WASHINGTON, Jan 15: Pakistan will continue to be buffeted by political turmoil and sporadic violence, and the military will continue to be involved in Pakistan's politics, says a CIA report.

The National Intelligence Council, an in-house CIA think-tank, predicts that "a rise in religious fundamentalism in its ranks," will also pose a challenge for the Pakistan Army.

The 120-page report, titled "Mapping the Global Future," aims at preparing the US administration for future challenges by tracing key trends that may influence world events. It is presented to the US president, members of Congress, cabinet members and key officials involved in policymaking.

Discussing the nuclear ambitions of India and Pakistan, the report observes that "despite the lack of a clear military doctrine in either India or Pakistan, the nuclear rivalry between the two countries has settled into an uneasy deterrence".

The CIA report points out that globally, India still "registers only in the context of blocking nuclear disarmament initiatives, grappling with Kashmir, or contending with Pakistan," which frustrates the Indian leadership.

"Because of the nuclear arsenal of China and the nuclear potential of Pakistan," the report says, India will continue its commitment to its nuclear programme.

Opinion

Editorial

Trump rebuked
Updated 06 Jun, 2026

Trump rebuked

OBSERVERS across the world have long questioned the utility of Donald Trump’s now three-month-old war on Iran. But...
Hostile water motives
06 Jun, 2026

Hostile water motives

INDIA’S latest move to advance the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel Project and its plan to flush silt from the Salal Dam...
Polio progress
06 Jun, 2026

Polio progress

PAKISTAN’S latest sub-national polio campaign offers encouraging evidence that the country can still push back...
Environment deficit
Updated 05 Jun, 2026

Environment deficit

Pakistan knows all too well the consequences of environmental neglect.
Rights concerns
05 Jun, 2026

Rights concerns

TWO recent news reports have highlighted foreign concerns about the state of human and labour rights in the country....
Patient care crisis
05 Jun, 2026

Patient care crisis

HEALTHCARE in Pakistan is a footnote. Claims by successive governments to introduce vast reforms with huge schemes...