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NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : APP/MAF/FHA
In Focus
Pakistan highlights Indus Water Treaty abeyance at the International Conference on Glaciers Preservation
On 31 May, Dawn reported on PM Sharif's allegation that India's abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty was actually "weaponization of war," and that India would not be allowed to cross the "red line," at the inaugural session of the three day High-Level International Conference on Glaciers Preservation at Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The government of Tajikistan hosted the conference from 29-31 May in collaboration with the United Nations, Unesco, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), and the Asian Development Bank, with the agenda of promoting glacier protection and international climate cooperation. 2025 was declared as the International Year of Glaciers Preservation, and 21 March as the annual World Day for Glaciers through a resolution at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2022.
Prime Minister Sharif stated that the 2022 floods in the country had been a result of glacier melt, and that Pakistan was "among the countries most vulnerable to climate change," despite its meagre contributions to the total world emissions. He further stated that the accelerated glacier melting in the region threatens flooding in the coming decades. He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to climate action, demanding that the developed countries must "meet their climate financial commitments without any delay and with a balanced focus on adaptation and mitigation as well as loss and damage."
On the same day, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir paid a visit to Command and Staff College, Quetta. In his speech, he paid his respects to the people who lost their lives during the brief military confrontation with India. He cautioned India to not engage in “hydro-terrorism.” He claimed that Pakistan would continue its measures taken to combat the threat of terrorism. Further, he claimed that regional peace would only be established when the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir is resolved.
On 31 May, an opinion in The Express Tribune claimed that accusing Pakistan of harboring terrorism was New Delhi’s strategy to divert the attention of the world from the alleged “human rights” violation taking place in Jammu and Kashmir. The author highlights how suspension of treaty could severely impact the “food security” of Pakistan. Further, the author claims that it would set an example for the bigger country to “weaponize shared resources.” The author also highlights how internationally, there has been a very weak response to India’s measures regarding the Indus Water Treaty. The author demands that the “international community” should emphasize upon peace and not over “political gain” by making New Delhi answerable for its measures.
On 30 May, an editorial in The Express Tribune delved into the diplomatic measures pursued by Islamabad after witnessing military confrontation with India. The editorial points out how PM Sharif, soon after the ceasefire was agreed upon with India, went to Iran, Turkiye, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan to enhance the “existing ties” with friendly countries. The editorial highlights claims that all the four countries backed Pakistan in its response to India’s military actions.
"Pakistan won’t let India weaponise water, says PM Shehbaz," Dawn, 31 May 2025
“Field Marshal Asim Munir warns India against hydro terrorism,” The Nation, 31 May 2025
Sadia Zahra, “Weaponising water: India's destabilising role in South Asia,” The Express Tribune, 31 May 2025
“Offensive diplomacy,” The Express Tribune, 30 May 2025)
Pakistan upgrades chargé d’affaires in Afghanistan to ambassador
On 31 May, The News International reported on Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's announcement to upgrade the chargé d’affaires at its Afghanistan embassy to the level of an ambassador. The upgrade followed Foreign Minister Dar's visit to Kabul on 19 April which he remarked was "very productive," and Afghan Taliban's senior Commander Saeedullah Saeed's condemnation of Fitna al-Khwarij's militant attacks on Pakistan in the name of jihad. " “I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation,” said Minister Ishaq Dar. ("Pakistan to upgrade diplomatic ties with Afghanistan," The News International, 31 May 2025)
PTI launches new protest drive for Imran Khan’s release
On 31 May The News International reported that Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, formally announced plans for a new protest campaign that seeks Imran Khan’s release from prison after two years of being held. At the Peshawar Press Club, Saif said that the PTI is taking several steps to obtain Khan’s release and pointed out that the cases against him were initiated for political reasons. According to him, although the PTI started negotiation talks, including through a formal committee, the government did not make proper progress toward a deal. Saif pointed out that for political stability to last, important judicial decisions should be swift and innocent political prisoners need to be released. Nawaz Sharif backed Khan’s powers of recovery and claimed putting him in prison would not alter the political system in Pakistan.(“Fresh protest drive for Imran's release being launched: Saif,” The News International, 31 May 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Disqualification reference filed against PTI opposition leader Omar Ayub
On 31 May, Dawn reported that National Assembly Speaker Sardar Sadiq had sent a request to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking the disqualification of Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan. PML-N's Babar Nawaz made a complaint after losing to Ayub by a margin of 82,000 votes. Nawaz insists that he was the victim of electoral fraud, financial corruption and deliberate misrepresentation from Ayub, in spite of admitting his initial loss. The party says it hasn’t complained about the results and instead accuses state organs of targeting it. He made a case before the Supreme Court claiming that because the 60 days stipulated by law had passed following the ECP’s decision, they lacked authority to consider the petitions. This lifted a previous restriction placed by the court which allowed the Election Commission to proceed with the investigation.(“Speaker sends reference aganist omar Ayub to Election Commision of Pakistan,” Dawn, 31 May 2025)
ECONOMY
Bitcoin still technically illegal in Pakistan, says The Express Tribune
On 31 May The Express Tribune reported that both applause and criticism have followed Pakistan’s declaration that it will build a national Bitcoin Strategic Reserve. Instead of just taking the crypto that is seized, Pakistan intends to join mining operations. The situation in El Salvador is an example of how legalization of cryptocurrency there resulted in an economic crisis and the country receiving aid from the IMF. Nevertheless, Pakistan’s shortage of foreign reserves and crypto being banned by current regulations make the policy seem very risky. Being more transparent and having better regulations could encourage people to invest and ensure fairness. (“Bitcoin Strategic Reserve,”The Express Tribune, 31 May 2025)
SOCIETY
On child marriage restraint bill 2025
“Marriage should never be imposed on anyone. It must be a choice made freely – and at an appropriate age.” stated an editorial in The News International
On 31 May, an editorial in The News International titled “Protecting childhood,” stated that President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval of the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, marked a significant improvement for child rights in Pakistan. It sets the legal marriage age at 18, alignment with global norms and offering long overdue protection to vulnerable girls. The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) opposed the bill, calling it “un-Islamic” and claiming they were excluded from the legislative process. However, their objections cannot override the rights of children. The CII itself has acknowledged the harms of underage marriage. The editorial argues that the resistance from CII must not hinder meaningful reform. The editorial highlights how early marriage pushes young girls into motherhood and domestic life which they are mentally and emotionally not matured to handle. It strips girls of education, autonomy, and economic potential leading to cycles of dependency and poverty. The editorial argued that passing this bill is critical as it reflects Pakistan’s commitment to child rights and paves way for broader reforms in the country. (“Protecting childhood,” The News International, 31 May)
Also Read: Brighty Ann Sarah, "Child Marriage Restraint Bill in Pakistan: What is the new bill? Why is a section opposing it?," Global Politics, 29 May 2025
Energy, Environment and Water
Massive irregularities found in audit findings of Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department
The Balochistan Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has identified massive financial irregularities in the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department. The gaps were found in PHE and its key infrastructure projects including water supply projects in Gwadar and the delayed Mangi Dam scheme. Audit findings related to PHE revealed that over PKR 5.9 billion has been unaccounted for from 2018 to 2021. It also exposed irregularities in fuel and repair material purchases, wherein Gwadar’s executive engineer made undocumented multi-crore purchases. PAC committee members demanded strict inquiries and suggested referring to the National Accountability Bureau. The Mangi Dam project, originally budgeted at PKR 7 billion, now costs over PKR 18 billion. Progress reports were not submitted, prompting condemnation from the committee. (Saleem Shahid, “Massive irregularities detected in Gwadar water projects,” Dawn, 31 May 2025)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan becomes signatory of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed)
On 30 May Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) on behalf of Pakistan in Hong Kong. He commended the " leadership of the People’s Republic of China for its vision and efforts in initiating and establishing IOMed."
("Pakistan to upgrade diplomatic ties with Afghanistan," The News International, 31 May 2025)
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