Photo : The Express Tribune
Photo : The Express Tribune
POLITICS
Government may no longer vie on JUI-F support for “controversial” amendment approval
On 28 September, the Dawn reported on the probable approval of its constitutional package which aims at extending the Chief justice's tenure at the parliament. It cites a recent interview with the Prime Minister's Adviser, Rana Sanaullah where he stated that the government will be able to achieve a two-thirds majority even without the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islami (JUI-F)'s support as the ruling party may secure 39 votes from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf members of the parliament. However, they would not proceed until they have received the JUI-F chief, Maulana Fazlur Rahman's consent. (Syed Irfan Raza, “Govt hopeful of Fazl’s support on ‘Constitutional Package’ ,” Dawn, 28 September 2024)
Following the guidelines of constitutional amendments “would avoid the arbitrariness, ugliness and disgrace of the recent Sunday night fiasco,” suggests an opinion in Dawn
On 28 September, in an opinion titled “Constitutional amendments” in Dawn, Parvez Hassan discussed the recent constitutional amendment bill which the ruling coalition introduced in the House without any prior notification. He questions the government’s legitimacy as it has been alleged for manipulating and rigging the elections and the establishment’s support to the ruling entity simply adds-on to the flawed process. He claims: “It has been widely alleged that the real objective of the constitutional package was to neutralise or safeguard against an upcoming ‘hostile’ leadership of the Supreme Court.” (Pervez Hassan, “Constitutional amendments,” Dawn, 28 September 2024)
The Supreme Court “cannot rewrite the Constitution on pretext of interpretation,” argues ECP petition
On 28 September, according to The News International Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to stay its 12 July order which grants the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) seats for minorities. The ECP claims that the SC’s verdict clashes with the ECP’s Election Act Amendment Bill 2024. In the SC’s 23 September detailed judgement in the reserved seats case for minorities deems has termed the PTI a “political party.” However, a day before, the ECP had filed petitions at the SC, seeking guidance on whether it should follow its amended law or the apex court’s judgements. The petition included the National Assembly Speaker’s argument, Ayaz Sadiq, who stated that court verdict had come at a time after the amendments were implemented to the 2017 Election law, on 1 March. In his letter he maintained that the court was “incapable of implementation” as its verdict went against the newly amended law. Referring to the SC’s 23 September order, the petition alleges that the court “deviated from [the] July 12 verdict,” where it had declared all 41 returning independent candidates of PTI as members of said party. The petition cites the constitution which allows independent lawmakers to declare their party affiliation within three daysas per Section 66 of the Election Act, however the “the Supreme Court granted them 15 days — a move which changed the words of the Constitution.” (“SC can’t rewrite Constitution in interpretation: ECP ,” The News International, 28 September 2024)
Government attempts at thwarting PTI protests
On 28 September, as an attempt to foil the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI)'s protests the Punjab government had deployed paramilitary forces and banned all public gatherings in Rawalpindi. On 27 September, the PTI's acting president in Punjab claimed that "peaceful public gatherings" would be held in a video message. He urged all supporters to join in as the previous rally in Lahore had been cleared by police men for extending the program beyond the assigned time period. ( Mohammad Asghar, Aamir Yasin & Mansoor Malik, “PTI gears up for protest in ‘garrisoned’ city today ,” Dawn, 28 September 2024)
Government appoints Lt Gen Muhammad Ali as 33rd defence secretary
On 27 September, Lt Gen Muhammad Ali was appointed as the 33rd defence secretary. As per a Establishment notification, he will take on his responsibility from 1 October. Currently functioning as the Quarter Master General, his contract is set to end in a few days where he will retire from active military service and will be re-employed on a renewed contract till 31 December 2026. Earlier, he served as the Army Strategic Forces Command after his three-star general promotion in late 2020. (Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Lt Gen Ali named as defence secretary ,” Dawn, 28 September 2024)
ECONOMY
Improvement in SBP reserves, as it receives its first IMF tranche
On 27 September, the State Bank of Pakistan announced that it received its first tranche of USD 1.03 billion or special drawing rights of 760 million from the International Monetary Fund, a part of its recently approved Extended Fund Facility. This funding shall boost the country’s foreign exchange reserve to USD 10 billion, which was earlier at USD 9.53 billion. Among the many conditions imposed by the IMF, the country had to secure support from UAE, China and Saudi Arabia. He said: “I won’t go into the specifics, but UAE, China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia all provided significant financing assurances joined up in this programme.” Speaking about Pakistan’s economy, he said that Pakistan has shown a “remarkable” economic improvement with its inflation levels going down, astable exchange rate and foreign reserves. Commenting on her meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated that it was a “very productive.” In a post on X, she said: “We discussed Pakistan’s new Fund-supported program helping ongoing recovery, disinflation, increased tax fairness, and reforms to create new jobs and inclusive growth.”
“Continuing with the status quo would only see Pakistan continue its decline in living standards and face rising external pressure and growing tensions over the distribution of shrinking rent,” suggests an opinion in Dawn
On 28 September, in an opinion titled “Revitalising Pakistan’s economy ,” Nathan Porter, discusses the trajectory for Pakistan, from its current economic stability. He observes how stability in the past has been followed by a “loosening of economic policy in an effort to stimulate faster growth, but without tackling deep-seated structural weaknesses, growth quickly stalled.” In his opinion, every episode has led Pakistan to become weaker and more indebted. In order to overcome this cycle, the authorities have to recognise how this pattern can be broken by fostering structural reforms along with sound macroeconomic policies. Reflecting upon attempts by the preceding governments, he says how they sought faster growth “through heavy state intervention, subsidies, incentives, and concessions (including through Special Economic Zones) to support businesses,” compounded with protection via regulation and tariff barriers led to the decline in vestment, exports, sustainable growth and employment. Hence, he recommends reforms that focus on liberalising the economy, endorsing fair competition, reducing state- intervention, increasing social spending and reduce public borrowing. ( Nathan Porter, “Revitalising Pakistan’s economy ,” Dawn, 28 September 2024)
“The consolation is that the economy has attained liquidity and is out of the woods,” observes an editorial in The Express Tribune
On 27 September, an editorial titled “Deal comes through” in The Express Tribune discusses the current International Monetary Fund’s programme, a USD 7 billion bailout at a 5 per cent interest, secured by the government. Things have come full-circle for Pakistan as the funding has rescued the country on the brink of a economic collapse, despite the government’s unpopular decisions. The editorial claims that if it was not for the debt rollovers to the tune of USD 12 billion from China, Saudi Arabia and UAE and a USD 2 billion fund, the country would have not been able to secure the loan. On the other hand, there are claims that this will be the last IMF programme. It serves as a “litmus test” as Pakistan reforms it governance.
SECURITY
Violence continues in Kurram
On 28 September, about five more people were killed and 12 others were injured in clashes between tribal groups in Kurram. The dispute between the tribal groups, Boshera and Ahmadzai tribes is due to land disputes. So far, 91 people have sustained injuries and the violence has spread across Piwar, Teri Mangal, Sadda, Balishkhel, Khar Killay, Sangina, and Chamkani.Heavy weapons like rockets, and mortars have been employed and schools and bazaars have been closed. Separately, Mir Afzal Khan Turi urged all tribes to sit together” and resolve issues “through negotiation” instead of engaging in violence. The Deputy Commissioner, Kurram, Javedullah Mehsud stated that the district authorities and local elders are working to end the conflict, He said: “We will make another push for a ceasefire today.”
Earlier, on 27 September, Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif announced that measures were being taken to resolve tribal disputes in Kurram. In his speech he maintained that this issue between rivaling groups shall not be termed as terrorism or sectarianism as ceasefire had been put into effect through the efforts of the tribal elders and police. Speaking about the recent attack on a diplomatic convoy in Swat, he said that the government "was issuing statements to hide its negligence.” Though none of the officials were harmed in the attack, he mentioned that the CM had constituted a committee to investigate the attack caused by the detonation of an improvised explosive device which led to the demise of a policeman as he escorted the convoy. He added: “Action would be taken against the negligent cops in the light of the findings of the committee.” (“‘KP govt taking steps to resolve Kurram dispute’ ,” The News International, 28 September 2024; “Five more killed in Kurram clashes,” The News International, 28 September 2024)
HEALTH
23rd polio case detected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
On 28 September, an article in Dawn reported that the recent polio case detected in Kohat has brought the number of polio cases up by 23. According to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication of the National Institute of Health (NIH), the virus was detected in a 10-month old child who has become paralysed by it. A polio expert who wished to be in anonymity said: “The current immunity gap at present is huge and widespread as depicted by 23 cases and 336 environmental sample (ES) detections this year so far and many more are likely to follow in the next quarter.” He emphasised the need for parents to fulfil their responsibility to their children by ensuring that they receive oral polio vaccine on a routine basis. Commenting on the issue, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq lay emphasis on protecting children and ensuring that they have been administered multiple does of polio vaccine so that they complete routine immunisation. (“Tally rises to 23 as another polio case surfaces in KP ,” Dawn, 28 September 2024)
MEDIA
X will return after compliance issues are resolved, says Information Minister
On 28 September, reporting on a VOA interview of Information Minister Attaullah Tarar referred to the restoration of the banned social media platform X. According to the minister: “If some compliance issues can be improved, if we can sit down and talk to X, if they come closer to our terms and we move closer to their position, a mechanism can be devised to take things forward and solve the issue in an amicable manner.” During the interview he alleged that the platform was being utilized by the “separatists and terrorists” such as the Balochistan Liberation Army. He stated that these entities were using the platform against the interests of Pakistan, endorsing anti-state “activities.” He expressed the need for a Digital Rights Protection Authority type of institution to be constituted and even mentioned that a draft for this purpose had been taken up by the federation’s cabinet. (“Tarar says X can return if compliance issues are resolved ,” Dawn, 28 September 2024)
“Polarisation is undermining the legitimacy of these organisations, and the worst part is that this process of de-legitimisation has already delivered tangible results,” suggests an opinion in Dawn
On 28 September an opinion titled “Polarisation erodes legitimacy of ‘factual journalism’,”in Dawn, Fabrice Fries links how polarisation is a threat to the journalism profession. The author claims that as a result of polarisation anything published, of factual nature will be used to discredit journalists in the near future. He claims that this sort of journalism has been stigmatised. Organisations are also under pressure to pick sides as neutrality has been perceived to be synonymous to “complicity with the establishment.” As a result, this undermines the legitimacy of such organisations. The author goes on to highlight the current challenges faced by the media, including “the declining trust in the media; the increasing job cuts, or the impact of AI transforming search engines into answer engines” and the spread of misinformation. He observes how any event is not treated in isolation but has a conspiracy theory behind it, and how “destabilisation campaigns” have become so common. Consequently, journalism organisations are busy debunking news rather than reporting on new matters and no reaction from the public against misinformation leaves journalists feeling “lonely and powerless.” ( Fabrice Fries, “Polarisation erodes legitimacy of ‘factual journalism’ ,” Dawn, 28 September 2024)
PAK-CHINA
25 Chinese firms sign MoU in key sectors
On 27 September, 25 Chinese companies have signed Memorandums of Understanding with Pakistani companies in the textile technology, agriculture and livestock sectors at the ‘Business Roundtable Conference’ held at Pakistan Embassy in Beijing. These investment companies specialise in the areas of agriculture, automobile, electrical alliances, pharmaceuticals, logistics, medical equipment and technology. Speaking at the event, Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan expressed that investment climate in Pakistan is favourable and it shall welcome the government to shift their industries to the country. He said: “Pakistan has the second largest reserves of coal and the seventh largest reserves of copper, while we can become a centre of business activities in the region by improving the agriculture and livestock sectors.” (Amin Ahmed, “Chinese firms sign pacts for investment ,” Dawn, 28 September 2024)
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