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In Focus
Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Istanbul collapse
On 29 October, The News International reported that Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Istanbul failed to produce results because the Afghan delegation rejected proof-based anti-terror measures for groups based in Afghanistan. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Taliban negotiators abandoned the final draft agreement three times because Kabul sent them instructions that made them appear powerless. The Defence Minister stated that Indian elements in Kabul worked to push Pakistan into a prolonged low-level conflict. The government of Pakistan declared that TTP cross-border attacks would force Pakistan to initiate defensive operations.
The Istanbul dialogue failed because of deep mutual distrust between Pakistan and the Taliban, who disagreed about TTPP operations in Afghanistan. According to Pakistan media, experts identified the Taliban-TTP ideological and political bond as the primary obstacle to reaching an agreement because it could lead to direct military conflict. Media reports also highlight Pakistan witnessing an increasing anger because militant attacks in 2024 resulted in 2500 deaths, and violence has continued to rise during 2025. (“Talks collapse in Istanbul as Taliban evade commitment to curb cross-border terror,” The News International, 29 October 2025; “‘Last-ditch push’: Pakistan-Afghanistan talks falter amid deep mistrust,” Al Jazeera, 29 October 2025)
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia: PM Sharif and Prince Salman launch economic cooperation framework at Riyadh Investment Summit
On 29 October, Dawn and The News International reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman established a new Economic Cooperation Framework in Riyadh, which will transform Pakistan–Saudi relations into a strategic economic alliance. The framework works to establish large-scale collaborative initiatives between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia across energy and industry and mining and IT and tourism and agriculture, and food security sectors. The framework supports regional integration through electricity interconnection and energy cooperation agreements between countries.
In his address at the 9th Future Investment Initiative Conference, PM Sharif stated that global recovery needs countries to work together through cooperation instead of taking loans, particularly for countries facing climate-related challenges like Pakistan. He also presented Pakistan's current economic and governance transformation efforts through digital Federal Board of Revenue modernization to fight corruption and demonstrated the country's preparedness to welcome international investors through modern digital systems. (“Cooperation, not loans, offers path to recovery: PM,” Dawn, 29 October 2025; “Shehbaz, MBS agree to launch economic cooperation framework,” The News International, 29 October 2025)
Political landscape of "AJK" in flux
On 29 October, The News International reported that the political landscape of “AJK” is facing a teetering phase, facing public unrest in recent months over governance issues. The “AJK” government has to face a no-confidence motion amid PTI forward block lawmakers joining the PPP. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP), with 27 members, has decided to oust the “AJK” Prime Minister, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, by bringing a no-confidence motion in the 53-member “AJK” Assembly. The PML-N, with its nine members, has decided to support PPP in the no-confidence motion. However, PML-N would not become part of the government and will sit in the opposition benches. According to the constitution, only 27 members are required for a no-confidence motion and for the election of the prime minister. In total, PPP, with the backing of 36 members, is ready to form a new “AJK” prime minister.
In contrast, PTI has decided not to be part of the opposition alliance’s no-confidence motion and election process to elect a new "AJK" prime minister. The PTI leader criticized PML-N and other parties for engaging in a power struggle and claimed that “the assembly has lost its credibility. The “AJK” legislative assembly will have its fourth prime minister in its term if a no-confidence motion gets a majority. However, the Azad Kashmir Interim Act required the naming of a nominated successor along with the no-confidence motion. As the nominee’s name has not been decided by PPP, the no-confidence motion could not be submitted yet.
In a recent development, the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAC) expressed concerns over the sidelining of regional entities. They claimed that the region’s mandate is increasingly dictated by distant national parties with no understanding of the region’s issues. (“AJK conundrum,” The News International, 29 October 2025; “PMLN refuses to back PPP candidate for AJK PM,” The News International, 29 October 2025, “PTI distances itself from no-confidence motion, premier’s election in AJK,” The Express Tribune, 29 October 2025)
In Brief
EXTERNAL
Pakistan to attend Gaza peace moot next week
On 29 October, Dawn reported that Pakistan will attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of eight countries in Türkiye to discuss the next steps in the Gaza peace plan. The Turkish Foreign Minister invited the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to Türkiye. The meeting will host foreign ministers of eight partner Muslim majority countries who were engaged on the sidelines of UNGA80 in the diplomatic process on Gaza. However, the Defence Minister of Pakistan informed that the decision on sending Pakistani troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilisation Force under the Gaza Peace Plan was still in process. (“Decision on sending troops to Gaza after due process: minister,” The News International, 29 October 2025; “Pakistan to attend Gaza peace moot next week,” Dawn, 29 October 2025)
Afghanistan-Pakistan
Kabul River dams may deepen Pakistan’s water woes
On 29 October, The News International reported that Afghanistan's decision to build dams or barrages on the Kabul River system could affect Pakistan’s water availability during the Kharif season. According to estimates, Afghanistan could develop 2.5 to three million acre-feet (MAF) of water storage capacity on the Kunar and Kabul rivers, allowing it to irrigate vast tracts of agricultural land. As Afghanistan proceeds with its planned reservoirs, Pakistan’s inflows could drop by about three MAF, reducing nearly 18 per cent of total availability to 14 MAF per annum. Also, as no formal water-sharing treaty currently exists between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Kabul River can become a source of strain, deepening the region’s already complex hydro-political landscape. (“Kabul river dams may deepen Pakistan’s water woes in early Kharif,” The News International, 29 October 2025)
SECURITY
Saad Rizwi, among 290 TLP men placed on the no-fly list
On 29 October, Dawn reported that the Ministry of Interior had placed the names of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Chief Saad Rizvi, along with 290 leaders, financiers, and hardcore activists of the TLP, on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) to prevent them from travelling abroad. Also, the Punjab police decided to expand the scope of investigations to earlier cases of 2020 and 2021 involving alleged attacks on law enforcers during the TLP-led protests. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has finalized an agreement with moderate Sunni clerics to transfer management of more than 300 mosques and 125 seminaries previously raised or operated by the TLP. (“Saad Rizvi among 290 TLP men placed on no-fly list,” Dawn, 29 October 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Editorial, "Spotlight on Taliban 2.0," The Express Tribune, 29 October 2025
"The Taliban 2.0 are either too naïve in realpolitik or have an agenda of their own to keep the region on tenterhooks. The indecisiveness and impracticality through which they are conducting talks at Istanbul is unbecoming of a good neighbour, and goes on to indicate that they are more mindful of their love-lost with the militants, rather than striking a new episode of congeniality and confidence with Islamabad. The refusal on the part of Kabul to silence the unscrupulous elements operating in Afghanistan, and a lack of understanding to rewrite a new counterterrorism strategy is at the root of the discord."
Faisal Ali Raja, "Dismantling violent groups," The Express Tribune, 29 October 2025
"All violent groups act like human organisms and get affected by external or internal environment. These groups become more active during expansion of their networks and strengthening of their links at sub-division and district levels. The imbalance between real and apparent objectives of these groups increases their violent streak. As the gulf between the two increases, the primary tier leadership thinks that they need to look towards other avenues to make their survival and relevance intact. Since these groups are evolved through a controlled manner, they find great enthusiasm in exploring new avenues. Their augmentation brings them street power, financial incentives and political gains as well. Suddenly they start deviating from their real goal in a gradual and incremental way."
Zahid Hussain, "State & religious extremism," Dawn, 29 October 2025
The government action against the TLP was in response to the group’s violent protests and not because of its extremist ideology and attacks on religious minorities and their places worship, which have become rampant particularly in Punjab. All that has been happening for a long time without any action by the administration against the perpetrators.Just banning a party will not be effective if the state is not fully committed to enforcing the law against all religious extremist forces. The real issue is not the group but the extremist ideology it espouses. We have many examples of banned outfits resurfacing under different names. That could also happen in the TLP’s case."
Editorial, "AJK conundrum," The News, 29 October 2025
"This would not be the first time AJK has seen such political instability. If Haq steps down or is removed via the no-confidence vote, he would become the fourth prime minister in four years. For the people of AJK, this constant reshuffling of leaders has become a source of growing frustration. What the people of AJK deserve is not another round of political musical chairs but tangible action on their real grievances. Just a month ago, protests in AJK turned violent, highlighting the simmering discontent that has been brewing for years. Last year, similar protests had also taken place, and again, they were initially handled poorly."
Farhan Bokhari, "Investing in Pakistan," The News, 29 October 2025
"Pakistan’s return to become a more successful investment destination, requires the creation of a stable environment free from any pressure. Investors who independently step forward to expand their exposure to Pakistan, are far more likely to stay the course for the long haul. In tandem with the search for new investments, it is vital for Pakistan to tap in to existing sources. For example, the seven joint ventures created between Pakistan and other Islamic countries provide the basis to perk up the economic environment. Yet, the full advantage of such an endeavour will flow from their entry to commercially successful business ventures."
Editorial, "Caution for now," Dawn, 29 October 2025
"The State Bank’s decision to keep its key policy rate unchanged at 11pc for the fourth monetary policy review since May aims at maintaining price stability amid resurging inflation. Headline CPI inflation rose to 5.6pc last month from 3pc in August, while core inflation remained unchanged at 7.3pc, suggesting that underlying pressures remain firm. The decision also shows that risks to the fragile recovery, particularly improvements in the external sector, continue despite some strengthening of the fundamentals. This is most evident in the external sector’s stability being sustained by strong remittance inflows and import restrictions amid stagnant exports and limited foreign private and official inflows."
Zainab Naeem, "Climate change is a security threat," The News, 29 October 2025
"Climate change now carries the same gravity for vulnerable regions like Pakistan and whole of South Asia. It shuts factories during heatwaves, collapses bridges in flood season, pushes food and energy prices higher and strains public order. It is a traditional security threat because it erodes the very systems that keep a country stable and safe. If the world can mobilise for defence, it can mobilise for climate security with the same seriousness, clarity and speed. Pakistan’s geography makes this argument urgent. We share rivers, mountains and an airshed with India – and those natural systems do not stop at the border."
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