Global Politics

The emerging role of the tribal  Jirga in the current political environment deserves attention beyond party politics. In the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, political concerns are closely connected with economic conditions, taxation, security, employment and cross-border trade. Recent reports have highlighted pressure on traders and local businesses following disruptions to trade through the Torkham crossing. Traders and clearing agents have said that prolonged disruption has affected employment and commercial activity in communities that have historically depended heavily on cross-border trade. The Elders May Remain Neutral — But the Youth Have Their Own Concerns The traditional role of a Jirga is to bring different sides together, listen to competing concerns and seek a peaceful resolution. Tribal elders can therefore contribute to dialogue without becoming representatives of any particular political party. The concerns of younger people, however, may be broader. Employme...

Islamabad’s Changing Political Alignment — Is Political Integration Possible? Pakistan’s political environment appears to be entering another important phase. The situation in Islamabad is not simply a confrontation between the government and opposition. Differences among political parties, debates over new provinces and changing political positions have raised questions about the country’s future political direction. Claims about secret agreements, political betrayals or disagreements between political parties and state institutions should, however, be treated cautiously. Unless supported by credible and independently verifiable evidence, such claims remain political allegations or interpretations rather than established facts. The Debate Over New Provinces The creation of new provinces has become an important part of Pakistan’s political debate. Supporters argue that administrative restructuring could improve governance, representation and access to public services. However, such cha...

A Different Route to Political Pressure Pakistan’s current political confrontation appears to be entering a different phase: from immediate street confrontation towards a longer contest of political endurance. The PTI’s Islamabad march, initially announced for September 27, was later postponed to October 4. Meanwhile, the government had introduced extensive security arrangements, including route restrictions, deployment of Rangers and other personnel, and the placement of containers. According to reports cited by Dawn, the government was paying approximately Rs46.5 million per day for 1,550 containers, with the prolonged arrangements potentially creating a substantial financial burden. This raises an important political question:  when confrontation is postponed, who ultimately bears the continuing cost of maintaining it? Endurance Instead of Immediate Confrontation A political movement does not necessarily have to confront the state at the exact moment when the state is prepared f...

Pakistan’s Federation: Integration, Inclusion and the Need to Address Grievances An analysis based on 17 years of observing Pakistan’s grassroots and constitutional issues I have spent many years observing Pakistan’s geography, communities, political developments and grassroots concerns. From this experience, I believe Pakistan’s major challenge is not simply disagreement between political parties or provinces. The deeper question is whether the federal system can effectively absorb differences, address legitimate grievances and maintain public confidence across all parts of the country. My purpose is not to support or oppose any political party, province or individual. This is an analysis of federal integration, inclusion and institutional trust. Disagreement is not necessarily dangerous for a federation. The greater risk arises when legitimate grievances remain unresolved for long periods and citizens begin to believe that constitutional institutions cannot provide a fair mechanism f...

  Do Not Turn Political Conflict Into a Provincial Crisis Pakistan’s present political situation requires wisdom and restraint from both the government and the opposition. One principle should remain above every political disagreement: Pakistan is more important than political ego, personal victory or the temporary defeat of an opponent. When political confrontation continues for a long period, the demands of a movement can gradually become broader. A dispute that begins around the political or legal situation of an individual leader may eventually include wider questions about provincial rights, water, energy, representation and resource distribution. That possibility deserves serious attention from every responsible political stakeholder. Responsible Language from Federal Representatives Federal ministers, including Mohsin Naqvi and Atta Tarar, have a particular responsibility because they represent the federal government. Political disagreements should be expressed in language t...

  When Constitutional Grievances Remain Unresolved:  Preventing Political Conflict from Becoming a National Crisis Pakistan’s political environment has once again reached a sensitive stage. Political mobilisation, arrests, legal disputes and disagreements between political forces and state institutions can create serious pressure on the country’s democratic and constitutional system. The important question is not which side can impose greater pressure on the other. The more important question is whether political disagreements can be resolved through law, dialogue and constitutional institutions before they become wider social or regional disputes. Understanding the Social Context The situation should not be viewed only through the lens of party politics. For many communities in the former FATA areas now incorporated into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the experience of conflict, displacement and insecurity remains part of recent history. The 25th Constitutional Amendment of 2018 merged ...

November 26: Why an Independent Inquiry Still Matters The events of November 26, 2024 remain one of the most disputed episodes in Pakistan’s recent political history. The government, PTI and civil-society observers have presented different accounts of the deaths, injuries and use of force during the Islamabad protest. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for an independent and impartial inquiry, noting reported deaths among both protesters and security personnel. The continuing disagreement demonstrates the importance of establishing a reliable evidentiary record. The Rangers Vehicle Case One clearly identifiable legal case concerns the deaths of Rangers personnel who were struck by a vehicle during the protest. According to Dawn, Hashim Abbasi was charged in connection with the deaths of four Rangers personnel. In July 2026, an Anti-Terrorism Court declared him fit to stand trial and moved the case towards regular proceedings. This individual criminal case should ...

Justice, Constitutional Trust and Pakistan’s Growing Political Crisis Pakistan is passing through a sensitive period in which delayed justice, constitutional disputes, political polarisation and declining public trust are increasingly connected. The central issue is not any single political party or personality. It is whether Pakistan’s constitutional institutions can provide timely, equal and credible solutions to political and legal disputes. Justice, Courts and Political Confidence The controversy surrounding the medical treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has become another point of political tension. Questions have been raised about the implementation of court directions and the arrangements for his medical examination and treatment. The broader constitutional principle is straightforward: court orders should be implemented according to law, and any disagreement over their interpretation should be addressed through the judicial process rather than political confrontation...

 Justice Is the Foundation of the State The medical-treatment dispute involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan has developed into a wider discussion about justice, institutional authority and equal treatment under the law. According to the account presented in this debate, the Supreme Court directed arrangements for his medical examination and treatment, while the government has raised objections concerning the choice of hospital and medical arrangements. The exact scope and implementation of any judicial order should ultimately be assessed from the official court record. The issue should not automatically be described as a demand for special privilege. The more important question is whether prison rules and judicial directions provide a transparent and medically appropriate process for determining where a prisoner should receive specialist treatment and which doctors should be involved. Any comparison with the treatment of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif abroad should also be...

  Punjab–KP Tensions: A Constitutional Warning for Pakistan Pakistan is facing a serious political and constitutional challenge. Growing tensions involving the federal government, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), political parties and state institutions should not be viewed simply as another political dispute. The deeper question is public trust in the federation. The Growing Sense of Provincial Alienation A perception has developed among some political and social groups in KP that important state institutions, senior appointments and decision-making structures are disproportionately influenced by political and administrative networks associated with Punjab. Whether every such allegation is factually established is a separate question. However, persistent perceptions of unequal representation can themselves become politically significant. When citizens repeatedly feel that their province is being treated differently, ordinary political disagreements can gradually develop into a bro...

  Constitutional Oath, Judicial Jurisdiction and State Power in Pakistan Introduction Pakistan's Constitution places every institution and public office within a legal framework. No government, political party, police authority, elected representative or court possesses unlimited power. The central principle is simple: Power comes from the Constitution and the law, and public authority may be exercised only within those lawful limits. The key questions should therefore always be: What law authorises the action? Against whom may it be taken? What evidence supports it? Which institution has jurisdiction? And is the action proportionate? 1. Constitutional Limits on Courts Article 175(2) provides that no court has jurisdiction except that conferred by the Constitution or by or under law. Article 199 gives High Courts important constitutional powers, but the exercise of jurisdiction still involves questions such as maintainability, legal standing, available remedies, constitutional auth...