ISLAMABAD: A significant chunk of Pakistan’s population fears political violence in the country within the foreseeable future, as shown by the results of an international survey released by a United States-based grantmaking network on Monday that supports civil society organizations across the world.
Founded by a prominent Hungarian-American businessman George Soros, Open Society Foundations seeks to develop and advance robust systems of justice, education, public health and independent media.
Its annual global survey, Open Society Barometer, was conducted between May 1 and July 21, 2023, wherein it interviewed over 36,000 respondents across 30 countries to determine the state of democracy and human rights in different regions of the world.
Among some of its findings, the survey showed that young people around the world did not display a great deal of faith in democracy, with over a third of respondents between 18 and 35 years supportive of a strong leader who could do away with legislatures and elections.
“Respondents demonstrated a widespread fear of political unrest leading to violence,” the survey report noted. “A global majority of 58 percent – and majorities in 21 of the countries polled – agreed with the statement ‘I fear that political unrest in my country could lead to violence in the next year.’”
“Fear was highest in South Africa and Kenya (79 percent), Colombia (77 percent), Nigeria (75 percent), Senegal (74 percent), and Argentina and Pakistan (both 73 percent),” it added.
Open Society Foundations noted the gravest threat democracy faced did not emanate from rival appeal of authoritarianism but rather the question of whether democratic leaders were capable of delivering for their populations.
“People want to believe in open societies in which checks on power, pluralistic and independent institutions, minority protections, and individual rights enable all to participate,” it maintained.
According to the report, 79 percent Pakistanis also said it was important to them to live in a country that was democratically governed.
However, only 56 percent of them believed that democracy was preferable to any other kind of government in the country, which was less than 62 percent of global average.
Pakistan has witnessed significant political and economic uncertainty for a prolonged period.
The country is moving toward general elections which are likely to be held in the beginning of the next year, though it has also witnessed greater political polarization than the past since the ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan in a no-trust vote last year in April.
Over 70% Pakistanis fear political violence in foreseeable future — international survey
https://arab.news/ztdm7
Over 70% Pakistanis fear political violence in foreseeable future — international survey
- Open Society Foundations says 79 percent Pakistanis find it important to live in a democratically governed country
- The US-based organization says people widely wonder if democratic leaders are capable of delivering for their populations
Pakistan discovers new oil, gas reserves in push to cut costly imports
- Exploration firm announces modest discovery of 225 barrels of oil, 1.01 MMSCFD of gas per day
- Multiple discoveries together could boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced a modest discovery of new oil and gas reserves in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, state media reported on Friday, amid the country efforts to boost exploration to cut costly imports.
Pakistan faces a widening energy gap due to rising demand and limited domestic output, forcing reliance on costly fuel imports that expose the economy to global price swings. Its petroleum, oil, and lubricants import bill fell 4.39 percent to $9.046 billion in July 2025-January 2026.
The discovery was made at Lumshiwal Formation of Baragzai X-01 exploratory well. During Cased Hole Drill Stem Test (CHDST-04) conducted in the Hangu and Lumshiwal formations, the well produced 225 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 1.01 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas through a 32/64’’ choke at a wellhead flowing pressure of 190 psig.
“Baragzai X-01 (Slant) was spudded on December 30, 2024, as an exploratory well to assess the hydrocarbon potential of multiple formations, including Lockhart, Hangu, Lumshiwal, Samana Suk, Shinawari, Datta and Kingriali.
The well was successfully drilled to a total depth of 5,170 meters into the Kingriali Formation,” the state-run APP news agency reported, citing the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC).
“Based on wireline log evaluations, three earlier cased hole drill stem tests were conducted in the Kingriali, Datta, and Samana Suk plus Shinawari formations, which also resulted in oil and gas discoveries. The latest test over Lumshiwal further confirms the commercial viability and hydrocarbon prospectivity of the block.”
The discovery was made under the Nashpa Exploration License. OGDC has a 65 percent working interest in the license, in partnership with Pakistan Petroleum Limited (30 percent) and Government Holdings Private Limited (5 percent).
“This discovery will strengthen Pakistan’s energy security by enhancing indigenous hydrocarbon production,” the exploration firm said. “It will add to the reserves base of OGDC and its joint venture partners while contributing toward narrowing the country’s energy supply-demand gap.”
Pakistan has reported several oil and gas discoveries recently. Although modest individually, their combined potential could boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imported energy.
In January, a discovery regarding an exploratory well, flowing at the rate of 4,100 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 10.5 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas, was made in Kohat. In September 2025, Pakistan Petroleum Limited announced a discovery in Attock district, while Mari Energies reported a new gas find in North Waziristan.
Pakistan’s Sindh province dominates gas production with a 62 percent share and contributes 40 percent to oil output, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounts for 41 percent of crude oil production. Punjab produces 18 percent of the nation’s oil, and Balochistan contributes just one percent, according to Topline Securities.
