Rabbani Demands Disclosure of Pakistan’s International Deals

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Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raza Rabbani demands the federal government reveal all international agreements, citing public unawareness of major deals.

On August 5, 2025, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, a senior leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and former Senate Chairman, urged the federal government to disclose all international agreements signed abroad. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, he criticized the lack of transparency, alleging that significant petroleum and mineral deals were only revealed to the public through social media posts by foreign leaders, such as a tweet from the US President. Rabbani emphasized that such secrecy undermines Pakistan’s sovereignty and public trust, demanding that the government present these agreements to Parliament for scrutiny.

Rabbani highlighted Pakistan’s history of entering international agreements, including trade and investment pacts like the 2006 Free Trade Agreement with China and the 2003 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with the United States, which he argued should be open to public and parliamentary review. He pointed to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), noting that its 51 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed in 2015 were not fully disclosed, raising concerns about accountability. He also referenced Pakistan’s role in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), questioning whether recent commitments align with national interests.

The PPP leader stressed that the National Assembly and Senate, as representatives of the people, must be informed of agreements impacting Pakistan’s economy and resources. He cited Article 19-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to information, arguing that withholding details of international deals violates this provision. Rabbani called for a parliamentary committee to review all existing and future agreements, ensuring they serve Pakistan’s strategic and economic goals.

This demand comes amid growing public concern over Pakistan’s economic challenges, with inflation dropping to 4.1% in December 2024 from 29.66% the previous year, yet poverty remains at 40%, according to the World Bank. Rabbani’s remarks reflect broader unease about the government’s handling of foreign investments, particularly as Pakistan secures a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan extension. His call for transparency underscores tensions between the ruling coalition and opposition, with the PPP leveraging its influence in Sindh and the Senate to push for accountability.