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In Brief
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Parties across the spectrum align to support the armed forces in condemning the PTI; The PTI seeks apology and accountability over “derogatory” language against Imran Khan
On 08 December, Dawn reported that parties across the political spectrum sided with the country’s armed forces in condemning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s rhetoric as a “coordinated campaign to malign state institutions and sow instability.” Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stated that “If PTI believes its leader is greater than the country, then it must make a choice,” recounting that his party had once chosen the state over the narrative of its own founder. Federal health minister and senior deputy convener of the party, Mustafa Kamal alleged that PTI and its leadership were actively maligning Pakitan’s military and its commanders internationally. He stated that “These attitudes are shameful,” and that the PTI should be grateful that the army is only holding press conferences to expose the party. In a press conference in Islamabad, Balochistan Chief Minister and Pakistan Peoples’s Party (PPP) leader Sarfraz Bugti also condemned Imran Khan for “spreading propaganda against the army and maligning them in line with the agenda of hostile agencies.” “In this situation, the nation has to choose, and the nation has chosen to stand with its forces,” he asserted, adding that there was an urgent need to “abandon the narrative which was weakening the state.” Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi also assailed Imran Khan during a press conference in Rawalpindi, saying that had his claims about the former premier receiving funding from India and Israel been taken seriously, Pakistan would not be in the state it is now. “I had said that the PTI was receiving Indian and Israeli money. This was proven. I took the foreign funding case to the Supreme Court,” he added. He also asserted that if Imran Khan had been disqualified over the foreign funding case then, there would not be anarchy or terrorism.” In response to Abbasi’s remarks, PTI, in a statement, said that “it would be difficult for individuals like Abbasi to understand that Imran always stood firm for his country, its institutions, and the people of Pakistan at every forum.”
PTI, through a resolution adopted at a large protest rally in Peshawar on 07 December, has demanded an apology for alleged derogatory language used against Imran Khan and accountability of those responsible to prevent such statements in future. Leaders of PTI and Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP), addressing the gathering, strongly condemned Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry for his remarks about Mr Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi in a media briefing, and urged the institution to “remain within its constitutional limits.” The party added that “further attempts to malign” Imran Khan in a bid to tarnish his popularity would only lead to it rising with each narrative levelled against him. The party also rejected any attempt of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that the people of the province had given a clear mandate to Imran Khan and PTI “despite all obstacles and rigging.” “Any government formed as a result of the governor’s rule will be illegal and unconstitutional in the eyes of the people,” the resolution stated.
In a separate development, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has refused to recognise Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as chairperson of the PTI. According to a 26 November letter addressed to Barrister Gohar, he had written an application to the commission on 13 November seeking the inclusion of those senators into the party who were elected to the upper house of Parliament from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in July after much delay. The ECP stated in the letter that since the issue of intra-party election of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf is pending before the commission due to the stay order obtained by the party from the Lahore High Court (LHC), “the commission is not in a position to accept you as chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Therefore, you do not have any locus standi.” Barrister Gohar responded by stating that “ It is very unfortunate that they do not recognise the PTI.” (“PTI stays defiant despite flak from all sides,” Dawn, 08 December 2025; “PTI says attempts to malign Imran will only increase his popularity,” Dawn, 07 December 2025; “ECP does not recognise Barrister Gohar as PTI chairman,” Dawn, 07 December 2025)
ECONOMY
Government expenditure on civil administration and pensions witness stark rise despite austerity measures and downsizing exercises
On 08 December, Dawn reported that the government's expenditure on civil administration and pension payouts has persistently climbed over the last five years, with the first quarter of the current fiscal year seeing a double-digit increase despite a strict official austerity policy and an aggressive downsizing exercise. Fiscal data from the Ministry of Finance shows a 13 per cent rise in “Running of the Civil Government” expenditure during the first quarter from July to September. Spending climbed to PKR 161.2 billion this fiscal year, a rise from PKR 142.5 billion in the same period in 2024. The increase comes despite the government’s claims of austerity through major staffing cuts and structural reforms. The rise is notable given that over 150,000 posts were eliminated last year and various ministries, divisions, and subordinate departments have been “rightsized” through mergers and closures.The Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had recently announced that an additional 54,000 vacant posts had been scrapped across multiple departments, saving the exchequer more than PKR 56bn annually. He added that the restructuring and consolidation of several ministries and divisions remains in progress as part of the broader fiscal reform agenda.
The data also indicates that spending on the running of the civil government has risen by nearly 80 per cent since the first quarter of FY22, when it stood at PKR 89.5 billion. Pension expenditures are also on the rise. In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, pension payments stood at PKR 249.5 billion, marking a 10 per cent increase from the PKR 223 billion spent in the same period of FY25. The previous year had already seen a 9 per cent rise. Over the past five years, pension spending has soared by almost 125 per cent, up from PKR 111 billion in the first quarter of FY22. By the end of the last fiscal year, the total pension bill had reached PKR 911 billion. Unlike the fixed, monthly liabilities of pensions and civil administration, subsidy payments vary significantly because they can be delayed. In the first quarter of the current year, subsidies surged sixfold to PKR 120 billion, compared to PKR 20 billion in the same period last year. In the first quarter of FY24, the government had released only PKR 2.5 billion, while the preceding two years saw disbursements of PKR 93 billion and PKR 74 billion. Last year’s total subsidy bill stood at PKR1.298 trillion. Despite a stated commitment to austerity since 202, driven by the fiscal constraints of successive IMF programmes, implementation has been uneven, reported Dawn. In June, the government reaffirmed austerity measures for FY26, including a complete ban on purchasing vehicles, acquiring machinery or equipment, and creating new posts across the federal government. (“Centre’s own spending rises amid austerity, restructuring,” Dawn, 08 December 2025)
National Accountability Bureau secures a record PKR 9 trillion through recovery of illegal non-monetary assets
On 08 December, Dawn reported that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) recovered nearly PKR 9 trillion in between 2023 and 2025 in non-monetary assets such as land and properties belonging to various state institutions that had been illegally occupied by individuals and groups. After the PTI-led government was removed in April 2022, the PML-N-led coalition revised the National Accountability Ordinance 1999, limiting NAB’s jurisdiction to cases involving PKR 500 million or more. However, according toNAB Chairman retired Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed Butt, these amendments, widely seen as weakening NAB, ultimately broadened its operational scope and resulted in significant recoveries. “It was a blessing in disguise as we approached many government institutions, offering them help in recovering their illegally occupied land worth trillions,” he stated in his first press conference since taking charge in 2023. “This has made NAB’s job more demanding but also more useful for the state and its institutions,” he added. Comparing his tenure with NAB’s historical performance, he noted that from the bureau’s establishment in 1999 up to March 2023, total recoveries stood at USD 3.15 billion. In contrast, during the two and a half years under his leadership, NAB recovered a staggering USD 29.99 billion. This figure includes cash recoveries of PKR 1.124 trillion (around USD 4 billion), with the remainder consisting of recovered assets. He added that over the past 26 years, the government has allocated PKR 62 billion to NAB, while the bureau has secured PKR 9 trillion in recoveries, a record he described as unmatched by any anti-corruption agency worldwide. (“Bulk of NAB recoveries in form of assets, land,” Dawn, 08 December 2025)
SECURITY
Sindh Cultural Day rally escalates to protests; Police arrests 45 citizens for alleged stone pelting against the forces
On 7 December, Dawn reported that the Karachi police arrested 45 people participating in the Sindh Culture Day rally after people allegedly pelted police personnel with stones .South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza stated that upon being attacked by participants, police responded with a baton charge and tear gas shelling. “We detained 45 people on Sharea Faisal,” DIG Raza said. “The South SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) is at the scene, and the situation is under control.” He added that since the Red Zone has been closed, alternative traffic routes are being provided for citizens and commuters and that the law enforcers asked the rally participants to use the Lines Area route towards Saddar and subsequently the venue of the rally at Karachi Press Club (KPC), but “they were bent upon using the main Sharea Faisal from Jinnah Bridge.” According to police sources, rally participants began arguing with officers after being stopped, and the confrontation eventually escalated into stone-throwing. When asked why police had blocked the road at the Finance and Trade Centre (FTC) flyover, DIG Raza explained that an advisory had been issued for Cultural Day, as several rallies and cultural processions were expected to gather at the FTC and proceed towards the KPC via Sharea Faisal. Later, the DIG said that 12 of the 45 arrested were released on the surety of the Karachi Bar Association president. (“45 arrested as citizens clash with police during Sindh Culture Day rally,” Dawn, 7 December 2025)
Twelve alleged "Fitna-al-Hindustan" killed in intelligence based operations in Balochistan
On 7 December, Dawn reported that Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement, said that Security forces have killed 12 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Kalat district of Balochistan. ISPR claimed that the terrorists belonged to the alleged Indian proxy, "Fitna-al-Hindustan". The ISPR statement highlighted that during the operation, “own forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, 12 Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell”. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were found in the terrorists’ possession, and they had been “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.” “Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area as [a] relentless counter-terrorism campaign under [the] vision [of] ‘Azm-i- Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and -supported terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded. (“Security forces kill 12 terrorists during IBO in Balochistan’s Kalat: ISPR,” Dawn, 7 December 2025)
ENERGY
Petroleum Minister announces plans set to sell excess gas in international markets from 1 January
On 08 December, Dawn reported that Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that Pakistan would begin selling excess liquefied natural gas (LNG) in international markets from 1 January 2026. Malik made the remark at a press conference in Lahore, months after reports emerged that Pakistan was considering options to sell surplus LNG cargoes as a supply glut threatened to inflict millions in annual losses on domestic producers. “From January 1, we will sell this excess fuel in international markets and reduce our burden while limiting the loss caused by it,” he stated. He explained that Pakistan has been importing gas from “our friend” Qatar as well as from the Italian energy firm Eni. However, the country now had a surplus of imported gas because its use in power generation had declined over the past few months. As a result, “we were compelled to divert it to domestic consumers, due to which circular debt was increasing in the gas sector,” he said, adding that this situation has cost Pakistan roughly PKR 1,000 billion between 2018–19 and now. He added that the move would also enable Pakistan’s state-owned companies in the gas sector to run at full capacity and return to profitability. Reports last month indicated that Pakistan had reached an agreement to cancel 21 LNG cargoes under its long-term deal with Eni as part of efforts to curb surplus imports that have overwhelmed the gas system, Dawn stated. It was also said that Pakistan was in discussions with Qatar regarding its LNG supplies, exploring options such as deferring certain cargoes or reselling them under existing contractual provisions.
At the press conference, Malik also outlined the petroleum-sector investments expected from foreign firms, noting that Turkey’s energy minister had recently visited Pakistan and that, after two decades, Turkish Petroleum, working alongside Pakistani companies, would participate in both onshore and offshore exploration projects. He added that Turkish Petroleum would open an office in Islamabad staffed by 10 to 15 Turkish nationals, with job opportunities also available for Pakistanis. “We are moving towards decreasing our reliance on imported oil and gas,” he said. Malik further revealed that a delegation from the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) would visit Pakistan in the coming week and was expected to partner with local companies on oil and gas exploration. SOCAR, he added, would also establish an office in Pakistan and invest millions of dollars in an oil pipeline from Machike to Thalian, in collaboration with PSO and the Frontier Works Organisation. (“Pakistan to sell excess gas in international markets from January 1: petroleum minister", Dawn, 08 December 2025)
PROVINCES
Below-normal rainfall records in Balochistan heightens concerns of drought in Quetta and six other districts
On 8 December, Dawn reported that according to a Meteorological Department report, Balochistan has received 41.9 per cent below-normal rainfall over the past three months, intensifying drought risks in Quetta and six other districts. The report indicates that the province recorded just 8.6 mm of rain in September, October and November, compared to the normal 14.8 mm. Temperatures during this period were also 0.9°C above average. The Met Office’s drought advisory (pre-alert) noted that from May to November, western and southwestern Balochistan experienced declining rainfall and an increase in consecutive dry days. Forecasts suggest rainfall in the affected areas will remain below normal until February 2026, with above-average temperatures expected to further worsen drought conditions in Quetta, Chagai, Gwadar, Kech, Kharan, Mastung, Nushki, Pishin, Panjgur, Qilla Abdullah and Washuk. However, the Met Office also anticipates partial relief later this month from a weather system that may bring rain to parts of the region. (“Alarm over below normal rainfall in Balochistan,” Dawn, 8 December 2025)
AF-PAK
Normalcy returns to the Chaman border following heavy clashes
On 7 December, Dawn reported that normalcy had returned to the Pakistan–Afghanistan border at Chaman on 6 December, following heavy clashes a day earlier. Chaman Deputy Commissioner confirmed that fighting between Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban troops had ceased. He noted that an emergency had been declared at Chaman District Hospital immediately following the attack. Residents reported that many families from border villages relocated to Chaman city for safety. An official stated that “heavy fighting started at 10 pm and continued for over two hours.” The incident occurred in the backdrop of stalled Pakistan–Afghanistan negotiations, as three rounds of talks in Istanbul produced no breakthrough. Border clashes first erupted on 11 October, and bilateral relations have since deteriorated. The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) remains the central point of contention, with Islamabad insisting that Kabul take concrete action to curb cross-border terrorism. On 7 November, after the third round of talks, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said discussions on cross-border terrorism were “over” and had “entered an indefinite phase,” as the negotiators failed to overcome core disagreements between the two sides. (Saleem Shahid, “Calm returns to Chaman border after overnight clashes,” Dawn, 7 December 2025)
US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) report confirms Taliban control of abandoned American weapons and security infrastructure; reports highlight implications for Pakistan’s Security
On 7 December, Dawn reported that a final assessment by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has confirmed that billions of dollars’ worth of American-supplied weapons, equipment and security infrastructure abandoned during the 2021 withdrawal now constitute the core of the Taliban’s security apparatus. In parallel, findings from UN monitoring teams and a Washington Post investigation suggest that some of these weapons have already reached the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The 137-page SIGAR report documents the scale of the 20-year US effort to rebuild Afghanistan. Congress provided roughly USD 144.7 billion between 2002 and 2021 to support reconstruction and a democratic transition, “yet ultimately delivered neither.” UN assessments further highlight the regional consequences, noting continued Taliban logistical and operational support to the TTP. SIGAR attributes part of this spillover to the collapse of the Afghan government and Taliban takeover, which caused an abrupt loss of oversight. The US Department of Defence has confirmed that approximately USD 7.1 billion worth of equipment, including thousands of vehicles, hundreds of thousands of small arms, night-vision devices, and more than 160 aircraft, was left behind.
The consequences are already visible in Pakistan, noted Dawn. According to the Washington Post, serial numbers on at least 63 weapons seized in Pakistan match those originally supplied to Afghan forces. Officials note that some are “significantly superior” to equipment previously used by TTP. UN monitoring reports estimate that the TTP maintains around 6,000 fighters across multiple Afghan provinces; Denmark’s deputy permanent representative noted that it continues to receive “logistical and substantial support from the de facto authorities” in Kabul. Certain UN reports released earlier documented Taliban-provided guesthouses, weapons permits, movement authorisations, and immunity from arrest for TTP leaders. SIGAR’s 2025 quarterly reports also document a rise in cross-border attacks, including an assault in South Waziristan that killed 16 Pakistani security personnel. As SIGAR concludes its mandate, the report puts forth that the Afghanistan experience should stand as a cautionary lesson on the limits of rebuilding fragile states, and the security consequences of its failure, especially to the wider region. (Anwar Iqbal, “Equipment, weapons left behind by US in Afghanistan now form core of Taliban’s security apparatus: watchdog,” Dawn, 7 December 2025)
EXTERNAL
On SAARC:
Pakistan reaffirms commitment to work with all willing SAARC states; says it seeks a cooperative, inclusive and forward-looking regional order
On 8 December, Dawn reported that President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working with all willing South Asian states to advance trade, transit, energy connectivity, and people-to-people linkages in line with the principles of the SAARC Charter. In separate statements marking the 40th anniversary of SAARC Charter Day, the leaders put forth that Pakistan seeks a cooperative, inclusive and forward-looking regional order capable of realising South Asia’s vast economic potential. President Zardari noted Pakistan’s unique geographic position “at the meeting point of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East,” and stated that the country is ready to strengthen relations that benefit the entire region. He stated: “Pakistan remains committed to a cooperative, inclusive and forward-looking regional order… We are ready to work with all willing states to promote trade, transit, energy linkages and people-to-people ties that benefit the entire region.” PM Shehbaz Sharif noted the importance of economic, digital, and societal connectivity in an era of expanding regional cooperation. He highlighted shared regional challenges such as poverty, climate-induced disasters, food and energy insecurity, and public health risks, saying that these “require collective responses based on mutual trust, goodwill, and a spirit of cooperation.” He added that only through joint action can South Asia build “a resilient and inclusive future.”(“Pakistan ready to work with all states in South Asia to boost trade, says Zardari,” Dawn, 8 December 2025)
Indonesia’s President to visit Pakistan with a high-level delegation from 8–9 December
On 7 December, Dawn reported that Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto will pay an official visit to Pakistan from 8–9 December at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Foreign Office (FO) said the visit will focus on a “wide-ranging agenda” to further strengthen bilateral ties. President Prabowo will arrive in Islamabad with a high-level delegation including key ministers and senior officials. “This will be President Prabowo’s first visit to Pakistan. The last presidential visit from Indonesia was undertaken by President Joko Widodo in 2018,” the FO noted. It added that the visit is particularly significant as it marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During the visit, President Prabowo will hold talks with PM Shehbaz and meet President Asif Ali Zardari. Discussions will cover cooperation in trade, investment, defence, health, IT, climate, education, culture, and multilateral coordination. Several MOUs are expected to be signed. The FO stated the visit will support the “diversification of the partnership between the two countries.”
ON INDIA:
Pakistan’s Foreign Office responds to India’s External Affairs Minister’s recent remarks on Pakistan army
On 8 December, Dawn reported that the Foreign Office (FO) rejected what it described as the “highly inflammatory, baseless and irresponsible” remarks made by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar regarding Pakistan’s armed forces, calling his comments “misleading.” According to The Indian Express, Dr S. Jaishankar stated: “I think for us, the reality of the Pakistani Army has always been, and much of our problems actually emanate from them.” In response, the FO noted that Pakistan was a responsible state and that all its institutions, including the armed forces, formed essential pillars of national security committed to protecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The FO referred to the brief India–Pakistan conflict in May as having “vividly demonstrated Pakistan armed forces’ professionalism as well as their resolve to defend the motherland…against any Indian aggression in a befitting, effective yet responsible manner.” The FO accused India of attempting to malign Pakistan’s institutions as part of a broader “propaganda campaign” aimed at diverting attention from India’s “destabilising actions” and alleged “state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan.” According to the statement, rather than making misleading statements, “India must investigate the fascist and revisionist Hindutva ideology that has unleashed a reign of mob justice, lynchings, arbitrary detentions and demolition of properties and places of worship.” The FO reiterated that “Pakistan believes in co-existence, dialogue and diplomacy,” while remaining resolute in safeguarding its sovereignty. (“FO rejects Indian foreign minister’s ‘inflammatory, misleading’ remarks about Pakistan’s armed forces,” Dawn, 7 December 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Chief of Defence Forces
Dr Raashid Wali Janjua, "CDF aims to fix Pakistan’s siloed command structure," The Express Tribune, 8 December 2025
"The 27th Constitutional Amendment has introduced the appointment of Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) in Pakistan which is the subject of several discussions. There is not a frisson of doubt that the reforms in our higher defence organisation were long overdue, owing to strategic and operational necessity born out of changed mode of warfare in this artificial intelligence assisted age. In this multidomain mode of warfare no single service i.e Army, Airforce and Navy can cast a lone furrow and hope to succeed. Pakistan, like India, had inherited a colonial organisational structure which kept the military organisation highly centralised yet siloed through separate commands in three services. The ostensible objective of HDO reorganisation was to promote jointness and operational synergy between the three services but the actual motive imputed to PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s HDO reform was to gain greater control over the military affairs through a strong Joint Staff Headquarters. He however could not create a potent JS HQ and the appointment of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee remained a ceremonial sinecure. The result of the above inchoate state of HDO was a wasteful duplication of several functions which led to profligate waste of resources and lack of desired operational synergy in times of war. The problems were visible during the Kargil conflict where the Army started an operation without due coordination with the other two services. Without a single empowered commander of the three services, those opportunities might be lost. At present the three services lack the desired operational synergies both in peace as well as war due to their single service orientation. All of the modern armies currently follow the tri-service integration model. The Chinese, Israelis and Russians also follow the same integrated command structure where the jointness and operational symbiosis translates into faster decision making. CDF's efficacy depends upon the powers to exercise meaningful control over the tri-service employment including force readiness, promotions, development strategy and employment of forces in war. Turf wars and stultifying traditions should yield to the dictates of modern warfare which demand jointness in planning and celerity in execution."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2581029/chief-of-defence-forces
New internal security order
Muhammad Amir Rana, "New internal security order," Dawn, 7 December 2025
"The Balochistan government’s decision to abolish the Levies force was part of a broader state strategy to harmonise internal security institutions in response to critical national security challenges. This restructuring process has been ongoing on federal and provincial levels, driven by the growing difficulty faced by premier security institutions in countering foreign-influenced threats, terrorism, and violent extremism. Pakistan’s context remains burdened by deep structural problems, the police culture of moral policing, extortionist practices, and low public trust. When state institutions burden LEAs with national security-related tasks, particularly those related to terrorism, violent extremism, and so-called foreign-influenced threats, the logic of security governance becomes more complex. The term foreign-influenced threats is vague, yet many among the security institutions increasingly interpret it through the lens of rising political mobilisation by movements such as the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement, and the Joint Action Committees in AJK and GB. Political analysts and movement leaders reject this framing, arguing that the state’s anxieties are instead rooted in fears of popular uprisings similar to those witnessed in Bangladesh and Nepal. The transformation of the Frontier Constabulary into a nationwide federal force reflected the perception that local police forces in AJK and GB have been unable to contain the JAC protests. This harmonisation process was formalised with the establishment of the National Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre under the National Counter Terrorism Authority. The creation of Niftac has eclipsed Nacta, undermining its status and institutional relevance. Critics argue that the Levies, despite limited resources and personnel, have historically performed better than the police across a vast and difficult terrain. Most political parties in Balochistan have therefore rejected the merger, insisting that effective local security structures should not be dismantled merely for administrative uniformity. Under such an expansive framework, any political or social movement can easily be labelled as foreign-influenced rather than a legitimate, locally supported mobilisation. LEAs, especially the police, have drifted far from their foundational roles. Their increasing focus on moral policing and coercive enforcement has become more regressive, extra-constitutional, and marred by institutional corruption. The police have neither developed the capability to understand nor the capacity to implement their functions under evolving security paradigms."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1959657
Reviving Basant
Umair Javed, "Reviving Basant," Dawn, 8 December 2025
"It's hard to shake off a feeling of bread and circuses from the Punjab government’s recent ordinance to revive Basant in the province after an 18-year ban. As the political environment grows evermore stifled, as the space for dissent shrinks every single day, as the governing system becomes more centralised and opaque, and as critical voices confront lengthy incarcerations, mustering festive excitement seems to be a bit of a challenge. The people too deserve respite and joy in a society that provides little of either. Basant defines Lahore like few other activities. It drew in tourists, generated revenue for all kinds of associated businesses, and contributed to a general uplift in the public mood. It was also the only cultural event that transcended class boundaries in a city that otherwise segregates all manners of entertainment by the ability to pay. Kite-flying is a relatively democratic activity. These appear to be prosaic points but they remain important given just how stratified leisure has become in a city like Lahore. A public festival such as Basant remains an important corrective, even if it only lasts a weekend. In this unequal context, a public festival such as Basant remains an important corrective, even if it only lasts a weekend. The bigger challenge, beyond the issuing of an ordinance, will be ensuring safety and preventing loss of life. In the early 2000s, the main drivers of public and political sentiment were the loss of life and damage to property. In the one year that the festival was unbanned in 2007, 11 people were killed. Ultimately, then, the decision to revive Basant becomes a test of state capacity. The revised ordinance provides for powers to search and seize dangerous string, as well as prevent unregulated kite-flying activity. These are all difficult tasks. The ordinance gives local administration the power to ban motorcycles from operating in any given territory. The real issue remains with the string and its associated dangers, as well as rooftop practices."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1959864/reviving-basant
Luay Shabaneh
Luay Shabaneh, "Luay Shabaneh," Dawn, 8 December 2025
"Ayesha, a 25-year-old mother of three, walks two kilometres each time she needs family planning or maternal health services. Her story is not unique; it is a daily reality for millions of Pakistani women. Pakistan’s total fertility rate stands at 3.5 births, far above the global average of 2.4 and one of the highest in South Asia. Sixteen per cent of married women still lack access to family planning, and the contraceptive prevalence rate has stalled at around 32pc. The reduced footprint of USAID, a key partner of UNFPA and largest supporters, has left a major gap in funding, technical expertise, and innovation. UNFPA itself faces tightening global funding at a time when Pakistan’s needs are still expanding. Pakistan experiences 3.5m unintended pregnancies annually; 61pc of this end in induced abortion, often unsafe and always preventable. Pakistan along with Nigeria, India and the DRC accounts for nearly half of all maternal deaths globally. Gender inequality compounds these challenges where Pakistan ranks 148th out of 148 countries. The divergence is worrying. Nearly 66pc of Pakistan’s population is under 30, representing a demographic opportunity unmatched in the region. For women, the ability to exercise reproductive rights, live free from violence, and access economic opportunities will shape Pakistan’s social and economic trajectory. Modest investments in family planning, maternal health, GBV prevention and response, youth development, and gender equality will have generational consequences. Pakistan has strength and resilience, strong institutions, committed partners, and a dynamic young population that provide a foundation for transformation. Global shifts risk Pakistan’s social development. Above all, policymaking must be driven by demographic intelligence, data and evidence. Pakistan’s priorities and needs are clear; yet there is a lot of talk that is not honoured with work, executive decisions and financing. This is not a moment for hesitation; it is a moment for bold and evidence-based action. Pakistan has the talent, the institutions, and moral imperative to seize this moment."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1959863/luay-shabaneh
Afghan flare-up
Editorial, "Afghan flare-up," Dawn, 7 December 2025
"The fragile ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been tested yet again, this time with an exchange of fire along the Afghan border in Balochistan. Though the exchange ended, it illustrates that without a permanent mechanism between both sides, flare-ups can occur at any time, with the potential of evolving into larger confrontations. Perhaps one of the reasons that limited outbreaks of violence continue is that the negotiation process appears to be stalled. Yet the key sticking point remains the Taliban’s refusal to act against terrorists based on Afghan soil. Pakistan has long been a victim of terrorist groups such as the TTP and BLA based in Afghanistan. The security of other regional states has also come under threat due to the lax policies of the Afghan Taliban towards terrorist groups active in their country. Pakistan, along with Afghanistan’s other neighbours, needs to communicate in unambiguous terms the need for the Afghan Taliban to clamp down on cross-border terrorism. If left unattended, the problem will grow, adding to insecurity across the entire region. Islamabad’s decision to allow UN humanitarian supplies into Afghanistan needs to be welcomed. Pakistan intends no harm to the Afghan people."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1959661
Mega worries
Huma Yusuf, "MEGA worries," Dawn, 8 December 2025
"With political tensions mounting at home, few are likely following developments in Europe. According to a new National Security Strategy released by the US White House, Europe is threatened by nothing less than civilisational erasure. A MEGA movement may seem like a distant concern for Pakistan. But the ripple effect could be significant. A right-leaning Europe may feel differently. MEGA governments may have economic protectionist tendencies that would sit uncomfortably with the current GSP-Plus scheme. Climate change responsiveness would be another affected area. These pools of climate finance may dry up if MEGA presents the same climate scepticism as MAGA. A more racist, anti-migration Europe would also exacerbate the plight of Pakistani migrants. A far-right-dominated Europe is also likely to be more pro-India. In a MEGA world, the emphasis would fall on defence supply. MEGA politics are likely to be more hostile towards China — and by extension its allies. For these reasons, Pakistan should closely monitor America’s support for the European far-right, and plan for a future in which a MEGA movement could undermine its economy and security vis-à-vis Europe."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1959862/mega-worries
Pakistan in a rapidly changing world
Shahid Javed Burki, "Pakistan in a rapidly changing world," The Express Tribune, 8 December 2025
"In discussing the geopolitical environment in which Pakistan exists at this time in its 80-year history, we should distinguish between the near and far. All four neighbours — Afghanistan, China, India and Iran — in some way or the other, have had an impact on Pakistan. The most obvious case is that of Afghanistan where the Islamic extremists that go by the name of Taliban took control of the country on August 15, 2023. One thing common between Afghanistan and Iran is the poor treatment of women. Under the long-serving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the system of governance is changing, with Hindus becoming the preferred citizens of the state. These three quasi-religious states in Pakistan's neighbourhood will, overtime, create problems for Pakistan. The TTP has increased its operations in Pakistan, aiming their attacks at the country's security forces. Islamabad's close relations with China date back to the closing days of the eleven-year rule of Field Marshal Ayub Khan. One result of China's close relations with Pakistan is the massive investment Beijing is making in developing Pakistan's road and rail network. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the first BRI project which will connect the city of Kashgar with the port of Gwadar. My answer was an unqualified positive."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2581028/pakistan-in-a-rapidly-changing-world
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