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NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : PID
In Focus
Power losses in FY2024-25 down by PKR 192 billion, says Federal Minister for Power
On 10 July, Minister for Power Awais Leghari asserted that the losses observed in power sector in state operated power distribution companies (DISCOS) came down by PKR 192 billion in Financial Year 2024-25 in comparison to Financial Year 2023-24. The power minister termed the achievement as “historic success.” He informed how PM Sharif and all the cabinet ministers had expressed distress over the losses in the power sector. Addressing a press conference, he attributed the curbing of loss in power sector to reforms whose objective was to reduce the theft of electricity, enhancing “governance,” and increasing “recovery rates.” As per the power minister, the recovery rate increased to 96.4 per cent in the financial year 2024-25 from a previous 92.4 per cent. He also pointed out PKR 315 billion continues to “remain unpaid.” Further, he informed that PKR 11 billion was saved by reducing theft of electricity. Further, the power minister informed that Karachi’s K-Electric would get 400 MW of electricity more from the national grid if it is able to conform to “uniform national tariff.” (Israr Khan, “Pakistan cuts power sector losses by Rs192bn in a year: Leghari,” The News International, 11 July 2025)
Militants kill nine passengers journeying towards Punjab in Balochistan
On 10 July, nine people journeying in two buses towards Punjab were kidnapped and murdered by unknown militants in Sur-Dakai, Balochistan. As per the Assistant Commissioner of Zhob, the dead bodies of the passengers were retrieved. The spokesman of Balochistan government claimed that the culprits of the attack were backed by India. As per Dawn, the militants stormed into the buses and looked into the “identity cards” of the people traveling. After that the militants compelled 10 passengers to get off from the buses at gunpoint.” Militants kidnapped nine of them and allowed the buses to go. As per Dawn, the objective of the militants was to target passengers who hailed from Punjab. The responsibility of the assault was taken by Balochistan Liberation Front. (Saleem Shahid, “Armed men kidnap and kill nine passengers in Balochistan,” Dawn, 11 July 2025)
Government dismisses speculations regarding Chief of Army Staff wanting to be the President
On 10 July, the federal government dismissed the rumors of President Zardari’s resignation and about Chief of Army Staff’s desire to become the President. The Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi asserted that President Zardari has “strong and respectful” ties with the military leadership. PML-N’s Irfan Siddiqui had also dismissed the speculations regarding the same and claimed that President Zardari was fulfilling his duties as mandated by the constitution. He also confirmed that PPP continues to be an ally of the government. Further, Senate Chairman Yusuf Razza Gilani termed the speculations regarding President Zardari’s resignation as “disinformation.” In addition to that, PML-N Rana Sanaullah rejected the speculations of a growing divide between PPP and PNL-N and assured that the ruling coalition “would continue as is.” He also claimed that the current Chief of Army Staff is not looking to hold any other political office in future. (“Govt rebuffs rumours of Zardari’s resignation, COAS ‘aspiring to assume presidency’,” The News International, 11 July 2025)
In Brief
ECONOMY
PM Sharif stresses on the need to enhance Pakistan’s presence on e-commerce sites
On 10 July, PM Sharif instructed for formulating a committee which would chalk out the plan for Pakistan’s growth in e-commerce sector. He highlighted the “strategic importance” of e-commerce for the country. PM Sharif held a meeting with a team from Alibaba group in which the latter praised the increasing presence of businessmen from Pakistan on Alibaba. PM Sharif during the meeting pointed out that more than three lakh goods which were made in Pakistan were listed on Alibaba. He also stressed on the need to increase the number further. He asked the concerned authorities to take measures for enhancing the “presence” of local entrepreneurs on “e-commerce platforms.” The President of Alibaba International Markets, James Dong conveyed his firm’s interest to furnish “technical training” to businessmen from Pakistan so that they can enhance their presence on e-commerce sites (“Shehbaz, Alibaba talk digital trade boost,” The Express Tribune, 11 July 2025)
ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & WATER
Pakistan likely to incur losses of USD 1.2 trillion due to climate change by 2050, says deputy head of Communication for UK in Pakistan
On 10 July, while addressing a group of environmental journalists, the deputy head of communications of UK in Pakistan asserted that the country might incur economic losses worth USD 1.2 trillion if the “government and the business” firms do not adopt measures to combat climate change. She pointed out how various studies have shown a correlation between economy and climate change. According to her, the country’s economy might incur a loss of USD 80 billion due to displacement of population. She highlighted how close to 400 million Pakistanis are at the risk of getting displaced due to the effects of climate change. Further, she asserted that USD 100 billion could be lost because of the damage to “physical assets.” Also, according to her, Pakistan could lose USD 200 billion due to decrease in output of agriculture because of climate change. She reminded how the country lost eight per cent of its GDP in the floods of 2022. (“Climate change: Pakistan may suffer $1.2 trillion impact by 2050,” The News International, 11 July 2025)
SOCIETY
Pakistan’s Non-Formal Education Report 2023-24: More than 2.5 crore children aged 5-16 are out of school
On 10 July, a report called “Pakistan’s Non-Formal Education Report 2023-24” was released in Allama Iqbal Open University which is located in Islamabad, According to the report, nearly 2.5 crore children who fall in the age group 5-16 were out of school. As per the report, the increase in number of children who were out of school could be because of COVID-19 pandemic. The report also highlighted improvements in Non-Formal Education (NFE) which remains as a crucial substitute to children who are not able to attend schools. The report was formulated by Pakistan Institute of Education in cooperation with Ministry of Education and the Japan Internation Cooperation Agency. The report calls for enhancement of Accelerated Learning Programmes, as they have “high retention rates” and these programmes train individuals with “academic and vocational skills.” The report also highlights the need to increase literacy rate of youth and adults and bring down “regional disparities.” Further, the minister of education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui informed that “Federal Non-Formal Education Policy 2025” is in making whose objective will be to bring down the number of children who are out of schools to zero.(“Pakistan faces significant education crisis with over 25m children out of school: report,” Dawn, 11 July 2025)
EXTERNAL
FM Dar holds separate discussions with his counterparts from Russia, Australia and Sri Lanka at ASEAN Regional Forum
On 10 July, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held meetings with other ministers who were attending the ASEAN Regional Forum hosted by Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In his discussion with the Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, the two foreign ministers reiterated their resolve to enhance bilateral ties and decided to “meet again” at SCO council of Ministers. Foreign Minister Dar also held a discussion with his Australian counterpart Senator Hon Penny Wong. The two leaders reaffirmed to strengthen bilateral relations and resolved to increase collaboration in “trade, education and people to people links.” FM Dar also held a separate discussion with his Sri Lankan counterpart Vijitha Herath. The two foreign ministers vowed to increase cooperation in a number of sectors. The two leaders also stressed on enhancing “multilateral collaboration” and ensure regional peace and stability.(“Dar meets world leaders on sidelines of ASEAN forum,” The Express Tribune, 11 July 2025)
ON INDIA
No role of third countries in Pakistan-India military confrontation, claims Chief of Army Staff
On 10 July, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir dismissed the claims regarding involvement of other countries in the brief military confrontation between India and Pakistan. He termed the confrontation with India as “unmistakably a bilateral confrontation.” The Chief of Army Staff claimed that India resorted to the claims because of the “comprehensive defeat.” Previously, the deputy chief of India Army informed that India faced a “two-front situation,” pointing out Pakistan and China. Asim Munir claimed that it was their own “planning and indigenous technology” with which they allegedly defeated Indian Armed forces. Further, he claimed that India hinted on the role of China in the confrontation for getting “sympathy” from the western countries. (Kamran Yousaf, “Pak-India conflict 'unmistakably' bilateral: COAS,” The Express Tribune, 11 July 2025)
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