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In Brief
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Government says an orchestrated campaign against the state has been unearthed
On 15 December, Dawn reported that the minister of the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan said that investigations revealed trends of fake information being created and sold through WhatsApp and other platforms. The amount paid to conduct these activities ranged from a few rupees to cents per post, tweet, or message forwarded over 100 times a day. The minister also claimed that these same networks had been found to promote content linked to terror-list organisations as well as “unrelated international causes”, which shows that the activity was more commercial rather than ideological. He emphasised he does not need ordinary people to face chargers; however, people who are knowingly involved will face legal consequences. Chaudhry also accused PTI-linked social media accounts, which received foreign funding, of promoting an “enemies narrative and target institutions by creating anti-state trends”. (“Orchestrated campaign against state unearthed,” Dawn, 16 December 2025)
PTI demands an end to Imran’s solitary confinement
On 15 December, Dawn had reported that a UN rapporteur, Alice Edwards, exposed the degrading treatment of the former prime minister Imran and called it a violation of international law and fundamental human rights. PTI’s central media department said that this UN report confirms what has been maintained for months, as well as the claims, which include 23 hours of solitary confinement, no contact with the outside world, obstruction of meetings with legal counsel and family, denial of religious practices, deprivation of basic human needs, etc. According to the report, the statement said “solitary confinement exceeding 15 days amounted to psychological torture.” PTI further asserted that subjecting a detainee to extreme measures despite their age, previous assassination injuries, and denying adequate care is inhumane and unethical. (“PTI demands end to Imran’s solitary confinement,” Dawn, 15 December 2025)
ECONOMY
Rate cut too meagre to address major challenges, industry leaders complain
On 15 December, as reported by Dawn, the business community in Pakistan was disappointed with the recently announced policy rate cut of 0.5 per cent by the State Bank of Pakistan to 10.5 per cent. Many industry leaders believe this will have no positive impact on reviving economic activity, increasing export activity, or significantly reducing the costs of doing business in the country.
The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry has praised the announcement as a cautious move toward creating a positive environment for the private sector to begin to experience lower borrowing rates. However, trade associations such as the KCCI, FPCCI, and SITE Association of Industry believe this minimal rate cut does not come close to reflecting the current lower inflation rate or address the competitiveness of Pakistan against other regional competitors with many nations having single-digit interest rates.
The business leaders also made it clear that the continued high level of interest rates in Pakistan, the growing cost of energy, higher taxes and the volatility of the exchange rate are creating an unreasonable burden on all sectors of the economy and forcing many companies to operate below capacity, delay capital investment and cut staffing; they also urged the SBP to lower its policy rate to a single-digit level to rebuild business confidence and spur economic growth. (“Rate cut too meagre to address major challenges, industry leaders complain,” Dawn, 16 December, 2025)
Pakistan–crypto sector sees boost as Fauji Foundation partners with Binance
On 15 December, as reported by Dawn, the Fauji Foundation has partnered with global cryptocurrency giant Binance to help the Pakistani economy thrive with new technology. The parties will explore jointly building digital payments, blockchain applications, and Web3 environments. The two parties signed a Letter of Intent on 12 December at the foundation's offices in Rawalpindi. Under this agreement, Binance will give Fauji Foundation financial markets insight and technology advice and expertise; both parties will work together to create a digital payments network in Pakistan based upon digital assets. The parties also plan to work together to develop and increase awareness and education about crypto and digital currencies through educational institutions. Infrastructure development and education development, built upon crypto and digital asset systems in Pakistan, are aligned with the ongoing advancement in financial innovation by the Pakistani government through continued interaction with Binance for tokenisation and blockchain instruments. (“Fauji Foundation, Binance partner for crypto push,” Dawn, 16 December, 2025)
Karachi cargo strike raises fears of industrial shutdown
On 15 December, as reported by Dawn, a cargo transporter strike in Karachi lasted for nine days, following a new Motor Vehicle Ordinance (MVO) in December 2025 and created a significant interruption in shipping throughout Sindh. As a result of this interruption, business and industry leaders across Sindh and Karachi expressed concern about a potential economic halt on all trade and production within the region. Several major industry associations, such as the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), have called on the Sindh Government to intervene because they have been unable to allow trucks from Punjab into the city of Karachi, significantly hindering port operations. In addition, a number of manufacturers have said that many of their facilities may close soon if they do not find a way to ship their raw materials and finished goods. Industry representatives in the edible oil, steel, and other manufacturing sectors warned that if the current delays persist, production would be stopped, employees would be laid off, demurrage fees would be incurred, and Pakistan’s manufacturing reputation would be severely harmed. Additionally, if provisions of the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 2025 are not modified, several transport unions are threatening to launch a nationwide wheel-jam strike on 19 December. (“Cargo transporters’ strike disrupts movement of goods,” Dawn, 16 December, 2025)
Centre for an eight-member NFC Commission to review the fiscal framework
On 15 December, Dawn reported that the centre notified eight committees of the National Finance Commission (NFC), which included one on debt utilisation and transfer of expenditure to provinces. The committees will be charged with the responsibility to scrutinise matters of tax devolution, funding of resources to newly merged districts, funding of the energy sector, funding of the social sector, and how to simplify the inter-governmental fiscal transfer. According to the officials, the federal and provincial governments will be represented in each committee, with preference to the consensus-based recommendations that are to be furnished before the next award of NFC. The relocation is based on the demands of various provinces for a more equal distribution of federal resources, especially towards Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The committees are expected to be formed, and this will form the ground for the start of NFC award negotiations that will seek to decide how the tax proceeds will be distributed between the centre and provinces in the coming years. (“Centre forms eight NFC committees among provincial tensions,” The Express Tribune, 16 December 2025)
HEALTH
Over 3,500 dengue cases reported in Punjab after floods
On 15 December, as reported by The Express Tribune, over 3,500 confirmed dengue cases have been reported across the Punjab in 2025. As per the health officials, the recent floods and weather conditions have brought about mosquito-borne disease. New cases have been recorded daily in flood-hit districts. The surge is primarily escalated due to stagnant water accumulated after heavy rainfall and floods, a major factor of which is poor drainage systems. According to the PDMA, the threat of dengue transmission has doubled due to such instances. Punjab has a longstanding history of public health challenges and has reported more than 380,000 dengue cases and 640 deaths over the last 14 years, with approximately 5,405 dengue cases and 17 deaths over the last year. In response, the PDMA has directed all the district administrations to take major actions with regard to cleanliness, removal of stagnant water, and accelerated mosquito control measures. Residents criticise the efficiency of the administration and say that the measures have yet to bring visible relief. (“Flood aftermath fuels dengue surge across Punjab, Cases cross 3,500”, The Express Tribune, 16 December 2025)
SECURITY
Over 700 militants killed in intelligence operations in Balochistan this year
On 15 December, Additional Chief Secretary Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat said that over 700 militants had been killed in 78,000 intelligence-based operations (IBO) in Balochistan this year, as reported by Dawn. “In various operations and attacks, 202 security personnel and 280 civilians were martyred in the province this year,” he added while addressing a press conference alongside Balochistan Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) chief Aitzaz Ahmed Goraya. He mentioned that better strategies by security forces and other agencies had helped reduce terrorist attacks this year, even though militants continue to target civilians. He also added that the designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Majeed Brigade as terrorist organisations helped with the process and that Pakistan would initiate action through Interpol against those operating against Pakistan from abroad. Meanwhile, CTD chief Goraya said that the kidnapped assistant commissioner of Zairat, Muhammad Qasim Baloch, had been killed and a search operation to recover his body was underway. Three suspects were arrested by the CTD, and they confessed to the crime while also mentioning that they worked for the BLA. (“‘700 militants killed in Balochistan IBOs this year’,” Dawn, 15 December 2025)
One soldier and seven terrorists killed in DI Khan IBO crossfire
On 15 December, as reported by The Express Tribune, security forces killed seven terrorists from Fitna al Khawarij, whilst, as stated by the military’s media wing, one soldier lost his life. Naik Yasir Khan was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Dera Ismail Khan. The ISPR reported the recovery of weapons and ammunition from the terrorists, who have also been reported for multiple other terrorist activities in the area. The military stated that a sanitisation operation is underway to eliminate the other terror outfits present in the area as part of the counter terrorism campaign approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan. The leader reaffirmed their resolve and ensured lasting peace and security across the country. (“Seven terrorist killed, soldier embraces martyrdom during exchange of fire in DI Khan IBO: ISPR", The Express Tribune, 15 December 2025)
AF-PAK
Pak Ulema Council urges Afghanistan to implement clerics' resolution
On 15 December, Dawn reported that the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) had urged the Taliban government to implement the resolution recently passed by over 1000 Afghan clerics against indulging in militancy abroad. “It is now the responsibility of the Afghan interim government to ensure the implementation of the recent declaration issued by its scholars,” PUC chairman Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said. He mentioned that there was no difference between the stance of Afghan clerics and those belonging to Pakistan. He also thanked Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for holding peace talks and helping negotiate a ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He warned against raising voices against the armed forces and said that religious seminaries and mosques would be ready to defend the country if the need arose. He also urged all political parties to engage in dialogue to strengthen the country’s defence, economy and internal stability. (“Pakistan Ulema Council urges Afghan govt to implement clerics resolution,” Dawn, 15 December 2025)
POK
Gilgit-Baltistan is set to hold local government polls on 14 February
On 15 December, as reported by Dawn, the chief election commissioner in Gilgit-Baltistan announced that there will be local government elections in the region in February next year. This is to be conducted after two decades. The public notice will be issued on 19 December, whereas the nomination papers can be filled out from 22 to 26 December. The Chief Election Commissioner Khan said that these elections would help solve certain issues at the grassroots levels and called it a milestone for strengthening the democratic institutions as well as promoting development in the region. He also said that these elections would provide the people with an opportunity to directly participate in local development and the decision-making process. (“After two decades, Gilgit-Baltistan to have local government polls on Feb 14,” Dawn, 16 December 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Imran Khan
Syed Jalal Hussain, “The prisoner’s gambit,” The Express Tribune, 16 December 2025
“More than two years into his imprisonment, Imran Khan still refuses to recede into the background of Pakistan's political memory. The rallies have vanished, the slogans have dimmed, the party infrastructure has been battered into a loose network of whispers and legal notices. Yet the confrontation endures, reshaped rather than extinguished. What once surged through container tops and packed grounds became words smuggled out by visitors and amplified online, before sinking into a deeper silence where even the unspoken carries its own gravity. For Khan, prison has performed an unintended function. It has stripped away all intermediate options. The layered manoeuvres of everyday politics are no longer available to him. What remains is a stark zero-sum equation. Survival now requires choosing between outcomes that all carry irreversible consequences.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2582315/the-prisoners-gambit
Cryptocurrency
Editorial, “The crypto path,” The Express Tribune, 15 December 2025
“Pakistan, which ranks third on the pedestal of the crypto market, has no dearth of tangible resources to make its presence felt on the institutional medium of digital finances. Being rich in minerals, rare-earth metals, as well as oil and gas, and that too in a geostrategic location, makes it a heartthrob investment destination. Moreover, it has the required human talent and the governmental patronage to make that happen. That synergy needs to be explored to its full potential, and due to legislation and safeguards is an immediate necessity. The government's initiative to allocate 2000 MW of electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centres is worth appreciation, and this new cooperation with Binance must see the light of day. The crypto path also necessitates educating the masses to dispel fears and reservations.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2582155/the-crypto-path
Corruption
Editorial, “Corruption concerns,” The Express Tribune, 15 December 2025
“Despite progress in some areas, corruption remains a massive problem for the government and the country in general. At the same time, the public perception of the scale of corruption in the country is so bad — arguably worse than the reality — because the word has become a catch-all for the lazy ad-hominem attacks fired against ruling parties by opposition parties, often using numbers so exaggerated that they dwarf any logical estimates. The police were ranked the most corrupt institution, while the institutions most in need of more oversight were the National Accountability Bureau and the Federal Investigation Agency, a clear illustration of why corruption is such an endemic problem — our law enforcement and anti-corruption institutions are themselves corrupt to the core, or at least perceived to be so. At every level, it seems the system is rigged to hoard wealth and perpetuate injustice, even if it is to the benefit of no one. Pakistan's problem is thus the age-old question: Who will watch the watchmen?”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2582156/corruption-concerns
Faiz Hameed
Arifa Noor, “After the trial,” Dawn, 16 December 2025
“After more than a year, the conviction of Faiz Hameed was announced last week. It’s hard to say if it came as a surprise to anyone; after all, once the news of his arrest was made public last year, the conviction was a verdict foretold. And in the last couple of months, there had been quite a few leaks about what was apparently due any day. Hameed, one should acknowledge, had two stints of ‘fame’ during his time in service. From intervention in politics, to allegations of murder to threats, the suppression of the media, and even bribery, he is accused of it all during his time and much of this is now being said publicly. Politicians have spoken about threats he made and what he did, as have journalists. Much detail has been made part of the discourse and is being openly discussed. Indeed, it is hard to conclude so far, if one is a bit sceptical, what kind of turning point Hameed’s conviction is and the break that it will be from past precedents of the institution.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1961427/after-the-trial
Climate change
Bina Shah, “Adapting to survive,” Dawn, 16 December 2025
“Recent catastrophic storms in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka caused severe floods, infrastructure damage, and loss of life; Pakistan experienced the same phenomenon in 2022. Experts warn us that Pakistan will bear the brunt of climate change in the future, even though we contribute less than one per cent of global carbon emissions. Is there any reason to hope, as our glaciers melt and our deltas die, that our children will have a future? Climate change disproportionately affects the vulnerable — women, children and the elderly, who are least able to defend themselves from heat or natural disaster. The 2022 floods in Sindh and Balochistan displaced 600,000 pregnant women in the region; many fled to higher ground and camped on floodbanks in the open, deprived of any meaningful antenatal or postnatal care. Ultimately, stakeholders working at the district level and the communities will be instrumental in ensuring our children have a future.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1961425/adapting-to-survive
Health
Editorial, “Flu season,” Dawn, 16 December 2025
“The recent surge in influenza cases being labelled a ‘super flu’ has understandably raised concern, particularly as several European countries report rising hospitalisations. In Pakistan, however, health experts agree that the situation warrants vigilance, not panic. Pakistan is currently in its peak flu transmission window, and doctors across major cities report a sharp rise in cases, particularly in dense urban settings. Children often act as efficient transmitters, infecting older family members who are more likely to develop complications such as pneumonia. This is where the real risk lies. Confusing flu with the common cold, rushing to antibiotics, or ignoring isolation when symptomatic only fuels the spread. Basic measures such as mask-wearing when ill, hand hygiene, proper ventilation and rest remain effective and affordable tools. Antivirals have a role, but only for high-risk patients under medical supervision. Seasonal influenza will return every year, mutated or not. Whether it becomes a manageable inconvenience or a recurring crisis depends less on the virus and more on preparedness, vaccination, and public compliance.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1961418/flu-season
State of the country
Maleeha Lodhi, “Year of living anxiously,” Dawn, 15 December 2025
“2025 saw significant developments in Pakistan, some of which were positive while others reinforced troubling, negative trends. A surge in public optimism in the earlier part of the year seemed to fade towards year-end. An Ipsos poll released in December found nearly 70 per cent of people felt the country was headed in the wrong direction. It also showed 82pc of respondents had no confidence in the economy despite progress made by the government in achieving short-term macroeconomic stabilisation. There were a series of other democratic reversals in 2025. Every indicator of democracy showed regression. Parliament was reduced to a rubber stamp, freedom of assembly curbed, opposition suppressed, the media controlled and digital space restricted. Where the government made progress was in stabilising the economy, controlling inflation and staying on track on the IMF programme. These trends and developments indicate the challenges that lie ahead in the coming year. What is evident is that political and economic stability will remain elusive unless fundamental problems are resolved, domestic peace established and governance is focused on meeting public needs and aspirations rather than advancing the interests of a ruling elite preoccupied with perpetuating its power.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1961190/year-of-living-anxiously
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