Pakistan's rising global profile as fires rage at home: Concerns for India, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Pakistan conducted strikes on its border with Afghanistan targeting militant camps, leading to civilian casualties and vows of retaliation.
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Washington for the Board of Peace meeting and Austria, marking the first high-level visit in 30 years.
• The US is investing $1.5 billion in Balochistan’s Reko Diq mine for copper and gold reserves.
• Pakistan has signed a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia and is negotiating arms deals with Sudan, Libya, and Bangladesh.
• Terror attacks in Pakistan have risen, with 2,414 fatalities recorded in the first three quarters of 2025.

Detailed Insights:

• Pakistan's rising global relevance is due to its successful wooing of Donald Trump and portraying its performance in the May 2025 conflict with India as impressive.
• The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) aims to enforce strict Islamic law and overthrow the current government, while the Baloch Liberation Army seeks to address economic and human rights grievances.
• The surge in terrorist attacks since 2021 is attributed to the Taliban's rise in Afghanistan, the spillover of NATO weapons, and the alienation of youth in Balochistan.
• The IMF loaned $7 billion to Pakistan in 2024, projecting a 3.2% real GDP growth for 2026, while the World Bank emphasizes the need for 2.5 to 3 million new jobs annually to avoid a domestic crisis.
• Historically, Pakistan's military ascendance and closer ties with the US have led to internal instability and increased arms sales, raising concerns for India.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP): Aims to enforce strict Islamic law in Pakistan and overthrow the current government.
• Balochistan Liberation Army: A separatist group seeking to address economic disparities and human rights issues in Balochistan.
• Real GDP: Inflation-adjusted measure reflecting the value of all goods and services produced in an economy.