential ordinance null and void and direct the authorities to hold local government elections in the federal capital. The court issued notices to the federal government and the Election Commission, seeking their responses, and adjourned the hearing until January 27.
Source:The Patriot
January 21, 2026 08:12 UTC
LHC begins process to appoint judges t
LAHORE: Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC), Justice Aalia Neelum, has initiated a formal process to fill all 60 approved judge positions in the court, including 18 currently vacant seats. The LHC has an approved strength of 60 judges, however, this number has never been fully achieved in the past. At present, 42 judges, including the Chief Justice, are performing judicial duties at the LHC, while 18 seats remain vacant. The selected names will then be forwarded by the Chief Justice and other commission members to the Chairman of the Judicial Commission. Lahore High Court Bar Secretary Farrukh Ilyas Cheema also welcomed the move, saying it would help ensure prompt justice and strengthen the judicial system.
Source:The Patriot
January 21, 2026 08:12 UTC
PM Shehbaz reaches Davos to attend WEF's annual meeting
ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reached Davos, Switzerland, to participate in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) from January 20-22, 2026. The prime minister was warmly received by Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nation Muhammad Bilal, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Switzerland Marghoob Saleem, and Pakistan’s diplomatic staff in Switzerland at the Zurich airport. During his official visit, the prime minister will engage in important diplomatic and economic activities besides holding bilateral meetings with various heads of state and government, as well as leaders of international organizations. “Arrived in Davos, Switzerland, to advance Pakistan’s engagement at the World Economic Forum with global trade and investment partners,” the prime minister wrote on his official ‘X’ account. “We are ready to harness this potential into mutually beneficial economic cooperation and long-term investment,” he added.
Source:The Patriot
January 21, 2026 08:12 UTC
PMD forecasts cold, dry weather
ISLAMABAD : The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast cold and dry weather for most parts of the country while fog over a few areas of Punjab and upper Sindh in the morning and night during the next 24 hours. The federal capital Islamabad and its surrounding areas are expected to experience partly cloudy and cold weather. Partly cloudy and cold conditions are likely in other districts. In Punjab, cold and dry weather will dominate most areas, with partly cloudy conditions in the Pothohar region. In Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, cloudy weather with isolated rain and snowfall is expected.
Source:The Patriot
January 21, 2026 08:12 UTC
ECP restores membership of 23 lawmakers after asset disclosure
ISLAMABAD :The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reinstated the membership of 23 more legislators from the Senate, National Assembly and provincial assemblies following the submission of their annual statements of assets and liabilities for the financial year 2024-25. According to the commission, the restored lawmakers include two Senators, 11 members of the National Assembly, three members each from the Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies, and one member from the Balochistan Assembly. The parliamentarians had been suspended on January 16 for failing to meet the mandatory disclosure deadline of December 31, as stipulated under Section 137 of the Elections Act, 2017. The Election Commission had suspended the membership of 159 members for failing to submit their asset declarations. The membership of 113 members was restored after the submission of the declarationsAccording to Election Commission of Pakistan, the membership of 46 members is still suspended due to failure to submit their annual statements of assets and liabilities for the financial year 2024-25.
Source:The Patriot
January 21, 2026 08:12 UTC
Karachi Gul Plaza fire toll rises to 28, search for missing continues
KARACHI – Rescue teams continued combing through the debris of Karachi’s Gul Plaza on Tuesday as the death toll from the devastating fire rose to 28, while dozens remain missing. Smoke was still visible from the rubble as heavy machinery was deployed to clear debris, particularly from the basement. According to Rescue 1122, seven bodies have been handed over to families, while 21 remain at the morgue pending DNA identification. Police officials said 38 out of more than 65 missing persons were last traced to the plaza through mobile phone data. He added that the Sindh government had formed an inquiry committee to determine the cause of the fire and investigate possible negligence.
Source:The Patriot
January 21, 2026 08:12 UTC
Pakistani rice loses edge to India
He noted that Pakistani rice is currently priced higher in the global market, which is creating difficulties for exporters. In the case of non-Basmati rice, he said there is a price difference of about $20 per tonne, making Pakistani rice less competitive internationally. He added that if rice exports are conducted under such G2G frameworks, the use of the EDF may not be required. He said price, reliability and quality remain key considerations for importing countries and stressed the importance of reviving the Pakistan-Indonesia rice cooperation framework through renewed dialogue. He assured that the issues raised, particularly those related to rice cooperation, agricultural market access and trade facilitation, would be conveyed to Jakarta.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 21, 2026 04:16 UTC
Blue Jays: Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltrán elected to Hall of Fame, Edwin Encarnación drops off ballot
Blue Jays: Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltrán elected to Hall of Fame, Edwin Encarnación drops off ballotThere will be two other players joining former Toronto Blue Jay Jeff Kent in the 2026 Hall of Fame class. On Tuesday evening, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voted Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltrán to the Hall of Fame. Earlier this off-season, Kent was voted in by the Contemporary Baseball Era CommitteeThere were two former Blue Jays on the ballot, Edwin Encarnación and Mark Buehrle. This was Jones’ ninth year on the ballot, having received 66.2% of the 75% of the needed votes in 2025. In four other seasons, Jones received at least one MVP vote.
Source:The Nation
January 21, 2026 01:24 UTC
A new green revolution through strategic cooperation
Pakistan’s renewed commitment to strengthening its strategic economic partnership with China, particularly in agriculture and food security, reflects both pragmatic policymaking and long-term vision. Yet, chronic challenges such as low productivity, outdated farming practices, weak infrastructure and high post-harvest losses have constrained its true potential. These initiatives are not merely symbolic; if implemented effectively, they can enhance productivity, strengthen food security and expand export capacity, while fostering mutual trust between the two nations. Ultimately, the success of Pakistan–China agricultural cooperation will depend on consistent policy implementation, transparency and local capacity building. If matched with effective governance and farmer inclusion, this partnership can transform Pakistan’s agricultural landscape, reinforce food security and contribute to regional economic stability.
Source:The Patriot
January 21, 2026 00:14 UTC
House full screening of Kamil Chima’s The Clown: A powerful exploration of female empowerment, confinement, and rebellion
One of the standout moments of the evening was the revelation that the film’s visual environment, from the house and streets to the lighting and color palette, was entirely constructed. Farheen Raza Jaffry, who plays the protagonist, delivered a powerful moment during the discussion, revealing that a pivotal bruise shown in the film was real—stemming from her own experience with domestic violence. The clown costume serves as a powerful metaphor, both absurd and unsettling, representing anonymity, fleeting freedom, and an escape from her imposed identity. Farheen Raza Jaffry delivers a remarkable performance, balancing restraint with emotional depth. The screening at Cue Cinemas Lahore underscored the power of cinema to provoke thought, spark dialogue, and foster empathy.
Source:Pakistan Today
January 20, 2026 22:56 UTC