NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
In Focus
Pak-Iran to increase “bilateral agriculture trade” to USD three billion in two years
On 18 August, Tehran and Islamabad announced that they would be aiming to increase “bilateral agriculture trade” to USD three billion in two years. A team headed by Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, had embarked on a visit to Iran, which concluded on 18 August. Minister Hussain managed to obtain Tehran’s assent, after which Pakistan would import a substantial quantity of rice. This has provided Pakistan with a “consistent and stable export market.” Tehran reassured Minister Hussain on removing obstacles to importing mangoes from Pakistan. The minister for agriculture in the Iranian government, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, informed that Iran would look to increase its exports of “dairy products, nuts, fruits, and vegetables” to Pakistan. Further, he informed that both countries have decided to enhance collaboration in doing “research on climate change and food security.” The two countries would also be looking to establish a “joint agriculture committee” which would be convening twice in a year to examine the progression and remove the obstacles. (Amin Ahmed, “Pakistan, Iran set $3bn target for agri-trade in two years,” Dawn, 19 August 2025)
IMF urges Pakistan to strengthen SBP independence
On 19 August, The Express Tribune reported that the International Monetary Fund has urged Pakistan to further enhance the independence of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) by removing the finance secretary from its board and amending laws that allow federal oversight of commercial bank inspections. It also pressed Pakistan to promptly fill two vacant deputy governor posts. These recommendations are a part of the IMF’s Governance and Corruption Diagnosis Mission, following earlier reforms in 2022 that granted the SBP greater autonomy, including stripping the finance secretary of voting rights. The IMF argues that eliminating the secretary’s board role would reinforce central bank independence. It also suggested publishing reasons for removing SBP officials and ensuring leadership vacancies are never prolonged. Currently, only one deputy governor is regular, while critical posts remain unfilled. The IMF has further called for amending the “Banking Companies Ordinance of 1962” to prevent government-directed inspections, underscoring its push to limit state influence over the central bank. (Shahbaz Rana, “IMF seeks changes to SBP Act,” The Express Tribune, 19 August 2025)
NDMA calls this monsoon season among the deadliest, over 160 dead
On 19 August, The Express Tribune reported that The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an emergency alert as river levels rise and major dams near full capacity, warning of further devastation in the coming weeks. Punjab has been hit by its “seventh monsoon wave,” with Kasur, Bahawalnagar, and Narowal submerged, villages and farmland destroyed, and embankments breached. The Met Office also warned of “potential flash floods in Potohar, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Koh-e-Suleman following heavy rains.” Floodwaters have wiped out crops and forced mass evacuations, with rescue teams using boats to reach stranded residents. Officials cautioned that water releases from Harike Headworks in India could worsen downstream flooding. Punjab has already recorded 164 deaths, including at least 70 children, in what the NDMA described as “one of the deadliest monsoon seasons” in years. (“Monsoon death toll in Punjab 164, says NDMA,” The Express Tribune, 19 August 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
Government to clamp down on illegal residents
On 18 August, The Express Tribune reported that the concerned authorities would be initiating a clampdown against “illegal foreigners” residing in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Murree, and Haripur. According to the plan, data of illegal foreigners would be accumulated, and their SIM cards would be blocked. The illegal residents would not be permitted to participate in property and other financial activities. Further, the deputy commissioners and district police heads of the above-mentioned districts will have to send in “weekly progress reports.” This came during a high-profile meeting of the “special task force” presided over by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa. A “centralized database” would also be formulated, which will prevent illegal foreigners from resettling. (Iftikhar Chaudhary, “Govt launches crackdown on illegal foreigners,” The Express Tribune, 18 August 2025)
JUDICIARY
NJPMC sets strict timelines for speedy case disposal
On 19 August, Dawn reported that the National Judicial Policy-Making Committee (NJPMC), chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, set strict timelines for resolving various categories of cases to ensure swift justice. “Land disputes must be settled within 24 months, inheritance and revenue cases within 12 months, and contract enforcement within 18 months. Family, rent, injunction, and juvenile cases were given six-month deadlines, while succession matters must be resolved in two months. Murder trials have a 24-month limit, while other criminal cases range from 12 to 18 months depending on severity. These timelines will be incorporated into judges’ performance evaluations through a monitoring dashboard. The committee also addressed commercial litigation, constituting a body under Justice Shafi Siddiqui to draft recommendations on long-standing cases and foreign arbitral awards. Attorney General Mansoor Awan assured a mechanism for enforced disappearances to ensure detainees’ timely production before magistrates. The NJPMC further emphasised judicial independence, urging high courts to implement SOPs with clear timelines and immediate redress for judges facing external influence. (Nasir Iqbal, “NJPMC pushes for efficient disposal of cases,” Dawn, 19 August 2025)
ATC judge observes 9 May unrest was not a peaceful protest, convicts PTI leaders
On 19 August, The Express Tribune reported that an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has ruled that the “9 May violence” following Imran Khan’s arrest did not qualify as a peaceful protest, citing coordinated attacks on state and military installations. In the Rahat Bakery case, Judge Manzer Ali Gill observed that PTI leaders conspired in the unrest, handing Omer Sarfraz Cheema, Ijaz Chaudhry, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Dr Yasmin Rashid, and others 10-year jail terms. He stressed that while peaceful protest is lawful, violence alters its nature, noting digital evidence of the events remains accessible online. The defence lawyers for the convicted PTI leaders contested the case by raising over 100 objections to the prosecution’s evidence, asserting that it could not hold up under thorough examination. The defence argued that the accused were not named in FIRs, timelines conflicted, and key material like CCTV and call records was withheld. They also claimed the convictions amounted to double jeopardy as the convictions were based on the same evidence and testimonies already presented in other cases.. Two prosecution witnesses alleging a wider conspiracy by PTI admitted under cross-examination that their assignments were verbal, no FIRs were filed, and they provided neither recordings nor corroborative evidence. (Rana Yasif, “May 9 riots defied global protest norms: ATC,” The Express Tribune, 19 August 2025)
SOCIETY
Country-wide polio tally in 2025 climbs to 21
On 18 August, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that one case each of poliovirus was detected in KP and Sindh. After the recent cases, the countrywide polio tally in 2025 has climbed to 21. Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to remain unsuccessful in completely eradicating polio. Issues such as vaccine reluctance, misinformation, and security problems have resulted in polio continuing to be endemic in the country. So far in 2025, KP has reported 13 cases, whereas six have been detected in Sindh. Punjab and “Gilgit Baltistan” have reported one case each. The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at NIH informed that in the first week of September, a “sub-nation polio vaccination” drive would be organized. The target of the drive is to inoculate 2.8 crore children in around 100 districts. (Rukhsana Khan, “One polio case confirmed each in KP and Sindh, taking nationwide 2025 tally to 21,” Dawn, 18 August 2025)
EXTERNAL
German Foreign Ministry appeals to Islamabad to take back deported Afghan refugees
On 19 August, Dawn reported on the remarks from Germany's foreign ministry on the resettlement of Afghan refugees. The spokesperson of the foreign ministry Josef Hinterseher informed that around 200 Afghan refugees are looking to re-settle in Germany, who have been sent back from Pakistan to Afghanistan. The refugees who have been sent back to Afghanistan from Pakistan were earlier promised refuge in Germany. However, after Friedrich Merz assumed the position of chancellor in Germany, the country has moved towards a stricter “immigration policy.” According to Hinterseher, Germany is requesting that Pakistan allow the deported refugees to come back to Pakistan. Addressing the media, he said “we are continuing to talk to Pakistan to facilitate the return of those who have already been deported.” During Olaf Scholz’s government, Germany came up with a scheme that would assist the Afghans who had helped “German institutions and their families.” The scheme has been suspended by the current Merz government, which has resulted in aggravating the problems of around 2000 Afghan refugees stuck in Pakistan and who are waiting to be re-settled in Germany. (“Berlin urges Pakistan to take back over 200 Afghans,” Dawn, 19 August 2025)
Punjab CM looks at Yokohama model for Punjab’s urban growth
On 19 August, The Nation reported that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is on a five-day visit to Japan. During the visit, she highlighted plans to draw on Japanese expertise in “environmental protection, waste management, and sustainable urban planning.” In Yokohama, Nawaz received briefings on advanced city management systems and discussed potential cooperation between the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) and Yokohama. She explored prospects for improving Punjab’s infrastructure, including road and building quality, introducing high-speed rail between Lahore and Islamabad, modernizing the railway network, and adopting Japanese technology in chairlift and cable car projects. Punjab CM also toured leading wastewater treatment plants in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Washimaku, and Yodogawa, praising their recycling and energy-generation methods and pledging to implement similar systems in Punjab. On her first day, she visited the Red Brick Warehouse, observing community programs and stressing Punjab’s focus on education and skills training. She also visited the Port of Yokohama and announced her vision to model Punjab’s urban growth on Yokohama’s sustainable practices. (“Punjab to benefit from Japan’s expertise in urban development: CM Maryam,” The Nation, 19 August 2025)
|
