FAFEN highlights non-compliance of ministries to RTI I Government to adopt new Special Economic Zones plan
In Brief
POLITICS
PPP raises complaints and reservations with the government
On 8 January, The News International reported on the ongoing discussions between coalition partners, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League -N (PML-N) to settle their disagreements and concerns. A meeting was held between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. At the meeting, the PPP expressed dissatisfaction as the party was not consulted while deciding upon key issues by the government. It also put across its “complaints and reservations” with the government. In this regard, the PPP Chairman stated that the formal agreement inked by both parties must be enacted. Furthermore, the government again offered PPP to be a part of the federal cabinet, however, Bilawal Bhutto has dismissed the offer. (“Policy, power-sharing: Dar meets Zardari to address PPP concerns,” The News International, 8 January 2025)
FAFEN highlights non-compliance of ministries to RTI
On 8 January, according to The News International, a Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) report highlighted the on non-compliance of federal ministries and their units with the Right of Access to Information Act (RTI.) The assessment conducted in April-June 2024 revealed that 33 state-run remain non-compliant with RTI. Additionally, more than 33 per cent of the ministries are yet to respond “information requests.” The report links this among the major reasons behind the increased circulation of misinformation and disinformation. In this regard, it has called for proactive disclosure of information to reduce dependency on bureaucratic measures aimed at controlling the circulation. FAFEN has stated that 33 websites that are being run by federal ministries still remain non-compliant with RTI. More than 33 per cent of the ministries remained silent and did not provide a response to “information requests”. The compliance rate of 31 to 41 per cent was seen in just 15 ministerial divisions. (Asim Yasin, “No division under 33 ministries fully complies with RTI Act: Fafen,” The News International, 8 January 2025)
JUDICIARY
SC reiterates the constitutional division of power between the executive and the judiciary
On 7 January, the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court (SC) took up petitions filed against the trial of civilians in the military courts. Advocate Khwaja Haris appeared before the SC as the defense ministry’s counsel. He claimed that the apex court had in the past allowed civilians to be court-martialled at military court. Hearing the case, Justice Mandokhil asked if the claimant and the appellant of the case were present. To this, Haris responded that the appeal was filed by the Defence Ministry. Hence, Mandokhail inquired: “Is the Ministry of Defense an executive institution? If there is a crime against the executive, will it become a judge and decide?” He further emphasized the division of power outlined in the constitution and that the executive is not authorized to take over the judiciary’s role. This development comes as about 85 people linked to the 9 May events were recently sent to jail by the military court. (Umer Mehtab, “Executive cannot play the role of judiciary: Justice Mandokhail,” Dawn, 7 January 2025)
ECONOMY
Government to adopt new SEZ plan
On 7 January, during a Board of Investment’s (BoI) Approval Committee meeting, the government resolved to attract investment and streamline operations in Special Economic Zones via an 18-point plan of action. The plan highlights the need to resolve pending issues and update facilities to international standards. In the presence of provincial representatives, the Approval Committee gave the green light to a new Land Lease Policy and even amended the SEZ Act’s meeting notice periods from 21 days to seven days. Additionally, a survey of 35 SEZs has been approved to enable data-driven actions linked to management and development. Besides, it also unscored inter-provincial collaboration to enable SEZs to unveil their true potential. (Israr Khan, “Govt unveils plan to boost SEZs,” The News International, 8 January 2025)
Government firm on implementing IMF’s demand of rightsizing
On 7 January, while addressing a news conference, Finance Minister Muhammad stated that rightsizing is a structural benchmark of the International Monetary Fund and that it would be completed before 30 June. He apprised that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had constituted a committee to oversee the rightsizing process of 42 ministries. In this regard, during the past six months, the committee identified about 60 per cent of the vacant positions to be abolished. However, he was unsure as to how the removal of 150,000 posts would have a financial impact. The current budget allocation is at PKR 876 billion, and if the future estimate was not projected to be lower, then this attempt would be considered a failure. He further highlighted another requirement of the IMF, which is the transfer of public funds held in commercial banks back into the single treasury account. This will help the government compound its funds spread across various commercial bank accounts and borrow them when required. Additionally, the government will also alter the Civil Service Act to dismiss civil servants and integrate ministries. Besides, it is hoping to reduce its spending of PKR 880 billion allocated to various ministries and their departments annually. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Rightsizing is an IMF structural benchmark, says finance minister,” Dawn, 8 January 2025; Mehtab Haider, “To reduce expenditure on IMF demand: Govt abolishes 150,000 vacant posts,” The News International, 8 January 2025; )
PM Sharif on IMF, IPPs, and UAE debt rollover
On 7 January, during a cabinet meeting presided over by PM Sharif stated that tariff rates on electricity have to be reduced for economic growth, and the same will be discussed with the international lender. He stated that two to three options are being explored by the center and the provinces to reduce the tariff prices. The first option is to negotiate with independent power producers (IPPs) to transfer benefits to the public. They will be derived from a tariff revision with bagasse-based power plants would help yield an annual saving of PKR 8.83 billion. Furthermore, ending or revising agreements with 16 IPPs would also help the government secure a PKR 481 billion saving. Additionally, the PM informed the meeting that the UAE has agreed to a USD 2 billion payment rollover of debt maturing in January. (Muhammad Anis, “UAE to roll over $2bn debt: IMF to be approached for cut in power tariff, says PM,” The News International, 8 January 2025)
On Pakistan’s fiscal challenges: “Pakistan navigates one of its severest economic crises, marked by heightened borrowings,” highlights a Dawn editorial
On 8 January, an editorial titled “Debt burden” in Dawn discussed that despite the government’s fresh accrual of debt the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) report shows progress in debt retirement. The editorial discussed that while it is a step forward, given Pakistan’s context, it doesn’t mean that the government can consistently pay off its debt. It suggested that the government ought to adopt fiscal and structural reforms that ensure guaranteed and sustainable growth. Data from the SBP’s report highlighted that the borrowings and debt repayments of federal and provincial governments from the scheduled banks have declined to around PKR 2 trillion. It is a modest reduction as the borrowings in the same period during the previous year were at PKR 2.89 trillion. The reduction comes as the government settled a repayment of PKR 1.575 trillion to the banks. In this regard, the editorial observed that the trajectory of debt would largely depend on the Revenue Board’s performance and the allocation of expenditure. Nevertheless country will be able to benefit from a minimized reliance on short-term debt, a “continuous” fiscal consolidation, a broadening of the tax base, and a retrenching of loss-making state entities. (“Debt burden,” Dawn, 8 January 2025)
SOCIETY
Enforced disappearances commission reports 379 missing in 2024
On 7 January, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIOED) received 379 missing persons cases in 2024. The commission was constituted to help find missing individuals and hold those entities that enabled it accountable. The commission’s report revealed that about 10,467 cases were registered with them. Of that, 8,216 cases were settled, 6,599 missing people were traced, and 4,613 were returned home. However, 2,251 cases were still pending. Additionally, 1,011 are held in internment centers, 687 people are imprisoned and 288 people have been found dead. ( Abdullah Momand, “Missing persons commission logs 379 new cases in 2024,” Dawn, 7 January 2024)
Women to require permission from parents/spouse for Haj, says Religious Affairs Ministry
On 7 January, a statement from the Religious Affairs Ministry outlined that women must be granted permission from their parents or husbands to perform Haj. This comes as the 2025 Haj Policy document of Pakistan has permitted women to travel to Saudi alone. However, they will be subjected to certain conditions set by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). The document further stated: “She will have a group of reliable female pilgrims and there is no threat to her dignity.” (Nadir Gurmani, “Women require spousal, parental consent for Haj, says religious affairs ministry,” Dawn, 7 January 2025)
On protests in Gilgit Baltistan against power outages: “when state refuses to listen, people take to streets and disrupt life” comments a Dawn editorial
On 8 January, an editorial in Dawn titled “GB power crisis” discussed the ongoing demonstrations against long power blackouts in Gilgit Baltistan. The editorial mentioned that the region has been witnessing power blackouts for more than 22 hours. In this regard, protesters have choked the Karakoram Highway which has impacted Pakistan’s trade with China. It further highlighted the adverse impact of long power blackouts on “online businesses and students.” The editorial suggested that the federal government must look into the root causes that have compelled the people of GB to come out to protest every now and often. It also observed how infrastructure and difficult terrain have led to the failure of ensuring uninterrupted power supply in the region. Hence, it suggested that the government must look into tapping wind and solar energy to make sure that there are no power outages in the region.(“GB power crisis,” Dawn, 8 January 2025)
SECURITY
19 terrorists neutralized in three separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
On 8 January, The News International reported that security forces carried out an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in Matani, Peshawar. As per the release of Inter-Services Public Relations(ISPR), eight militants were neutralized. A separate IBO was carried out in Baizai, Mohmand district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Security forces managed to kill eight terrorists in the operation. In another operation in Karak, Kohat division of KP, three terrorists were neutralized by the security forces. Security forces are resolute in their aim of clearing out militants from the area. In the operations, three security officers also lost their lives. (“19 terrorists killed, three troops martyred in KP,” The News International, 8 January 2025)
On the peace accord signed in Kurram: “The recent agreement is akin to a tinderbox-ready to ignite at slightest provocation” comments The News International editorial
On 8 January, an editorial in The News International discussed the frangibility of the recent peace accord signed in Kurram between the rival parties. The editorial highlights how, despite the signing of the peace agreement on 1 January, the violence in the region has not come to an end. The peace accord consisted of “14 points” which aimed at bringing normalcy to the region. Two of the key points of the peace agreement were de-weaponizing the region and destroying all the bunkers. The latest violent attack took place just five days after the signing of the peace agreement in which Deputy Commissioner of Kurram Javedullah Mehsud, who has been at the forefront of the peace efforts. The editorial argued that the problem in Kurram is not just because of the Shia-Sunni divide. It criticized the past governments for not fixing the primary causes of the problem. The editorial also highlighted the KP government’s delayed response in addressing the “humanitarian crisis” owing to the road blockage. The KP government took the issue seriously after it came under heavy condemnation at the All-Parties Conference, which was held in December 2024. Hence, it called upon concerned authorities to look into the primary causes behind such violence. Instead of the use of force or weak peace accords, consistent efforts must be made to reduce sectarian tension, and the government must make sure that the law and order situation is not compromised. (“Tinderbox truce,” The News International, 8 January 2025)
|
PTI is an anti-national party, negotiations are held with a political party
Abid Sher Ali
- PMLN Digital
The government is firm on its stand, there is no deal or compromise
Barrister Aqeel Malik
- PMLN Digital
Negotiations cannot proceed until Imran Khan meets
Ali Zafar
- PTI
|
|
|
|
"Bapsi Sidhwa was generous, and a great believer in encouraging the young."
- An opinion in Dawn, 'An icon & mentor.'
|
