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In Brief
EXTERNAL
President Zadari visits Iraq with high-level meetings on the agenda
On 19 December, as per the reports by Dawn, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO), President Zardari was invited by Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid to visit Iraq to review the bilateral ties and further strengthen cooperation across key mutual interests, including trade and investments, energy, reconstruction, manpower, technology, and education between the two countries. The meeting would also cover regional developments, international developments, and the cooperation at multilateral forums. The statement issued by the FO also mentions the development in people-to-people linkage, particularly in the context of religious tourism and economic collaboration. This official visit signifies a major development between the two nations and promotes regional peace and prosperity. (“President Zardari to embark on 5-day visit to Iraq tomorrow, high-level meetings on agenda,” Dawn, 19 December 2025)
PM Shehbaz condemns ‘cowardly terror attack’ at Bondi Beach in a meeting with Australian envoy
On 19 December, as reported by Dawn, a meeting was held on Friday between Australian High Commissioner Tim Kane and Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif, where the PM expressed his condolences over the tragic shooting in Bondi Beach, Sydney and condemned the attack. Over fifteen people were killed, and many were injured after two gunmen opened fire targeting the Jewish community during the celebration of the Hanukkah festival at the beach. PM Shebaz emphasised on the fact that terrorism has no religion and must be condemned in all forms and manifestations. The premier welcomed the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Australia relations and underscored the need for expanding bilateral trade and investments, mainly in agriculture and livestock-based trade. Ambassador Kane also expressed Australia's desire to enhance the bilateral ties between the two nations across all areas of mutual interest. (“In meeting with Australian envoy, PM Shehbaz condemns ‘cowardly terror attack’ at Bondi Beach,” Dawn, 19 December 2025)
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
LG polls committee set up by local PTI chapter
On 19 December, as reported by Dawn, the PTI constituted an election committee to begin preparations for the upcoming local government elections. As per the president of Islamabad, the committee will be headed by the regional general secretary, who will have the authority to invite any individual to attend the meetings as needed. The committee will consult and coordinate with leaders of all three constituencies with an objective to ensure in securing PTI’s position in Islamabad, addressing the legal issues and still holding strong towards their stance. As per ECP public notices, inviting nominations will be issued on 19 December, whilst the candidates may file nominations with ROs from 22-27 December. (“Local PTI chapter sets up LG polls committee,” Dawn, 19 December 2025)
ECONOMY
Over PKR 5.3 billion being arranged for the Northern Bypass project
On 19 December, as reported by Dawn, the 30km Northern Bypass project, which would complete the Ring Road around the provincial capital, got stuck in slow motion due to several ongoing issues over the last 17 years. Officials insisted on PKR five billion for the completion of the final stages, although PKR 500 million was allocated for the current inconvenience. According to the sources, due to the project being stretched out to its 17th year, the cost has increased from PKR three billion to PKR 27 billion due to the small release of funds from the federal government. (“Rs 5.3 billion bridge financing being arranged for the northern bypass project,” Dawn, 19 December 2025)
Chaman traders urge government to reopen Pak-Afghan border
On 19 December, as reported by Dawn, the traders from Chaman arrived in Islamabad and urged the government to reopen the Pak-Afghan border crossing, as there were significant issues like a halt in trade resulting in heavy financial losses, unemployment, and damage to perishable goods. The borders were initially closed since October 11 due to violent conflicts between the two countries, but now it's resulting in abandonment of billions of rupees worth of goods and daily losses exceeding four million rupees. As the border issues are managed by the security, the officials stated that the concerns shared by the trades will be taken into consideration and raised at relevant national and bilateral forums. (“Chaman trades urge govt to reopen Afghan border crossings,” Dawn, 19 December 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
NFC Award
Dr Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, “K-P's case for a fair share in 11th NFC award,” The Express Tribune, 19 December 2025
“As the federal and provincial governments approach the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) award, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is not seeking favour; it is demanding fairness. The province has absorbed the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), carried the burden of protracted conflict and inherited widespread underdevelopment. That its share in the divisible pool remains tethered to a 2009 formula is not just inequitable; it betrays the constitutional spirit of equitable federalism. The federal government often cites austerity, IMF conditions or fiscal pressures, overlooking a structural imbalance: provinces deliver more with less, while the federation retains revenue and functions devolved under the 18th Amendment. A fair NFC Award for K-P is not charity; it is constitutional equity.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2582889/k-ps-case-for-a-fair-share-in-11th-nfc-award
Imran Khan
Editorial, “Desperate tactics,” The Express Tribune, 19 December 2025
“Pushing the opposition to the wall is unbecoming of a political culture. The government is excessively overreacting. Booking more than 400 PTI supporters, including Imran Khan's three sisters, under terrorism charges is no less than a desperate joke. They are blamed for staging a sit-in outside Adiala Jail, awaiting the authorities to grant them permission for an audience with the incarcerated former PM in line with explicit court orders. Likewise, cases registered by the federal police against 70 of the 92 K-P legislators squarely reflect that confrontation is the preferred approach. The public mandate is being disrespected for the sake of timely political gains. This move will push both sides towards a dead-end of radicalised otherness.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2582885/desperate-tactics
Economy
S. Akbar Zaidi, “In decline,” Dawn, 19 December 2025
“Pakistan is in decline — in serious, considerable and sharp decline — as manifested by its economic, social and human development indicators. This decline is both relative to other comparable developing countries which have now steadily and increasingly outpaced Pakistan as indicated by multiple indicators, and by what Pakistan’s own indicators used to be. In other words, the economy and related and ancillary sectors, especially in human and social development, are worse now than what they were some years or decades ago. To make matters worse, Pakistan’s recent political economy reorganisation, centralisation and consolidation will ensure that these indicators deteriorate further. We have all used terms like ‘critical juncture’ or ‘crises’ at numerous points in the past, but perhaps in a highly globalised and competitive world, things may never have been where they currently are. Stabilisation has morphed into stagnation. Given the focus of those running Pakistan’s political economy and making decisions, there is no confidence in either their ability or vision to reverse these trends.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1961951/in-decline
Education
Faisal Bari, “Building research capacity,” Dawn, 19 December 2025
“Literature on teacher impact shows that good teaching provides a significant delta on student learning, compared to average or poor teaching. Simply put, teachers matter and good teaching is important for ensuring better learning outcomes. However, recruiting, motivating, and keeping good teachers gainfully and efficiently employed is not easy. In Pakistan, a couple of decades back, teacher recruitment was seen as having too much discretion with not enough reliance on rules. Allegations of corruption and nepotism in teacher recruitment were common. Many of these charges were based on facts. Pakistan must have around 1.5-2m teachers today. With millions of children still out of school, and with most in-school children getting a poor quality of education across the country, we need more teachers — more motivated and committed teachers — and a lot more teacher training to ensure better content knowledge as well as a sound understanding of optimal pedagogical strategies. We also need much better policies for management and regulation of teaching, and effective feedback loops to ensure things keep improving.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1961952/building-research-capacity
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