NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Dawn
In Brief
POLITICS
PPP Chairman calls for intensifying engagements with coalition partner after party leaders express lack of confidence
On 21 December, Dawn reported that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has declared a lack of confidence in its coalition partner the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N). In this regard, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, during a meeting called upon party leaders to “intensify engagements” with the federal government in spite of the constitution of a committee to hold talks with the centre. A notification after the meeting revealed that the participants were not satisfied with the government’s progress in its commitments to the party regarding various provinces. According to the party spokesman, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, many issues have been “unaddressed” in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. He exemplified how it “was agreed that any resource allocation in the PSDP funds would be made jointly by the PML-N and PPP, but this commitment was never honored.” This development comes two days after the PPP and the government held a second round of negotiations. (Imran Ayub, “PPP leaders express ‘lack of confidence’ in federal govt,” Dawn, 21 December)
ECONOMY
State Bank of Pakistan records expansion of retail payment transactions
On 20 December, the State Bank of Pakistan reported that the volume of digital channel transactions between consumers and retailers expanded by 9 per cent, amounting to PKR 36 trillion in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. In the Quarterly Payment Systems Review for Q1FY25, the SBP reported that the retail payments grew by an overall 8 per cent, with 1,951 transactions valued at PKR 136 trillion. The report also stated that the usage of mobile banking applications were key in this growth as the volume of banking application users expanded by 4 per cent, from 93 million to 96.5 million in the last quarter. Additionally, the report highlighted the success of the Raast instant payment system as it helped conduct PKR 4.7 trillion worth transactions as well as the increased extension of financial services to rural and remote areas via branchless banking agents. (“Digital retail payments surge to PKR 36 trillion: SBP,” Dawn, 21 December 2024)
SECURITY
Civilians to be temporarily evacuated from Bannu and Khyber for anti-terror operations
On 21 December, according to Dawn, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Apex Committee decided to temporarily evacuate civilians from some areas of the Khyber and Bannu districts in order to carry out operations against “miscreants and ensure the safety of the residents.” This decision comes as both districts have witnessed a surge in militant activity in recent months. The Dawn report also highlighted that that members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have “surfaced” in “several areas of Tirah Valley.” There have been reports of militants forming “parallel courts” and extorting money. Further, authorities had to suspend the polio drive in December due to the deteriorating security situation. The body also reviewed the current situation in Kurram where tribal clashes erupted in November. With the aim of achieving sustainable peace in the area, it was agreed that the conflicting parties would surrender their weapons to the district administration, under an agreement brokered by the government. Additionally, they also decided to dismantle bunkers in the area and restore road connectivity to the district. (Manzoor Ali, “Parts of Khyber Bannu to be evacuated for action,” Dawn, 21 December 2024)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan needs to enhance its strategic focus on Indian Ocean
On 21 December, an article in Dawn reported on an event hosted by the Pakistan War College, in collaboration with the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). Experts, academics, former military officers and diplomats were present at the event, where they called upon the country’s leadership to strengthen its naval capabilities. They also emphasized the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean as it bears witness to emerging technologies like AI and hypersonic weaponry, regional power dynamics and competition. In this regard, it was suggested that Pakistan deepen its strategic cooperation with China in order to overcome India’s growing maritime influence as the Oceanic region is a shared resource and does not exclusively belong to India. It was also discussed that Pakistan should leverage the strategic location of Gwadar for economic gains and strategic purposes and improve connectivity to northern regions. In a statement, President of the National Institute of Maritime Affairs retired Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed Minhas also expressed the importance of protecting the maritime environment as it was key to addressing matters linked to climate change, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as food and energy security. (Zulqernain Tahir, “Strategic focus urged to protect interests in Indian Ocean,” Dawn, 21 December 2024)