Drums of War
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the next two to three days are crucial in the prevailing tensions between Pakistan and India, emphasizing that the threat of war is “real.” In a statement, he asserted that Pakistan is mentally ready for a potential conflict, adding all three branches of the armed forces are ready to defend the country if such a need arises.
Canals Shelved
A meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) has agreed to cease progress on any new water infrastructure projects without consensus of all stakeholders. The constitutional body has decided to form a committee with representatives of the center and all provincial governments to address the country’s agricultural needs and ensure fair water distribution.
Not Enough
Despite the CCI’s shelving of the canals project, lawyers in Sindh are refusing to end their protests, raising questions about the true nature of their demonstrations. In a statement, the lawyers have said the CCI decision was “ambiguous” and have demanded a “clear” notification cancelling the project outright. By contrast, Pir Pagara has urged all protesters to celebrate the CCI decision and end sit-ins.
Freedom of Speech
The Indian government has formally banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels of various journalists and media organizations. Users attempting to access the channels from India are told they are blocked due to “national security or public order” concerns. The decision appears aimed at denying Indians any counter-narrative to the one being peddled by Indian media, which is shaped by their government.
Time for APC
Despite previously refusing to participate in formal engagements with the ruling coalition, the PTI is now seeking an all-parties conference—with the participation of incarcerated Imran Khan—on threats from India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. Addressing the Senate, PTI leaders have reiterated the government’s view that any attempt to divert Pakistan’s waters will be deemed an enemy attack.
Indus Water Treaty
Pakistan is considering all legal options to respond to India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, with officials indicating they could place the matter before the United Nations Security Council for dispute resolution. They have stressed holding the treaty in abeyance risks escalating geopolitical tensions, environmental degradation, and regional instability.
Judicial Rifts
Bickering between judges of the Islamabad High Court persists, with the latest clash seeing Justice Babar Sattar issuing orders stating that a division bench led by IHC Acting Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar lacks the authority to suspend proceedings pending before a single bench. The matter of IHC judges’ seniority is already pending before the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court.
Ensuring Security
The government has decided to implement a “neighborhood watch strategy” to prevent insurgents from disrupting projects related to the Pak-China Economic Corridor. The pre-emptive measure aims to target facilitators of terrorists in addition to insurgents. The Cabinet Committee on Chinese Investment Projects has also advised consulting Chinese enterprises to devise effective SOPs for their security.
Poliovirus Spread
The National Emergency Operations Center has reported that it has found the poliovirus in 22 of 56 environmental samples collected from 44 districts across Pakistan. It has said 34 samples tested negative, adding a significant reduction in the virus’ spread was observed after vaccination campaigns conducted in February and April.
Free Ride
The government’s claims of expanding the tax net have failed to achieve desired results, with traders contributing just Rs. 26 billion in taxes compared to the Rs. 391 billion paid by salaried individuals from July-March of fiscal year 2024-25. These figures suggest that retailers paid just Rs. 0.6 for every Rs. 10 paid in taxes by salaried individuals.