NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : The Express Tribune
In Focus
9 May 2023 riots case: ATC sentences PTI’s Yasmin Rashid to ten years in jail; Shah Mehmood Qureshi acquitted
On 22 July, Anti-Terrorism courts in Punjab indicted PTI’s Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhary, and Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar in the 9 May 2023 riots case. However, senior PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi was acquitted by the court. Further, Anti-Terrorism Court in Sargodha awarded 32 people which also includes PTI members and supporters 10-year sentences. On the verdict issued by Anti-Terrorism courts, the federal government commented it to be a “positive step,” As per the Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, courts’ orders “fulfills all requirements of justice.” The minister claimed that the law sees everyone as equal, irrespective of individuals holding the posts of Member of National Assembly or Member of Provincial Assembly. After the verdict was issued by the court, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar claimed that he would continue to stand by PTI supremo Imran Khan. Several PTI members denounced the courts’ orders, claiming it was “mockery of justice.” The deputy leader of opposition in Punjab’s provincial assembly, Muhammad Moeen Ud Din Riaz Qureshi, called the courts' verdicts a “black day for democracy.” Further, he informed that PTI would “challenge” courts’ verdicts in “appellate court.”
On 23 July, an editorial in The Nation titled “The Reckoning,” saw the recent verdicts issued by ATCs as “lawful and necessary outcomes.” The editorial contends that those political parties which decide to engage in country-wide violence, must be ready to face the wrath of law. The editorial highlights the “silence” of the senior party leaders after workers of the political parties were detained, post 9 May 2023 riots. The editorial suggests all the political parties to raise their concerns in parliament rather than engaging in violence in streets. (Rana Yasif, “ATCs find dozens guilty of May 9 riots,” The Express Tribune, 23 July 2025; “Govt hails ATC verdict in May 9 cases,” The Express Tribune, 23 July 2025; “The Reckoning,” The Nation, 23 July 2025)
Lahore gets Pakistan’s first electric tram imported from China
On 23 July, The Express Tribune reported that Lahore has received Pakistan’s first electric tram. The tram has been imported in China. As per The Express Tribune, the tram would not run on a conventional rail line. The imported tram from China can accommodate 200 people and has three compartments. It has the capacity to cover 27 kilometers with just “10-minute charge.” Further, the trap has the capacity to run driverless, however, in Pakistan it would be “manually operated” because of safety issues. The transport minister of Punjab Bilal Akbar Khan, claimed that trams with latest technology would be operating in Lahore and Gujranwala, even before it arrives in other big cities of the world such as Budapest. Further, the transport minister informed that for the trial period, trams would run from “Thokar Niaz Baig to Harbanspura along the canal road corridor.” The concerned authorities would examine whether a separate lane is required for the tram to run. It is anticipated that the service of trap would also arrive in other cities of Punjab such as Faisalabad, if it is successful in Lahore.(Imran Adnan, “Country's first electric tram arrives,” The Express Tribune, 23 July 2025)
Federal government secured USD 26.7 billion in loans in FY2024-25
On 23 July, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan secured a USD 26.7 billion in foreign loans during FY2024-25. Half of the amount constitutes rollovers of previously obtained loans, indicating the country's increasing dependence on multilateral and bilateral creditors. USD 3.4 billion or approximately 13 per cent out of the USD 26.7 billion was received for project financing. Such low receipts for project financing indicates difficulties in repaying the loans, as most foreign borrowings are used for budgetary support and to build foreign exchange reserves, neither of which contribute to revenue generation for repayment. In the same period, multilateral institutions contributed USD 6.9 billion in loans. The International Monetary Fund gave USD 2.1 billion in loans. The Asian Development Banks disbursed USD 2.1 billion in new loans. The World Bank released USD 1.7 billion but has not announced any new budget support or loans for the current fiscal year. The Islamic Development Bank gave USD 716 million, and Saudi Arabia disbursed USD 200 million. Another USD 12.7 billion were secured as rollovers of cash deposits from Saudi Arabia, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. This amount is rolled over annually as Pakistan remains unable to repay. Notably, the IMF's three-year programme is premised on the continued rollover of these USD 12.7 billion loans. (Shahbaz Rana, “Govt secured $26.7b in loans in FY25,” The Express Tribune, 23 July 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
PTI Senate seat arrangement reveals fault lines within the party
On 23 July, The Express Tribune reported that PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's leadership decided to enter into a seat-sharing agreement with the opposition in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Senate elections; however, PTI’s incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, has yet to endorse or reject it. Raja said that if Imran Khan disapproves of this decision, then party members will “do whatever he decides.” Raja claimed that there were two stances that emerged within the party on whether or not PTI should contest the Senate elections. Later, the party decided to contest the elections after agreeing to a seat adjustment with the opposition. Further, he highlighted that PTI leader Advocate Zaheer Abbas had presented names for the four general Senate seats on behalf of Imran Khan. Raja argued that Zaheer Abbas did not misrepresent anything and that this matter was communicated to KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur as per the party’s tradition of consultative decision-making; however, he cannot comment “on what pressure he may have faced.”
On 23 July, an editorial in The Express Tribune titled, “K-P's Senate expedition,” questioned the legal locus standi and political credibility of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s decision to enter into a seat-sharing agreement with opposition parties for the Senate elections due to internal dissent and the Supreme Court’s redistribution of reserved seats, despite having a majority in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assembly. The editorial described the voting process in KP Assembly as “politically-engineered,” claiming that the seat-sharing arrangement has “crossed a constitutional benchmark.” The editorial accused the Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench of doling out seats to opposition parties after “taking them away from the PTI.” Further, the editorial expressed regret over the fact that Tehreek-e-Insaf, despite constituting a two-thirds majority in the provincial assembly, agreed to a seat-adjustment with the opposition and lost at least five seats. The editorial speculated that members within the PTI consider this seat-adjustment to be a compromise by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and that it amounts to accepting the legality of the reserved seats decision, contradicting the party's stance since the delay of Senate elections from 8 February. Further, the editorial suggested that PTI has lost this contest because “it could not keep its house in order.” The editorial pointed out that PTI's Murad Saeed has now been elected to the Senate, marking a favourable outcome for supporters who rally for Imran Khan. The editorial concluded by stating that a “new working relationship” between the PTI and the coalition parties is a “point of consolation,” and it remains to be seen how this development affects the political stability of the country. (“PTI Senate arrangement sparks internal dissent,” The Express Tribune, 23 July 2025;“K-P's Senate expedition,” The Express Tribune, 23 July 2025)
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz launches country’s first provincial anti-narcotics force
On 23 July, The News International reported that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched Pakistan’s first provincial Counter Narcotics Force (CNF) on 22 July. The newly formed provincial force is being equipped to act swiftly in eliminating drugs across Punjab Director General CNF, Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal, briefed the chief minister on the force’s formation and future initiatives. He stated that 866 vacant positions were filled in the first phas,e and CNF stations and regional directorates have been established across all divisions of Punjab. In the second phase, CNF will expand its operations to the district level. Further, CNF officers and personnel received three months of training at the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Academy in Rawalpindi. Punjab is now the first province to establish such a force under the 5th Constitutional Amendment to combat drug-related issues. Nawaz stated that “the creation of a specialised force to tackle this crisis was inevitable,” highlighting that meritorious recruitment has been carried out for the CNF, with 850 officers and soldiers being selected out of 12,000 applications received. (“Maryam launches country’s first provincial anti-narcotics force,” The News International, 23 July 2025)
PAK-CHINA
PM Sharif asserts safety of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan as government’s “top priority”
On 22 July, PM Sharif asserted that the federal government is putting efforts to create a “safe and business-friendly environment” for citizens of China who are working in the country. He underscored the importance of the trust put in by Chinese firms in the economy of the country. He claimed that the safety of Chinese citizens in Pakistan is the federal government’s “top priority.” The remarks from the Prime Minister came during a meeting where the attendees reviewed “security arrangements” for Chinese nationals stationed in the country. Minister for interior Mohsin Naqvi informed the PM, about the “special security arrangements” taken by the government amidst rise in terror attacks which have often targeted Chinese nationals. (“Prime minister vows safe environment for Chinese,” The Express Tribune, 23 July 2025)
EXTERNAL
FM Dar to meet Secretary Rubio in Washington DC
On 23 July, The News International reported that Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who currently is in the US, would hold a meeting with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the capital on 25 July. As per The News International, this would be the “first official meeting” between foreign minister Dar and Secretary of State Rubio. It is anticipated that FM Dar would express his country’s “gratitude” towards President Trump for facilitating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Further it is anticipated that the two leaders would delve into issues related to trade and economy. Previously, Pakistan had nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.(Nasim Haider, “DMP Dar, secretary Rubio set for first high-level talks in Washington on July 25,” The News International, 23 July 2025)
FM Ishaq Dar meets UK minister, resolves to deepen Pakistan-UK cooperation
On 23 July, The Express Tribune reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met the United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, the UN, Commonwealth, and Multilateral Affairs, Lord Collins of Highbury, on 22 July during the sidelines of the UNSC Open Debate under Pakistan's presidency. Both leaders resolved to “deepen Pakistan-UK cooperation in economy, trade, and parliamentary engagement, and recognised the critical role of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK.” On a multilateral level, Lord Collins welcomed Pakistan's contributions to improving dispute settlement mechanisms during its UNSC presidency. Both leaders discussed regional and global developments, including Jammu and Kashmir. Further, they expressed concern over the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stressed the importance of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution which will take place on 28 July. (“Pakistan, UK reaffirm commitment to deepen ties,” The Express Tribune, 23 July 2025)
UN Security Council adopts Pakistan-sponsored resolution for dialogue to prevent conflicts
On 23 July, The Express Tribune reported that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 22 July unanimously adopted a Pakistan-sponsored resolution aimed at “strengthening mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes.” The resolution, titled “Strengthening Mechanisms for Peaceful Settlement of Disputes” (Resolution 2788), was passed during a high-level open debate chaired by FM Dar. The resolution called upon UN member states to utilise preventive diplomacy, mediation, and dialogue to prevent conflicts and to implement the UNSC resolutions for peaceful dispute resolution. Dar covered a range of issues, including Israel's military operations in Gaza, Jammu and Kashmir, and India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). For the conflict in Gaza, Dar called for “an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire” that must pave the way for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of an independent Palestine. For Jammu and Kashmir, Dar reiterated Pakistan's position that the dispute remains “one of the oldest items on the UNSC agenda.” Dar reaffirmed that Pakistan remained ready for dialogue but expected “reciprocity and sincerity” from India. (Kamran Yousaf, “UNSC backs dialogue to prevent conflicts,” The Express Tribune, 23 July, 2025)
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