Photo : Radio Pakistan
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Radio Pakistan
In Focus
Interior Minister’s visit to Kabul: Focus on strengthening counter-terrorism efforts and border security
On 20 July, Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with the Interior Minister of Taliban government Sirajuddin Haqqani in Kabul. The two leaders deliberated on “counter-terrorism, border security, and repatriation of Afghan nationals.” The meeting emphasized the two country’s resolve towards “stability and cooperation” in the region. Further, two leaders particularly delved into the threat posed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The two leaders agreed on enhancing bilateral efforts to increase security at the border and eradicate terrorism. The two sides decided to maintain cooperation and continue discussion over key issues and look towards establishing “secure and safe environment” for the two countries. (Shakeel Anjum, “Naqvi, Haqqani urge peaceful co-existence,” The News International, 21 July 2025)
FDI from China surged by 90 per cent in the financial year 2024-25
On 21 July, The Nation reported that the foreign direct investment (FDI) from China increased by 90 per cent in the financial year 2024-25 to USD 1.22 billion. This number in the previous financial year amounted to USD 643.2 million. In the financial year 2025, the total money which came into the country from China totalled USD 1709.8 million. Money which went from Pakistan to China stood at USD 485.5 million. The total foreign direct investment in the country for financial year 2024-25 amounted USD 2.457 billion. Close to 50 per cent of the total FDI coming into the country came from China. The other countries whose FDI flowed into the country were: UAE (USD 283.1 million), South Korea (96.2 million), Malaysia (42.8 million), Japan (40.1 million), US (30.5 million) and Kuwait (30.4 million). China’s FDI in June amounted to USD 88.1 million. 39.1 million from Pakistan went towards China for the month of June. (“China’s net FDI in Pakistan soars 90pc to $1.22b in FY2024-25,” The Nation, 21 July 2025)
SC delegation embarks on a visit to Turkiye for enhancing “judicial performance”
On 20 July, a high-profile delegation of the Supreme Court embarked on a seven-day visit to Ankara, Turkiye. This follows the visit of Chief of Justice of Pakistan to Turkiye. The delegation includes members from the Supreme Court, Federal Judicial Academy, and Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan. As per a communique from the Supreme Court, the visit is part of Chief of Justice of Pakistan’s resolve to introduce “institutional reforms” and to enhance “international judicial cooperation” The delegation is expected to delve into the “best practices in judicial performance” and how to utilize technology in the judiciary process.(“SC team leaves for Turkiye,” The Express Tribune, 21 July 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
Elections for Senate seats in KP assembly commences
On 21 July, Senate elections began for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. A total of 11 Senate members are to be elected from the province. Previously, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur was able to successfully convince four dissatisfied PTI members to withdraw their candidature. On 20 July, the “swearing in ceremony” took place for the members who will be occupying reserved seats in the KP assembly. 25 candidates are set to fight in the current Senate elections. For general seats, PTI has named four candidates while the opposition has named three candidates. PTI and the opposition parties have filed two candidates each for reserved seats. Elections to the Senate are conducted through “single transferable vote.” Electors list their preferred candidates in the order. If the candidate first in the list manages to get additional votes, the candidate who is second in the list gets the rest of the additional votes. The one with the lowest number of votes is eliminated, and votes polled for that candidate gets “redistributed.” This process keeps on going unless “all seats are filled.”(Imtiaz Hussain & Daniyal Aziz,“Polling underway in KP Assembly to elect 11 senators,” The News International, 21 July 2025)
JUDICIARY
Islamabad court issues arrest warrant against KP CM in “liquor and illegal weapons recovery case”
On 19 July, an Islamabad court has ordered the arrest of KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur in relation to a “liquor and illegal weapons recovery case.” The court has instructed the concerned authorities “to produce” the KP CM in front of the court before 21 July. The court has dismissed KP CM’s appeal to excuse him from “personal appearance.” The court also informed that it could ahead with its decision in case KP CM does not show up. This will also lead him in forgoing his “right to record the statement.” The court noted that the case against the KP CM remained unresolved for eight years. Further, the court noted that the KP CM was intentionally circumventing “recording his statement.” In addition to that, the court clarified that Peshawar High Court’s order does not restrict it from ordering his arrest. The court’s order comes after KP CM decided to initiate PTI’s “do or die movement.” (Arfa Feroz Zake, “Islamabad court orders CM Gandapur's arrest in arms, liquor case,” The News International, 19 July 2025)
ECONOMY
Finance Ministry highlights the risk of bankruptcy faced by State-Owned Enterprises
On 20 July, The Nation reported on the warning issued by the finance ministry regarding a number of state-owned enterprises being on the verge of “bankruptcy.” As per the finance ministry, “bankruptcy is not just a possibility, but has a high probability.” The finance ministry expressed its concerns over the “low average Altman Z-Score” of all the state-owned enterprises, highlighting “insolvency risks.” The concerns are not new, however, “internal oversight mechanism” have remained unsuccessful in introducing reforms. The system has been unable to put a check on the “poor financial practices” which has resulted into “fiscal instability” and declining confidence of the public in the institutions. As per The Nation, a number of boards of directors continue to be “dysfunctional.” Further, the members of the board do not have autonomy or knowledge needed to take “strategic decisions.”
(“Many state-owned entities operating in red zone facing bankruptcy: Finance ministry,” The Nation, 21 July 2025)
SOCIETY
Honor killing video on social media sparks anger among civil society, politicians, and religious leaders in Balochistan
On 20 July, a video appeared in social media which showed the “honour killing” of a man and woman in Balochistan. The act sparked anger and was denounced by the members of civil society, religious leaders and politicians. As per The Express Tribune, the man and woman were killed by their “family and community members.” The culprits were armed and were seen to shoot the victims in front of the public. The woman who was murdered cannot be seen as resisting in the video. She told the culprits “only shooting is allowed, nothing else.” The spokesman of Balochistan government accepted that the gruesome murder did take place in the province, however, he did not confirm where it took place. Further, he informed that one of the culprits has been detained. Balochistan CM Mir Sarfraz Bugti instructed a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. He directed the law-enforcement agencies to detain all the culprits. (Syed Ali Shah, “Brutal 'honour killing' caught on video sparks nationwide outrage,” The Express Tribune, 21 July 2025)
SECURITY
Security forces neutralizes four militants in Kalat, Balochistan
On 20 July, security forces conduced an intelligence-based operation in Kalat, Balochistan. The security forces managed to neutralize four militants. As per the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR), the militants were backed by India. The security forces retrieved “weapons, ammunition, and explosives” from the neutralized militants. The ISPR further informed that “search operations” are being carried out to hunt down other militants operating in the area. (Zarmeen Zehra, “Security forces kill four Indian-sponsored terrorists inBalochistan's Kalat,” The News International, 20 July 2025)
Security forces eliminate nine militants in Malakand, KP
On 20 July, security forces in cooperation with the other law enforcement agencies initiated a “joint operation” in Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The operation resulted in killing of nine militants. As per the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the militants were supported by India. Further, the security forces were also able to detain eight militants. The security forces dismantled two militant camps and retrieved huge quantities of “weapons, ammunition, and explosives.” The ISPR claimed that the residents of the area applauded the security forces and conveyed their “full support.” Search operations are being carried out to look for other militants active in the region. President Zardari and PM Sharif appreciated the efforts put in by the security forces and reiterated their resolve to eradicate the threat posed by militants who are allegedly supported by India. (Zarmeen Zehra, “Nine terrorists neutralised in Malakand joint operation,” The News International, 20 July 2025)
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