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In Focus
Pakistan proscribes the TLP, for the second time
On 23 October, in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, the federal cabinet decided to proscribe the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP),
What happened?
It all started during the second week of October, with the TLP deciding to launch a march towards Islamabad from Lahore and Faisalabad in Punjab, in support of the Palestinian cause against Israel (and the US). The decision to march towards Islamabad came after Trump announced his 20-point plan to end the War in Gaza and reach a settlement for the Palestinians with Israel. The TLP was against the plan, and its chief, Saad Hussain Rizvi, called for an “Al-Aqsa Gaza March” to Islamabad from Lahore. The provincial government attempted to prevent the march by placing containers on the main roads. During 13-14 October, there were violent clashes between the law enforcement agencies and the TLP supporters. Following the clashes, the provincial government recommended to the federal government that the TLP be proscribed.
What does the ban mean?
Based on the recommendations from the Punjab provincial government, on 23 October, the federal cabinet decided to proscribe the TLP under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997. The ATA allows the federal government to proscribe organisations engaged in terrorism, leading to the banning of their activities and the freezing of their assets. The ATA also provides for placing individuals on the Fourth Schedule, thereby restricting their movements. The proscription means
What next for the TLP?
This is not the first time that the TLP has been banned in Pakistan. In 2021, the then Imran Khan-led federal government proscribed the TLP in April, following similar violent protests earlier. At that time, the TLP’s protests followed international developments. Then the TLP demanded the expulsion of the French Ambassador from Pakistan, because President Macron defended Samuel Patty, a school teacher who was murdered for sharing cartoons of Prophet Muhammad. The TLP leadership, which had built its political rise over the anti-blasphemy issue within Pakistan, saw it as an opportunity. The TLP came into prominence using blasphemy cases earlier. In November 2021, however, the government lifted the ban after negotiations with the TLP. The latter had agreed to work within the constitution, while the government decided to revoke the ban, as it wanted to reconcile and not aggravate the situation on the ground.
Does this mean the end of the TLP? Much would depend on how the Sharif government would want to pursue the case against the TLP. Will it go the PTI way—negotiate with the TLP at a later stage and revoke the ban? Given Pakistan’s history, it is likely.
Pakistan launches a three-year “Roshan Economy Power Package” to boost agriculture, manufacturing and exports
On 23 October, PM Sharif announced a new power package for the agricultural and industrial sectors, by providing an electricity discount of PKR 22.98 per unit. Titled as “Roshan Economy Power Package,” the new power package, according to news reports, aims “to boost production, exports and jobs without burdening domestic consumers.”
What is the plan?
The package is planned for three years, starting from November 2025 up to October 2028. According to the package, for the next three years, the tariff will apply to the above two sectors for any extra units consumed above last year’s level. According to the media reports, “the initiative effectively lowers the cost of surplus power to Rs22.98 per unit, compared to the current Rs34 for industries and Rs38 for the agriculture sector.” According to the PM, the package will help Pakistan address the major sectors and also reduce the country’s debt burden. He was quoted to have said: “As our industrial and agricultural sectors progress, Pakistan will be able to free itself from the burden of debt.
What does it mean?
In simple terms, farmers and manufacturers will be able to obtain additional electricity at a concessional rate based on their previous year’s consumption, which will serve as the baseline. The existing package for the industry and agriculture is Rs 34 and Rs 38, respectively, per unit. The proposed package is at Rs 22.98 per unit.
Pak-Afghan border closures push up prices of essentials
On 24 October, Dawn reported that the border closure between Afghanistan and Pakistan, due to ground fighting and border crossfires, has impacted the prices of essential goods in both nations. The prices of essential commodities have risen exponentially; some of the items, like tomato prices, jumped over 400 per cent in Pakistan. Both sides are losing around USD 1 million, with each passing day.
The Pakistan government's decision to halt transit trade and border crossings between the two countries has been in place since 11 October. Around 5000 containers of goods remain stranded on both sides of the border, including 1,009 trucks carrying transit cargo, exports, and import goods that are stranded because of a suspension in customs clearance owing to “unprovoked aggression” from Kabul. Fresh fruit, vegetables, minerals, medicine, wheat, rice, sugar, meat and dairy products make up most of the USD 2.3 billion annual trade volume between the two countries.
(“Pak-Afghan border closures push up prices of essentials”, Dawn, 24 October 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
KP Chief Minister unable to meet Imran Khan despite the IHC order
On 24 October 2025, Dawn reported that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s newly elected Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was not allowed to meet PTI Chairman Imran Khan for the second time. As KP CM sought guidance from PTI chairman, the Islamabad High Court has given permission for the KP CM to meet Imran Khan, who is in Adiala Jail. Police stopped CM Sohail Afridi from entering the prison premises. KP CM Sohail Afridi remarked, “If court orders are not being respected, it raises serious questions about the state of justice in the country.” In another development, the larger bench headed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, suspended a earlier bench decision that had struck down the ban on prisoners’ political speeches.
(“Despite IHC order, Imran still out of KP CM’s reach,” Dawn, 24 October 2025)
ECONOMY
Punjab under fire for choking wheat flows to two provinces
On 24 October, Dawn reported that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government requested the Punjab provincial government to withdraw restrictions on the inter-provincial movement of wheat and flour. KP Government warned that there will be serious disruptions in supply chains, these restrictions will lead to an increase in wheat market prices and threaten the food security in the province.
The KP government claimed that the Punjab government's decision also violates the constitutional provision of the Islamic State of Pakistan, as under Article 151(!) there is a provision guaranteeing freedom of inter-provincial trade and the movement of goods across the country. The KP Flour Mills Association also raised concerns about the depletion of wheat stocks in the province, cautioning that a continued restriction could have a serious impact on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
(“Punjab under fire for ‘choking’ wheat flow to two provinces,” Dawn, 24 October 2025)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan, Poland agree to deepen economic relations
On 24 October, Dawn reported that Pakistan and Poland agreed to deepen their political and economic ties, pledging to transform their relationship into a “comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership”. Pakistan-Poland ties, rooted in WWII-era Polish refugee shelters in Karachi and Quetta, as well as Poland’s foundational role in the Pakistan Air Force, have evolved into a robust partnership marked by over USD 1 billion in annual bilateral trade.
Poland also raised migration issues and concerns over illegal migration through Belarus, with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski warning that his country faced a continuing hybrid threat at its eastern border.
(“Pakistan, Poland agree to deepen economic relations,” Dawn, 24 October 2025)
Pakistan, Egypt vow closer military cooperation
On 24 October, The Express Tribune reported that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir is on an official visit to Egypt to strengthen military cooperation and defence collaboration between the two countries. The discussions focused on “matters of mutual interest, the regional security situation, and bilateral defence cooperation.” During discussions, Field Marshal Munir described Egypt as “a brotherly country” and emphasised the need to counter “extremist ideologies and contorted interpretations of Islam.
(“Pakistan, Egypt vow closer military cooperation during Field Marshal Asim Munir's visit to Cairo,” The Express Tribune, 24 October 2025)
SECURITY
Workers abducted from a construction site in Balochistan’s Mastung; Missing police officer found dead
On 24 October, The Express Tribune reported that Unidentified armed men kidnapped nine labourers from a construction site in Mastung district of Balochistan province. The workers were abducted from the Siyah Posh area of Tehsil Dasht, near a security checkpoint.
In another development, police recovered the body of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who had been missing for several days, near Kardgap in Mastung. Officials confirmed that he had been abducted and later shot dead.
(“Nine workers abducted from construction site in Balochistan’s Mastung,” 24 October, The Express Tribune, 24 October 2025; “Missing Balochistan police officer found dead in Mastung,” The Express Tribune, 24 October 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Editorial, "Unfinished blight," Dawn, 24 October 2025
https://www.dawn.com/news/1950914/unfinished-blight
"On World Polio Day, Pakistan finds itself teetering between progress and peril. Although this year’s tally of 30 cases so far is less than half of last year’s 74, the persistence of transmission shows how fragile these gains remain. While more than 200 countries and territories have eradicated polio, Pakistan remains among the last two where it still cripples children — a distinction no country should bear with pride."
Editorial, "Wheat policy muddle," Dawn, 24 October 2025
https://www.dawn.com/news/1950913/wheat-policy-muddle
"The government’s wheat policy is mired in utter confusion. Sandwiched between global lenders and wheat farmers, it seems to be sailing in two boats at the same time. On the one hand, it is struggling to implement a free wheat market mechanism, scrapping the decades-old system of minimum support prices and public procurement to meet a key benchmark of the current IMF funding programme. On the other, it has recently fixed Rs3,500 per 40kg as the new minimum support price for the next harvest to protect growers from the vagaries of the market and prevent a price crash, which was witnessed during the last harvest earlier this year. This apparent policy reversal has left many wondering what the government actually intends to do. If the centre and provinces have indeed agreed under the IMF programme to let market forces determine the prices, who will buy the farmers’ grain at the officially fixed rate? This question, raised by the PPP, goes to the heart of the policy incoherence that continues to haunt our agricultural governance."
Ayesha Raza Farooq, "Polio-free promise," Dawn, 24 October 2025
https://www.dawn.com/news/1950916/polio-free-promise
"Challenges remain, including insecurity, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, population movement and gaps in health infrastructure, but science tells us eradication is achievable, and the window to act is now. To that end, Pakistan has launched a new ‘Roadmap to Zero Polio’ strategy to strengthen and intensify our response, optimising the use of scientific and technological developments."
Ebad Ahmed, "Our Taliban problem," The News, 24 October 2025
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1353137-our-taliban-problem
"The state policy here should be clear: Shame the Taliban, condemn them, promote the progressive Afghan voices, engage with the non-Pashtun elements to create confidence-building measures, set a narrative that Afghanistan under the Taliban is a pariah state being run by men on the barrel of a gun. We can also urge the international community to collectively build pressure for free and fair polls so that the Afghans can choose their elected government."
Inam Ul Haque, "Another Doha agreement - prospects and pitfalls," The Express Tribune, 23 October 2025
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2573709/another-doha-agreement-prospects-and-pitfalls
"In today's geostrategic calculus, Afghanistan only becomes relevant to Pakistan due to: a) common Pashtun ethnicity; b) inseparable geography; c) the need for humanitarian support for Afghanistan's struggling humanity; d) Afghan-based terrorism; and e) countering the hostile Indian influence. Afghanistan's proximity as a gateway to Central Asian riches is also challengeable given the actual trade potential of CARs through Kabul."
Mirza M Hamza, "The rare earth race," The News, 24 October 2025
https://e.thenews.com.pk/detail?id=440940
"Amid this great power rivalry, however, lies a quieter, more complex opportunity for Pakistan. The country’s geography, once defined by its borders, may soon be defined by its bedrock. The Reko Diq project in Balochistan, one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits, now sits at the intersection of competing global strategies. Its revival under Barrick Gold, backed by US and Canadian investment, signals Washington’s renewed interest in the region’s mineral corridors. At the same time, China continues to deepen its footprint through CPEC, extending its logistical reach from Gwadar to the western frontiers of Balochistan."
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