Photo : Radio Pakistan
Photo : Radio Pakistan
In Focus
Pakistan’s responses to US strikes in Iran: From Government to Media
On 23 June, an emergency session of the National Security Committee will be convened to review the escalating tensions in the Middle East, following US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran. The session would be presided over by PM Shehbaz Sharif and will also be attended by top-ranking military and political leaders. As per Dawn, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir will also be present in the session. The Chief of Army Staff is also expected to inform about his discussion with US President Trump at the White House.
Pakistan calls for ceasefire
On 23 June, Dawn reported that Pakistan, along with Russia and China, have backed a resolution in the UN Security Council that urged for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Middle East after the US launched military strikes against Iran. Also, the draft resolution appeals for re-engaging with Tehran regarding its “nuclear programme.” Pakistan’s permanent envoy to the UN appealed to the UN Security Council to denounce the US’s military strikes and called for a return to diplomacy.
PM Sharif on US Strikes in Iran
Islamabad has denounced the US’s military strikes against Iran. After the US’s strikes, PM Sharif spoke to the President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, where he denounced the attacks against Iran orchestrated by Israel and the US. He reiterated Pakistan’s continued backing for Iran's government and its population. He asserted that the US’s military strikes went against international law and the rules of the IAEA. Further, he called for a dialogue to diffuse the tensions in the Middle East and expressed Pakistan’s readiness to facilitate the mediation process. President Pezeshkian expressed gratitude to PM Sharif and all the Pakistanis for their support to Iran.
President Zardari on US Strikes in Iran
On 22 June, President Zardari appealed to all the countries engaged in conflict to make use of diplomacy so that regional peace and stability prevail. He also urged the world powers to make efforts to diffuse the tensions in the Middle East.
Opposition leaders on the US Strikes in Iran
On 22 June, after the US’s strikes on Iran, JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman called for a withdrawal of Pakistan's recommendation for US President Trump to get the Nobel Peace Prize. He also questioned Trump’s claims of being a “peacemaker,” denouncing how he backed Israeli assaults against Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran. He asked, “with the blood of Afghans and Palestinians on America’s hands, how can he claim to be a proponent of peace?”
On the same day, the PTI condemned the US’s attacks against Iran. PTI appealed to the federal government to organize an “all-parties conference” for deliberating upon the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and establish a “clear-cut policy” on Israel. PTI’s Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram warned that the federal government’s outlook towards the whole situation could “prove disastrous.” He demanded that the government must adopt a “consensus-driven approach” and take the entire country into consideration. Further, he demanded that PTI supremo Imran Khan should also be included in the discussion and called for his “immediate release.”
Print Media on US Strikes in Iran
On 23 June, an editorial in The Nation titled “Escalation Theatre,” asserted that US attacks against Iran were carried out without any pertinent “justification.” As per the editorial, the US attacks have pushed the entire region onto the “edge of a catastrophe.” The editorial highlighted how the current Israel-Iran conflict has shifted the world’s focus away from the situation in Gaza. As per the editorial, international rules don’t seem to apply when they contradict the US’s interests. The editorial termed the international community urging Iran to choose diplomacy as “laughable.” The editorial demanded that there must be an immediate “de-escalation” and that the US and Israel should be held accountable for their assaults against Iran.
On 23 June, an editorial in The News International titled “How to start a war,” asserted that Iran is clearly the victim in the current scenario emerging in the Middle East. It claimed that after the US attacks, Iran deserves the right to safeguard its borders, which is also in accordance with international law. The editorial questioned Trump’s remarks after US strikes on Iran, calling it a “success.” The editorial criticized Trump for pushing the US again into an “endless war.” The editorial appreciated the stance taken by Islamabad after the US attacks, by urging for an “emergency session” of the UN Security Council.
References:
Syed Irfan Raza, “PM Shehbaz calls National Security Committee meeting after US strikes,” Dawn, 23 June 2025
Anwar Iqbal, “Pakistan-backed Security Council resolution seeks immediate de-escalation,” Dawn, 23 June 2025
Tahir Khan, “Fazl, others urge govt to review decision to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize,” Dawn, 22 June 2025
Ikram Junaidi, “PTI wants all-parties moot to frame policy on Israel,” Dawn, 23 June 2025
“Escalation Theatre,” The Nation, 23 June 2025
“How to start a war,” The News International, 23 June 2025
National Assembly panel approves tax relief for the salaried class
On 22 June, Dawn reported that on 21 June the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue approved key amendments to the Finance Bill 2025, including tax relief for low-income salaried individuals, a reduction in the super tax rate, and an increase in the cash withdrawal threshold for non-filers. The income tax rate has been reduced from 2.5 per cent to 1 per cent for salaried individuals earning between PKR 600,000 and PKR 1.2 million annually. The committee supported a 0.5 per cent cut in the super tax on the corporate sector and approved increasing the daily cash withdrawal limit for non-filers from PKR 50,000 to 75,000. The withholding tax on such withdrawals has been raised from 0.6 per cent to 0.8 per cent. It also supported withdrawing the tax exemption on deposits held for less than six months in Special Convertible Rupee Accounts. In the field of digital commerce, measures approved by the committee include the imposition of taxes on offshore digital payments, digital ads, and various types of online or cash-on-delivery transactions. It further recommended collecting data from banks on individuals whose banking activity exceeds their declared income in wealth statements. The committee also approved the deployment of FBR personnel in designated business zones but rejected a proposal to penalise unregistered online sellers. Overall, the committee’s decisions indicated a shift toward widening the tax net, promoting digital compliance, and providing targeted relief to middle-income groups while resisting some IMF-driven proposals considered damaging to education and small businesses.
On 23 June, an editorial in The Nation titled “Taxing Fairly” appreciated the decisions taken by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue regarding tax relief for low-income salaried individuals. The editorial highlighted that the National Assembly panel’s nod to tax relief for salaried individuals is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. The editorial asserted that the salaried class has been the most documented, regulated, and compliant in the country and has borne the majority of the brunt of Pakistan’s lopsided taxation regime. In this context, the editorial argued that any measure that aims to ease their burden must be welcomed, not only as a symbolic gesture of fairness but as a small and meaningful attempt to correct a long-standing structural imbalance. The editorial stated that it perceives this decision as more than just financial relief; it believes it is a recognition long due to the disproportionate pressure placed on the salaried class. The editorial claimed that the salaried class pays more tax than the entire industrial sector combined and that it is their contributions that have contributed to income from the nation’s exchequer. The editorial alleged that rich businessmen and large conglomerates, especially within real estate, wholesale, retail, and certain elite fields, continue to benefit from systemic loopholes and ineffective enforcement.
Further, the editorial supported the implementation of a widened tax base to ensure a sustainable economy and delivery of government services, characterising it as an urgent necessity. The editorial advocated that granting relief to those already paying their due must go hand-in-hand with prosecuting those who indulge in tax evasion or underreport their income. In conclusion, it the editorial stressed that a fair taxation system is not only about collecting the due amount of taxes, but it is also about the particular category of the population that is exempted from taxation. The editorial stated that this particular development should indicate a broader change in fiscal governance, emphasizing that the challenge lies not in policy announcements but in implementation. The editorial cautions that unless the intent translates into increased compliance and broader contribution, especially from historically under-taxed sectors, the salaried class will continue to carry more than its share, resulting in widespread dissatisfaction among the public. (Mubarak Zeb Khan, “NA panel okays tax relief for salaried people,” Dawn, 22 June 2025
“Taxing Fairly,” The Nation, 23 June 2025)
Only the state has the authority to declare jihad, asserts DG-ISPR
On 23 June, The Nation reported that the Director General of ISPR, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, said that only the state has the authority to declare jihad; no individual or group has the authority to do it. The members of the religious and social circles expressed their solidarity with the armed forces and wished to hold more such sessions in the future. ISPR DG said that “the followers of all religions in Pakistan are equal citizens and enjoy full constitutional rights, adding that national unity can only be sustained through equality and harmony.” He added that India was behind in terrorism in Pakistan, but the Pakistan Army responded to its enemy with modern warfare strategies. (“Only the state can declare Jihad, says DG ISPR,” The Nation, 23 June 2025.)
In Breif
POLITICS
PTI Calls for Imran Khan’s release, inclusion in strategic decision-making regarding the Israel-Iran conflict
On 23 June, The News International reported that following the US airstrikes on Iran following Israel’s offensive, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan and his involvement in critical national security deliberations. PTI Information Secretary Waqas Akram warned that the escalating conflict risks plunging the region into war, stressing that Pakistan can no longer afford a passive stance. He urged the government to convene an All-Parties Conference (APC) to develop a unified response to what he called Israel’s aggression, backed by the United States. Akram highlighted Khan’s prior warnings about regional instability, recalling that he had preventively postponed party protests in light of the Iran-Israel tensions. He praised Khan’s understanding of Western politics, quoting his remark: “No one understands the West better than me.” Akram condemned the US for violating Iranian sovereignty and breaching international norms, asserting that Pakistan must now prioritize a consensus-based foreign policy to avoid being caught in a geopolitical crossfire. He reiterated Khan’s stance that Pakistan should only partner with the US in peace, not in war. (“PTI seeks immediate release of Imran, inclusion in strategic decision-making,” The News International, 23 June 2025.
ECONOMY
Federal government proposes mini budget worth PKR 36 billion
On 23 June, The Express Tribune reported that on 22 June, the government proposed a PKR 36 billion mini-budget and reduced restrictions on major purchases by individuals with insufficient declared assets. The revised criteria aim to mitigate the negative impact of the earlier blanket ban on economic activity by ineligible persons. This mini-budget has been introduced before the planned approval of the 2025-26 budget. Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Rashid Langrial, told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance that the new taxation measures of PKR 36 billion were aimed at compensating the fiscal shortfall due to the reduction in sales tax rate for the solar panels and funding the increase in salaries by 10 per cent. Currently, the income tax rate for the lowest income slab of PKR 100,000 will be 1 per cent to fund the salary increase. (Shahbaz Rana, “Rs36b mini-budget proposed,” The Express Tribune, 23 June 2025).
On 23 June, The News International reported that three tax measures will be incorporated in the revised Finance Bill to raise PKR 36 billion and to bridge the gap created by a 10 percent salary increase and a reduction in GST on solar panels. These measures include imposition of Federal Excise Duty of 10 per cent on Day Old Chicks (DOC) of poultry sector, increasing rate of tax from 25 per cent to 29 per cent on dividend received by a company from mutual fund deriving income from profit on debt, and increasing Withholding Tax from 15 per cent to 20 per cent on profit on government securities paid to any person (institutional investors) other than an individual. The chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said that these taxation measures have been approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avoid breaching the agreed fiscal framework for the Budget 2025-26 in line with the IMF agreement. The IMF has estimated that the increase in salaries of public sector employees by 10 per cent would have an estimated cost of PKR 29-30 billion. (Mehtab Haider, “Govt mulls three taxation measures to raise Rs36bn,” The News International, 23 June 2025)
Budget-making and environmental protection in Punjab
On 23 June, The Nation reported that on 21 June, a technical session on Budget 2025–26 and the province’s economic outlook took place at the Old Assembly Hall of the Punjab Assembly. The session was mandated to provide members of the assembly with information about the budget-making process, financial regulations, and the provincial economic strategy. Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs, Khalid Mahmood, delivered a presentation detailing budget rules, the legislative framework, and the constitutional powers of elected representatives in financial legislation. Advisor to the Speaker, Usama Khawar Ghuman, spoke on the constitutional responsibilities of lawmakers and the significance of their role in budget approval and oversight. President of Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, highlighted the current economic challenges and the potential impact of Budget 2025–26. The event also featured a panel discussion on fiscal policy, environmental financial planning, development strategies, and the adoption of best practices from global parliamentary systems. Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, also announced the establishment of a Research Wing in the Punjab Assembly.
On 23 June, The Nation reported that the Punjab government has taken an important decision to strengthen environmental protection. In this regard, five areas within the city have been selected, including Adda Plot, Johar Town, Sundar, Jallo, and Bata Pur areas. A total of USD 22 million would be spent on converting these areas into green cover through the process of forestation. The Finance Assessment Committee has given approval for this project. PHA has also been instructed to submit Concept Papers for the Green Climate Fund. Additionally, more than 200 green areas have been identified, which will be developed in the next few months. Special focus will be given to over 65 areas considered as traffic chokepoints, reducing the effects of smoke and toxic gases. (“Technical session on budget 2025–26 and economic policy held at PA,” The Nation, 23 June 2025;“Rs 22m to be spent on green infrastructure development,” The Nation, 23 June 2025)
SOCIETY
Stakeholders urge the passage of pending Child Marriage Restraint Bill in Balochistan
On 23 June, Dawn reported that a joint consultative meeting of stakeholders was held in Balochistan. The meeting was jointly organised by the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC), the Social Welfare Department, UNICEF, and other partners. The meeting was attended by advocate Abdul Hayee, an NCRC member from Balochistan, along with representatives from UNICEF, UNFPA, and civil society. The participants requested Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti to fulfil his commitment made in 2018 to support the bill’s passage. They highlighted that child marriage is not only a human rights violation but a serious public health concern, contributing to life-threatening conditions like obstetric fistula. On this occasion, the civil society members urged to intensify advocacy to ensure swift legislative action.(“Stakeholders renew push for Child Marriage Bill in Balochistan,” Dawn, 23 June 2025.)
SECURITY
Armed men attack a Levies post and block the Quetta-Karachi Highway
On 23 June, Dawn reported that armed men had attacked a Levies post and had taken personnel hostage. According to the report, a firefight happened in the Kirdgab area and at the offices of Nadra, the judicial magistrate, and the assistant commissioner, and they took away the officials’ weapons. Officials reported that the armed men blocked the Quetta-Karachi Highway in Khadkocha and Kirdgab areas of Mastung district and checked the national identity cards of the people. (“Govt offices torched, Levies post attacked in Mastung,” Dawn, 23 June 2025.)
EXTERNAL
Deputy PM Dar calls for Israeli accountability for strikes against Iran at OIC session
On 23 June, The Nation reported that on 22 June, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of ongoing Israeli aggression against the sovereignty of Iran and called for accountability against Israel’s unjustified and illegitimate actions. Deputy PM Dar spoke at the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Istanbul, Turkey, stressing that these attacks risked establishing a dangerous precedent and posed a threat to the region and the globe. He emphasised that Israeli aggression had taken place at a time when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was continuing its verification process; thus, by attacking the IAEA safeguarded facilities, Israel has violated international law and several IAEA statutes and resolutions. He also said that “Pakistan fully supports Iran’s inherent right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, in response to the blatant and unprovoked Israeli aggression.” Furthermore, Dar observed that “Israeli aggression against Iran is not an isolated event. It is part of a dangerous and consistent pattern of militarism that Israel has demonstrated across the Middle East.” The Deputy PM also said Pakistan has fully supported convening an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss Israel’s actions. (“At OIC forum, Dar urges Israel’s accountability for strikes on Iran,” The Nation, 23 June 2025)
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