In Brief
POLITICS
Constitutional package to be approved by 25 October, reveals Bilawal Bhutto
On 10 September, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari revealed that the proposed constitutional package may be approved by 25 October. He further added that the timeline may not be a matter of concern for the PPP but it may be for the government. He claimed that the PPP was making an effort at securing consensus from all political parties, including the JUI-F. In his statement, he stated that both parties disagreed with the amendments proposed to Article 8 and 51 of the Constitution. These amendments seek to alter the provisions on military courts and reserved seats. He also spoke of establishing constitutional courts in provinces. He said: “Even if the issue of constitutional courts in the provinces is not settled today, I am sure it will happen one day.” (Asim Yasin, “Constitutional package may go through by 25th: Bilawal ,” The News International, 9 October 2024)
Cabinet Committee gives go-ahead to formation of independent body for power generation
On 9 October, The News International revealed that that during a cabinet committee meeting on Energy, chaired by the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the formation of an Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) to generate and purchase electricity was approved. An official statement from the PM’s media wing announced that the ISMO shall receive a final approval from the cabinet and it will be registered under the Companies Act 2017, with the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The establishment of the ISMO will no longer allow the government to be the sole-purchaser of electricity and will help transform the market to a multiplayer and independent one. It shall also help reduce the volume of circular debt and electricity rates. (Israr Khan Muhammad Anis, “Formation of independent body for power generation, purchase okayed ,” The News International, 10 October 2024)
Federal government aims at cost-reduction via merger of ministries
On 9 October, sources revealed to the Express Tribune that the federal government’s efforts at merging the Energy and Water Resources ministries are in its final stages, as a part of its cost-reduction initiative. The merger is expected to yield savings amounting to billions, as excess staff, transportation and operational costs will be brought down. Prior to this, the government had also announced its plans to dissolve the Islamabad Blood Transfusion Authority and the Human Organ Transplant Authority under the Health Ministry and merge them with the Islamabad Blood Transfusion Authority and the Human Organ Transplant Authority. A similar attempt was made regarding the dissolution of the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON). The ministry was merged into the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan. The administrative unit of SAFRON was also going to be dissolved with a special committee to be constituted to deal with the Jammu & Kashmir State Properties. (“Federal govt to merge two key ministries as part of cost-saving measures ,” The Express Tribune, 9 October 2024)
JUDICIARY
Proposed constitutional amendment will lead to two chief justice positions, reveals PBC Vice Chairman
On 9 October, the Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), Farooq H Naek informed that if the proposed constitutional court is set-up, Pakistan will have two chief justices. While one chief justice will preside over the federal constitutional court, the Supreme Court will be led by the other chief justice. The term of the next court’s chief justice will be for three years and the age limit has been set at 68 years. Separately, the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) have decided to revisit the constitutional amendment package. It has led to a political deadlock as the latter’s chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has alternatively proposed the constitution of a five-member constitutional bench in the Supreme Court instead of establishing a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). The JUI-F has proposed for the bench as it is aginst the implementation of person-specific legislations. A JUI-F official stated that both the party and the ruling coalition have engaged in deliberations, however, they have not finalized anything. This clarification comes as the government had hinted at having successfully persuaded the Rahman. (“'Pakistan to have two chief justices with establishment of constitutional court' ,” The Express Tribune, 9 October 2024)
ECONOMY
Finance Ministry issues clarification over media reports linking Karachi attack victims to IPP negotiations
On 9 October, a report on The Express Tribune revealed that the Finance Ministry has released a statement clarifying the link between Chinese nationals killed in the recent Karachi attack and them being part of IPP contract negotiationas. The notice emphasized that the media reports claiming that these engineers were involved in the talks with the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were false. The ministry stated that while negotiations with the IPPs were in the process, the slain Chinese engineers were employed by the power plant.
Separately, while speaking with reporters at the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that a probable formal agreement on re-profiling IPP debt of USD 15.4 billion may not be possible. Pakistan had sought for debt re-profiling by postponing the maturity period from 2036 to 2041in order to reduce electricity tarrifs by PKR 3.75 per unit. He said: “Pakistan and China may move towards a MoU for continuation of discussion for finalising details of Chinese IPPs debt re-profiling.” (“Slain Chinese engineers were not part of IPP talks: Finance Ministry ,” The Express Tribune, 9 October 2024; “3 killed in police-PTM jirga face-off ,” The News International, 10 October 2024)
Pakistan records 29 per cent increase in remittances
On 9 October, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan has recorded an annual growth of 29 per cent in remittances during September. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) revealed that USD 681.3 million came from Saudi Arabia, USD 560.3 million came from the United Arab Emirates, USD 423.6 million came from the United Kingdom, and USD 274.9 million came from the United States. The first quarter of the current fiscal recorded an inflow of USD 8.8 billion in remittances, signifying a 38.8 per cent growth, compared to the first quarter of the previous fiscal. To encourage remittance inflow, the central bank has announced increased incentives by threefold, to exchange companies from 1 October. (Asim Yasin, “Saudi Arabia leads as Pakistan sees 29% year-on-year growth in worker remittances for September ,” The Express Tribune, 9 October 2024)
SECURITY
Pakistan effectively responds to Afghan aggression at border
On 9 October, The Express Tribune reported that an incident of unprovoked firing on Pakistani check posts in Naushki-Ghazni sector was led by Afghan forces. Pakistani forces retaliated with force causing heavy losses to the Afghan side. The incident took place when Pakistani forces were engaged in repairing the fence. Reportedly, this has not been a one-off incident as last month there had been firing from the Plosin region of Afghanistan by Taliban forces on Pakistani posts. In response to that incident, Pakistani forces had managed to cause substantive damage by killing 16 and wounding 27 Taliban fighters and smashing two of their tanks. ( “Pakistan’ security forces give befitting reply to unprovoked Afghan aggression at border,” The Express Tribune, 9 October, 2024)
Security forces counters terrorist attempt to enter FC Zhob, PM Sharif expresses commitment to fight against Terrorism
On 10 October, Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR) revealed that two two terrorists who tried to enter a camp of Frontier Corps (FC) in Zhob, Baluchistan were killed One of the terrorists who is known by the name of Umari was previously involved in a number of attacks against the security forces and civilians and was reportedly a high-profile target. However, a soldier also lost his life in the cross-fire. In a separate operation, security forces managed to kill two Khwarij in an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in North Waziristan. The two Khwarij were involved in terrorist activities against security forces and civilians. PM Shehbaz Sharif recently met with the family of Lt Colonel Muahmmad Ali Shaukat who lost his life in North Waziristan while fighting terrorists. He offered condolences and respect for the martyrs and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to befittingly reply to the acts of the terrorists.(Shahbaz Ahmad, “2 Terrorists killed as attack on FC camp in Zhob foiled” The News International, 10 October, 2024)
PROVINCES
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 3 shot dead by police personnel in jirga face-off
On 9 October, in a video statement, the provincial government spokesman Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif announced that Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Ali Amin Gandapur had ordered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) members of provincial assembly (MPA) leaders to resolve tensions in the Khyber district. The Barrister stated that the CM was chairing a meeting when he was notified about the incident. The federal government announced a ban on the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) on 6 October. The PTI had also banned the KP government from participating in the Pashtoon Qaumi Jirga organized by the PTM.
Additionally, the Khyber Deputy Commissioner imposed Section 144 in the district for 30 days. This development comes as the PTM refused to comply with the government and assembled at the venue of their gathering. It was followed by PTM alleging that three of its supporters were gunned down by law enforcement personnel. They were reported firing tear gas shells and shots in the air to disperse the people. In a contrary report, the Awami National Party (ANP) MPA Nisar Baaz, claimed that while the people had assembled for the jirga, the KP government had directed the police to take action, resulting in the death of “three people and injuring over 10.” He also alleged that “The federal as well as provincial governments are run on the dictation of establishment.”
Separately, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over the violence that erupted in Khyber. In a tweet, the commission said: “We oppose any use of unwarranted and unlawful force against those protesters who are unarmed.” On the other hand, the treasury and opposition in the KP assembly decided to organize a joint committee to investigate the situation prevailing in the province. (Arif Hayat, “KP CM calls for peaceful resolution to Khyber tensions following violence ahead of PTM jirga ,” Dawn, 9 October 2024; “3 killed in police-PTM jirga face-off ,” The News International, 10 October 2024)
Balochistan: Election tribunal cancels a PPP candidate’s general election win
On 10 October, Dawn reported that the election tribunal of the Balochistan High Court declared the Pakistan People’s Party’s Mir Ubaidullah Gorgage’s win for the PB-44 (Quetta VII) constituency as null. The tribunal has ordered repealing across 16 stations in the constituency. This development comes as an election petition was moved by National Party candidate, Haji Atta Muhammad Balochzai, challenging the irregularities in the voting process. The petitioner claimed that Gorgage had secured 113 votes from the polling stations, however, fraudulent methods had led his vote count to increase by 6,437 votes, which contributed to his victory. Through a final ruling, the notification of Gorgage’s win was cancelled and the seat was declared vacant. (Saleem Shahid, “Balochistan tribunal nullifies PPP lawmaker’s victory ,” Dawn, 10 October 2024)
INDIA VIEW
Maryam suggests “Climate Diplomacy” with India to address the smog issue
On 9 October, while inaugurating Climate Leadership Internship Programme and country’s first Smog Hotline, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz opined that India and Pakistanshould work together to combat smog. In this regard, she stated “Smog affects both Pakistani and Indian Punjab alike. We must collaborate to address this issue collectively.” She further emphasized on the need to allocate 1 per cent of the development funds towards plantation for preserving the environment. She assured the students of future job guarantees who would complete their internships in areas of environment and forest department. She commended the efforts put in by senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and her team who are working towards tackling the problem of smog and bad air quality. She also spoke on tackling animal cruelty claiming that the Punjab Government deals matter on this issue very stringently citing the action taken against the person involved in cutting a leg of a donkey. Separately, she expressed her discontent with the protests held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which she sees as a threat to their efforts of bringing down the inflation in the country( “Maryam calls for Climate Diplomacy with India to tackle smog,” The News International, 10 October, 2024)
Muhammad calls urges India to put issues with Pakistan aside
On 10 October, The News International reported on the Bangladesh interim government’s Chief advisor Muhammad Yunus’s vision to see a revival of South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Yunus has argued that unlike the European Union (EU) countries, SAARC countries have not undergone a history of conflicts. He also advised India to put contentious issues with Pakistan aside while continuing to work in SAARC. He explicated that Bangladesh would multi-align and would work with both ASEAN and SAARC collectively. Similarly, he emphasized that Bangladesh must align with both India and China which are much bigger economies than Bangladesh so that the latter can benefit from trade with both the countries. When asked about Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, he apprised that it is not something which the interim government is looking into and that the case would take its natural course once the judicial reforms are brought in. ( “Yunus asks India to suspend issues with Pakistan to activate Saarc,” The News International, 10 October, 2024)
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No one is willing to give up on D Chowk
- PTI
Imran Khan uses the language of Gandapur as he wants.
Leader Pakistan Muslim League (N) Bilal Azhar Kayani
- PMLN Digital
"We are Pakistanis, we believe in the constitution and law. We want the country to have the supremacy of the constitution, an independent judiciary and a democratic parliament that is elected by the people's votes. This is not the agenda of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, but of the entire nation.
Leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Asad Qaiser
- PTI Islamabad
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"Pakistan needs to implement reforms that balance economic growth with climate resilience."
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Lopsided economic reforms'
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