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In Brief
POLITICS
Supreme Court debates retrospective amendments to NAB law
On 06 September, the Supreme Court reserved its verdict on a petition challenging change to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law, with Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial stating that something “short and sweet” would be released soon. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah questioned why, when the petition aimed for “across-the-board accountability,” serving army officers' corrupt practices were excluded from NAB's jurisdiction. He referred to the 2001 Khan Asfandyar Wali case, stating that army officers have their own system of accountability under the Pakistan Army Act. Senior counsel Khawaja Haris Ahmed clarified that the petitioner had not challenged Section 5(m) of the NAB Ordinance, which shields officers under the Pakistan Army Act. During the hearing, Justice Shah asked if parliament could amend laws retrospectively and emphasized, “if we can't say anything against the parliament in this regard, then we have to live with it.” (Nasir Iqbal, “SC mulls parliament’s power of retrospective law making,” Dawn, 06 September 2023)
PTI President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi re-arrested amid legal controversy
On 06 September, PTI President and former Chief Minister of Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, was re-arrested, this time in a terrorism, theft, and dacoity case, following a prior release that had led to legal disputes. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had suspended his detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, leading to his re-arrest. Amid these events, the Capital Police made official statements on their actions. They initially stated, he had “been sent on the order of the court,” followed by a second post claiming, “CTD police station arrested Parvez Elahi in a case No 3/23.”
Elahi's lawyer argued before the IHC that his client had been in police custody since 1 June despite no evidence supporting the allegations. The Lahore High Court (LHC) had explicitly ordered that Elahi “shall not be arrested... nor shall be detained under any law relating to preventive detention.” The IHC suspended Elahi's detention order, noting that it was passed without lawful authority and in violation of the LHC’s order. They ordered his appearance in court on 12 September. The LHC also issued show-cause notices to police officials and ordered Elahi's production in court. (Malik Asad & Munaweer Azeem, “Elahi arrested even after IHC suspends detention,” Dawn, 06 September 2023; Ag PPI, “Pervaiz Elahi released only to be rearrested,” The News International, 06 September 2023)
COAS on revival of Pakistan’s Economy
On 06 September, General Asim Munir Ahmed, the chief of army staff and a member of the Special Investment Facilitation Council's (SIFC) top committee, gave the business community the assurance that every effort would be made to ensure dollar rates in open and interbank markets are transparent, as well as to bring money exchanges under taxation, stop smuggling at the borders with Iran and Afghanistan, and improve tax collection. The COAS also described how the SIFC helped Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and other nations attract investments totaling up to $100 billion. He said that $100 billion in investments across many sectors will strengthen Pakistan's economy. ( Khalid Hasnain, “Analysis: COAS’ consultations reveal ‘blueprint for revival’, Dawn, 06 September 2023)
ECONOMY
IMF doesn't forbid targeted subsidies for the needy, according to PM Kakar
On 05 September, the caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar, was questioned about the interim government's relief requests to the Fund and their subsequent denial during an interview with Dawn News' English Spotlight show. He said that neither the government nor the International Monetary Fund (IMF) prohibited or limited targeted power subsidies for low-income socioeconomic strata, who typically consume 200 units of electricity. Additionally, PM Kakar gave the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) instructions to present a comprehensive strategy for restructuring Pakistan International Airlines as soon as possible. Probing ahead, to stop smuggling, the caretaker premier instructed the customs authorities to set up monitoring systems at unauthorized border crossings. While presiding over a thorough briefing by the commerce ministry, he gave these instructions and also made some recommendations to increase effectiveness for improved scanning and inspection of trade items. (Iftikhar A. Khan, “IMF doesn’t proscribe targeted subsidies for poor, says PM Kakar,” Dawn, 06 September 2023)
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2023
PR EXCLUSIVE UPDATE 07
MQM-P and GDA concur to make the next election "tough" for the PPP
On 05 September, the leaders of the two factions met and accused the PPP of establishing a rival system of governance in Sindh that was based on corruption, nepotism, and political prejudice. The MQM-P and GDA decided to keep up their newly acquired political understanding to give their shared competitor a hard time in the next elections while steadfastly adhering to their anti-PPP narrative. The MQM-P officials were also convinced that their alliance with the GDA would pave the way for the creation of a coalition government in Sindh during the next general elections. Growing discontent with the PPP may only result in a significant shift in the province if free and fair elections are held, according to the MQM-P leaders. (Imran Ayub, “MQM-P, GDA agree to give PPP ‘tough time’ in next elections,” Dawn, 06 September 2023)
PPP adjusts its position regarding polls within 90 days
On 05 September, as it called for elections to be held "according to the Constitution," without mentioning the three-month timeframe, the PPP seemed to break from its staunch position of having general elections within 90 days for the first time. Senior PPP members Sherry Rehman, Nisar Khuhro, and Nayyar Bukhari reiterated the demand, even suggesting that if the ECP did not fulfill the constitutional deadline, there would be "legal course" to follow. However, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari emphasized in talks with party leaders that the country's many problems could only be resolved by continuing the democratic process. (“PPP ‘adjusts’ position on polls within 90 days,” Dawn, 06 September 2023)
Syed Ehsan Shah absorbed the BNP-M into his party
On 05 September, Syed Ehsan Shah, the President of Pakistan National Party (PNP) merged his party with the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M). Mr. Shah also expressed confidence in Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the president of the BNP-M. He declared that in order to protect the rights of the Baloch people, it was time for all Baloch nationalists to come together behind a single cause. The BNP-M leader welcomed Mr. Shah into his organization and invited other nationalist parties to participate in a joint struggle. (Saleem Shahid, “Ehsan Shah merges party with BNP-M,” Dawn, 06 September 2023)
Pakistan occupied Kashmir
Protest against the inflated bills
On 05 September, in protest of the rise in electricity costs and the lack of flour at official pricing, there was a wheel jam strike and shutter down. Seven districts of PoK, including Kotli, went on protest against high electricity costs and taxes. In numerous towns throughout PoK, thousands of protesters held sit-ins and protest rallies. In the whole state, all major and small routes are still closed. The people criticized the government and threatened to keep up the demonstration until their demands were met. Seven districts, including Shaheed Chowk, saw protests by the Awami Action Committee. The strike was joined by all organizations, including Anjuman Tajran, transport companies, and attorneys. ( “Protests in AJK against inflated power bills,” The News International, 06 September 2023)
PROVINCES
Punjab: Punjab Government blames LHC stay orders
On 05 September, the Punjab government cited the Lahore High Court's stay orders, which prohibited supervision of the sugar supply chain and prevented the application of the sweetener's notified price, as one of the primary causes of the skyrocketing price of sugar. A discussion about sugar pricing was presided over by interim Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The food secretary said during the briefing that the collection of sugar mill records had been hampered by the Lahore High Court's stay orders. (Munawar Hasan, “Punjab govt blames sugar price hike on LHC stay orders,” The News International, 06 September 2023)
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