Pakistan This Week

CWA # 408
Pakistan This Week
The PDM differences, Gwadar fencing, and Lakhvi's arrest

D Suba Chandran
3 January 2021
Photo Source: Dawn

Pakistan Reader# 144, 3 January 2021

The PDM differences: on resigning from the assemblies and taking on the Establishment
One of the new year plans of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) got shattered. It gets increasingly clear that the PPP is unlikely to resign from the Parliament and Sindh Provincial Council. Mass resignations of the PDM components in 2021 were one of the primary plans; it is engineered to be the final culmination, following the Islamabad march, forcing Imran Khan to resign.

It may be easier for the JUI-F and PML-N; though both have seats in the Parliament, they are not ruling any provinces. PPP is, as in the case of Sindh. Even within the JUI-F and the PML-N, there are reservations in pursuing the resignation course. There is support for the final march to Islamabad, and even a long dharna there, as the PTI did against Nawaz Sharif government. However, the idea of mass resignations does not have complete consensus within the PDM components. The PPP has a reservation against the idea, though Maryam Nawaz and Maulana Fazlur Rehman insist on it. Both have nothing to lose; they are not a part of the Parliament now; but others from the party, have a different position on the issue.

The last meeting of the PDM leaders on 1 January 2021, though could not have a breakthrough in getting a consensus on the resignation issue, has avoided any breakup. After the meeting, Maulana Fazlur Rahman has stated that the final decision on resignation and taking part in the Senate elections would be taken after 31 January (the deadline from the PDM to Imran Khan to resign).

Maulana also made another statement, after the above meeting. Dawn, quoted him saying: "Our target of criticism will now be the establishment which set up a fake government. We respect the army and generals, but now they have to decide to step back and focus on their constitutional responsibilities." Is this a rhetoric aimed at the PDM audience, or applying pressure against the Establishment?

There are strong reservations not only on resignations, even on pursuing the "State above the State" narrative. The statement that the march would move towards Islamabad and Rawalpindi is seen as casting a wide net for the PDM. A section within the PDM, especially the PML-N, would want to go slow in targeting the Establishment. They would want to go after only Imran Khan.

What this week highlighted is the fault lines within the PDM over the resignation issue. However, the 1 January meeting also underlines, the effort to build a consensus and buy more time. As of now, the PDM has got that, until 31 January.

Fencing Gwadar: Technically feasible, Politically disastrous
Early this week, a jirga comprising of the elders from different parts of Gwadar district held a meeting and rejected the government's latest initiative to fence the city. The provincial government of Balochistan recently started to erect a barbed fence surrounding the city, with limited entries into Gwadar. The stated objective is to make Gwadar "safe" and "smart", allowing people only with permits to enter into the city from outside. Gwadar would then become a like a garrison city.

Technically, it would be feasible to fence the city. With the Arabian Sea on one side, the fencing would cover rest of the city; with Gwadar being one of the small cities or a large town, the fencing should not cover more than 25 square km. Fencing would also make guarding it easier, with limited entry and exit points, perhaps a couple of them.

Politically, it would be a disaster. It would increase the distance between the Baloch people and the government – both provincial and federal. Besides the anti-government sentiments, it would also increase the anger against the Chinese. There is already an anti-Chinese sentiment in Balochistan over the CPEC projects. This would only increase it; it is obvious that the government is attempting to fence the city, to protect the Chinese, their interests and their investments.

Later this week, the provincial government has made a conciliatory statement on stopping the fencing and addressing the local people's concerns. According to the Home Minister of Balochistan, the fencing is being undertaken to protect the port city, and increase the city's investments. An interesting statement. Port cities in the rest of the world should take a cue from Balochistan; fence them, protect the city, and increase the investment!

Lakhvi arrested on terror financing charges
On Saturday, one of the top leaders of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) – Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was arrested for terror financing, based on a case registered in Lahore during early December. There have been multiple cases and charges against Lakhvi; India considers him as a mastermind of the terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008.

According to a UN Security Council sanction, "Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi is the chief of operations and military commander of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT)" and in that capacity, "Lakhvi has directed LeT operations, including in Chechnya Republic in Russian Federation, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, and South-East Asia." The UNSC summary provides a detailed profile of Lakhvi. It reads: "In 2003, Lakhvi instructed LeT operatives to conduct attacks in densely-populated areas. In the same year, he directed a LeT operative to travel to Iraq to assess the situation there. In 2004, Lakhvi sent operatives and funds in order to mount attacks on the forces of United States of America in Iraq. In 2006, Lakhvi instructed LeT associates to train operatives for suicide bombings. In past years, Lakhvi has played an important role in LeT fundraising activities, receiving donations from Al-Qaida (QDe.004) affiliates on behalf of LeT. He has also managed a training camp in Afghanistan."

This is not the first time Lakhvi is getting arrested. There have been multiple arrests earlier, and the courts have provided bail. The investigation on charges against him and the cases built was never strong enough for a conviction.

Why did Pakistan arrest him? And will it be different this time?

During 2020, there have been a series of legislations passed in the Parliament to satisfy the FATF conditions, so that the latter would remove Pakistan from the Grey list. Unfortunately for Pakistan, it did not happen. One of the primary concerns of the FATF is over terror financing and the lack of adequate legal action over the issue within Pakistan. In October 2020, the FATF met and decided to keep Pakistan in the grey list until February 2021. It wants not only legislations but also actions to prove Pakistan is serious. The case filed against Lakhvi in December 2020 and the arrest in January 2021 should be aimed at providing evidence to the FATF that Pakistan is serious. Islamabad has a February deadline on this

So Lakhvi would remain in prison, at least until the next FATF meeting.


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PM Modi’s Visit to Trinidad and Tobago & Ghana, One big beautiful bill, and Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1744

Chittrothu Vaihali

EU-Canada Summit 2025
What is security and defence partnership all about?
Conflict Weekly
July 2025 | CWA # 1742

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly # 287-88
The 12 Day War and the Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1738

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Thailand and Cambodia
What was the phone call between PM Shinawatra and President of Senate Hun Sen? What is the border dispute between the two? Why has this become an issue?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1735

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025:
Trump making Europe great again
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1734

GP Team

The World This Week #317
NATO Summit 2025 and Russia-Mali bilateral agreements
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1733

Ananya Dinesh

China and the Pacific Islands 
What was the recent China-PIC joint statement about? What it says, and what it means?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1728

M Kejia

G7 Summit 2025:
The Focus on the Middle East and Trade negotiations
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1726

GP Team

The World This Week #316
China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan, and the G7 Summit in Canada
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1725

Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha, Santhiya M, Aparna A Nair & M Kejia

Operation Midnight Hammer: US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran
What were the three Iranian nuclear sites that were targeted? What are the B2 Bombers and Bunker Buster Bombs? What do these attacks mean? What Next?
Conflict Weekly
June 2025 | CWA # 1724

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #286
The Spiralling Israel-Iran Crisis, and the Dangerous Hunger Hotspots
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1721

Rizwana Banu S and Santhiya M

Who are the Afrikaners?
Why is Trump interested in the Afrikaner question in South Africa?
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1720

Lekshmi MK

New WMO Report on Arctic Warming
What are the social, economic and environmental implications of Arctic warming
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1719

J Yamini  

China’s EV Surge
What contributes to the rise of BYD
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1717

J Yamini

Gender Violence in Pakistan:
What are the larger issues in the Noor Mukadam case?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1715

Femy Francis

The US-China:
On Tariffs, Rare Earths and Visas
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1713

GP Team

The World This Week #315
The UN Ocean Conference in France and the US-China Meeting in London
CW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1712

R Preetha

The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1705

GP Team

The World This Week #314
Elections in South Korea and Poland I China and the Pacific Island Countries I Bangladesh Election Announcement 2026
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1703

M Kejia 

Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal
Kathmandu’s Global Agenda for the Himalayas
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1700

R Preetha

Ethiopia bans the TPLF
What does the TPLF ban mean for the Pretoria agreement? What next for Ethiopia?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
Harvard vs Trump Administration
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1691

GP Team

The World This Week #313
China-ASEAN-GCC Summit I President Macron's visit to South East Asia I Trump Vs Harvard
The World This Week
May 2025 | CWA # 1690

GP Team

The World This Week #312
Elections in Romania, Portugal & Poland I UK-EU Summit
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1689

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine
Continuing Russia’s Aerial Attacks, despite exchange of prisoners
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

Gaza
The Humanitarian Crisis and Israel’s Renewed Offensive
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1685

Aparna A Nair

UK-EU Summit:
First step towards a reset
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1683

Aashish Ganeshan

Elections in Portugal:
The Rise of Chega Party and the Search for Political Stability
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1679

Aashish Ganeshan

US in the Middle Easr
Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1678

Gauri Gupta

China in Latin America
China-CELAC forum: Strengthening ties with Latin America and Caribbean
The World This Week
May 2025 | CWA # 1677

GP Team

The World This Week #310-311
China in Latin America and the Carribbean I Trump's Middle East Visit I Denmark as the new Arctic Chair
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

Turkey:
PKK disbands after 40 years of armed insurgency
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1673

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine:
The Discussion in Turkiye and the Elusive Ceasefire
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1671

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

US, Ukraine and Russia:
Air attacks amidst a Minerals deal and Ceasefire Proposals
Global Politics Early Bird
May 2025 | CWA # 1670

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Singapore Elections in 2025:
People’s Action Party (PAP) Wins, Again
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1667

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

East Asia:
Tough Tariff Negotiations with the US
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1666

Padmashree Anandhan

The US-Ukraine
The mineral deal with the US
Conflict Weekly
May 2025 | CWA # 1665
Conflict Weekly # 280-81
India-Pakistan De-escalation I Ukraine Discussion in Istanbul I The Battle over Port Sudan I Disbanding of PKK in Turkiye I France-Algeria Diplomatic Tensions
Global Politics Early Bird
May 2025 | CWA # 1663

R Preetha

Canada Elections 2025:
What do the results convey? What next for Mark Carney?
Conflict Weekly 250th Issue
October 2024 | CWA # 1480

IPRI Team

This Week in History
July 2024 | CWA # 1413

Ramya B

Global Politics Early Bird
May 2024 | CWA # 1336

Femy Francis

This Week in History
April 2024 | CWA # 1275

Ramya B

NIAS Global Politics Database
March 2024 | CWA # 1251

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
This Week in History
March 2024 | CWA # 1246

Sivasubramanian K

NIAS Global Politics Database
February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
The World This Week
November 2023 | CWA # 1148

GP Team

The War in Ukraine
October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
NIAS Pakistan Weekly
October 2023 | CWA # 1087

PR Team

The World This Week
October 2023 | CWA # 1083

GP Team

Conflict Weekly
August 2023 | CWA # 1049

IPRI Team

IPRI Quarterly Forecasts I Triggers, Trends, and Trajectories
July 2023 | CWA # 1012

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar continues to burn
The World This Week
July 2023 | CWA # 1009

GP Team

2022: The World This Year
December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
2022: The World This Year
December 2022 | CWA # 872

Sapna Elsa Abraham

Europe: Heatwaves, Wildfires, Droughts, and Ice Melt in Alps
November 2022 | CWA # 838

Rishma Banerjee

Tracing Europe's droughts
NIAS Africa Weekly
March 2022 | CWA # 705

NIAS Africa Team

In Focus: Libya
The World This Week: 150th Issue
December 2021 | CWA # 630

GP Team

Europe in 2021
Pakistan Reader
October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

TLP is back again
NIAS Fortnightly on Science, Technology & International Relations
August 2021 | CWA # 528

STIR Team

Space Tourism
GLOBAL PROTEST MOVEMENTS
September 2020 | CWA # 337

Anju Annie Mammen

The FATF Meeting, February 2020
February 2020 | CWA # 235

Lakshmi V Menon

Science, Technology and International Relations
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon

The Maldives
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan

India
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej

Bangladesh
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer

Afghanistan
United States
July 2018 | CWA # 47

Rahul Arockiaraj

East Asia
June 2018 | CWA # 26

Siddhatti Mehta