This edition of Pakistan Unveiled captures the volatile interplay of domestic governance dilemmas, external diplomatic manoeuvres, and intensifying security challenges confronting Pakistan. Domestically, Islamabad witnessed heightened internal contestations over resource distribution, legal autonomy, and governance structures. Notable developments included the government’s aggressive water security posturing against India, contentious revival plans for the jirga system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, widening crackdowns on political dissent—especially in Balochistan—and rising economic pressures evidenced by civil service salary hikes amidst business community protests. Meanwhile, technological advances such as the deployment of AI for road maintenance and cybersecurity tools, and moves towards digital currency regulation signalled incremental governance reforms amidst political turbulence.
Internationally, Pakistan sought to balance deepening regional partnerships and strategic recalibrations. This fortnight featured expansive bilateral engagements: major investment deals with Azerbaijan, intensified defence and economic cooperation with Turkey and Russia, expanded skill development frameworks under CPEC with China, and joint security dialogues with Bahrain and Indonesia. India-Pakistan relations remained tense, punctuated by Islamabad’s diplomatic overtures juxtaposed with sharp rhetoric over Kashmir and the Pahalgam attack. Multilaterally, Pakistan reaffirmed positions at the SCO and Srebrenica commemorations, while attempting to court Western economic engagement, including US trade access and participation in climate resilience initiatives.
The Terror Tally column underlines a grim security trajectory, with sustained militant violence across KP and Balochistan, rising use of quadcopters in terrorist attacks, cross-border infiltration attempts, and targeted political assassinations. Security forces conducted high-intensity counter-terror operations, claiming significant militant kills, even as enforced disappearances, political repression, and judicial concerns dominated civil rights discourse. Overall, this period reflects a Pakistan navigating multi-layered crises—domestic instability, geopolitical recalibration, and an unrelenting internal security threat landscape.
