Photo : The Express Tribune
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : The Express Tribune
In Focus
Arbaeen Pilgrims banned from travelling to Iraq via overland routes
On 28 July, The Express Tribune reported that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that due to security concerns in the Balochistan province, overland travel to Iraq has been banned for Arbaeen pilgrims. Arbaeen, which is observed on the 40th day after Ashura, draws thousands of pilgrims from Pakistan to Karbala, Iraq. Traditionally, a significant number of Pakistani pilgrims make the overland journey via Balochistan and Iran. In a post on X, Naqvi stated, “After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that Zaireen will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year. Zaireen will, however, be able to travel by air”. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate special flights. However, with PIA fares at PKR 212,000 and private airlines charging up to PKR 350,000, the pilgrimage has become unaffordable for many low-income pilgrims. Pilgrim group leaders criticized the last-minute ban, citing heavy financial losses from prepaid visas, transport, and lodging. They urged the government to permit escorted bus convoys or provide cheaper travel alternatives. (“Govt bans land travel for Arbaeen pilgrims”, The Express Tribune, 28 July 2025)
Minister of Railways announces widespread rail reforms
On 28 July, The Express Tribune reported that Minister of Railways Hanif Abbasi has announced “sweeping reforms” for the railway sector. Some of the key initiatives include: an up gradation of the Lahore–Rawalpindi track which is expected to reduce travel time to two hours, completion of a 105-km coal transport track to reduce power costs from PKR15 to PKR 4.5 per unit, launch of a business-class train with Wi-Fi and fine dining on 29 July, which would be inaugurated by PM Shehbaz Sharif. The Minister also stated that there are further plans to digitize the railway system, link 16 banks to the railway app, and install ATMs at 348 stations. The reforms are driven by multiple objectives, namely- modernization and digitization of the sector, improved efficiency and cost cuts by shutting down unproductive companies, increasing revenue and making the railways profitable, cracking down on corruption and illegal practices, as evidenced by warnings against ticketless travel and smuggling, and ultimately supporting Pakistan’s national economic growth. (“Govt unveils sweeping rail reforms”, The Express Tribune, 28 July 2025)
Polio cases in Pakistan rise to 17
On 28 July, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed three new polio cases in Pakistan. An official at the NIH stated that with the latest detections, the total number of Polio cases in Pakistan has risen to 17, with ten cases reported from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, five from Sindh, one from Punjab, and one from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). The cases include a five-year-old boy from Union Council Chajro in Umerkot and a six-month-old girl from Union Council Mir Ali-3 in North Waziristan. The official stressed the importance of vaccinations in the polio eradication effort, further mentioning that the emergence of new cases highlights the ongoing threat to children, particularly in regions with low vaccine acceptance. (Ikram Junaidi, “Polio tally rises to 17 with three new cases in KP, Sindh”, Dawn, 28 July 2025 )
In Brief
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Flash floods lead to humanitarian crisis in Gilgit- Baltistan
On 28 July, Dawn reported that flash floods in Babusar, Thore, Danyor, Sultanabad, Kondus, Haldi, Tisar, Garchahma, and Jutal have caused widespread destruction, displacing residents, destroying homes, and disrupting basic services. Survivors state that they have been hit by the deadliest flood in memory, thousands of residents in the Danyor and Sultanabad areas remained without drinking water for three consecutive days after a flash flood from Danyor Nallah. In another development, a massive landslide in Kondus destroyed over 50 homes, displacing numerous families in urgent need of basic relief and medical aid. Residents also expressed frustration over the lack of internet access, which severely hampered communication and emergency outreach. Eyewitnesses reported that 10 to 15 tourists were swept away by flash floods along the Babusar Highway, with seven bodies recovered so far. Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq stated that the search for the remaining missing persons is ongoing with the help of sniffer dogs, drones, and personnel from Diamer Police, Rescue 1122, the Pakistan Army, and GB Scouts. Rescue operations are also underway in Ghanche, Ghizer, and Gilgit. (Jamil Nagri, “GB Flood Victims cry out for basic services,” Dawn, 28 July 2025)
On the proposed privatization of DISCOs:
“Privatization, if pursued, should not be hasty or selective,” argues an editorial in The News International
On 28 July, an editorial in The News International titled “The power sector puzzle” noted that a long-standing debate in Pakistan’s economic policy circles concerns whether the state should continue delivering essential services or allow the private sector to take over. The editorial highlighted that this discussion has gained renewed importance after the government proposed the privatization of three power distribution companies (DISCOs). While some see this as a push for efficiency, critics are concerned that the plan targets only better-performing DISCOs, thus suggesting selective privatization rather than meaningful reform. Historically, DISCOs have symbolized inefficiency, corruption, and mismanagement, with circular debt reaching PKR 2.4 trillion. A recent audit exposed PKR 244 billion in overbilling by eight DISCOs, allegedly to mask theft and losses, further burdening already struggling consumers. The editorial also talked about how privatization alone may not solve these structural issues, and the real reform must begin with fixing existing inefficiencies, addressing theft, corruption, and lack of accountability. If privatization is pursued, it must be transparent, fair, and underpinned by strong consumer protections. Energy, like food and water, must remain a public good. (“The Power Sector Puzzle”, The News International, 28 July 2025)
SECURITY
Violent protests erupt in Tirah over girl’s death in alleged mortar strike
On 28 July, Dawn reported that on 27 July, hundreds of tribesmen brought a girl’s body who had lost her life in a mortar strike to Brigade Headquarters in Bagh-Maidan Markaz. The protestors attempted to breach the garrison’s main gate and set an excavator on fire. This in turn prompted the security forces to open fire for crowd control, which led to the death of six protestors and injured 17 others. While no official statement was issued about the alleged strike or the shooting incident, the local sector commander met with elders in Tirah and assured them of his full support in meeting their legitimate demands. Security forces announced compensation for the injured and families of the deceased. The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced compensation of PKR 10 million for each deceased and PKR 2.5 million for each injured individual. MNA Iqbal Afridi and MPA Abdul Ghani staged a protest at Bab-i-Khyber in Jamrud, condemning Sunday's incident. They called for a transparent judicial inquiry, fair compensation, and opposed military operations that displace locals in the Tirah Valley. (Ibrahim Shinwari, “Seven lives lost as protests turn violent in Tirah”, Dawn, 28 July 2025)
Pakistan set to launch its latest remote sensing satellite on 31 July
On 26 July, The News International reported that the Economic Coordination Committee (EEC) of the cabinet has approved a mark-up subsidy for 50,000 first homeowners, the total budgetary outlay approved for the scheme is PKR 71.98 billion for the 2025-2026 financial year. The scheme covers housing units up to 5 Marla (1360 sq flats) with no processing fees and prepayment penalties. The scheme will be supported by the Ministries of Finance, Planning, and the State Bank of Pakistan, offering subsidized fixed interest rates. The scheme will be managed by the Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF). During the meeting, the EEC also endorsed policy aligned with National Tariff Policy 2025–30 to enhance export competitiveness, endorsed Pakistan’s green taxonomy, which involves boosting finance for sustainable projects, and approved a government guarantee of PKR 1 billion for issuance of Pakistan Skill Impact Bond (PSIB). Mehtab Haider ”ECC okays Rs72bn subsidy for 50,000 housing units”, The News International, 26 July 2025)
EXTERNAL
“Pakistan-US relations must not be viewed via the lens of our relations with iron-clad brother China”: FM Ishaq Dar
On 28 July, The News International reported that during an interaction with the Pakistani community at the Pakistan Consulate in New York, Pakistan’s deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, “Pakistan-US relations must not be viewed via the lens of our relations with iron-clad brother China”. Dar further asserted that Pakistan wishes to have strong relations with both the US and China. Referring to his recent cordial meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the first such interaction in nine years, Dar reiterated that this balanced approach reflects the government’s policy under PM Shehbaz Sharif. Dar also briefed the community on key initiatives like the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and efforts to resume Pakistan International Airlines flights to New York. This visit of Ishaq Dar is the latest in the series of actions that indicate a diplomatic thaw between Pakistan and the US with the return of President Donald Trump’s administration. (“Pak-US ties must not be seen through China lens: Dar”, The News International , 28 July 2025)
Dar reiterates Pakistan’s support for the two-state solution
On 28 July, Dawn reported that Pakistan will partake in a high-level United Nations conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestine question and the implementation of the two-state solution. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, while speaking to Arab News ahead of the conference, described France and Saudi Arabia’s initiative to hold this conference as “very appreciable”. Dar also reaffirmed Pakistan’s position that a two-state solution is the only viable answer for the Palestinian issue. In his hopes for the outcomes of the conference, Dar stated that an immediate ceasefire, uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid, and recognition of Palestine as an independent state are issues of utmost importance. Pakistan is currently the President of the UN Security Council and chaired the 24 July open debate on Palestine. (Anwar Iqbal, “Pakistan joins global push for statehood”, Dawn, 28 July 2025)
UAE activates visa waiver for diplomatic and official Pakistani passport holders at all airports
On 28 July, Dawn reported that a month after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the United Arab Emirates' Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, visa waivers for Pakistani diplomatic and official passport holders have been started at all UAE airports. This agreement is a reciprocal arrangement. Ishaq Dar hailed the agreement as a step forward in the bilateral relations of the two “brotherly nations”. (“Pakistan, UAE start visa waiver ‘at every airport’”, Dawn, 28 July 2025)
PAK-CHINA/CPEC
Pakistan’s unpaid dues to CPEC energy projects climb to PKR 423 billion
On 27 July, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan’s unpaid dues to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy projects have climbed to PKR423 billion, marking a 5.5 percent rise over the past year. Despite paying PKR 5.1 trillion, covering 92.3 percent of total bills since 2017, interest surcharges remain pending due to ongoing delays. To curb circular debt, the government intends to raise PKR 1.25 trillion through commercial banks, keeping it off the public debt books, in a bid to stabilize power tariffs and financial health. Negotiations are underway with Chinese firms to write off interest surcharges in return for lump-sum payments, though China may be hesitant given its fiscal limitations, and other contributing factors include Pakistan’s breach of the 2015 CPEC Energy Framework Agreement and restricted access to the revolving fund. Plants such as Sahiwal, Port Qasim, and Thar Coal suffer from chronic underpayment. With Chinese companies voicing their concerns, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Beijing may aim to reassure investors and repair ties. (Shahbaaz Rana, “CPEC power dues rise to Rs423b”, The Express Tribune, 28 July 2025)
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