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In Focus
Stalemate in Pak-Afghan talks at Istanbul
The Pakistan–Afghanistan talks in Istanbul reached a standstill as the Afghan Taliban delegation failed to demonstrate concrete evidence against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups operating from Afghan territory. The two-day negotiations, which Türkiye and Qatar mediated to continue the Doha ceasefire of 19 October, ended in increased mutual scepticism between the two parties.
The Pakistani delegation showed photographic and documentary proof of TTP, BLA, and other militant groups operating inside Afghanistan while demanding that Kabul stop supporting these groups because it was unacceptable. The Taliban's decision to deny written guarantees and maintain militant sanctuaries was seen as a deliberate attempt to avoid cooperation, mainly since terrorist attacks against Kurram and North Waziristan occurred during the negotiations. The government of Pakistan stated that terrorism would force Pakistan to take stronger measures against the situation.
The Taliban delegation proposed to establish direct talks with the TTP, but Pakistan refused this proposal because it maintained that terrorist organisations should not participate in negotiations and the Taliban regime must fulfil its Doha Agreement obligations to stop cross-border attacks.
The deadlock between the parties prompted US President Donald Trump to declare he could resolve the conflict rapidly because he understood both Pakistani and Afghan leadership dynamics. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington's new engagement with Pakistan would not harm India because the United States follows a "mature, pragmatic" approach to regional relations.
The security concerns of Pakistan face challenges because Afghanistan refuses to combat militant bases, while the United States tries to mediate the conflict through Donald Trump. (“Kabul’s reluctance creates impasse at Istanbul talks,” Dawn, 27 October 2025; “Pakistan stands firm on Taliban terror clampdown,” The Express Tribune, 27 October 2025; “Trump offers to ‘quickly’ solve Pak-Afghan conflict,” Dawn, 27 October 2025)
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir:
PPP gains strength and is likely to take over the “AJK” government
On 27 October, Dawn reported that the PPP gained strength in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as ten lawmakers from the “AJK” legislative assembly joined the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). PPP is all set to form a regional government, as the incumbent prime minister is set to exit via a no-confidence motion or resignation. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the plan to form a new regional government with lawmakers from the ‘forward bloc’ joining the PPP, a coalition partner of PML-N in the federal government.
In case of a no-confidence motion, more than 27 members' vote is required to oust the “AJK” PM in the Assembly of 52 members. Strength-wise, PPP has a stronghold with 17 members, and with the addition of ten more lawmakers, its tally is 30, whereas PML-N has nine members in total in the “AJK” assembly.
With six months remaining in the assembly’s term, if the PPP plan works out, the “AJK” will have its fourth premier in the four and a half years of the assembly, which was elected in 2021. PML-N is in talks with PPP to discuss matters regarding the change in the “AJK” government. However, PML-N local leadership in the “AJK” is not in favour of becoming part of the upcoming government; rather, it would sit in opposition, citing previous failed experiences with coalition governments. (“PPP ranks swell as it prepares to take AJK helm,” Dawn, 27 October 2025)
25 militants and five army soldiers killed in Kurram and Waziristan
On 27 October, Dawn reported that five soldiers were killed during clashes with Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan. According to reports, the Army detected the movements of two large TTP groups in Ghaki, Kurram, and Spinwan in North Waziristan. During intense fire exchanges with TTP groups, 25 militants and five soldiers were killed. Also, many weapons, ammunition and explosives are recovered.
The above development occurred while delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan were engaged in talks in Türkiye. The army media wing said, "Army will continue its counter terrorism campaign at full pace under the vision Azm-i-Istehkam."
In a separate incident, a militant attacked the Bagato check post in the Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. (“Five soldiers martyred as forces foil infiltration bids in KP,” Dawn, 27 October 2025; “Forces crush two terrorist infiltration bids,” The Express Tribune, 27 October 2025)
In Brief
EXTERNAL
Islamabad-Istanbul freight train to be revived by the year-end
On 27 October, Dawn reported that the Pakistan government decided to revive the Islamabad-Tehran-Islamabad (ITI) freight train from 31 December 2025. As in 2021, due to administrative and operational issues, the ITI operation was suspended. Now, the revival plan depends on government talks to finalise tradable goods and resolve administrative, logistical, and operational issues. The Federal Minister for Railways said that Pakistan is also set to sign an agreement this year to build a rail network connecting Pakistan with Kazakhstan via Chaman, aiming to access Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states, Russia, and eventually Europe. (“Islamabad-Istanbul freight train to be revived by year-end,” Dawn, 27 October 2025)
PM Sharif heads to Riyadh for an investment summit
On 27 October, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) IN Saudi Arabia. The Theme of the Initiative for this summit is “Key to Prosperity: Unlocking New Frontiers of Growth.’ The PM will also engage with Saudi leadership to discuss enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, and energy sectors.
In a separate development, PM Shehbaz Sharif also lifted a four-year ban on gas connections and formally kicked off the process of supplying re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) connections to the domestic consumers. (“PM heads to Riyadh for investment summit today,” Dawn, 27 October 20925)
Editorials/Opinions
Editorial, "Stale methods," Dawn, 27 October 2025
"The state’s lawfare against journalists to mute free speech has contributed to the existing atmosphere of intimidation in the country, besides undermining the government’s credibility. The overused playbook of framing defamatory charges makes a mockery of the justice system. When political impulses of unelected elements influence trials, it results in the erosion of authority and trust."
Editorial, "Dim prospects," Dawn, 27 October 2025
"The government is not rewarding efficiency or competitiveness but merely trying to stimulate electricity demand to utilise the excess capacity that taxpayers are already financing through the circular debt. Tariff discount packages designed to absorb surplus power cannot replace structural reforms. Industry and farmers do not need more gimmicks; they need courage, competence and a coherent energy sector reform plan to lower power costs."
Umair Javed, "A false binary," Dawn, 27 October 2025
"The debate on what to do with the TLP and TTP is currently caught in a bizarre binary of ‘operations/violence’ versus ‘talks/negotiations’. This binary is both meaningless and unproductive. Any sustainable solution must challenge the societal foundations and legitimacy of such groups, restoring the state’s credibility and the political process rather than relying solely on force or expediency."
Editorial, "Premeditated murder?" The Express Tribune, 27 October 2025
"The custodial death of Muhammad Irfan, a teenager from Karachi, is neither the first nor the last. Excesses by law enforcement agencies have become the new normal, proving that the rule of law is missing and authorities remain unaccountable. The case underscores the urgent need for accountability, adherence to SOPs, and justice for victims of police brutality — so that those in uniform do not go off the hook again."
Imran Malik, "Geopolitics of the Af-Pak Region," The Nation, 27 October 2025
"The US appears to be pursuing a two-pronged strategy in the Af-Pak region — seeking renewed access to the Bagram Airbase and an ingress into Balochistan to counter China’s Belt and Road footprint and rare earth monopoly. Pakistan must therefore maintain balance in its external engagements, preserve its strategic partnership with China, and avoid becoming a battleground for superpower rivalry in the region."
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