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In Focus
FCC affirms that all courts are to adhere to its judgments
All courts, including the Supreme Court, are "constitutionally mandated" to do so
On 22 December, as reported by Dawn, the Federal Court Commission (FCC) Bench has reiterated these principles in a recent ruling regarding a long-standing land dispute case in which the bench has commented on the fact that 24 years have elapsed and that the Supreme Court has already made a decision in the matter. The Commission noted that Karam Ali had filed a revision petition before the Federal Land Commission in 2010 and that the petition was accepted by the chairperson of the commission despite the fact that the petitioner had failed to disclose the litigation that had preceded it, which is a clear violation of Article 189 of the Constitution. The bench has also noted that the matter had previously been conclusively adjudicated by the Supreme Court and noted that reopening the matter in a lower court is contrary to established principles of judicial finality and sets a very dangerous precedent. The order has also held that the Chairperson of the Commission has acted in violation of Article 190 as well as the doctrine of res judicata and has confirmed that once a dispute has been conclusively resolved, it may not be relitigated, as this will undermine the foundation of constitutional governance.
With the introduction of the 27th Constitutional Amendment in Pakistan, an escalating dialogue regarding the independence of courts and the separation of powers amongst governmental components has begun. While some may view the Amendment and the resulting changes to the way judicial bodies operate in relation to administrative and monitoring procedures, as a positive trend towards improving the efficiency of the judiciary, critics have charged that the Amendment has diminished the ability of the higher or appellate level judiciary to operate independently as a result of introducing additional instances of executive or parliamentary influence upon the judiciary. Both legal analysts and the opposition to the current government believe that the inclusion of these amendments diminishes the spirit of the 1973 Constitution and, as a consequence, makes courts more amenable to political pressure and thus undermines the separation of powers principle. Furthermore, the Amendment has become a "symbol" of a larger issue that is developing regarding the misuse of constitutional mechanisms to centralise authority and shut off institutional checks on governmental powers, contrary to the goal of improving democratic governance.
Pakistan's judiciary has responded to the violation of its constitutional authority with a firm and consistent approach by issuing clarity to its authority through Supreme Court judgements as prescribed by Article 189 of Pakistan's Constitution. The senior judges have also indicated to subordinate courts and government agencies that any attempts to revisit previously decided cases can cause instability in the law, and also that these types of actions would represent a breach of the Constitution. Furthermore, based on previous cases decided by the Supreme Court, it would appear that every executive or judicial body must respect and facilitate the authority of the Supreme Court as stated in Article 190 of Pakistan's Constitution. Thus, the history of the judiciary in Pakistan shows that the judiciary has consistently upheld the importance of res judicata, respect for the institution of the judiciary, and adherence to the rule of law as the basis for its authority. (“FCC affirms all other courts, including SC, are ‘constitutionally mandated’ to adhere to its judgements,” Dawn, 21 December, 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Pakistan opposition alliance TTAP calls for a nationwide strike, KP CM signals countrywide movement
On 21 December, as reported by Dawn, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, has called for a countrywide political movement in response to the opposition's call for a nationwide wheel-jam and shutter-down strike on the second anniversary of the General Election held in 2024, by blocking the democratic expression of the people of Pakistan (TTAP) on 08 February 2026. TTAP, at a press conference in Islamabad with PTI and its partner parties, also presented their plans for mobilising the masses across all provinces and districts and working with provincial Bar Councils and other civil society organisations to meet the basic demands of free and fair elections, reconstitute the Election Commission, support political prisoners, including Imran Khan, repeal all draconian media laws, address poverty, improve governance, and finally, provide law and order. (“KP CM announces preparations for countrywide movement as TTAP issues Feb 8 strike call,” Dawn, 21 December, 2025)
Opposition alliance demands probe into 2024 elections, calls for impartial Election Commission
On 22 December, as reported by The Express Tribune, the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) has called for an independent investigation into the alleged rigging of the 2024 General Elections that were held on 08 February. It has also demanded the appointment of an independent Chief Election Commissioner to run the elections again through a reconstituted Election Commission of Pakistan. As part of its announcement following a two-day National Consultative Conference that was held in Islamabad, TTAP has also declared that 08 February, 2026 will be observed across the country as a "Black Day", with Wheel Jams and Shutter Downs scheduled, and has set up a Central Committee to oversee the organisation of activities, which will be headed by Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar. In addition to expressing concern about the state of judicial independence, political imprisonment (specifically regarding Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi), human rights violations, the economic decline associated with political chaos, and a lack of transparency in governance, the communiqué has stated that democracy, constitutionalism, and the rule of law are in significant danger. (“Opposition alliance demands probe into 2024 elections,” The Express Tribune, 22 December, 2025)
EXTERNAL
FM Dar speaks with the Iranian and Turkish FMs on regional issues
On 22 December, Dawn reported that the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi met on Sunday to review bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties, and to exchange views on regional developments. They also had telephonic conversations with the FM of Türkiye to discuss key aspects of bilateral relations. They also reaffirmed their commitment to promote regional peace, stability, and development.
(“Dar speaks with Iran, Turkiye FMs on regional issues,” Dawn, 22 December 2025)
Pakistan and Iraq pledge stronger bilateral cooperation
On 22 December, Dawn reported that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari met with Iraqi President Dr Abdul Latif Jamal at the Baghdad palace during Zardari’s five-day visit. Zardari congratulated the Iraqi leadership and its people on the successful conduct of parliamentary elections and wished for their smooth formation of a new government. According to a statement issued by the Presidency, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitments to deepen bilateral relations across various domains. They also agreed to maintain close coordination at regional and multilateral forums including the UN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Iraq’s sovereignty, integrity, and national unity and reiterated commitments to Iraq’s stability and democratic progress. Zardari requested improved facilitation for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq and expressed hope for early finalisation and implementation of the proposed MoU on Zaireen Management aimed at ensuring orderly travel and addressing long-term issues related to religious visits. (“Pakistan, Iraq pledge stronger bilateral cooperation,” Dawn, 22 December 2025)
ECONOMY
The tax-to-GDP ratio is expected to stagnate over five years, the IMF says
On 22 December, Dawn reported that in the last year, there was a 1.4 percentage point increase in the GDP ratio, which was mostly through additional revenue worth PKR 2.5 trillion. The IMF expects the federal tax contribution to remain stagnant over the next five years, and a slight improvement coming from provinces. Recent IMF estimates suggest Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) receipts rose from 8.9 per cent of GDP in fiscal year 2023-2024 to 10.3 per cent in 2024-2025, but still missed the Fund’s programme target of 10.7 per cent. In absolute terms, the revenue increased from PKR 9.3 trillion in FY24 to PKR 11.74 trillion in FY25, with a massive shortfall. For the current year, collections are projected at PKR 13.98 trillion, with a shortfall of PKR 328 billion under assumptions.
(“Tax-to-GDP ratio to stall over five years, IMF expects,” Dawn, 22 December 2025)
SECURITY
Nine terrorists were killed during the two KP operations
On 21 December, as reported by Dawn, According to ISPR, on 19 December nine Khwarij were put to death during the two ongoing operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province with the first IBO being carried out in Dera Islami Khan district where four Khwarij were put to death after an intense crossfire and the Second IBO in the district of Bannu ending lives of five more Khwarij lives. As per the ISPR reports, the Khwarij actively terrorised both locations, resulting in the operation task force retrieving the weapons and ammunition from the opposition. The reports also state the rise in Kharji activities in Pakistan's provinces, resulting in sanitisation operations under the vision “Azm e Istehkam”. Additionally, Pakistan ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with the deaths caused due to terrorist activities rising to 45 per cent in comparison to the previous year. (“Security forces neutralise 9 terrorists in two separate KP operations: ISPR”, Dawn, 21 December 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Peace & conflict
Abbas Nasir, “Ending the war within,” Dawn, 21 December 2025
"Serious global challenges and their likely impact on Pakistan’s fragile economy make it incumbent on this country to initiate a process of national reconciliation. But any such move will not have a prayer unless both the hybrid set-up and the opposition step back from their confrontation. There can be no doubt that Donald Trump has staked his personal credibility on the Gaza ceasefire and his own 20-point peace plan. Therefore, the efforts of the US administration members and officials seem aimed at delivering the plan. Confrontation has delivered nothing to them and kept the country on tenterhooks. People’s issues are multiplying. The country won the war against the arch-enemy earlier this year. It is to time to bring the war within to a successful conclusion.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1962403/ending-the-war-within
Trump & Pakistan
Kamran Yousaf, “Trump's 'gift' to Pakistan,” The Express Tribune, 22 December 2025
“The most significant headline for Pakistan in 2025 is undoubtedly the unexpected reset in relations with the United States. Few in Islamabad or across the Atlantic believed that ties could improve under Donald Trump's second presidency, assuming any warmth would be brief and transactional. Even when President Trump publicly praised Pakistan for arresting one of the masterminds behind the Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, many analysts dismissed it as short-lived. Instead, Pakistan-US relations strengthened. This turnaround becomes even more striking when contrasted with President Joe Biden's administration. Pakistan was sidelined, with minimal high-level engagement and a near-freeze in dialogue. But within the first few months of Trump's presidency, he met Pakistan's army chief twice and also held a formal meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — the first such engagement in six years.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2583378/trumps-gift-to-pakistan-1
Narrative wars
Muhammad Amir Rana, “Fatwas & narrative war,” Dawn, 21 December 2025
“It was troubling to witness India and Pakistan descend into a futile blame game after the tragic Bondi Beach incident in Sydney, with both sides obsessively speculating over the nationality of those involved. This is precisely what religiously motivated terrorists want. When states and societies become entangled in such narratives, they inadvertently provide space for extremist propaganda to spread, amplify its impact, and divide people into opposing camps. These dynamics often provoke harsh state responses, which in turn validate extremist worldviews and escalate tensions within and between societies. In moments of crisis, states rightly turn to religious authorities to de-legitimise terrorists and undermine their claims to moral or religious justification. Yet, states often struggle to consistently cultivate, and project positive narratives centred on peace, coexistence, love, and harmony. Despite repeated efforts, these narratives have failed to secure meaningful space in public opinion and the social media ecosystem, where polarising and emotive content continues to dominate.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1962401/fatwas-amp-narrative-war
Imran Khan
Fahd Husain, “How to rot with success,” The Express Tribune, 21 December 2025
“Another day, another judgement, another sentence. But is it really Imran Khan who is at the receiving end? On Saturday, the accountability court handed down seventeen-year sentences to the PTI founder and his wife, Bushra Bibi. In the case known as Toshakhana, the prosecution argued that the former First Couple had under-invoiced a gift from the Saudi rulers, thereby inflicting a severe financial loss on the national exchequer. This fresh sentence adds to a long line of similar punishments handed down to Khan by various courts. The deeply entangled maze of his legal troubles appears unending. Predictably so, the government trotted out various spokesmen after the Saturday sentence to heap justifications and blame Khan and his wife for landing themselves in this mess.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2583256/how-to-rot-with-success
Pakistan-Libya relations
Dr Muhammad Ali Ehsan, “Pakistan and Libya: defence diplomacy,” The Express Tribune, 21 December 2025
“Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces' (CDF's) recent visit to Libya and his meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces is creating and reinforcing the optics that Pakistan's military continues to be the primary foreign policy actor. However, seen pragmatically, CDF's visit to Libya and his engagement with the Libyan military leader reflect the Pakistani military's preference for a professional military engagement designed to further both Pakistan's and Libya's state interests. Pakistan must carefully engage and keep a balance in its relationship with Libya under FM Haftar and Turkey. Pakistan must also demonstrate to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt that it respects their security concerns in Libya. It must also give the right indicators of supporting the UN-backed political process in Libya, and the military-to-military engagement between the CDF and FM Haftar does not mean that Pakistan supports any given political faction in Libya.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2583257/pakistan-and-libya-defence-diplomacy
Gaza
Editorial, “Force for Gaza,” The Express Tribune, 22 December 2025
“Pakistan's participation in the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza is shrouded in uncertainty. That is so owing to the delay in categorically laying out key issues related to the force's mandate, command structure and funding arrangements. That was acknowledged by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio too, as he appreciated Pakistan's nod to be part of the peace-brokering military muscles, and termed it as "key" to the de-escalation process in the region. Pakistan, which has been at the vanguard of UN Blue Helmets, is reportedly considering deploying 3,500 troops as part of the ISF. It was also part of a curtain-raiser huddle in Qatar, hosted by US Central Command, to discuss the ISF's command structure and other unresolved operational issues. The need is to get going in a sequence of logic, free from the riddles of confrontation. Rubio and the State Department must astutely work on clarity in order to dispel lethargy and confusion.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2583379/force-for-gaza-1
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