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NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
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In Focus
FM Dar to meet Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during Bangladesh visit
On 23 August, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar would begin his “two-day official visit” to Bangladesh. His earlier proposed visit to Bangladesh was deferred due to the military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May. In Bangladesh, FM Dar will be meeting the Chief Adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh, Prof Muhammad Yunus, and the Adviser for Foreign Affairs, Touhid Hussain. Meanwhile, a high-profile military delegation from Bangladesh is currently on a visit to Pakistan, indicating an enhancement of bilateral relations. As per Inter-Services Public Relations, the Quartermaster General of the Bangladesh Army, Lt General Md Faizur Rahma, had held a meeting with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza in Rawalpindi. The two military leaders delved into the security situation in the region and emphasized enhancing collaboration in “defence and security.”(Kamran Yousaf, “FM to embark on strategic Dhaka visit,” The Express Tribune, 23 August 2025)
COAS reasserts military’s support for the people of Balochistan
On 23 August, the Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, traveled to Turbat, Balochistan. During his visit, he met the CM of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, and people working in the Turbat civil administration. The Chief of Army Staff reiterated the military's backing for steps that need to be taken for enhancing the province's “socio-economic conditions.” He emphasized the importance of combined “civil-military efforts” to address the problems faced by the population of Balochistan. Further, he reaffirmed the military's commitment to support the people of the province in achieving “peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.” In addition to that, he also underscored the importance of “good governance and infrastructure development” in the province. (“COAS Munir visits Turbat, reaffirms support for improving Balochistan’s socio-economic development,” Dawn, 23 August 2025)
Pakistan’s Sensitive Price Indicator records sharpest rise in eight months despite weekly dip
On 23 August, The Express Tribune reported Pakistan’s Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week ending 21 August 2025 posted a 2.3 per cent year-on-year (YoY) rise, which is the steepest rise in eight months, while showing a marginal 0.01 per cent decline on a week-on-week (WoW) basis. The weekly dip was largely due to reduced electricity tariffs, diesel, pulse moong, and potatoes prices, though this was offset by sharp increases in prices of tomatoes, onions, wheat flour, and chicken. Of 51 essential items tracked, 18 saw price hikes, eight dropped, and 25 remained stable. On a YoY scale, notable surges were recorded in ladies' sandals, gas charges, sugar, and beef costs while rates of onions, garlic, and electricity fell significantly. Analysts warned that, despite the slight WoW decline, sustained rises in staples signal ongoing inflationary pressures, urging vigilance over domestic supply chains and global markets. (Usman Hanif, “SPI marks steepest rise in 32 weeks,” The Express Tribune, 23 August 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
PM blames illegal constructions, deforestation for flood deaths
On 22 August, while chairing a Federal Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blamed illegal constructions along rivers and water channels for over 700 deaths during the ongoing torrential rains and floods. The Prime Minister stressed that natural catastrophes should not be worsened by man-made disasters and announced a high-level meeting with provinces to address the issue. He expressed concern over deforestation and unchecked construction in Galiyat, where plazas and houses have been built in vulnerable areas. Sharif reviewed relief and rehabilitation work, commending the Pakistan Army’s rescue efforts in remote regions with helicopters. He also highlighted his visits to flood-affected areas in Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, emphasizing collective responsibility. Noting the increased role of the Climate Change Ministry, he assured federal support to provinces and expressed solidarity with Sindh after devastating rains in Karachi. (Syed Irfan Raza, “High level forum to deal with scourge of illegal construction,” Dawn, 23 August 2025)
PPP’s asset secrecy bill faces opposition from PML-N, PTI in NA
On 23 August, Dawn reported the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs could not agree on a bill seeking to restrict the public disclosure of lawmakers’ assets, as PML-N and PTI members opposed the proposal tabled by PPP legislators Shazia Marri and Syed Naveed Qamar. Under the existing Elections Act, parliamentarians must annually submit details of their own, their spouses’, and their dependents’ assets to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which then publishes them in the official gazette. The suggested amendment to Section 138 sought to give the Speaker or Senate Chairman authority to determine the scope of disclosure, aiming to balance accountability with privacy and security. The bill’s rationale highlighted that while transparency is essential for public trust, excessive disclosure could endanger legislators and their families. Mr Qamar drew parallels with a recent amendment to the Civil Servants Act, under which officials can request confidentiality. (Iftikhar A Khan. “NA panel divided over bill to keep lawmaker’s assets secret,” Dawn 23 August 2025)
JUDICIARY
JCP subcommittee refers judges’ selection criteria back for final decision
On 23 August, Dawn reported that a subcommittee of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), led by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, rejected the proposal to draft criteria for the selection of judges to constitutional benches created under the 26th Amendment, instead referring the issue back to the full JCP for a final decision. Those opposing the move included Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Senator Farooq H. Naek, and Pakistan Bar Council representative Mohammad Ahsan Bhoon, while Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar supported it. Justice Mandokhail abstained. It was argued that Article 191A does not authorize the formulation of rules for nominating judges to constitutional benches, as all Supreme Court judges have already been elevated from high courts where they exercised constitutional jurisdiction in handling legal matters. and that applying filters could bar some judges from participating in full court hearings, weakening calls for broader benches. The subcommittee approved service rules for the JCP secretariat but postponed decisions on the high court performance evaluation. The constitutional bench, initially formed in November 2024, has been extended until 30 November 2025. (Nasir Iqbal, “JCP panel rejects idea of selection criteria for constitutional bench judges,” Dawn, 23 August 2025)
SOCIETY
Sindh CM reiterates his resolve for polio eradication
On 23 August, The Nation reported that the Chief Minister of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, has reiterated his resolve to eliminate polio from Sindh. The remarks from the Sindh CM came during his discussion with a team from Rotary Foundation. The attendees of the meeting expressed their commitment to enhancing combined efforts to eradicate polio from Sindh. For fulfilling this commitment, massive oral polio vaccine drives have been planned to be held in September, October, and December. CM Murad Ali Shah pointed out how the province saw a decrease in reporting of polio cases from 23 in 2024 to six in 2025. He also mentioned that close to 33 per cent of the environmental samples taken during June and July, from Karachi and Hyderabad, did not have the polio virus. So far, in 2025, 21 polio cases have been detected across the country. (“CM Murad vows to intensify polio eradication efforts,” The Nation, 23 August 2025)
EXTERNAL
Islamabad should officially recognise the Taliban government, argues President of Patriotic Companions and traders’ leader
On 22 August, the President of Patriotic Companions and traders’ leader, Mia Mateen, pointed out the historical and “emotional affiliation” between the people of Afghanistan. He argued that since both Afghanistan and Pakistan are carrying out trade, it must be done at the “government level” in accordance with the law. He asserted that both Afghanistan and Pakistan have mutual interests and have suffered because of terrorism. According to him, it is the right moment for Islamabad to give official recognition to the Taliban government. Speaking to the press, he stated contentious matters related to “terrorism and trade” could be resolved via discussion. Further, he also advocated for Islamabad facilitating the betterment of US-Afghanistan relations. (“Pakistan should recognise Afghan govt: Mia Mateen,” The Nation, 23 August 2025)
China-Pakistan relations remain unimpacted due to “geopolitical shifts,” says Foreign Office
On 22 August, the foreign office reasserted that Pak-China ties remain unimpacted due to the current “geopolitical shifts.” Addressing the media, the spokesman of the foreign office, Shafqat Ali Khan, said, “We are very confident that these relations are stable and sustainable on their own and will continue to grow and achieve new heights.” The statements came after the Chinese Foreign Minister took part in the Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue held in Islamabad on 21 August. Wang Yi had particularly stressed that China’s relations with India and Pakistan will not be impacted by any “third party.” FM Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar highlighted the significance of both countries for each other. Foreign Minister Wang Yi did not make any remarks on “India-Pakistan tensions,” however, he highlighted the importance of “peaceful, stable, and prosperous South Asia.” On ties with India, Shafqat Ali Khan expressed Islamabad’s willingness to hold an “all-encompassing dialogue.” Further, Khan expressed concerns regarding the recent Agni-V test carried out by India, claiming that India's increasing missile power could disrupt “regional and global security.” (Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Ties with China ‘resilient despite geopolitical shifts’: FO,” Dawn, 23 August 2025)
ON INDIA
Information Minister highlights media’s role in Pakistan’s “war of narratives”
On 23 August, The Express Tribune reported that while addressing the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) in Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar praised journalists for amplifying Pakistan’s voice against India’s larger media influence. He described the conflict as a “war of narratives,” noting India’s advantage in resources, lobbying power, and international media presence, yet emphasized Pakistan’s strength lay in “the truth,” which could not be concealed or countered. Tarar also highlighted the synergy between the armed forces and the information ministry, crediting a state-of-the-art data centre and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) for effective coordination. He hailed the CPNE as a “wartime cabinet,” underscoring its contribution to narrative-building, collective defence, and the dissemination of content as a team effort that would be remembered as part of Pakistan’s combined efforts during the conflict. (“Media praised for countering Indian narrative,” The Express Tribune, 23 August 2025)
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