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In Brief
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Imran’s sisters and PTI protesters dispersed using water cannons
On 30 December, as reported by Dawn, the PTI leaders and Imran Khan’s sisters again dispersed using water cannon. The sit-in was a protest against the denial of a meeting with Imran. The video of the dispersal of the sit-in with water cannons was shared on social media by the PTI Punjab account. The post stated: “In the severe cold, an attack with water cannons was carried out on unarmed, peaceful children, women, and citizens.” Aleema Khan said that the TTAP did not request dialogue with the government, but rather it was Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who extended the invite. She added that she and her sisters would continue to demand a meeting with their brother. (“Imran’s sisters, PTI protesters again met with water canons during sit-ins outside Adiala jail,” Dawn, 30 December 2025)
PTI rescind notification of parliamentary board for local bodies polls in Islamabad
On 31 December, Dawn reported that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which has been continuously demanding adherence to the Constitution, has rescinded the notification of the parliamentary board for Islamabad local bodies elections due on 15 February. The decision was made after realising that the notification was issued in violation of the party’s constitution. However, the party’s secretary general, Salman Akram Raja, has withdrawn the notification. (“PTI rescinds notification of parliamentary board for local bodies polls in Islamabad,” Dawn, 31 December 2025)
SECURITY
Approval of 38 bulletproof vehicles for the school children in Balochistan
On 31 December, as reported by The Express Tribune, most of the cabinet and the finance minister held a meeting which resulted in the approval of RS 2.1 billion supplementary budget, as well as the procurement of 38 bulletproof vehicles for schoolchildren in Balochistan. The initiative was taken into consideration due to the 2014 attack on APS, where over 144 children lost their lives, while 114 were injured. (“Govt approves 38 bullet-proof vehicles for Balochistan schoolchildren”, The Express Tribune, 31 December, 2025)
JUDICIARY
JCP likely to meet on 12 January to confirm IHC judges
On 31 December, Dawn reported that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) is expected to meet on 12 January to consider the confirmation of three additional judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The administration of IHC has already forwarded the service record of the three judges along with the recommendations of Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar, who will participate as a member in the meeting from JCP. In the series of meetings expected in January, the JCP is also expected to confirm the appointment of additional judges to the Lahore High Court and the Balochistan High Court. (“JCP likely to meet on 12th to confirm IHC judges,” Dawn, 31 December 2025)
ECONOMY
Economy grows by 3.7 per cent, defying projections
On 31 December, according to The Express Tribune, the National Accounts Committee (NAC), the government body that publishes growth numbers, approved a 3.7 per cent economic growth rate for the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The growth came on the back of expansion across all major sectors of the economy, defying predictions that growth had been hindered by the devastating summer floods. Electricity and gas output grew by more than 25 per cent, the construction sector expanded by over 21 per cent, and rice production increased by 2.5 per cent to nearly 10 million tonnes. A Ministry of Planning report had initially forecasted 8.3 to 8.9 million tonnes. The NAC approved sector-wise growth rates of 2.9 per cent for agriculture, 9.4 per cent for industry and 2.4 per cent for the service sector. Due to the controversy surrounding last year’s growth rate of 2.7 per cent, the Finance Minister had offered to commission an independent investigation and review of the growth numbers, but no such meetings were held. (“Economy grows by 3.7% in Q1 2025, defying flood fallout, official projections,” The Express Tribune, 31 December 2025)
Traders announce nationwide protests on 16 January
On 31 December, as reported by Dawn, traders announced countrywide protests on 16 January if the directive to install point of sale (POS) devices was not withdrawn. POS machines help record digital transactions, which can then be tracked by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The announcement was made at a rally in Aabpara Chowk, which was stopped by a heavy police contingent. It was organised by the All Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajran and Traders Action gathering (TAC). A larger number of people from Islamabad and Rawalpindi participated. Ajmal Baloch, President of the TAC Islamabad, said that the government should withdraw the policy, saying that the “installation of POS machines at small shops will only create new options to fleece the traders for bribery.” (“Traders announce countrywide protests on Jan 16,” Dawn, 31 December 2025)
PAK-AF
Afghanistan bears a higher economic cost as the Pakistan trade suspension hits
On 31 December, Dawn reported that, according to trade data, Afghanistan's export losses have reached around 10 per cent since 10 October, compared with about 0.6 per cent for Pakistan due to the suspension of bilateral trade, which has placed Kabul at a clear disadvantage. Nearly 46 per cent of Afghanistan’s total exports are to Pakistan, and a sizeable volume is to India. Whereas, Pakistan exports only about 3.46 per cent to Afghanistan. India has emerged as Kabul’s second-largest export destination, accounting for 40 per cent of Afghanistan’s total exports. (“Afghanistan bears heavier economic cost as Pakistan trade suspension bites harder,” Dawn, 31 December 2025)
EXTERNAL
PM Shehbaz and the UAE president meet up in RYK
On 31 December, as reported by The Express Tribune, PM Shehbaz met with the President of the UAE at Sheikh Zayed Palace to discuss the bilateral ties between the two countries. The leaders continued their discussion from the previous meeting, which was held on 26 December. The PM reiterated his firm resolve to elevate the longstanding, strong ties between the two countries in terms of a strategic, mutually beneficial economic partnership. Additionally, the leaders also discussed enhancing cooperation in various other terms, like IT, energy, mining, and minerals, as well as defence cooperation. The PM thanked the President of the UAE for hosting over 2.1 million Pakistanis. In conclusion, the two nations capped off a year of extensive leadership-level engagements. (“PM Shehbaz meets UAE president in RYK”, The Express Tribune, 31 December, 2025)
Editorials/Opinions
Judiciary
Dr Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, “Judicial independence on trial,” The Express Tribune, 31 December 2025
“An emotive and intense debate has followed the unceremonious removal of Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri of the Islamabad High Court by a Division Bench of the same court headed by its Chief Justice. The decision has sharply divided legal circles. While a section of the bar has welcomed the verdict as swift and necessary to eliminate quackery and deception from the judiciary, a much larger segment has condemned it as an act of witch-hunting, targeting judges who refuse to bow before the executive and insist on independent decision-making. For many, the controversy transcends the fate of one individual judge. It raises serious constitutional questions regarding judicial independence, institutional overreach and adherence to the procedure explicitly laid down in the Constitution of Pakistan for the removal of judges.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2584684/judicial-independence-on-trial
Pak-Af
Amna Hashmi, “The price of patience,” The Express Tribune, 31 December 2025
“Over the decades, the policy of Pakistan towards its western neighbour has been based on one simple assumption: a stable government in Afghanistan will eventually lead to peace in the region. Many political and security prices were paid by Islamabad, and a lot of international criticism too was taken in the hope that Afghanistan would not turn into a zone of aggressive foreign power. But, considering the escalating border tensions at the end of 2025, it appears that this longstanding approach has produced mixed, and often disappointing, results. Pakistan now appears to be at a crossroads. The old policy of strategic patience seems harder and harder to maintain. Although measures like airstrikes and repatriation of refugees have been criticised, they indicate a change that is aligned with realist logic of security in which enduring threats eventually should be more than the costs of restraint. In realist terms, therefore, it is hard to see any state defend long-term trade access and diplomatic relations where attacks associated with the same territory continue.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2584678/the-price-of-patience
Economy
Mohammad Younus Dagha, “Misgovernance & low growth,” Dawn, 31 December 2025
“Economists agree that cities are the primary engines of economic growth. All our development partners have been telling us that, without addressing Karachi’s infrastructure issues, Pakistan cannot achieve its growth targets. On Aug 29, 2025, this newspaper published my article on how Karachi has been deprived of its rightful share of more than Rs3 trillion since 2010. Had that amount been spent on Karachi, we would not have reached this chaotic situation. With Karachi’s consistent neglect, Pakistan has been suffering from a low average growth syndrome since 2010.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1964257/misgovernance-low-growth
Politics & governance
Editorial, “Touring CM,” Dawn, 31 December 2025
“Our leaders have developed a strange tendency to be everywhere other than where they need to be. The KP chief minister recently descended on Punjab, along with his entourage, ostensibly to catalyse a ‘street movement’ on behalf of his party. His trip, as has by now been well documented, went rather poorly, with the Punjab government leaving no stone unturned to let the visiting official know just how unwelcome he was in their jurisdiction. Yet, instead of being dissuaded, it seems that Punjab’s boorish treatment has convinced CM Sohail Afridi to try his luck in Sindh and Balochistan as well. While Mr Afridi is welcome to go anywhere he likes, and at any time, this project seems to be an unnecessary distraction from his considerable responsibilities. It would seem, from the news, that he has much more pressing problems to deal with, which should be taking up all of his energy and time.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1964258/touring-cm
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