Photo : NNI
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : NNI
In Focus
All Parties Conference declaration demanding halt to military operations: PML-N and PPP refuse to sign
On 17 August, an All Parties Conference (APC) convened by the Awami National Party (ANP) in Islamabad highlighted sharp divisions as the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) refused to sign a joint declaration demanding an immediate halt to military operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. The declaration termed terrorism, extremism, and unrest as outcomes of failed government policies, calling for a “Truth Commission under judicial supervision” to probe losses, recovery of missing persons, disbanding of “death squads,” protection of provincial rights over resources as laid out by the 18th Constitutional Amendment, and rehabilitation of conflict-hit areas.
The declaration also demanded the abolition of laws such as the “Action in Aid of Civil Power" and the dissolution of bodies like the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). ANP chief Aimal Wali Khan criticised displacement in Waziristan, while Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam–Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F) leader Fazlur Rehman said peaceful protests are being branded as rebellion. Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chief Aftab Sherpao urged the government, rather than the establishment, to lead the talks. PML-N’s Irfan Siddiqui supported dialogue but stressed, “Pakistan will survive and no one will be allowed to undermine the Constitution.” The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Muslim League–Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) also endorsed the declaration. (Waqas Ahmed, “PML-N, PPP refuse to sign APC declaration,” The Express Tribune, 18 August 2025)
Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit Pakistan for the Pak-China strategic dialogue
On 18 August, The Express Tribune reported that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, would be coming to Islamabad for the Pakistan-China strategic dialogue on 21 August. The foreign minister will be holding discussions with the top civil and military leaders. Before his trip to Islamabad, FM Wang Yi will also be visiting New Delhi. It is also anticipated that the “agenda” of PM Sharif’s visit to China will be discussed with the foreign minister. PM Sharif is expected to visit China by late August to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and also convene discussions with the leaders of China. Separately, the Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar would be traveling to Dhaka on 23 August. This comes after his earlier trip to Bangladesh in April was postponed because of the brief military confrontation between India and Pakistan. (Kamran Yousaf, “China's FM to visit Pakistan after India trip,” The Express Tribune, 18 August 2025)
Over 540 dead as monsoon devastates KP, Punjab, and "Gilgit-Baltistan"
On 18 August, The News International reported that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday warned of intensified monsoon activity, with Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) facing heightened threats of cloudbursts, urban flooding, and river overflows. Rainfall is forecast to be 50–60 per cent above normal, with three more heavy spells expected through early September. Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Gujranwala are at major risk of flooding, while northern districts such as Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Battagram, Bajaur, Torghar, and Buner face landslides and flash floods.
Rescue 1122 reported 373 bodies recovered in KP, mostly from Buner, raising the countrywide death toll to 540. Over 5,000 people have been rescued, though residents in Swat and Mingora protested delays in relief and restoration of electricity, gas, and water. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced PKR 3 billion in funds, while the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) allocated PKR 800 million to impacted districts. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt-Gen Inam Haider said more than 400 people have died nationwide, with "Gilgit-Baltistan" particularly hit as 14 people have lost their lives, villages destroyed, and prolonged power outages reported. (Isa Khankhel & Jamila Achakzai & Javed Aziz Khan & Khalid Iqbal & Mahboob Ali Yousafzai & Shabbir Mir, “Death toll rises to 540: Punjab, KP face severe flood threats as NDMA predicts intensified monsoon,” The News International, 18 August 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
Pakistan to roll out digital IDs, strengthen cashless economy: PM
On 18 August, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the government is prioritising the digitalisation of the economy by promoting a cashless system and expanding digital financial transactions. Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad on 17 August, the PM urged provincial chief secretaries to cooperate in extending the Raast digital payment system to the district level. Expressing satisfaction over progress, he highlighted plans to build digital public infrastructure, including digital IDs that will integrate national identity cards, biometrics, and mobile numbers to enable secure payments. The meeting was informed that provincial governments have advanced in linking government-to-public and public-to-government payments with Raast. Federal development agencies have already “granted right of way for fibre connectivity,” while discussions with Pakistan Railways and the National Highway Authority aim to further expand digital infrastructure. The initiative seeks to strengthen Pakistan’s financial ecosystem, enhance transparency, and ensure broader accessibility to secure digital payment systems. (“Govt working to expand Raast, digitise economy: PM,” Dawn, 18 August 2025)
SPORTS
Salman Agha to lead Pakistan for the Asia Cup, Azam and Rizwan dropped
On 17 August, Pakistan's team for the upcoming Asia Cup was announced. The announced squad did not include the names of senior players- Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. As per The News International, the two senior players have been “star performers” in the T20 format. The two players have not played T20 since December 2024. The head coach of Pakistan Mike Hesson informed that Babar Azam has been advised to work towards improving his strike rate and increase his abilities to better handle spin bowling. Pakistan team would be captained by Salman Agha who is an all-rounder. Quick bowlers Mohammad Wasim and Salman Mirza are also included in the squad.(“Azam, Rizwan left out of Pakistan’s Asia Cup squad,” The News International, 18 August 2025)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan, South Africa deepen trade ties at 2nd Pak-Africa summit
On 18 August, The Nation reported that the 2nd Pak-Africa Trade Summit was held on 12–13 August in Sandton. The gathering, attended by senior officials, business leaders, and over 40 Pakistani delegates, aimed to expand commercial and investment partnerships across Southern Africa. The summit was hosted by “Pakistan High Commission, GGDA, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC), South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce, Minara Chamber of Commerce, CBE, and other partner organisations.” The summit also featured business-to-business meetings in Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town. A notable outcome was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Pakistan Southern Africa Trade Federation (PSCTF) and the Minara Chamber of Commerce, designed to strengthen institutional collaboration.
PSCTF Chair Muhammad Rafiq Memon described the summit as a “milestone” in Pakistan–South Africa relations, with discussions highlighting agriculture, technology, halal products, energy, and manufacturing as key sectors for future cooperation. Pakistan’s Federal Minister for the Board of Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, called South Africa a “gateway to Africa” and positioned Pakistan as a bridge to Central Asia and China. Shaikh noted that current bilateral trade amounts to USD 200 million in Pakistani exports to South Africa and USD 400 million in imports from South Africa, highlighting significant “untapped trade potential,”. (“Johannesburg hosts successful 2nd Pak-Africa Trade Summit 2025,” The Nation, 18 August 2025)
Pak-US to build “long-term partnership” via “trade and investment,” says Pak envoy to the US
On 18 August, The News International reported that Pakistan’s envoy to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, visited Dallas, where he spoke to Geo News. On Pakistan’s improving relations with the US, the envoy said it is “not temporary romance” but “strategic necessity.” Further, the envoy asserted that Pakistan and the US will build a “long-term partnership” via “trade and investment.” He pointed out how Pakistan is on the course of becoming the third-largest country, in terms of population, which is why Pak-US ties are an “unavoidable reality.” He also highlighted how the US has kept the tariffs on Pakistani goods much lower than those of other competing countries. In addition to that, he informed that the US firms have conveyed their interest in building “joint ventures.” A Pak-US investment conference would soon be organized in Texas, according to Pakistan’s envoy. (“Not a temporary romance: Pakistan envoy says bilateral ties with US strategic necessity,” The News International, 18 August 2025)
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