Photo : Dawn
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Dawn
In Focus
Government dismisses any new operation in KP, National Action Plan (NAP) to continue
On 8 August, The Express Tribune reported that Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has ruled out any new military operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite speculation of a large-scale offensive due to deteriorating law and order in the tribal districts. Speaking in the National Assembly, he clarified, “No new operation is being launched, but under the National Action Plan, no one can stop the operations.” Chaudhry criticised the PTI, asking, “Who brought and settled the TTP here? Are you with the terrorists or with the state?” He noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had received PKR 700 billion under the NFC Award for counterterrorism but had failed to strengthen its Counter-Terrorism Department. PTI’s Asad Qaiser opposed any military action, urging dialogue instead and accusing the government of shutting down trade with Afghanistan and imposing taxes on tribal areas. The K-P government has also warned that kinetic measures could worsen security. Following initial action, a planned military offensive in Bajaur was put on hold after the Bajaur Aman Jirga held successful negotiations with the banned TTP. (“Centre vows no let-up in K-P terror fight,” The Express Tribune, 8 August 2025; Muhammad Anis,” Action under NAP will continue at all costs: govt,” The News International, 8 August 2025; Iftikhar A. Khan, “Govt rules out KP military operation,” Dawn, 8 August 2025)
PM expresses concern over 2.55 per cent population growth rate
On August 8, The Express Tribune reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office to address Pakistan’s rising population and devise strategies to manage it. He described Pakistan’s annual population growth rate of 2.55 per cent as a cause for serious concern. Sharif stressed the need for “comprehensive planning to ensure our growing population, especially the youth, becomes a productive part of the economy,” noting that young people are the country’s “most valuable asset.” Highlighting gender inclusion, he said, “Women constitute a significant portion of our human capital. We must ensure greater employment opportunities for them.” The PM directed the formation of a committee to develop a unified national policy in collaboration with provinces and called for a nationwide awareness campaign on the impact of unchecked population growth. Officials emphasized that lasting solutions require active provincial cooperation and public engagement. Federal ministers, including Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Attaullah Tarar, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, and Azam Nazeer Tarar, along with senior officials, attended the meeting. (“Population growth rate alarming: PM,” The Express Tribune, 8 August 2025)
Chinese Foreign Minister to visit Islamabad for Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue
On 8 August, The News International reported that a new round of Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue will be held in Islamabad on 20-21August, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in attendance. Chinese media has confirmed the visit, noting it precedes Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s 31 August trip to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Summit. The first strategic dialogue took place in March 2019 in Beijing. During his visit, Wang Yi will meet Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Discussions are expected to cover CPEC progress, economic cooperation, regional stability, defence, security, and broader bilateral relations. His trip follows a 24 July meeting in Beijing with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, where Wang Yi praised the Pakistani military’s role in national defence and China-Pakistan’s bilateral ties. During the meeting, Wang Yi reaffirmed that China and Pakistan are “ironclad” and “all-weather” partners. He stressed that the two sides have shown consistent mutual support on core issues and resilience against shared challenges. (Mariana Baabar, “Pak-China strategic dialogue in Islamabad on 20th, 21st,” The News International, 8 August 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
Majority of 2024 election petitions remain undecided: Fafen
On 8 August, Dawn reported that over 18 months after the 2024 general elections, more than half of the 374 election petitions tracked by the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) remain undecided, 124 for National Assembly (NA) seats and 250 for provincial assemblies (PA). As of 31 July, only 171 petitions (46 per cent ) had been resolved by 23 tribunals, with Punjab showing the most progress and other provinces slowing since April. From April to July, just 35 petitions were settled, including 28 in Punjab and three each in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fafen has noted. Overall, Balochistan has decided on 85 per cent of its cases, Punjab 49 per cent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 28 per cent, and Sindh 25 per cent. Of the resolved cases, 168 were dismissed, nearly half for non-maintainability, and only three were accepted. PTI-backed independents filed 55 per cent of petitions, followed by PML-N (13 per cent) and PPPP (8 per cent), unaffiliated independent candidates (7 per cent), and JUI-F candidates (7per cent). Most challengers targeted PML-N winners (39 per cent), then PTI-backed candidates (16 per cent). So far, 84 tribunal verdicts have been appealed in the Supreme Court, including three by candidates whose victories were overturned. (Bakhtawar Mian, “More than half of all poll petitions still pending: Fafen,” Dawn, 8 August 2025)
Jirga-led peace talks in Bajaur stalled
On 8 August, The News International reported that the fifth round of negotiations between Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and a local peace jirga in Bajaur ended without results, as the Taliban have refused to vacate the area. No consensus could be reached on key issues, as the Taliban remained firm in their demands, stating they will not leave or relocate from populated areas, security forces must avoid group movements, moving in armed convoys, and should inform the Taliban before supplying posts. Maulana Tariq, who was a part of the 10-member delegation, said the talks were cordial, with some signs of flexibility in the Taliban’s attitude due to the presence of religious scholars in the negotiating team, but future engagement would be decided after further consultations. TTP groups, particularly in Mamond, have re-emerged, alarming locals. Many are reportedly Afghan nationals unwilling to return or be handed over to the Afghan government. Security forces at present are conducting limited operations, avoiding a major offensive to allow jirga-led efforts for a peaceful settlement to continue. (Arshad Aziz Malik, “TTP refuses to leave Bajaur, deadlock continues in talks,” The News International,8 August 2025)
ECONOMY
27 projects worth PKR 1.5 trillion approved by ECNEC
On 7 August, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, approved projects worth PKR 1.5 trillion across education, infrastructure, education, energy, environment, public services, and health in just under two hours. The Planning Ministry later clarified that 27 projects were cleared, while the Sehat Sahulat Card scheme was sent to a committee. Major approvals included the long-delayed Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) at PKR 363 billion, with a Chinese firm offering to build all five sections, while the Islamic Development Bank funds two. This marks the project’s fourth approval, its cost having risen 121 per cent since 2020, and it is now part of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). Several sections of the Karachi-Quetta-Chaman N-25 (“killer road”), totalling PKR 415 billion, and the PKR 122.2 billion Green Pakistan Programme were also cleared. Other projects covered hydropower, flood management, tourism, higher education, Punjab’s laptop scheme, roadworks in multiple provinces, water security in Balochistan, and major urban infrastructure in Lahore. “Several Sindh-focused projects were also approved, despite these violating the National Fiscal Pact signed under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.” (Shahbaz Rana, “ECNEC approves Rs1.5tr for 27 projects,” The Express Tribune, 8 August 2025)
SECURITY
Jaffar Express narrowly misses blast, track damaged near Sibi
On 8 August, Dawn reported that the Quetta-bound Jaffar Express narrowly averted a potentially deadly incident on 7 August when a bomb exploded near Sibi Railway Station moments after the train passed. Pakistan Railways confirmed the device was planted close to the outer signal on the track, which connects Balochistan with the rest of the country. A senior official said it detonated shortly after the train crossed, damaging the track but sparing the passengers. Railway police reported that a section of the track was “significantly damaged”, prompting the halting of services and stopping all Quetta-bound trains at Jacobabad. Repair work began immediately. Initial findings by the security forces indicate that the device was remotely detonated. The blast has caused significant disruption, but no injuries have been reported. (“Jaffar Express escapes blast near Sibi,” Dawn, 8 August 2025)
Four killed in South Waziristan bombing as security fears rise
On 7 August, a remotely detonated bomb targeted a police patrol in Wana Bazaar, South Waziristan, killing four civilians and injuring 14 others, including two policemen. The blast, which occurred near the main taxi stand during rush hour, caused chaos, shattering shop windows and injuring mostly passersby and shopkeepers. Police said the patrol vehicle sustained minor damage, but civilians bore the brunt of the attack. No group has claimed responsibility, though officials suspect the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which allegedly operates from Afghanistan. At the District Headquarters Hospital, doctors confirmed that four civilians passed away from their injuries, and two of the wounded were in serious condition. Security forces have cordoned off the area, launched a manhunt, and begun collecting forensic evidence. Businesses in the area are closed amid fear and grief, with locals decrying worsening security. Tribal elders demanded urgent measures to restore peace, warning of a return to the violent period of 2008–09 if action is delayed. (“4 civilians martyred in Wana bomb attack,” The Express Tribune, 8 August 2025)
Editorials/Opinions from Pakistan
On Pakistan's ranking in the Global Gender Gap Index
Syed Mohammad Ali, "Is Pakistan really the worst place to be a woman?," The Express Tribune, 8 August 2025
“Pakistan has reached rock bottom on the Global Gender Gap Index. This year's index ranked 148 countries using a combination of economic, educational, health, and political empowerment indicators and it found Pakistan's overall score to be the worst."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2560173/is-pakistan-really-the-worst-place-to-be-a-woman
On militant activity in KP
Editorial, "Tough choices," Dawn, 8 August 2025
"For over 20 years, KP, including the former Fata region, has faced almost constant violence on account of both terrorism and CT operations. People have lost loved ones and faced displacement. Fatigue and desperation after two decades of conflict have led the tribal people to demand talks with the militants and an end to kinetic action. Yet while the views of the local people should be heard, it must also be remembered that terrorist groups have mostly broken the pacts signed with the state."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1929457/tough-choices
On India-US ties
Editorial, "India trumped," The News International, 8 August 2025
"The ongoing deterioration in US-India ties hit a new low on Wednesday when US President Donald Trump decided to issue an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods citing New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil. The latest tariff escalation has effectively doubled the overall tariff rates on Indian exports to the US to 50 per cent, sharply escalating tensions between the two countries after trade talks collapsed."
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1334028-india-trumped
Aneela Shahzad, "India in wrong boat — again," The Express Tribune, 8 August 2025
"It seems like India has utterly failed in its core foreign policy pillar of strong US-India strategic ties. India's heartburn with China and Pakistan has also kept it alienated in the region and in the Global South. India could have been a bridge between the Global North and South, but it seems like the bridge is broke and taken down India with it."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2560179/india-in-wrong-boat-again
On Balochistan
Editorial, "Balochistan’s troubles," Dawn, 8 August 2025
"The HRCP’s latest fact-finding report confirms what many in Balochistan have alleged for years: the lack of governance and the violation of people’s rights in the province. The report has indicated that enforced disappearances, custodial killings and harassment of families in the province are deliberate. The state’s reluctance to end this practice — despite Supreme Court directives and repeated public outcry — exposes a disregard for constitutional rights and human dignity."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1929455/balochistans-troubles