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In Focus
Pakistan signs major arms deal with Libya
Deal includes the sale of JF-17 fighter jets and Super Mushak trainer aircraft
On 23 December, as reported by Dawn, according to Reuters, Pakistan made its largest weapons sales worth over USD four billion to the Libyan National Army (LNA). It was finalised after a meeting last week between Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saddam Khalifa Haftar, deputy commander-in-chief of the LNA, in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, officials said.
As per Reuters, the deal - one of Pakistan's largest ever weapons sales - includes 16 JF-17 fighter jets, a multi-role combat aircraft that has been jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and 12 Super Mushak trainer aircraft, used for basic pilot training. As a result of an arms embargo on Libya, any transfer of weapons requires UN approval, which was dismissed by the Pakistani military, comparing the various other countries supplying weapons and equipment to Libya. Nevertheless, as a result of this deal, Libya is likely to face scrutiny in the long run.
One of the Pakistani officials said the deal included the sale of equipment for land, sea and air, spread over two and a half years, adding it could also include the JF-17 fighter jets. Two of the officials said the deal was valued at more than USD 4 billion, while the other two said it amounted to USD 4.6 billion. "We announce the launch of a new phase of strategic military cooperation with Pakistan," Haftar said in remarks broadcast on Sunday by Al-Hadath television. Libya has been subject to an arms embargo since 2011. A panel of experts said in December 2024 that the UN arms embargo regime remained "ineffective". Pakistan has been looking to increase defence exports, drawing on decades of counterinsurgency experience and a domestic defence industry that includes aircraft production and overhaul, armoured vehicles, munitions and naval construction. (“Pakistan snaps up major deal with Libyan force”, Dawn, 23 December 2025)
In Brief
ECONOMY
Sindh objects to NFC terms shifting costs to provinces
On 23 December, the Sindh government objected to the three new terms of reference being added to the National Finance Commission (NFC), as they are believed to be unconstitutional by transferring the responsibility for several major fiscal responsibilities like higher education, the Benazir Income Support Programme, and national development projects away from the federal government and onto the provinces. Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah of Sindh has argued that the provincial expenditures should be dealt with by provincial assemblies or the National Economic Council and not through the NFC, and he warned that this will erode the spirit of fiscal federalism outlined in Article 160 of the Constitution. However, the Federal Government, with the support of the Finance Secretary and the Attorney General, has argued that Article 160 of the Constitution allows the NFC to assess both revenues and expenditures, including borrowing, as it relates to the provincial governments. Discussions about the disagreement between the provincial and federal governments continue to illustrate the existing centre-province tensions concerning the allocation of resources, with the federal government claiming fiscal constraints imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while the provinces are asserting their right to receive their constitutionally entitled share of federal revenues. (“Sindh objects to NFC terms shifting costs to provinces,” The Express Tribune, 23 December, 2025)
Three bids received for privatisation of PIA
On 23 December, Dawn reported that three bids have been received for the privatisation of loss-making national airline Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) which is the country’s most high-profile transaction of a state-owned entity. The bids came from Lucky Cement, private airline Airblue, and investment firm Arif Habib. The reference price for PIACL will be approved soon. The auction is the second attempt in the country at selling the once storied flag carrier after televised bidding last year collapsed when a solitary offer fell far below the government’s reference price, which derailed what would have been the country’s first major privatisation in nearly two decades. (“Three bids received for privatisation of national carrier PIA,” Dawn, 23 December 2025)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Government and allies push back at TTAP charter
On 23 December, The Express Tribune reported that the government and its allies pushed back against the declaration issued by the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTAP) on Monday, which questioned both the feasibility of its demands and the political intent behind them while reiterating that dialogue remains possible only if it’s meaningful and constitutional. The series of demands included a probe into the 24 February elections as well as a call for dialogue. Reacting to demands, the Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said the government was not opposed to dialogues. (“Govt, allies push back at Opposition alliance charter,” The Express Tribune, 23 December 2025)
PM Shehbaz reiterates readiness for talks with opposition
On 23 December, Dawn reported that PM Shehbaz said on Tuesday that he was reiterating his offer for talks with the opposition but also emphasised that dialogue between the two sides could only proceed on “legitimate matters”. Shehbaz continued that there should be no “blackmailing” under the guise of talks and dialogues, which could only forward “in light of legitimate matters”. The need for dialogue between the government and opposition has been stressed as Pakistan continues to face political and economic crises. On 21 December, the second and last day of a national conference held by opposition alliance TTAP, the participants agreed that the door to dialogue should not be closed in a democracy. They thought that in light of the ongoing national crisis, the country needed a new Charter of Democracy. (“If they are ready, govt is definitely ready’: PM Shehbaz reiterates offer for dialogue with opposition,” Dawn, 23 December 2025)
JUDICIARY
Lawyers questions the impact of the new constitutional court
On 23 December, The Express Tribune reported that a debate had emerged regarding the working of the country’s two apex courts and their effect on litigants which is a supposed centre of the justice system as creation of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has reshuffled caseloads and raised questions about where justice now stands and how smoothly it moves. Figures show that as of 13 November, a total of 56,608 cases were pending before the Supreme Court of which 26,910 cases were transferred to the newly created FCC. At present 18 judges including the chief justice of Pakistan are performing judicial functions in the SC against a sanctioned strength of 34. Seven judges including the chief justice are performing duties at the FCC. Legal experts say that there is a trust deficit surrounding the new body. Another layer believes that the purpose behind the new body is to target PTI, particularly Imran Khan. He stated that the government should have considered nominating judges to the FCC who had demonstrably evolved constitutional jurisprudence. (“Lawyers question impact of new Constitutional Court," The Express Tribune, 23 December 2025)
SECURITY
Police vehicle comes under attack in Karak, five cops killed
On 23 December, as reported by Dawn, on Tuesday, a police mobile came under attack, resulting in the death of five cops. Shaukat Khan, the district police spokesman, confirmed that the cops who fell victim to the attack were four constables and one driver. The prime minister condemned the incident, extending his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them full government support during such rough times and emphasised the elimination of terrorism in all its forms. Throughout this entire month, there has been a significant rise in deaths in the line of duty due to such violent terrorist insurgencies (“Five cops martyred as police vehicle comes under attack in KP’s Karak”, Dawn, 23 December 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Law
Omay Aimen, “From opinion to verdict - without evidence,” The Express Tribune, 23 December 2025
"The line between human rights advocacy and political storytelling becomes dangerously thin when allegations are amplified before they are examined. Pakistan finds itself confronting such a moment after a recent statement by a UN Human Rights Council mandate holder triggered sensational headlines, amplified selective claims and framed an ongoing domestic legal matter through an oversimplified lens. The ease with which an independent expert's non-binding remarks were repackaged as a definitive UN judgment reveals less about Pakistan's legal framework and more about the modern appetite for quick outrage. It is essential, therefore, to place facts back into context and reassert the foundational principle that Pakistan is a sovereign state with its own institutions, its own judicial rhythm and its own accountability mechanisms that cannot be pre-judged from afar. Sovereignty means that domestic legal processes are neither subordinate to external conjecture nor obliged to align with politicised interpretations presented as global concern."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2583526/from-opinion-to-verdict-without-evidence
Politics & Governance
Editorial, “The way forward,” The Express Tribune, 23 December 2025
“The political opposition has come up with a coordinated narrative calling for resorting to democratic norms and undoing all extra-constitutional measures undertaken recently. Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan, the six-party conglomerate, has demanded an independent probe into the allegation of rigging in the February 2024 elections; appointment of an impartial chief election commissioner; holding polls afresh in a free and fair manner; and release of all political prisoners. The alliance has resolved to work collectively for the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution - and has gathered support from saner elements in the ruling PML-N. This development on the political horizon should be seen as an opportunity in disaster to make a good start towards reconciliation in wider national interests.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2583521/the-way-forward-4
Arifa Noor, “The missing variable,” Dawn, 23 December 2025
“Pakistan's history goes around in circles, it is said repeatedly, these days. It has easily become the most popular analysis presented on the talk shows, so much so that the Urdu phrase, daiyron ka safar, has become rather familiar. For every incident in the present, there is one from the past to suggest that this is how Pakistan rolls. If the PTI complains about human rights now, the PPP will remember events from the Zia era when it was under fire. When asked about the mess around us now, those in government want to know why they had suffered the brunt of the state’s wrath in 2018 without any support from those who today want to speak up for the PTI. In Pakistan, it is always the worst of times for those who are in the opposition and the best of times for those in power. It’s a circle, ain’t it?”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1962767/the-missing-variable
PTI
Editorial, “Breaking the ice,” Dawn, 23 December 2025
“It seems the political temperature in the federal capital fell by quite a few degrees this weekend. After weeks of fire and fury, which seems to have culminated this Saturday in a slate of fresh convictions for the PTI’s senior leadership, Sunday saw leaders from both sides of the political divide regretting where things stand and ruminating on the possibility of talks. Both sides seemingly agree that a negotiated compromise is the only way out of the socio-legal-political morass they have managed to drag the country into. There is no denying the logic of that suggestion. But there is a strong sense of déjà vu regarding its timing. Last year, too, there had been similar talk about negotiations and the need thereof as the year was about to close. There had even been some hope — more than there is now, for certain — that the ice may finally break and we may see a long-awaited resolution.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1962763/breaking-the-ice
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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