Asia Briefing, October 11: Pakistan’s Cabinet Weighs a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Emergency, CJP Leaders Still Held, Johor Shuts Schools for a Week

October 11: Pakistan’s federal cabinet meets on Sunday to consider an emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the provincial government is leading a march against the centre. In India, the three founders of the Cockroach Janta Party remain in police custody after more than 7,000 people were detained in Delhi on Saturday. Johor has shut all its schools for another week because of the haze, ships are being hit almost daily near the Strait of Hormuz, and North Korea marked its ruling party’s anniversary on a modest scale. Here is what matters in Asia this morning.

Key highlights

• Pakistan: “We have no room left now,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said before Sunday’s cabinet meeting, The Express Tribune reported. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said he would not accept any “illegal move”. Full story.
• India: Police say all detainees except Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been released; the Supreme Court hears a petition on the metro and rail shutdown on Sunday. Full story in Hindi.
• Malaysia and Singapore: Johor keeps 1,198 schools and 617,258 students at home until Friday, while unhealthy readings across Malaysia fell to 15 from 33. Full story.
• West Asia: Lloyd’s List counted 12 attacks on ships in one week, the most since the war began, even as Gulf crude exports recovered. Full story.
• North Korea: Kim Jong-un attended a concert for the 81st anniversary of the Workers’ Party but issued no statement, and no parade was reported, Yonhap said.

South Asia

• Pakistan: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met on Saturday and reached an understanding on a possible emergency, according to sources quoted by The Express Tribune. Separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate have been agreed for Tuesday. The PTI march spent Saturday night in Mardan and is due in Swabi, where the party will announce its next steps on October 13.
• India: A CJP member has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court seeking the release of the three leaders, LiveLaw reported. CJP says it will march to Jantar Mantar again on Sunday, and the INDIA bloc plans a protest on Monday.

Southeast Asia

• Haze: Johor expects winds from Kalimantan from October 13 to 15 that could bring more smoke, the state said. Singapore’s central 24-hour PSI was 152 at 8 am, still unhealthy, NEA data show. School decisions for Monday in most other Malaysian states are due by 2.45 pm on Sunday.
• Thailand: Finance ministers and central bankers gather in Bangkok from Monday for the IMF and World Bank annual meetings. The World Bank expects developing East Asia and the Pacific to grow 4.5% this year. Our explainer.
• Philippines: Former president Rodrigo Duterte is due at a status conference at the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, ahead of a trial set for November 30. Our report.

East Asia

• North Korea: The 81st anniversary performance at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium was attended by Kim, his wife Ri Sol-ju and daughter Kim Ju-ae, and by foreign diplomats, KCNA said, according to Yonhap. Last year’s 80th anniversary featured a large military parade and the unveiling of the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile.
• South Korea and the US: Washington has told Seoul to uphold alliance standards on intelligence after a months-long rift. Our report.
• China, Japan and the US: Donald Trump urged Xi Jinping to talk to Japan’s Sanae Takaichi and lift export curbs, the SCMP reported; Xi was not receptive. Our report.

Asia at a glance

What to watch today

• The outcome of Pakistan’s cabinet meeting and whether President Zardari signs a proclamation.
• The Supreme Court hearing in Delhi, and whether the three CJP leaders are charged or released.
• Malaysia’s school announcements for Monday, due by 2.45 pm.

Sources

• The Express Tribune: PTI govt faces ouster as Centre weighs K-P options
• Dawn: CM Afridi says will not accept ‘illegal move’ of governor’s rule or emergency in KP
• Outlook: CJP Protest Updates: Over 7,000 Protesters Detained During Anti-CEC Stir
• LiveLaw: CJP Member Moves Supreme Court Seeking Release of Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das & Others
• The Star: All schools in Johor to remain closed for another five days from Oct 12-16
• Malay Mail: Haze: 15 areas in Malaysia record unhealthy air quality
• data.gov.sg (National Environment Agency): PSI readings, October 11, 2026, 8 am
• USNI News: October Sees Near Daily Strikes on Ships in Hormuz
• The Korea Herald (Yonhap): N. Korea marks party anniversary on modest scale
• IMF: 2026 Annual Meetings

Written by

International Desk

The International Desk covers world and Asian affairs, diplomacy and conflict, with a focus on what they mean for India. Stories are checked against at least two credible sources before publication.

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