Photo : The Indian Express
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : The Indian Express
In Focus
27th Constitutional Amendment set to be tabled at the National Assembly; Opposition condemns move as a ‘fascist design’
On 11 November, Dawn reported that the 27th Constitutional Amendment is set to be tabled at the National Assembly. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar is set to move a motion for the National Assembly to take up the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which has already been passed by the Senate, for consideration. He will also move a subsequent motion seeking to pass the bill in the lower house of the Parliament. The PML-N-led coalition had succeeded in passing the bill with a two-thirds majority at the Senate on 10 November. During the session PPP Senator Farooq H. Naek presented the final report on the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, outlining several key modifications introduced on the committees’ recommendations.
Naek stated that the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) had been revised to ensure equal representation from all provinces, along with one representative from the Islamabad High Court. Additionally, the eligibility requirement for FCC judges has been reduced from seven years to five years.
He further said that the parliamentary committees had recommended changes in the nomination process for the reconstituted Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP). Under the 26th Amendment, the speaker was empowered to nominate a woman or a non-Muslim member; however, the committees proposed that the nominee should now be a technocrat. He also clarified that judges can exercise their suo motu only after the FCC validates their application on the hearing. On the transfer of judges, Naek noted that while the President could previously transfer judges with their consent and after consulting the chief justices of the concerned high courts, the revised procedure allows a judge to present reasons for refusing transfer before the JCP. If the commission rejects those reasons, the judge would be required to retire.
Regarding lifetime immunity under Article 248, Naek said the amendment clarifies that the President would not enjoy immunity if he holds a public office after the end of his term, but would regain it upon leaving that office. The proposed amendment to Article 243 extends similar lifetime immunity to the ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Navy.
Separately, The Express Tribune reported vehement opposition against the 27th Amendment, terming it a “fascist design.” The Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan, denounced the amendment as "unconstitutional, undemocratic and devoid of efficacy.” Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sardar Latif Khosa asserted that justice cannot be ensured without an independent judiciary, accusing the government of repeating the “midnight assault” witnessed during the passage of the 26th Amendment. He asserted that “Fascism has completely destroyed the system.” (“27th Constitutional Amendment bill to be tabled in National Assembly as session begins,” Dawn, 11 November and 2025; “Opposition blasts 'authoritarian assault' on judiciary,” The Express Tribune, 11 November 2025”)
Pakistan voices concern over illicit arms being acquired by Afghan-based terror groups
On 11 November, Dawn reported that Pakistan pointed to regional security risks due to terrorist groups in Afghanistan acquiring abandoned weapons. Speaking at the UN Security Council’s open debate on small arms on 10 November, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, stated that “Pakistan is seriously concerned about the presence of stockpiles of sophisticated arms and ammunition in Afghanistan, as noted in the findings of the secretary general’s reports.”
According to the report, transnational criminal networks in Afghanistan are predicted to have facilitated the transfer of arms and ammunition to neighbouring states in violation of the arms embargo, giving rise to black markets and destabilising the region. Ambassador Iftikhar said Pakistan had “credible information of attempts to smuggle these arms to neighbouring countries for terrorist activities.” He further noted that “the movement of unmarked or unregistered weapons across the international border sustain and aid non-state armed groups, terrorist networks, and criminal gangs, undermining regional security and stability.”
He added that Pakistan is “deeply concerned” due to the “mostly abandoned, modern and potent weapons” now being used by groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant–Khorasan (ISIL-K), Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and the Majeed Brigade.
Calling for stronger international action, Iftikhar urged efforts “to prevent access of illicit arms to armed terrorist groups in Afghanistan” and to make sure the Afghan interim authorities fulfil their international obligations. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the UN’s Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, which looks at balancing state security needs with measures to limit illicit arms flows.
Following the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan, large weapon stockpiles left behind were reportedly seized by the Taliban and subsequently used by groups like the TTP. Dawn reported that Islamabad continues to call on the UN for a “concerted campaign” to recover these arms. Dawn also referred to a report by The Washington Post in April that identified terrorists using weapons left behind by the US forces in the Jaffar Express train attack in Balochistan in March. (“Afghan-based terrorist groups’ access to illicit arms threatens regional peace, Pakistan warns at UNSC debate,” Dawn, 11 November 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
KP government moves IHC against denial of CM Afridi-Imran meeting
On 11 November, Dawn reported that Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa moved to the Islamabad High Court. He filed a contempt of court petition as the Adiala jail authorities did not comply with the judicial order. Earlier, the Islamabad High Court issued an order that directed authorities to allow KP's new Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, to meet the PTI founder, Imran Khan, at Adiala Jail; however, jail authorities failed to permit the meeting. The petition named the Federation of Pakistan, the Punjab government, and the Adiala jail authorities as respondents. (“KP moves IHC against denial of CM Afridi-Imran meeting,” Dawn, 11 November 2025)
SECURITY
Suicide attack at Cadet college in KP foiled by security forces
On 11 November, The Express Tribune reported that security forces foiled a major terrorist attack by Tehreek-e-Taliban on the Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan. Five TTP assailants rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate of the college. Three TTP assailants even managed to enter the college premises. Army troops managed to eliminate the assailants. In two separate operations in the Shawal and Darra Adam Khel areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, the armed forces killed 20 TTP terrorists. The president and prime minister praised the armed forces for their successful operations. (“Security forces foil 'APS-style' carnage in Wana,” The Express Tribune, 11 November 2025)
EXTERNAL
Bangladesh envoy urges fifth freedom flights to strengthen ties with Pakistan
On 11 November, The Express Tribune reported that the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan suggested encouraging external players to use Fifth Freedom flights and help establish direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan. He stated that Pakistan’s debt situation and Bangladesh’s banking sector reforms remained key constraints to improvement in relations between the two nations, apart from logistical hurdles. He stressed the need to focus on reconnecting business communities between both nations rather than waiting for the financial conditions to be stabilized. He also remarked that “For Bangladesh, Pakistan is a wider gateway to Central Asia, the Middle East, and other countries. Similarly, Bangladesh could be an opening for Pakistan to Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Southeast Asian countries.” (“Pakistan, Bangladesh Eye Fifth Freedom Flight to boost trade, bilateral ties,” The Express Tribune, 11 November 2025)