Photo : Al Jazeera
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Al Jazeera
In Focus
Pak-Afghan Clashes: More than 250 killed on both sides; Pakistan closes the border crossings
The clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan along the Durand Line during 11-12 have resulted in significant casualties. According to Pakistan, it had killed more than 200 on the Afghan side, and according to Afghanistan, it had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan has closed the border crossings after the clashes
While Pakistan has blamed Afghanistan for the “unprovoked” attacks, the latter has justified it as a response to earlier attacks by Pakistan during the last week in Kabul and in Paktika province. According to an ISPR statement, Pakistan retaliated with precision fires and strikes and physical raids on “Taliban camps and posts, terrorist training facilities, and support networks operating from Afghan territory, including elements linked to Fitna al Khwarij (FAK), Fitna al Hindustan (FAH), and ISKP/Daesh.”
According to media reports, a Taliban administration spokesman has said: “There is no kind of threat in any part of Afghanistan’s territory…The Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan will defend their land and remain resolute and committed in this defence.” According to Afghanistan’s defence ministry, its military operations have ended.
Countries from the Middle East – Qatar and Saudi Arabia have asked the two countries to maintain calm.
Statement from the ISPR: Five takeaways
On 12 October, following the clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of the Establishment issued a statement, highlighting Pakistan’s position on what the problem is, what are the actions taken, and what would it do next. Following are the five takeaways from the report. Click here for the original statement: https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7448
1. The attacks were “unprovoked” and were launched by the Afghan Taliban and Indian-sponsored militants
According to the ISPR statement, the attack on Pakistan was launched by the “Afghan Taliban and Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij” aimed at destabilizing the border areas to facilitate terrorism, furthering FAK's nefarious designs. During the recent months, Pakistan has been building a narrative on the internal militants; they are referred as “Fitna al Khwarij” and “Fitna al Hindustan” instead of TTP and Baloch militants. For Pakistan – both are Indian sponsored.
2. Daesh took part in the attack on Pakistan along with the Afghan Taliban and Indian sponsored militants
An interesting part of the ISPR statement is the inclusion of Daesh/ISKP as a part of those who targeted Pakistan on 11-12 October. While linking the TTP with the Afghan Taliban is understandable, given the connections between the two, linking the Daesh with the Afghan Taliban is also part of a new narrative. For the Afghan Taliban, Daesh is an enemy and vice-versa. Both consider each other as a rival in Afghanistan.
3. Pakistan destroys 21 posts, and kill more than 200
Pakistan’s retaliation, according to the ISPR statement, was a part of “exercising the right of self-defence” leading to destruction of 21 Afghan positions, losing 23 soldiers, but killing “more than two-hundred (200) Taliban and affiliated terrorists.”
4. Afghanistan’s attacks as provocation and taking place during its minister’s visit to New Delhi
According to the ISPR statement, the latest attacks are a “serious provocation” and “has occurred during the visit of Taliban Foreign Minister to India - the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region.” The implication is Afghanistan is emboldened by its links with India. Whereas for Afghanistan, the attack was a response to an earlier attack by Pakistan on the Afghan soil. The ISPR statement also says: “If the Taliban Government continues to sponsor terrorist outfits, in cohorts with India, for shortsighted objective of destabilizing the region, the people and the state of Pakistan will not rest until the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is completely eliminated.”
5. Warning to the Afghan Taliban that Pakistan will continue to neutralize terror targets
The ISPR statement also has two warnings for the Taliban. First, it says, unless the Afghan Taliban controls the foreign militants, “Pakistan will continue to exercise its right to defend its people by persistent neutralization of terror targets,” and that the “Taliban Government should shun any ill-begotten notions and prioritize well being, peace, prosperity and development of Afghan people over irresponsible sabre-rattling.” The attacks in Kabul and Paktika on 9 October become important with the above statement.
Large forces deployed in Lahore to contain the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan march to Islamabad; The TLP March to Islamabad: Chief Saad Rizvi is willing to negotiate
On 13 October, Dawn reported that law enforcement agencies and large contingents of police from five districts had been deployed to Muridke in Lahore and had surrounded the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protest camps. The forces have also foiled the protesters' attempts to move beyond the city and march towards Islamabad by digging trenches and sealing routes to the capital. The violent clashes in Lahore broke out on 8 October, after the police carried out a raid on the headquarters of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in an attempt to arrest its leader, Saad Rizvi after the party announced the “Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March,” a large-scale march to the US Embassy in Islamabad, protesting against the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Part workers emphasised their solidarity with Palestine and stressed that “Pakistan must never recognise Israel.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting on Sunday to assess the national security situation. From Lahore, ten officers from each of the city’s 85 police stations were instructed to move to Muridke under the supervision of their respective SHOs, along with the deployment of anti-riot units. Officers were put on high alert to handle any potential emergencies, with senior Lahore officials directed to stay on standby to oversee deployments once final orders were issued. Mobile data services were partially reinstated in Rawalpindi and Islamabad following the start of negotiations with the TLP in Lahore. Meanwhile, around 170 individuals associated with the party were detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) in the Sahiwal division.
TLP chief Saad Rizvi urged his supporters to stay calm and wait for further instructions as he continued consultations. On 11 October, Mr Rizvi denounced the police crackdown on party workers, clarifying that he had not yet authorised the marchers to advance toward Islamabad. Speaking to reporters, he said the government had not reached out to the TLP for dialogue but asserted, “We are ready for talks.” He explained that the march aimed to express solidarity with Palestine, reiterated Pakistan’s stance against recognising Israel, and accused the police of mass arrests and using “lethal weapons” against supporters.
The decision to increase the strength of the police forces reportedly followed a high-level meeting on 11 October, chaired by Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr Usman Anwar and attended by Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana, DIG Faisal Kamran, and several other senior officers. The meeting decided to enforce “more stringent measures” following reports of vandalism, assaults on law enforcement personnel, and damage to public property by TLP demonstrators.
Separately, The News International reported that on 12 October, the advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah urged the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) leadership to end its ongoing march towards Islamabad. Sanaullah noted that several political and religious parties had voiced concerns over the ongoing TLP protest and emphasised the need for the nation’s political leadership to demonstrate unity in the present situation. He also underscored that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir had adopted a firm position on the war in Gaza.
(“Rangers, police surround TLP camp in Muridke as ‘operation looms’,” Dawn, 13 October 2025; “Clashes break out in Lahore after raid on TLP HQ goes awry,” Dawn, 13 October 2025; “TLP protesters set up overnight camp in Muridke; dozens injured during clashes,” “TLP threatens to paralyse Balochistan,” Dawn, 13 October 2025; “Govt urges TLP to end Islamabad marchThe News International, 13 October 2025)
PM Shehbaz to attend Peace Summit in Egypt
On 13 October, The News International reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will participate in the Peace Summit for the beginning of the peace deal phases for Gaza, in which around 20 countries' leaders will be there. The Peace Summit is hosted by Egypt in Sharm el-Sheikh city and is going to be presided by US President Donald Trump along with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The Pakistan leaders will be having brief meetings with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar, UAE, UK. More importantly, with President Trump on the sidelines of the summit, it will be the fourth meeting within a month that is taking place between US and Pakistan leadership.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in his statement said that “Trump’s Gaza Plan is not in line with Muslim Countries’ proposal” which called for a full Israeli withdrawal”. Meanwhile, on the internal front, recent anti-Israel protests led by Islamist Party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, in Pakistan are mainly voicing its opposition to the US- led Peace Plan, and calling to expel western ambassadors. Whereas Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif hailed the peace plan, hailing it as “historic opportunity to secure lasting peace” aiming for achieving an independent, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine, in line with relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
(“Shehbaz likely to meet Trump today”, The News International, 13 October 2025)
In Brief
Politics
Confusion deepens over Gandapur's resignation ahead of the KP CM election
On 13 October, The News International reported that there was uncertainty regarding the election of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) new chief minister after Governor Faisal Karim Kundi returned CM Ali Amin Gandapur's resignation letter on grounds of "disparate" signatures. The governor previously directed CM Gandapur to appear for verification on 15 October, and Gandapur stated that both were valid. Despite this, the KP Assembly is to conduct the election today, with the PTI nominee expected to be Sohail Afridi based on PTI's majority of 92 seats out of 145 in the house. The opposition, to include JUI-F, PML-N, and PPP, submitted a joint candidate, and ANP announced they would refrain. Governor Kundi assured the resignation was on track in accordance with the constitutional process, and the PTI leadership demanded immediate acceptance of the same in order to avoid a political impasse. (Question mark over KP CM election today as Kundi returns Gandapur's 'resignation', The News International, 13 October 2025)
Economy
Aurangzeb arrives in Washington for the IMF and World Bank meetings
On 13 October, Dawn reported that Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has landed in Washington to attend the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) annual meetings planned for 13-18 October 2025. This trip is very important for Pakistan as it aims to confirm the next tranche of the IMF for the country, complete remaining benchmarks of the programme, and potentially attract investment back into the economy by highlighting improvements in fiscal discipline and an understanding of reforms. The finance minister will participate in more than 65 engagements throughout the meetings including private meetings with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President Ajay Banga. Conversations in these meetings will also include flood recovery financing, FBR digitalisation, climate adaption and assuring investors' confidence. The Outcomes of the meetings, said to be especially towards a staff-level agreement with the IMF, will impact the direction of Pakistan's economy in the coming year. (Aurangzeb reaches US for crucial IMF, WB talks, Dawn, 13 October 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Editorial, “Misuse of power”, Dawn, 13 October 2025
“Many argue that competitive, market-based pay and perks are essential to attract and retain competent professionals and allow regulatory institutions to function better. There is no denying this fact. However, the argument loses force when these decisions are made by the very people who stand to directly benefit from them in an opaque manner. Consistent regulatory lapses and failure of these regulators to protect the public interest and ensure transparency and accountability in the sectors they are tasked to regulate further weaken this argument.”
Misuse of power
Maleeha Lodhi, “War of words”, Dawn, 13 October 2025
“To be sure the international environment is far from being permissive for any Indian military action against Pakistan. Islamabad’s strengthened ties with the US, India’s strained relations with Washington, China’s unflinching diplomatic and military support for Pakistan and the Pakistan-Saudi strategic mutual defence pact have reshaped the geostrategic landscape to New Delhi’s detriment.”
War of words
Shakeel Ahmed Ramay, “Rare earth metals: a new battleground between China and US”, The News International, 13 October 2025
“China and the US must resolve their issues through dialogue. For that purpose, the US will have to adopt a rational policy grounded in facts and reality when dealing with Beijing. China will respond in kind, as it has consistently highlighted in its policies and actions. To achieve this, US needs to move away from a bully mentality and prioritise its own interests. Moreover, President Trump should move beyond MAGA thinking and try to negotiate based on new realities and facts.”
Rare earth metals: a new battleground between China and US
Sakeeb Berjees, “Pakistan's civil service crisis”, The News International, 13 October 2025
“Beyond the data lies a greater failure -- moral degeneration. Our bureaucracy, once considered a sanctuary of integrity, has now evolved into an elite club of privilege. Principles are being replaced by postings and perks, young officers are losing direction and drawn into a culture of submissiveness to power rather than commitment to law. Now loyalty to superiors is rewarded more than loyalty to the state. When ambition is prized over ability, and closeness to power replaces professional ethics, it is no surprise that the system rots from within.”
Pakistan's civil service crisis
Dr Muhammad Ali Ehsan, “Should we be at war with Afghanistan?”, The Express Tribune, 13 October 2025
“The conflict with Afghanistan can never be seen as a war in its traditional sense because it will never be an open, declared and a hostile conflict. Historically, our conflict with Afghanistan is characterised more by our own and Afghanistan's internal problems, some of them are of our own making and they spill over a long and porous shared border. But clearly, today we may have witnessed the beginning of the unfolding of a new military strategy to resolve the Afghan problem. But is this the right strategy?”
Should we be at war with Afghanistan
Editorial, “Delhi-Kabul patch-up,” The Express Tribune, 13 October 2025
“This new patch-up between Taliban 2.0 and the Hindutva regimes certainly comes as a security challenge on our turbulent, terror-infested western frontiers. As Pakistan has always extended an olive branch to its adversaries, be it India or Afghanistan, and sought relations on mutual respect and cordiality, it's time to give diplomacy another chance and talk it out with Afghan Taliban authorities for a quid pro quo, entailing cooperation in counterterrorism and ensuring serenity of ties.”
Delhi-Kabul patch-up
Editorial, “Untimely protest,” The Express Tribune, 13 October 2025
“Pakistan's position in global affairs demands maturity and restraint at home. Protests outside foreign embassies not only risk violating international diplomatic norms but also invite unnecessary scrutiny at a time when the country should be reinforcing its image as a responsible voice in the Muslim world. The government's failure to steer the situation with foresight has once again led to embarrassment and potential diplomatic discomfort. A cause as just as Palestine deserves solidarity expressed through wisdom, not misplaced theatrics on the streets.”
Untimely protest
Ali Hassan Bangwar, “Investment paradox and Pakistan,” The Express Tribune, 13 October 2025
“This apathy toward the ruled and the country's potential for inclusive prosperity has long been — and continues to be — manifested in the relative scarcity of domestic investments for the public good by most of those in power, as well as in their persistent reluctance to use the very services they have created in the country or to make it their home after retirement. In other words, unlike the people, rulers have never lost faith in their own competence and intentions. As a result, they place no trust in their country's healthcare and educational services or financial environment to invest their plundered wealth in.”
Investment paradox and Pakistan