Photo : X/Government of Pakistan
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : X/Government of Pakistan
In Focus
Imprisoned PTI leaders express readiness to engage with the government for talks
On 1 July, the currently imprisoned PTI leaders sent out an “open letter” to the government in which they conveyed their readiness to engage in “political negotiations.” In the letter, they also stated that the talks cannot proceed unless PTI members are allowed to meet Imran Khan. The letter had the signatures of Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, and Mehmoodur Rasheed. The letter asserted that Pakistan is witnessing “one of its worst political and constitutional crisis” and talks are the only way to improve the situation in the country. PTI has also expressed willingness to engage with “state institutions” and not just the government, so that a “mutual” consensus could be formed. PTI’s urge to hold talks comes after PM Sharif expressed his willingness to negotiate with the party members.
On the other hand, Aleema Khan, sister of Imran Khan, informed that his brother has provided a comprehensive plan for countrywide demonstrations after Muharram. As per Aleema Khan, Imran has cautioned the country of “growing authoritarianism,” claiming the increasing likelihood of “martial law” being imposed. On initiating the 27th constitutional amendment, Imran commented, “It would be better to officially declare kingship.”
Response from the PPP
The Information Secretary of PPP, Nadeem Afzal, responding to the reports of the letter, stated that it signifies a “positive development.” Further, he stated that the federal government should hold discussions with the PTI for “strengthening democracy.” PPP’s General Secretary of Central Punjab stated that holding “dialogue” is the only viable option to solve “political” disputes, however, he also mentioned that discussions must only be carried out with relevant “political stakeholders.” Further, he advised Imran Khan “to start behaving like party chief, not a military chief.”
Internal rift in PTI
On 2 July, The News International reported that PTI KP President Junaid Akbar has denounced CM Gandapur, claiming that the KP government is not “cooperating with him.” He alleged that CM Gandapur was taking measures against his “supporters” in the party. Further, he asserted that the CM Gandapur’s adviser on Information, Muhammad Ali Saif is parroting the interests of the “establishment.” Muhammad Ali Saif, responding to the allegations, said “Junaid Akbar should stop whining and stay at home.” Further, he advised Akbar to quit the position of party president of KP. In addition to that, he claimed that Imran Khan is “under stress” as Akbar is not performing his duties.
References:
Usama Iqbal, “Detained PTI leaders express willingness for dialogue,” The Express Tribune, 1 July 2025
“Aleema reveals Imran's protest plan for after Ashura,” The Express Tribune, 1 July 2025
“PPP endorses need for dialogue with PTI,” The Express Tribune, 2 July 2025
JCP nominates the chief justices of four high courts
On 1 July, Dawn reported that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has appointed the chief justices to the four high courts. The chief justices nominated for the Islamabad High Court, Balochistan High Court (BHC), Peshawar High Court, and Sindh High Court (SHC) were Justice Sarfraz Dogar, Justice Rozi Khan Barrech, Justice Syed Muhammad Attique Shah, and Justice Junaid Ghaffar, respectively. The JCP held four consecutive meetings to decide the appointments. By a majority vote of its total membership, the Commission chose to permit the acting chief justices to continue serving the top roles. Subsequently, letters were issued to the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary to inform the government about the nominations and forward the nominations for appointment by the President. On 28 June, President Asif Ali Zardari had formally declared Justice Dogar as the “senior-most judge” of the Islamabad High Court, following the issuance of a revised seniority list by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
On 2 July, an editorial in The Nation titled ‘Towards Legal Stability’ appreciated the appointment of Chief Justices to four High Courts by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, according to a recent statement by the Supreme Court. These appointments were made to the high courts of Balochistan, Peshawar, Sindh, and Islamabad. The editorial highlighted that with this development, “a protracted and damaging” legal confrontation has ended. The editorial asserted that with President Asif Ali Zardari’s formal declaration that Justice Dogar is the most senior judge of the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court upholding the constitutional validity of judicial transfers, the question of seniority and leadership across the High Courts has been clarified for finality. The editorial called upon the legal community, comprising Bar Councils and dissenting judges, to acknowledge this finality and pursue restoration of the judiciary’s “smooth and dignified functioning.” The editorial highlighted that Pakistan’s judiciary is marred by “deep-rooted problems” such as a large backlog of cases, widespread institutional inefficiency, and allegations of corruption and coercion. The editorial concluded by stating that the judges must “rise above” political partisanship and commit to implementing reforms for Pakistan’s judiciary.
References:
Umer Mehtab, “JCP nominates chief justices of high courts,” Dawn, 1 July 2025
“Towards Legal Stability,” The Nation, 2 July 2025
150 fresh cases of enforced disappearances were reported from KP in 2024: HRCP Annual Report
On 1 July, The Express Tribune reported that the KP chapter of Pakistan Human Rights Commission (HRCP) has come out with its Annual Report 2024. As per the report, “human rights conditions” and “security concerns” have further deteriorated in the province. The report highlights that terrorism continues to pose a major threat due to which a substantial number of “civilians, law enforcement personnel, and security forces” have lost their lives. As per the report, 150 fresh cases of “enforced disappearances” came into light in 2024. The report further highlighted that close to 23,000 cases were still yet to be resolved by the Peshawar High Court. The report also expressed concerns regarding “labour rights” with 26 miners losing their lives owing to dangerous “working conditions” and assaults from the extremists. Further, close to 30 mine workers were kidnapped by militants. The report also highlighted how more than 100 people were killed because of intense rain and floods. (Ahtesham Bashir, “HRCP report highlights rights, security crisis,” The Express Tribune, 1 July 2025;Arshad Aziz Malik, “PTI faces turmoil: Rift between Junaid Akbar, CM Gandapur widens,” The News International, 2 July 2025)
In Brief
ECONOMY
Inflation dropped to 3.23 per cent in June
On 2 July, The News International reported that Pakistan’s headline inflation reduced to 3.23 per cent on a year-on-year basis in June 2025. For eleven consecutive months, inflation has remained in single digits. A 4.49 percent annual average inflation rate was recorded for FY 2024-25. This decrease in inflation has raised hopes for a policy rate cut by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), whose benchmark rate is at 11 per cent. Core inflation (excluding volatile food and energy prices) dropped to 6.9 per cent in June from 7.3 per cent in May. On a month-on-month basis, core prices dropped to 0.2 per cent, keeping the real interest rate high at 7.77 per cent. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), urban inflation was 3.0 per cent, while rural inflation was 3.6 per cent. Overall, these statistics aligned with projections provided by the Finance Ministry and the private sector. The ministry had expected June inflation to fall within the 3-4 per cent range, while brokerage house JS Global had forecast a 3.1 per cent CPI print. (Israr Khan & Mehtab Haider, “Inflation drops to 3.23% in June, raising hopes for rate cut,” The News International, 2 July 2025)
SOCIETY
Fresh case of polio detected from North Waziristan, country-wide tally climbs to 14
On 2 July, The Express Tribune reported that a fresh case of polio was detected in North Waziristan. In 2025, Polio cases across the country have now reached 14. Eight of the total cases have been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, whereas four were detected in Sindh. One case each was reported from Punjab and “Gilgit Baltistan.” As per The Express Tribune, it is extremely difficult to carry out door-to-door vaccination in the southern parts of KP, thus leading to “limited access” to polio doses. As a consequence of that, several children remain devoid of vaccination. (“N Waziristan polio case takes tally to 14,” The Express Tribune, 2 July 2025)
SECURITY
Counter-Terrorism Department detains three alleged Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army militants
On 2 July, The Nation reported that three suspected militants were detained by the Counter-Terrorism in Qasimabad, Sindh. The detained individuals belonged to the proscribed organization Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army. As per the spokesperson of the CTD, one of the detained individuals admitted that he was instructed by Noor Chandio of SRA to assault a “cargo truck trawler.” The detained individuals revealed to the CTD that Noor Chandio controls a network of militants that carry out activities in Karachi and other parts of Sindh province. (“CTD arrests 3 suspected terrorists associated with SRA,” The Nation, 2 July 2025)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan urges UN to resolve dispute over Jammu and Kashmir
On 2 July, The News International reported that Pakistan has urged the United Nations to resolve the decades-old Kashmir dispute, calling it a “key cause of friction with India.” Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, stated that the issue could no longer be ignored. He said that “it is time that this (Kashmir dispute) be addressed, and I would say this is not only a responsibility of Pakistan — we are here temporarily, two years as a non-permanent member.” Ambassador Ahmad further asserted that the UN Security Council, in various resolutions, has addressed several issues and dimensions of the Kashmir issue, including the issue to “grant Kashmiri people their right to self-determination.” During Pakistan’s presidency of the UN Security Council, the country announced that two signature events will be convened, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar: Firstly, a high-level debate on Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes on July 22. Secondly, on UN-OIC cooperation on July 24. (“Pakistan tells UN it's time to resolve Kashmir dispute,” The News International, 2 July 2025)
ON INDIA
PM Sharif calls for to enhanced water storage capacity amid Indus Water Treaty suspension
On 1 July, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the government is determined to enhance the country’s water storage capacity, citing India’s decision to “weaponise water.” In April, India held the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance following the Pahalgam attack. The treaty allocates the Indus Basin’s six rivers between the two countries: eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) are allocated to India, while Pakistan receives approximately 80 per cent of the water from the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab). PM Sharif referred to the ruling by the Permanent Court on Arbitration in The Hague, emphasising that India had no right to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty unilaterally, arguing that “the enemy has certain evil designs against Pakistan and wants to take steps against the waters treaty. For that, the government has decided that we will build our water storage.” PM Sharif stated that the government has decided to build a “non-controversial water storage capacity” by utilising irrigation resources such as the Diamer Bhasha dam and others. Further, PM Sharif said there was a “clear clause” in the 1991 water accord which determined the apportionment of the waters of the Indus Waters System between the provinces of Pakistan, stressing that Pakistan will build this capacity with its resources in the next few years. He also stated that the National Disaster Management Authority has a critical role in ensuring the same. (“Govt has decided to enhance water storage capacity due to India’s actions: PM Shehbaz,” Dawn, 1 July 2025)
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