Photo : Dawn
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Dawn
In Focus
Saudi delegation arrives in Islamabad to discuss economic cooperation
On 7 October, Dawn reported on Pakistan forming an 18-member delegation to oversee economic engagements with Saudi Arabia. This will be led by the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, Prince Mansour bin Mohammad Al Saud. He arrived in Islamabad to discuss the future of trade, investments and collaborations. In October, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence agreement, pledging to have a joint response against any act of aggression. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the prince will: “hold meetings with the Pakistani leadership and engage with senior government officials, chambers of commerce and leading business groups to explore avenues for enhanced bilateral trade and investment cooperation.”
The meeting underscores the deep friendship between the two countries as they affirmed to a better investment partnership. The ministry also said: “Discussions during the visit are expected to focus on trade [and] investment facilitation and collaboration across priority sectors aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s economic growth agenda.” The two countries have time and again shared a multifaceted relationship, with economic assistance, energy deals and financial aid.
In February 2025, Saudi Arabia signed a USD 1.2 billion deferred oil facility deal with Pakistan, and they released USD 100 million monthly. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Riyadh a central partner to Pakistan’s economy as he met the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh. Currently, Pakistan seeks larger investments by the state-owned enterprises of Riyadh, and they have also shown interest in mining and buying the Pakistan government’s stakes in the multimillion-dollar Reko Diq copper mine, which is being developed in western Pakistan. (“High-level Saudi business delegation arrives in Pakistan to discuss trade, investment, and collaboration: FO,” Dawn, 7 October 2025)
US to sell Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles “AIM-120C8” to Pakistan, reports Dawn
On 7 October, Dawn reported that the US will be selling Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) “AIM-120C8” by the defence firm Raytheon. The revised contract with the company noted that the contract signed by the US Department of War for the US Air Force noted that Raytheon was given USD 41.6 million to further innovate and produce an enhanced version of C8 and D3 AMRAAM variants and their production. The contract noted “Work will be performed at Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by May 30, 2030. This contract involves foreign military sales to United Kingdom, Poland, Pakistan, Germany, Finland, Australia, Romania, Qatar, Oman, Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Portugal, Singapore, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Japan, Slovakia, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Norway, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Sweden, Taiwan, Lithuania, Isreal, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Turkey.”
The previous revision of the same contract in May did not include Pakistan in the list of buyers for the missiles. The missiles Pakistan is buying were used in the February 2019 crossfire, where the Pakistan Air Force conducted Operation Swift Resort and shot down Indian Air Force jets. Pakistan first bought the 700 AMRAAM series in 2007, and it was the international order of the weapon at that time. This sale comes in light of the growing friendship between the US and Pakistan, as they enter a new stage of economic and strategic partnership. This renewed interest can be attributed to US investors showing interest in the oil and mineral reserves of Pakistan.
The AIM-120C8 is the more advanced version of the AIM-120D and is in service with the US Pakistan currently has the C variant. According to Raytheon, “These AMRAAM versions have a total of 15 upgraded circuit cards operating in their missile guidance sections. The versions also come with the capability to upgrade future software continuously.” They can also be integrated into multiple fighter jets like the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon and others. They are designed to detect targets and strike at lightning speed.
References
“Pakistan to be sold advanced US air-to-air missiles by Raytheon,” Dawn, 7 October 2025
“US confirms multi-billion dollar defence deal with Pakistan – What are advanced AMRAAM missiles?,” Financial Express, 8 October 2025
In Brief
POLITICS
Arson in Balochistan’s Kharan Qazi court and the judge was abducted
On 8 October, Dawn reported that assailants attacked a Qazi Court in the Kharan area of Balochistan and kidnapped the judge after setting the building on fire. Armed terrorists held Judge Muhammad Jan and other court staff hostage, ransacking records and damaging office furniture and other items on the premises. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace those involved in the attack and the kidnapping. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far.
In another development, Balochistan dismissed all petitions filed by various petitioners regarding local government elections, delimitation, and census in Quetta, and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to complete the election process in the provincial capital as soon as possible in accordance with the law. The petitioners had contended that the ECP committed serious irregularities in the delimitation of Quetta district, adversely affecting the interests of rural areas, as rural areas such as Sariab, Panjpai, and nearby localities had been unjustifiably included in the urban limits, which they described as unnecessary and unfair. They argued that the delimitation, based on the 2017 census, was in violation of the Constitution, the Elections Act 2017, and the Balochistan Local Government Act 2010. The court held that the power of delimitation constitutionally lies within the domain of the ECP, and judicial interference at this stage is unwarranted unless a clear violation of law or overreach of authority is proven.
( “Judge taken hostage after assailants torch Kharan Qazi court”, Dawn, 8 October 2025; “BHC clears way for Quetta LG elections”, Dawn, 8 October 2025)
SECURITY
Jaffar Express targeted again in Sindh, reports The Express Tribune
On 8 October, The Express Tribune reported that Jaffar Express, a train that travels from Quetta to Peshawar through a route that passes through all four provinces, was once again targeted in the Shikarpur district of Sindh while it was carrying passengers from Rawalpindi to Quetta. The attack in Sindh underscores the increasing reach of different groups beyond the Balochistan province. The Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) claimed responsibility for the attack, and an improvised explosive device (IED) was used for the blast. Targeting of railway infrastructure has become a common practice of separatist groups in Pakistan, with blasts on tracks regularly. The case of Jaffar Express has become critical as it is being targeted repeatedly. Earlier in March, the Jaffar Express, with at least 380 passengers on board, was hijacked by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Since then, it has been targeted by different groups using IED blasts on tracks.
( Jaffar Express targeted again in Shikarpur, The Express Tribune, 8 October 2025)
EXTERNAL
Regional countries unite in Moscow to block US return to Bagram airbase
On 8 October, The Express Tribune reported that Russia hosted the seventh Moscow Format Consultations, which was attended by special representatives and senior officials. For the first time, the Afghan delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mottaqi, participated in the meeting as a member. Participant countries that included Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan at Moscow Format Consultations opposed any attempts by the United States to regain a foothold in Afghanistan by retaking control of the strategically important Bagram Airbase. Without explicitly naming the US, a joint statement issued after the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan read: "They called unacceptable the attempts by countries to deploy their military infrastructure in Afghanistan and neighbouring states, since this does not serve the interests of regional peace and stability." The parties urged the countries mainly responsible for the current predicament in Afghanistan to earnestly fulfill commitments on the economic recovery and future development of Afghanistan. ( “Regional bloc opposes US return to Kabul”, The Express Tribune, 8 October 2025)
ECONOMY
Pakistan moves closer to Reko Diq revival with USD 3.5b funding deal
On 8 October, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan has finalised a USD 3.5 billion financing agreement with six major international financial institutions for the development of the historic Reko Diq mining project in Balochistan - a milestone for one of the country's most significant mineral ventures. Reko Diq is nestled in the Chagai district of Balochistan Province, which is suffering from a separatist insurgency, the largest district by area, with proximity to the Afghanistan and Iran borders. Although the project began in 1993 with an agreement between the Pakistani government and Australian company BHP, which granted BHP a 75 percent stake. Eventually, tensions escalated in 2011, and local opposition led authorities to block the progress on the Reko Diq mine project.
The recent financing package includes commitments from leading global lenders such as the US EXIM Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Financial Institutions, International Development Association, and the European Bank, while final approval from the lenders' boards remains pending. The deal reflects the growing geopolitical importance of critical minerals and resources amid Western efforts to reduce reliance on China for key resources like rare earths and lithium. The ADB has revived its energy policy to support such projects for the first time, as it last financed a mining project in 1983, when it provided a USD 19.2 million loan for a venture in Thailand.
Under the terms of the deal, lenders will be granted a grace period of four to five years, with loan repayments spread over a 12-year schedule. The financing will carry a single-digit interest rate, offering Pakistan a relatively favourable borrowing framework. Key stakeholders in the project include Barrick Gold Corporation with 55 per cent equity share, the Balochistan government with 6.6 per cent equity stake, while Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, and Pakistan Petroleum Limited jointly hold 27.7 per cent equity share. With an estimated total cost of around USD 7.7 billion, the Reko Diq project is expected to start production by the end of 2028, with the mine projected to operate for at least 40 years. Other concerns remain active, including use of the Gwadar port and the Power Supply. ( “Pakistan secures $3.5bn for major Reko Diq mining project in Balochistan”, The Express Tribune, 8 October 2025)
Editorial/Opinions
“Mystery of the ‘port deal’,” Zahid Hussain, 8 October 2025
“Fallacious fairness,” Dawn, 8 October 2025
“Deal or no deal?,” Dawn, 8 October 2025
“Floods: how long will we continue beating our chest?,” The Express Tribune, 7 October 2025