February | Pakistan

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has recorded a tax revenue shortfall of Rs429 billion during the July–February period of the current fiscal year, including an Rs85 billion gap in February alone, according to official documents.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to Qatar from February 23 to 24, 2026, at the invitation of the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Wednesday said that the Basant festival, which was revived by the provincial government earlier this month in Lahore after an 18-year hiatus, would now be celebrated in February 2027. “I want to state categorically … that Basant will be celebrated in February 2027. No suggestion for celebrating it before that is under consideration,” she said in a video message posted by the Punjab government’s official account on X. She also noted that people in a couple of cities had celebrated the festival over the last few days. “We did not give a harsh reaction at that as there were no losses reported,” Bokhari added. The Punjab minister highlighted people’s “excitement” for the festival and said she shared the same sentiment. Bokhari reiterated that the Basant would be celebrated in February 2027 and would be “bigger and better than the one held this year”. The three-day Basant festival was celebrated in Lahore from February 6-8, following the Punjab government’s decision to l...

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) said on Friday that the first day of Ramazan is “likely to fall” on February 19, 2026. The new moon is expected to be born on Feb 17, 2026, at 5:01pm, according to the statement by the space agency. “At the time of sunset on Feb 18, 2026, the age of the new moon will be approximately 25 hours and 48 minutes. The time duration between sunset and moonset is expected to be 59 minutes along the coastal areas of the country,” added the Suparco statement. “Consequently, the 1st of Ramazan may likely to fall on 19 Feb 2026.” However, the agency said the final announcement regarding the beginning of the Islamic holy month will be made by the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, “which is the sole competent authority, based on credible witness testimonies from across the country”. Earlier this week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) stated that there is a “fair chance” of sighting the new moon of Ramazan on the evening of February 18. “According to astronomica...

Astronomers have announced that the year’s first solar eclipse will take place on February 17, though it will not be observable from Pakistan or most parts of Asia.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain and snowfall in various parts of the country from today until February 10, with cold and unsettled weather expected in several regions.

The federal government has declared a nationwide public holiday on February 5 in observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day, reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Indian-administered Kashmir and their right to self-determination.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will undertake his first state visit to Pakistan from February 3 to 4, 2026, accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior cabinet ministers and other top officials.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced that nearly one million jobs and employment opportunities have been created across the province since February 2024.

The Pakistan Airports Authority has extended the airspace ban for Indian aircraft until February 24 for another month, according to a Notam (notice to airmen) issued on Tuesday. The extension in the ban has been notified just three days before the restriction, last extended on December 17, was set to expire on January 23. India and Pakistan have closed their airspaces to each other’s airlines since tensions between them escalated in late April in the wake of an attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 people. According to the latest Notam, Pakistan’s airspace will remain closed for India-registered aircraft until 5am on February 24, extending the restriction that is already in place. The restriction applies to all India-registered aircraft as well as any aircraft operated, owned, or leased by Indian airlines or operators, including military flights. The airspace closure applies from ground level up to unlimited altitude. Pakistan’s airspace is divided into two flight information regions (FIRs) — K...

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Monday that meetings with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan would remain suspended till February 8. “Meetings with Khan will remain suspended till Feb 8,” the minister said while speaking on Geo News’ show Capital Talk, in reply to a question by the show’s host about whether meetings with Imran would remain suspended. As court-ordered prison visits stay blocked, Imran’s family and party have expressed concerns about the conditions in which he is being kept inside the prison. A United Nations’ special rapporteur has also warned that Imran is being held in conditions that could amount to inhuman or degrading treatment. Chaudhry maintained that the prison is “not the headquarters of a political party”, and criticised the PTI for “spreading venom against institutions and leaders of the institutions“. The PML-N leader said that regular meetings were held between PTI leaders and its founder in Adiala jail in the past, and the government had no issues. Ho...

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially scheduled the local government elections in Islamabad for 15 February, with polling to be held from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Bangladesh will hold elections in February 2026, interim leader Muhammad Yunus said on Tuesday, the first polls since a mass uprising overthrew the government last year. “On behalf of the interim government, I will write a letter to the chief election commissioner requesting that the election be arranged before Ramazan in February 2026,” Yunus said in a broadcast on the one-year anniversary of the ousting of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus, 85, is leading the caretaker government as its chief adviser until elections, and has said he will step down after the vote. “We will step into the final and most important phase after delivering this speech to you, and that is the transfer of power to an elected government,” he said. Yunus had earlier said elections would be held in April, but key political parties have been demanding he hold them earlier and before the month of Ramazan. “I urge you all to pray for us so that we can hold a fair and smooth election, enabling all citizens to ...