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In Brief
EXTERNAL
After threatening to strike “deep into Afghanistan," Pakistan to resume talks with the Taliban
On 30 October, The News International reported that Pakistan agreed to resume talks with Afghanistan after the four-day talks failed to have any breakthrough. At the request of mediator Türkiye, Pakistan decided to give peace another chance and find workable solutions. However, in a recent statement, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned the Taliban regime that Islamabad would not hesitate to strike “deep into Afghanistan” if Kabul failed to rein in militants using its soil for attacks across the border. He also mentioned that Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) wants to leverage its position in Pakistan through Afghanistan. (“Rein in terror or face 'deep strikes,' Asif warns Kabul,” The Express Tribune, 30 October 2025; “Islamabad issues stern warning to Taliban as talks collapse,” Dawn, 30 October 2025; “Pakistan decides to 'resume peace talks' with Taliban regime on mediator Turkiye's request,” The News International, 30 October 2025)
PAKISTAN OCCUPIED KASHMIR (PoK)
No-confidence motion against “AJK” PM delayed
On 30 October, The News International reported that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz's (PML-N) decision to initiate a no-confidence motion in the 15th “AJK” Assembly is getting delayed. According to the constitution, it is mandatory to nominate the successor along with a no-confidence motion. However, PPP has yet to decide the nominee for the post of “AJK” PM. Formal announcement of the PPP nominee will be made after a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting has not taken place, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is abroad on an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (“No-trust motion against AJK PM delayed,” The News International, 30 October 2025; “No-confidence motion against embattled AJK premier ready,” Dawn, 30 October 2025)
Gilgit-Baltistan: The Express Tribune reports voter surge
On 30 October, The Express Tribune reported that the voter registration process in Gilgit Baltistan was nearing completion, with an expected total number of registered voters of nearly one million. The Chief Election Commissioner stated that nearly two hundred thousand new voters will register this time. He also noted that “in the 2020 elections, the total number of voters was 743,000 while according to the latest census, the region's population now stands at around 1.7 million". As the current assembly complete its constitutional term on 24 November, the elections are expected by December. (“G-B voter rolls near one million ahead of polls,” The Express Tribune, 30 October 2025)
SECURITY
Six soldiers including a captain killed in Kurram
On 30 October, Dawn reported that six soldiers, including a captain, were killed in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The operation was carried out against Tehreek-e- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists. In the operation, seven TTP terrorists were killed. (“Seven terrorists killed, captain among six soldiers martyred in Kurram IBO: ISPR,” The Express Tribune, 29 October 2025; "Captain among six martyred in Kurram operation,” Dawn, 30 October 2025)
Punjab hands over TLP-run mosques and seminaries to Mufti Muneeb
On 29 October, the Punjab government placed the TLP-linked mosques and seminaries under the super provision of Mufti Muneebur Rehman. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz urged the Ulema to help steer the public away from extremism. During the Ittehad Bain-ul-Muslimeen Committee, the Chief Minister clarified that the government had not taken control of the religious institutions but entrusted them to senior clerics for proper management. (“Punjab hands over TLP-run mosques, seminaries to Mufti Muneeb,” The Express Tribune, 30 October 2025)
Jaffar Express escapes rocket attack in Nasirabad
On 30 October, Dawn reported that the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express train escaped a rocket attack in Nasirabad district. Militants targeted the train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar with several rockets. However, rockets landed and exploded away from the train. Security forces launched a search operation in the area. In a separate incident, a police patrol vehicle was targeted in Dera Murad Jamali. In the grenade explosion, the police mobile was damaged and 13 people, including two policemen, four children and two women, were injured. (“Jaffar Express escapes rocket attack,” Dawn, 30 October 2025)
ECONOMY
Rice exports plunge 28 per cent in Q1 FY2025–26
On 30 October, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s rice exports fell 28 per cent in the first quarter of FY2025–26 to 712,797 tonnes, with basmati shipments down 45.5 per cent and non-basmati 22.1 per cent. The Pakistani export industry lost competitiveness against India because of the strong rupee value, combined with high export financing costs and the shift from FTR to NTR systems. The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan demanded both stable trade regulations and anti-hoarding strategies. Guard Agricultural Research CEO Shahzad Ali Malik remained positive about the situation because crop conditions showed improvement and market prices became more stable. (“Rice exports fall 28pc in first quarter of 2025-26,” Dawn, 30 October 2025)
ENVIRONMENT
Sherry Rehman urges regional unity for a just energy transition
On 30 October, The News International reported that Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, called for a collective Pak-C2 regional approach (Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan) toward a just and inclusive energy transition. She stated at the Pre-COP30 Pak-C2 Energy Transition Dialogue that climate finance exists as a matter of justice rather than charity, while backing regional initiatives to build green technology and link power systems and secure financial support. Rehman introduced Pakistan's new NDCs, which establish a goal to reach USD 565.7 billion by 2035 while warning that unmanaged policies could block solar energy growth. She recommended creating a regional task force to support various areas in their collective pursuit of shared renewable energy and decarbonization objectives. (“Sherry for regional unity on just energy transition,” The News International, 30 October 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Mohammad Ali Babakhel, "Intricate landscape," Dawn, 30 October 2025
"Handling sympathisers needs counter-narratives and community engagement. Of the total 82 banned groups, some 21 are sectarian and 21 ethnic-based violent ones needing non-kinetic efforts. Tackling urban sleeper cells needs technology, legal instruments, administrative steps and effective LGs. Due to cross-border havens and attacks, CT action only in Pakistan may not work; Afghanistan must take action, too, against those using its soil to attack Pakistan. Does it have the will and capacity for this? Coordination gaps in the criminal justice system help militants. To improve conviction rates and swiftly dispose of cases, military courts were created through the 21st and 23rd amendments. But the ATC reform aim wasn’t fulfilled."
Editorial, "Failed talks," Dawn, 20 October 2025
"At this stage, there are few good choices for Pakistan. The state should certainly keep its guard up, and infiltration attempts by terrorists based in Afghanistan must be thwarted. The defence of the country is non-negotiable. Yet, diplomatic efforts should also continue. It must be remembered that Afghanistan-based terrorism threatens the whole region, not just Pakistan. Therefore, a regional approach to tackle the problem could bear results. The Taliban need Chinese and Russian investment and recognition, therefore together with these and other friendly states, Pakistan must continue diplomatic efforts until the Taliban disown their terrorist friends."
Inam Ul Haque, "Shegara — IEA and the collapsed peace talks in Istanbul," The Express Tribune, 30 October 2025
"First, the IEA changed its interlocutors and those fielded during the Istanbul Round ostensibly enjoyed little confidence in Qandahar and had limited mandate. Inter-state relations, among 'normal states' are regulated by the foreign ministries the world over, until specifics are discussed. In case of Pakistan (a normal state) and Afghanistan (a motely crowd of tribal militants), the talks in Doha were shifted by the IEA from Muttaqi's interim foreign ministry to Afghan defence ministry under Mulla Yaqub, the son of venerated Mulla Umer. Because FM Muttaqi, given his anti-Pakistan diatribes during his Indian yatra, was 'ostensibly' persona non grata. And then again in Istanbul, Rahmatullah Najib, a Sulemankhel Pashtun from Paktia, is leading the Afghan side as deputy interior minister. The deflection from foreign to defence to interior ministry is telling and betrays confusion and fault-lines within the IEA."
Editorial, "Hope with restraint," Dawn, 20 October 2025
"Pakistan's ongoing economic engagement with Saudi Arabia marks a radical shift in a relationship traditionally defined by remittances, financial help and deferred oil facilities. The launch of the Economic Cooperation Framework shows an interest in moving beyond aid to a lasting partnership rooted in trade and investment. The new framework should enable Pakistan to expand its exports, attract investment and integrate itself into regional value chains. If this materialises, it could help anchor long-term economic stability for Pakistan. However, going by the ineffectiveness of statements, MoUs and ministerial delegations in the recent past, there is reason to doubt a major Saudi investment push in Pakistan. Yet, we must keep our fingers crossed."
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