|
In Brief
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
PM Shehbaz will decide on talks once PTI clarifies its stance, says Rana Sanaullah
On 27 December, Dawn reported that according to what the Prime Minister’s adviser on political affairs, Rana Sanaullah, said on Friday, the PM Shehbaz Sharif would decide talks with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) once the opposition party clarifies its stance on negotiations. PTI had rejected talks with the government, but Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), of which the PTI is a part, stated its openness to conduct talks with the government. PM’s aide stated on a news programme called ‘Naya Pakistan’ that 85 per cent of TTAP consists of PTI members, who rejected any negotiations with the government. The KP chief minister‘s aide on information and public relations, Shafiullah Jan, also appeared on the programme and reiterated the PTI’s stance of not engaging in negotiations with the present government. (“PM Shehbaz will decide on talks once PTI clarifies its stance, says Rana Sanaullah,” Dawn, 27 December 2025)
ECONOMY
IMF raises concerns over reduced PSDP and rising defence expenditure
On 27 December, Dawn reported that the International Monetary Fund, after consultations with the government, raised concerns over low Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) expenditure that has been reduced to PKR 873 billion against the original estimate of PKR 1.065 trillion. Originally, the PSDP expenditure was estimated at 0.9 per cent of GDP in FY25, but had been contained to 0.7 per cent to adjust it to revenue shortfalls. For the current year, the PSDP has been estimated to remain at 0.7 per cent, and for next year, 0.6 per cent of GDP. Also, as PSDP utilization remains low due to a significant reduction by provinces, special areas, and the Ministry of Railways, the Finance Minister pledged to reprioritise the PSDP with new methods of streamlining the projects. On the other hand, the size of defence expenditure had been increased to two per cent of GDP for the current fiscal year. Cumulatively, in the last four years, it has increased more than 67 per cent from PKR 1.3 trillion in FY21 to PKR 2.2 trillion in FY25. (“IMF sees Public Sector Development Programme shrinking as defence outlay to rise,” Dawn, 27 December 2025)
JUDICIARY
CJP highlights judicial infrastructure gaps in remote regions
On 27 December, Dawn reported that the Chief Justice of Pakistan expressed concerns over the lack of basic judicial facilities in remote areas, resulting in regional disparities in access to justice. CJP Yahya Afridi also underscored the need to develop infrastructure in remote areas while presiding over a high-level review meeting of the Law and Justice Commission focused on ongoing initiatives in remote districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For province-wide coverage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an estimated amount of PKR 688 million is required. Of this, LJCP has allocated PKR 390 million, while the remaining funding gap is to be met through provincial support. Also, the PHC Chief Justice briefed the forum about the establishment of Family Court Blocks in Peshawar and Swat and proposed similar facilities at divisional headquarters in the province. (“CJP Afridi for better judicial facilities in remote areas", Dawn, 27 December 2025)
AF-PAK
Afghan Taliban says doors open for talks to resolve issues
On 27 December, Dawn reported that the Afghan Taliban regime’s interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, on Friday spoke at the graduation ceremony at the Kabul Police Academy stating that his country was not a threat to any state and that it was ready to address misunderstandings. The Afghan Taliban’s official media reported that Haqqani said that his government continues to adhere to the commitments made under the Doha Agreement, not allowing Afghanistan’s soil to be used against any country. Although Haqqani did not mention Pakistan by name, he appeared to refer to Pakistan’s long-standing demand from Kabul to rein in the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). (“Afghan Taliban says doors open for talks to resolve issues,” Dawn, 27 December 2025)
SOCIETY
Karachi court rules child marriage conviction does not void nikkah
On 27 December, Dawn reported that a Karachi sessions court ruled that a conviction under the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013, does not invalidate a marriage or render a nikkah void under personal law. Additional District and Sessions Judge Zahoor Ahmed Chandio held that the law is penal and restraining in nature and does not provide for annulment of marriage, clarifying that the validity of a nikkah falls within the jurisdiction of family courts. The court handed the defendant two years of prison time because he married a minor, but he received no punishment for abduction and rape because there was insufficient proof, yet medical tests proved the victim was under 18. (“Conviction under child marriage law doesn’t invalidate nikkah, Karachi court rules,” Dawn, 27 December 2025)
Kohistan protest continues as talks with authorities collapse
On 27 December, Dawn reported that negotiations between the Lower Kohistan district administration, police and local protesters collapsed despite Wapda’s announcement of a Rs500 million release for rebuilding the flood-damaged Dubair–Ranowalia Road. The Dubair Khawar hydropower project faces a power generation halt because residents have been occupying the site for five weeks. The officials explained to protesters that the World Bank-funded project needed survey completion and open tendering procedures, which would extend the process for three and a half months. The protest leaders refused to accept the government's promises because they demanded actual construction start before ending the sit-in protest. The protesters maintained their sit-in because they faced ongoing difficulties since the 2022 floods, which blocked their access to roads. (“Talks between officials, Kohistan protesters fail,” Dawn, 27 December 2025)
SECURITY
Armed locals kill six terrorists in KP’s Lakki Marwat
On 27 December, Dawn reported that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat, six terrorists were killed and several other injured on Friday in a clash between police forces, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) commandos and armed locals. A police statement said that “The terrorists armed with sniper rifles and quadcopters attacked the police in the rural area bordering Bannu district and located within the limits of Shaheed Asmatullah Khan Khattak police station of Serai Naurang town.” Earlier, the security forces and police had destroyed several hideouts of terrorists during an operation in the Bettani subdivision of Lakki Marwat district on Tuesday. Pakistan has seen a rise in terrorist attacks in the recent past, particularly in KP and Balochistan, since the banned TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in 2022. (“Police, armed locals kill 6 terrorists in KP’s Lakki Marwat,” Dawn, 27 December 2025)
Heavy security in place at Benazir Bhutto mausoleum anniversary
On 27 December, more than 8,500 police personnel, along with Rangers and other security agencies, have been deployed in and around Garhi Khuda Bakhsh ahead of the 18th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, as hundreds of thousands of party workers and supporters are expected to attend the programme on Saturday. Authorities have put in place multi-layered security arrangements, including CCTV surveillance, walk-through gates, metal detectors, night-vision cameras and intelligence monitoring, with additional forces kept on standby. Senior PPP leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, are expected to pay homage at the mausoleum, while special arrangements have been made for transport, medical care and crowd management to prevent any untoward incident. (“Over 8,500 policemen deployed for security at Benazir’s mausoleum,” Dawn, December 27, 2025)
PROVINCES
KP Assembly sets up probe into 2023 Radio Pakistan attack
On 27 December, A 15-member special house committee has been established by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to look into the mob attack on Radio Pakistan's Peshawar facility during the 9-10 May 2023 protests that followed PTI founder Imran Khan's arrest. The committee, which was established in accordance with Rule 237 of the Assembly's Rules of Procedure, will investigate the incident's circumstances and causes, determine whether an organised conspiracy was involved, and evaluate the role of law enforcement agencies before making recommendations to the House. Nine members of the Treasury benches and six members of the opposition make up the panel, which represents cross-party involvement in the investigation into an attack that damaged vehicles, broadcast equipment, and historical recordings while injuring a staff member. (“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly forms committee to probe Radio Pakistan mob attack,” Dawn, December 27, 2025)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan summons UK envoy over ‘provocative’ protest outside Bradford consulate
On 27 December, in response to what it called "provocative" and "inciteful" remarks made during a protest outside the Pakistani consulate in Bradford, Pakistan has called the acting high commissioner of the United Kingdom to file a formal protest. Following statements and slogans directed at Pakistan's military and civil leadership from British territory, including a circulating video that officials claim contained threats of violence, the Foreign Office said a démarche was issued. Islamabad argued that such acts go beyond free speech and violate both domestic and international counterterrorism standards, and it urged UK authorities to prosecute those responsible under British law. With officials cautioning that additional legal options remain open if action is not taken, the action reflects Pakistan's growing concern over political activism abroad that it perceives as incitement against state institutions. (“Pakistan summons UK high commissioner after ‘provocative’ Bradford demonstration,” Dawn, 27 December, 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Politics & governance
Editorial, “Govt or PTI: who will blink first?” Dawn, 27 December 2025
“The offer was directly initiated by the PM. Their (the PTI’s) response, which the media finds complicated, has been received. Once we get clarification from them, the PM will make a decision, either forming a committee or meeting with them directly,” he said. “There is a perception in political circles that the government’s dialogue offer was made in earnest and “is desired by the establishment.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1963528
Editorial, “Accountable police forces”, Dawn, 27 December 2025
“The 19th century witnessed a major refinement of policing philosophy. Sir Robert Peel, widely regarded as the father of modern policing, articulated principles that continue to guide democratic police forces. His assertion that “the police are the public, and the public are the police” underlined the idea that police legitimacy flows from public consent rather than coercion. Accountability, restraint, proportionality, and strict adherence to the rule of law were the essential safeguards against the misuse of police power. The evolution of policing thus mirrored the development of the state itself, from coercive authority to regulated power, from force to legitimacy, and from unquestioned command to accountability.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1963487/accountable-police-forces
Economy
Editorial, “‘Failed’ economic model,” Dawn, 27 December 2025
“About two weeks ago, the head of the Special Investment Facilitation Council declared that Pakistan has a ‘failed’ economic model. As an economist, though, I was not surprised because the failure of our ‘economic model’ (whatever that is) has been known for long. Importantly, though, how did we end up with a ‘failed’ model? And, what does a ‘successful’ economic model look like?”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1963488
Society
Editorial, “Unequal women,” Dawn, 27 December 2025
“In 25 years, Pakistan is projected to become the world’s third most populous country, a figure highlighted at the Dawn Population Summit held earlier in December. With a rising population, care needs across the country will increase just as quickly, including direct personal care and indirect care activities in domestic, hospital, and community settings. Despite being essential, care work continues to be treated as a responsibility that naturally belongs to women, rather than as skilled labour that deserves dignity, protection, or policy attention.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1963486/unequal-women
|
