NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Dawn
In Focus
Punjab government willing to furnish PKR 350 billion for modernizing railway, says Federal Minister for Railways
On 11 July, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi conveyed Punjab government’s readiness to give PKR 350 billion for enhancing the railway tracks in Punjab. The remarks came during his address to the National Assembly Standing Committee. He stated that Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz had expressed her interest in backing the “infrastructure initiative” which conforms with the objective of upgrading railway network of the country. The work on Main Line-1 project is progressed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which forms a vital component of federal government’s effort to modernize Pakistan’s railway. The railway minister informed that Pakistan Railways made PKR 93 billion in the financial year 2024-25 which remains as the highest number in country’s history. Minister Abbasi stated that if external funds for Main Line-1 project do not come, federal government would likely utilize its own funds to complete the project.(Amin Ahmed, “Punjab govt to give Rs350bn for railway track upgrade,” Dawn, 12 July 2025)
PM Sharif instructs ministries to improve efficiency through reforms
On 11 July, PM Sharif chaired a meeting which looked into the performance of the ministers in the federal government. The meeting saw the presence of ministers from the federal government- Musadik Maik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Ali Pervaiz Malik several other officials. He instructed the officials to bring in reforms for improving the “performance of ministries” and recruit specialists in each sector. PM Sharif formulated a committee for hiring the “best workforce,” integrating ministries with “modern systems.” He pointed out how Pakistan cannot develop by depending upon a system which has been existing for 70 years. He appreciated Energy Minister Awais Khan Leghari for the progress in energy sector and stressed on the support from international specialists for bringing reforms in the system. He noted how the reforms brought in energy sector resulted in decreasing the losses and that the other ministries should draw lessons from the same. (Syed Irfan Raza, “‘Economic uplift not possible sans modern systems,’” Dawn, 12 July 2025 “PM Shehbaz directs ministries to improve performance,” The Nation, 12 July 2025)
Interior Minister Naqvi visits Bahrain to reinforce bilateral security relations
On 12 July, Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi landed in Manama to embark on his “one-day official visit” to Bahrain. The objective of the visit is to enhance bilateral security relations between the two countries. Interior Minister Naqvi held a meeting with his counterpart from Bahrain General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa where the two leaders delved into issues of common interest and emphasized on the need to increase collaboration in combating terrorism, “anti-human trafficking, and narcotics control.” The two leaders also discussed on how to counter “regional and global security challenges” and decided to revive the “Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Security Committee” for increasing “coordination and information sharing.” The interior minister of Bahrain thanked Pakistan for backing Bahrain and asserted that Pakistan’s interior minister’s visit will reinforce “security partnership” between Bahrain and Pakistan. (“Pakistan, Bahrain pledge to boost security cooperation,” The Nation, 12 July 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
PPP fails to get formal commitment of support from JUI-F for the upcoming KP Senate elections
On 11 July, a team of senior leaders of PPP which comprised of Syed Khursheed Shah, governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi and Zahir Shah held a meeting with the leaders of JUI-F. chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other leaders of the party such as Akram Durrani, Maulana Lutfur Rehman, Maulana Asad Mahmood, Zahir Durrani and Asjad Mahmood. The objective of the meeting for PPP was to get the backing of JUI-F for the incoming Senate elections in KP. Nevertheless, the discussions concluded without any formal commitment of JUI-F’s support. Governor of KP Faisal Karim Kundi asserted that PPP is looking to win five senate seats out of 12 in the upcoming elections. He dismissed the speculations regarding “horse trading” and claimed that the discussions were held to look for possible options to fight the “elections together.” Regarding the possibility of putting forward a “no-confidence motion,” Kundi stated that it can only be initiated if “numbers are complete.” (Kalbe Ali, “PPP tries to woo Fazl ahead of KP Senate elections,” Dawn, 12 July 2025)
CM Murad Ali Shah blames federal government’s policies for Sindh’s energy sector problems
On 11 July, CM of Sindh Murad Ali Shah conveyed his distress over federal government’s policies which he claimed were creating big problems for enhancement of province’s energy sector. According to him Sindh possess huge potential and can contribute immensely to Pakistan’s energy requirements, however, the present policies of the federal government were hindering its progress. He highlighted how the federal government had opposed the “wind power projects” in the province. In the meeting with the relevant “stakeholders,” specialists and “policymakers,” he urged for delving into steps to utilize Sindh’s energy reserves and look for “sustainable energy solutions.” Further, the Chief Minister informed about the building of “105 kilometer railway line” which would link Thar coal to international markets, terming it “game changing project.” (Tahir Siddiqui, “Centre’s policies hindering development of Sindh’s energy sector: Murad,” Dawn, 12 July 2025)
ECONOMY
Federal Minister for Planning to push for Turbat as winter capital for Balochistan
On 12 July, The Nation reported that the federal government is looking to declare either Gwadar or Turbat as winter capital of Balochistan. However, Federal Minister for Planning Development Ahsan Iqbal is more inclined towards designating Turbat as the winter capital of Balochistan because of its higher population. This came during the “meeting of Cabinet Committee on Operationalization of Gwadar port.” The planning minister urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work towards formulating a “four-nation consortium” for carrying out a study to connect South Asia with Gulf Cooperation Council countries via “undersea tunnel.” The attendees of the meeting were briefed about ongoing negotiations with the “Chinese trawler” firms to utilize Gwadar as an “offloading hub” and for establishing “fish processing facilities.” The meeting emphasized on completing an overarching roadmap to speed up the “operationalization” of Gwadar port. Some of the important issues on which discussions were held comprised of holding an “international conference” in Islamabad to spread information regarding Gwadar port, formulating a strong “market strategy” and increasing diplomatic engagement to bring in more investments from Central Asian countries.(“Ahsan for early commencement of transshipment operations between Gwadar, Persian Gulf,” The Nation, 12 July 2025)
SECURITY
Dead bodies of people killed in the Zhob, Balochistan militant attack reaches Punjab
On 11 July, the dead bodies of nine people who were killed in a militant attack in Balochistan reached Punjab. The militant attack took place at the border between Zhob and Loralai in Balochistan. The people who lost their lives in the attack were journeying towards Lahore from Quetta. After the attack, CM of Balochistan Safraz Bugti directed the law-enforcement agencies to initiate measures for bringing the culprits to face the wrath of law. He also gave the law-enforcement agencies to take measures “beyond the usual limit of the levies and police jurisdictions” if needed. The CM asserted “there will be no compromise on enforcing law in Balochistan.” President Zardari termed the militant assault as “barbaric act,” claiming that the attack was backed by India to create instability in the country. PM Sharif also accused India for backing the militants who were involved in killing of innocent people.
On 12 July, an editorial in The News International titled “Terror in Zhob,” asserted that the militant attack in Zhob, Balochistan was intentionally executed to create divide in the Pakistani society. The editorial highlighted how the people who lost their lives in the attack were picked out by the militants on the basis of their “ethnic identity.” The editorial argues that the militants should not be termed as “insurgent” as that would conceal the fact that they orchestrated such heinous acts. The editorial blames India for backing the militants and claims that its actions disrupt regional peace. The editorial further argues that people of Balochistan and the militants should not be viewed by the same lens. As per the editorial, the people who are furious due to the “political alienation” of the province do not back violence. The editorial suggests that the government must involve itself in a dialogue with the civil society of Balochistan. At the same time, the editorial demands that the militant groups must be dealt with brutal force. Further, the editorial urges the editorial calls on the international community to hold India accountable for its alleged involvement in backing militancy in Pakistan. (Syed Ali Shah, “Bodies of nine slain passengers sent home,” The Express Tribune, 12 July 2025; “Terror in Zhob,” The News International, 12 July 2025)
EXTERNAL
President Zardari urges enhanced cooperation with Czech Republic in “trade, investment and people to people contact”
On 11 July, President Zardari held a meeting with Pakistan’s envoy to Czech Republic Shehryar Akbar in Islamabad. President Zardari emphasized the necessity to enhance “trade, investment and people to people to people contact” between Czech Republic and Pakistan. He highlighted how Czech Republic is an “important partner” for the country and pushed for increasing “exchanges of parliamentary and cultural delegations” between the two countries. (“President stresses more trade with Czech Republic,” The Nation, 12 July 2025)
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