Pakistan’s military announced that nine suspected India-backed militants were killed in separate counterterrorism operations in the Tank and Lakki Marwat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on December 6 that the raids were launched following intelligence reports about militant presence in the area.

According to the ISPR, seven militants were killed during an operation in Tank, while two others died in Lakki Marwat. Security forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the sites. The military described the slain individuals as being involved in multiple attacks against security personnel, law enforcement agencies, and civilians.

Authorities said a “sanitization operation” is ongoing to eliminate any remaining India-supported militants in the region. The incident underscores Pakistan’s continued struggle with cross-border militancy and its efforts to maintain stability in its northwestern border areas.

A deadly overnight exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces broke out along the Spin Boldak border, killing at least four civilians, Afghan officials confirmed on Saturday. The four-hour-long clash marked a serious breach of the fragile ceasefire brokered less than two months ago by Qatar and Turkey. Residents fled the border town as gunfire continued through the night, while hospitals in Kandahar reported receiving multiple casualties.

Both Islamabad and Kabul acknowledged the incident but traded blame over who initiated the attack. Pakistan’s spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused the Taliban of unprovoked firing, asserting that Pakistani forces responded decisively to protect national security. The Taliban, however, claimed Pakistan launched the assault first, forcing them to retaliate.

The renewed violence comes shortly after both sides met in Saudi Arabia for a fourth round of talks aimed at resolving broader disputes. Despite agreeing to uphold the ceasefire, the latest confrontation underscores persistent mistrust and heightens concerns over regional stability along the 2,574-kilometer border.

Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stated that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent remarks pose a threat to national security. Speaking at a press conference on December 5, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General said Khan continues to believe that the country cannot function without him in power, describing his political career as over and driven by ego and emotion.

Chaudhry accused Khan of inciting citizens to withhold electricity bill payments and discouraging overseas remittances, actions he said undermine the state. He also warned that negative comments against the army’s leadership would not be tolerated. The ISPR chief emphasized that the army remains apolitical and loyal to the constitution, rejecting any attempt to drag it into politics.

The statement comes amid growing tensions between Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the military establishment. Analysts suggest the remarks signal a hardening stance by the army, potentially deepening Pakistan’s political polarization ahead of future elections.

Pakistan’s federal government has imposed a complete ban on all meetings with former Prime Minister Imran Khan inside Adiala Jail, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Friday. The minister described Khan as a ‘war-mongering extremist’ and said the decision was taken under prison regulations to prevent political directives being issued from inside the facility.

Tarar warned that any attempt to disrupt law and order outside the prison would be met with swift and strict action. He accused Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of trying to push the country toward economic default by allegedly writing to the IMF and orchestrating violent attacks on military installations on May 9. The minister also claimed that PTI members were distancing themselves from Khan’s ‘Taliban-like mindset’.

The government is reportedly considering imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a PTI stronghold. Tarar emphasized that there would be no dialogue with groups promoting extremism or anti-state narratives, signaling a further hardening of Islamabad’s stance against Khan and his supporters.

Intense gunfire broke out along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border late Friday night, with both sides confirming the exchange of fire. No casualties were immediately reported. The Taliban government in Kabul alleged that Pakistani forces initiated the attack on Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, while Islamabad accused Afghan troops of firing first at the Chaman border without provocation.

The incident comes just two days after peace talks between the two countries in Saudi Arabia ended without progress. Pakistani Prime Minister’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi stated that Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to protecting its territorial integrity and citizens. The renewed violence follows a period of relative calm since October, when the first direct clashes were halted through Qatari and Turkish mediation.

Analysts warn that the latest border skirmish could further strain already fragile relations between Islamabad and Kabul, especially amid Pakistan’s accusations that Afghan nationals are behind recent terrorist attacks inside its territory—claims the Taliban government has strongly denied.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have led to the closure of key border crossings since October 11, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded and disrupting regional trade. Pakistani truck drivers transporting goods to Afghanistan are facing uncertainty as their cash reserves run out. Exporters and logistics operators report that shipments bound for Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, including kinnow fruit exports, have been severely affected. According to Junaid Makda, president of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, thousands of containers carrying bilateral and transit goods are stuck across Pakistan, with demurrage charges of $150–200 per container per day. Last year, Pakistan exported kinnow worth $110 million, but this year’s estimate has dropped to $100 million due to the disruption. The closure follows one of the most intense border clashes since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021, further straining trade and livelihoods across the region.

The Pakistani government has suspended the visitation rights of former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, after she allegedly engaged in political discussions during a recent prison visit. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that any visitor who discusses politics with the jailed leader will lose visitation privileges, citing prison regulations that prohibit such conversations. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar emphasized that these restrictions have long existed under prison law and apply equally to all convicts. He added that Adiala Jail, where Khan is held, operates under Punjab’s jurisdiction, and that meetings must be supervised, limited to six visitors once a week, and free of political content. The ministers also warned that anyone violating prison rules or causing unrest outside the facility would face strict action. The government reiterated that Khan, as a convicted prisoner, cannot hold unsupervised meetings or communicate politically from jail.

Pakistan has reopened the Torkham and Chaman border crossings with Afghanistan after nearly two months of closure, allowing United Nations aid trucks to pass through. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andarabi confirmed the decision, stating that it was made in consultation with the Ministry of Commerce. However, trade between the two countries remains suspended. The reopening follows heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, which escalated after a drone strike in Kabul on October 9 that the Taliban-led Afghan government blamed on Pakistan. The closure had disrupted cross-border trade and caused shortages of food and medicine in Afghanistan. Despite a ceasefire brokered by Qatar on October 19, relations between the two neighbors remain strained, with Pakistan accusing the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of using Afghan territory as a safe haven, a claim Kabul denies.

Pakistan has announced plans to privatize its state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) amid mounting debt and IMF loan conditions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that an auction for the airline’s sale will be held on December 23 and broadcast live across national media. The government intends to sell between 51% and 100% of PIA’s shares to reform loss-making state enterprises and meet the terms of a $7 billion IMF bailout. Four consortiums—Lucky Cement, Arif Habib Corporation, Fauji Fertilizer, and Air Blue—have been shortlisted to participate in the bidding. Sharif emphasized transparency and merit in the privatization process, expressing hope that PIA will regain its former prestige and operational efficiency. The move marks Pakistan’s largest privatization effort in nearly two decades. A previous sale attempt failed after a $36 million offer fell far below the $305 million reserve price. The government aims to complete the process swiftly to stabilize the aviation sector and reduce fiscal pressure.

Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, is in good health, according to his sister Uzma Khan. She made the statement after meeting him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on Tuesday, December 2. The visit came after widespread rumors about Khan’s death in custody prompted authorities to allow his family to see him. Pakistani media reported that the meeting was arranged before PTI’s planned protest program. Uzma Khan said she would share more details after consulting with her sisters Aleema and Naureen. Meanwhile, security around Adiala Jail has been tightened, with five new checkpoints established on Adiala Jail Road. Earlier in the day, unverified reports of Khan’s death sparked unrest across Pakistan, leading PTI to call for protests in Rawalpindi. To prevent gatherings, local authorities imposed Section 144, banning all public assemblies in the area.

Pakistan’s Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, has announced that the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train service will resume operations on December 31, 2025. Speaking at a meeting with the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abbasi emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity with Iran and Turkey. The initiative aims to strengthen trade links among the three countries and improve logistical efficiency across the region. The minister stated that Pakistan Railways plans to expand its freight transport capacity by the end of this year to support the project. He urged the business community to take advantage of the renewed trade corridor, which is expected to play a key role in boosting Pakistan’s regional commerce and economic integration with neighboring countries.

A powerful explosion near a police patrol vehicle in Dera Ismail Khan district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province killed three police officers, including Assistant Sub-Inspector Gul Alam, on December 3. The blast severely damaged the vehicle and prompted a swift response from security forces, who cordoned off the area and began collecting evidence. Authorities suspect the attack is linked to militant activity. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the assault, describing it as an act of extremism, and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also denounced the attack, calling the slain officers national heroes and vowing that their sacrifice would not be forgotten. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue the fight against terrorism. The incident followed similar attacks in Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts a day earlier, which left two more police officers dead. Security operations are ongoing to locate the perpetrators.

After more than three weeks without family contact, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister Uzma Khanum was finally allowed to meet him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Her visit followed widespread rumors about Khan’s death and mounting public concern over his condition. Uzma reported that Khan appeared physically healthy but complained of mental harassment by prison authorities. The meeting lasted about 30 minutes, during which she learned that Khan was being kept isolated with limited movement and communication. Outside the jail, hundreds of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters gathered demanding transparency about his health. Protests also erupted in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, prompting authorities to impose Section 144 to restrict gatherings. Government officials denied reports of Khan’s transfer to Islamabad but confirmed ongoing construction of a new prison. Imran Khan, 72, has been imprisoned since August 2023 following multiple convictions that he and his party claim are politically motivated to hinder his participation in politics and elections.

Authorities in Pakistan have imposed Section 144 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to prevent public gatherings ahead of a planned protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The Interior Minister stated that the restrictions were necessary for public safety and would be strictly enforced. The government warned against any attempt to pressure prison authorities regarding visitation rights for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, emphasizing that such matters are administrative, not political. Officials also cautioned against the misuse of provincial resources for political purposes, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and warned of legal action against any government employees involved in political activities. Security forces have been placed on high alert, and authorities reiterated that any violation of the ban on rallies or protests would result in immediate action. The restrictions are in effect from December 1 to 3 in Rawalpindi and remain active in Islamabad.

Pakistan is witnessing heightened tension following rumors about the death of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The government and Adiala Jail authorities have not provided any information on his whereabouts, and his family members reportedly have not been allowed to meet him for an extended period. In response, Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), called for protests in Rawalpindi demanding proof of his safety and whereabouts. To prevent demonstrations, the local administration has imposed Section 144, banning all public gatherings from December 1 to 3. Rawalpindi’s Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema stated that the decision was made to maintain public safety, peace, and stability amid growing unrest and speculation surrounding Khan’s condition.