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In Brief
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
PTI rejects talks without ‘level playing field’
On 29 December, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice or PTI) will not be negotiating with the current Pakistan government until it is given a so-called "level playing field". Before doing so, the party claims it cannot enter into negotiation with the government from a weak stance and the way things stand now, they feel that they are weak. According to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, and PTI Secretary General, Salman Akram Raja, PTI will continue its current campaign of conducting public rallies and protests until a perceived equal status of the government is recognised by the current Pakistan government. Leaders of the PTI Party have accused the current government of limiting their political rights, and failure to take seriously the PTI allegations about experiences of election vote tampering and also political prisoner release, while at the same time saying that only after both parties agree to terms can any talks take place. (“PTI rules out talks 'from position of weakness',” The Express Tribune, 29 December, 2025)
Mustafa Kamal accuses Altaf Hussain of ordering the killing of Dr Imran Farooq
On 28 December, as reported by The Express Tribune, ever since Shumaila Imran died, the two factions of MQM in London and Pakistan have engaged in a blame game during a conference in Karachi held last Sunday. Mustafa Kamal accused Altaf Hussain of ordering the killing of Dr Imran Farooq, which the MQM-London leadership strongly denies. The row has widened the internal divide by dragging other rival figures of MQM into the issue, showing serious splits within the party. (“Blame game erupts between MQM factions over Dr Imran Farooq's murder”, The Express Tribune, 28 December 2025)
EXTERNAL
The US acknowledges Pakistan's strategic return
On 29 December, as reported by The Express Tribune, according to a prominent US journal, the Carolina Political Review, due to effectively utilising diplomacy and defence capabilities, Pakistan has restored its strategic importance. The journal reviews the India-Pakistan war that took place in the month of May and highlights Pakistan’s defence capabilities, and gave a new trajectory to Pak-US relations, with Washington’s restored faith in Pakistan due to Islamabad‘s effective diplomacy. Due to the developing relations, Pakistan has opened a new economic avenue based on national interest by maintaining a multilateral tie with the US. (“US reports spotlight Pak strategic return”, The Express Tribune, 29 December 2025)
SOCIETY
KP to hire over 10,000 primary teachers through parent-teacher councils
On 29 December, KP is implementing a temporary plan to hire 10,074 teachers for primary schools via parent-teacher councils to counter a serious shortage of teachers. The majority of the new teachers will come from the local union councils in the settled and traditional districts of KP, where there is currently a need for approximately 19,000 teachers. This plan was approved by the provincial cabinet and will help ensure that KP will have an optimal number of teachers in each school based on its requirements and will phase out the practice of only having one teacher per primary school. The new teachers hired will be paid compensation of PKR 25,000 each and will be able to work with parents and teachers until the hiring of 16,000 permanent teachers through ETEA. There will be different timeframes for hiring teachers in summer and winter zones. (“Over 10,000 teachers to be hired in KP through school level councils,” Dawn, 29 December, 2025)
SECURITY
Security forces kill 12 militants in coordinated operations across KP and Balochistan
On 29 December, authorities in Pakistan confirmed that 12 militants were killed during a series of intelligence-led operations by Pakistani security forces on Sunday, and this is part of Pakistan's growing Counterterrorism efforts. The Counter Terrorism Department coordinated with police in Karak District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to conduct an operation that resulted in the death of 8 militants; however, 2 police officers sustained injuries. A distinct operation in Kalat District, Balochistan, resulted in the death of 4 militants affiliated with the “Fitna Al Hindustan,” and weapons and explosive devices were seized, while cleansing operations continue in the area. The Pakistan Army reports that these operations form part of the broader campaign Azm-e-Istehkam against indigenously-sponsored terrorism, as expressed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praising Pakistan's security forces for their diligence in bringing peace to Pakistan. (“Security forces kill 12 terrorists in K-P, Balochistan operations,” The Express Tribune, December 28, 2025)
ECONOMY
Retail food prices defy official controls as chicken costs spike in Lahore
On 29 December, retail food prices in Lahore increased rapidly over the last week and became increasingly out of reach for many households due to skyrocketing utility costs. Market research revealed that the government rate boards did not influence live chicken or chicken products, as both were sold at much higher prices than the prescribed price. Boneless chicken is also considered a luxury by most consumers because of its price. Even though some types of vegetables, like onions, cucumbers, and cabbage, have decreased in price according to the rate boards, consumers will not see any advantage of these decreases at their local farmers' markets. Potatoes, onions and tomatoes continue to be priced well above the price established. Traders cite supply chain interruptions and growing costs associated with producing goods, while consumers say they do not trust the weekly price lists anymore when they make purchases on a day-to-day basis. (“Retail food prices defy official lists,” The Express Tribune, 29 December, 2025)
CYBERCRIME
Pakistan warns of New Year WhatsApp scams as cybercrime risks rise
On 29 December, the NCCIA warned individuals about New Year's-themed scam messages that are now active on WhatsApp. These messages can result in account takeover and spyware infections. Do not click on "congratulations" or "gifts" sent via WhatsApp, and never relay your verification code to another person or entity. According to a press release from the NCCIA on Sunday, hackers will often attempt to hide malicious software in the form of a gift associated with the New Year holiday, and it only takes one click on the link for the hacker to gain access to the victim's phone, private information, and chat history. In addition to this, the NCCIA warns of new ways that hackers via "zero-click" attack vectors can penetrate your device without any input from the victim (although still rare) and the greater risk of malicious links, unsecured compressed cloud backups, and any unofficial versions of WhatsApp that are now available on the internet. Individuals are urged to be on alert during the holiday season. (“Your New Year's gift: a hacked WhatsApp account,” The Express Tribune, 29 December, 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Terror
Imtiaz Gul, “Countering terror and proxies?” The Express Tribune, 28 December 2025
“The recent arrest of ISIS-K member Mohammad Goran in a joint operation by Pakistani and Turkish intelligence should raise serious concerns for Pakistan and its neighbours on multiple fronts. Turkish media reported that Goran had pledged to carry out attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey and Europe prior to his arrest. Balochistan's location at the intersection of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan makes it a natural transit and facilitation zone. ISKP operatives moving through or receiving training there highlight networks of mobility, logistics and coordination rather than the presence of large, formal camps. Organised crime networks, particularly drug trafficking, arms smuggling and illicit trade, often act as enablers, creating a mutually reinforcing ecosystem that undermines regional counterterrorism efforts."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2584231/countering-terror-and-proxies
Gaza
Maleeha Lodhi, “Why Pakistan should stay out,” Dawn, 29 December 2025
“There is increasing public questioning and expression of doubts about the wisdom of Pakistan sending troops to join the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) under President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. This is envisaged by the US as a multinational force led by an American general. It is a crucial component of the Trump plan. But its acceptance by Hamas is essential as without that, countries who join it can be drawn into a conflict with the Palestinian group. Deployment would involve close cooperation with Israel, who is entirely untrustworthy and routinely fires at UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. What happens if Israeli forces start firing at ISF’s Pakistani contingent? Moreover, cooperation with Israel will be tantamount to implicit recognition of Israel and only a step away from formal recognition and joining the Abraham Accords. All this without any movement towards establishment of a Palestinian state. This will be contrary to Pakistan’s long-standing policy."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1963879/why-pakistan-should-stay-out
Middle East
Muhammad Amir Rana, “MENA partnerships,” Dawn, 28 December 2025
“Pakistan's renewed focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is beginning to yield tangible results, particularly in defence cooperation. What stands out in this outreach is its diversity: Pakistan is engaging simultaneously with countries experiencing active conflict as well as with relatively stable Gulf monarchies. More importantly, this evolving engagement raises an important question about how these varied relationships are shaping Pakistan’s strategic outlook, policy choices, and approach to statecraft. Pakistan’s relationship with the Gulf has long rested on deep-rooted economic, political, and security ties shaped by history. However, the recent expansion of engagement reflects a more deliberate and pragmatic approach, suggesting that Islamabad is recalibrating its regional strategy. This recalibration is not only about defence exports or military diplomacy; it also offers Pakistan opportunities to observe and learn from different models of statecraft, both in contexts of stability and in situations marked by political fragmentation and conflict."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1963710/mena-partnerships
PIA
Editorial, “Privatisation push,” Dawn, 28 December 2025
"One swallow does not make a summer. Does it? The sale of PIA has fetched the government much praise — if not much cash. Simultaneously, it has stirred hopes that the first major privatisation in more than two decades would pave the way for the disinvestment of the other white elephants, sooner than later. Many expect the transaction to help revive investor confidence, with foreign private parties potentially lining up to invest in the country or acquire other loss-making state assets on the chopping block. Indeed, PIA’s sale makes a strong case for the government to forge ahead with its privatisation agenda, while taking advantage of the feel-good sentiment this transaction has sparked.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1963706/privatisation-push
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