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In Brief
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2023
PR Exclusive Update 07
President holds meeting with Law Minister about the elections
On 11 September, President Arif Alvi met the Law Minister Ahmed Irfan Aslam for the second time and discussed the election process. In his remarks, he said that consultative measures will espouse good democracy in the country. The Ministry of Law apprised that the announcement of the poll date is the top priority of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). In August, in his letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the president quoted Article 244 of the Constitution, saying he was duty-bound to get the elections conducted in 90 days. The CEC had responded to the president, saying that participating in a confab with him to decide the election date would be of “scant importance”. In the meantime, the president sought the law ministry’s advice on the election process.
A senior official at the President’s House said the president had not explicitly intended to announce the poll date. However, the Ministry of Law said only ECP has the authority to disclose the election date. The letter penned by PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub said “Under Article 48(5) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 when the President dissolves the National Assembly, he is to appoint a date not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution for the holding of general elections to the Assembly,”. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, in an interview apprised, according to the law passed in the parliament, the election supervisor will have the authority to announce the date for the forthcoming election. He also stated, “We have no intention to prolong the tenure of the caretaker government”. ( “Polls date to be decided by ECP: Interim PM,” The Express Tribune, 12 September 2023; Syed Irfan Raza, “Ministry adamant poll date not in Alvi’s purview,” Dawn, 12 September 2023, “Crisis brews as Alvi holds ‘poll date’ meeting,” The News International, 12 September 2023)
EXTERNAL
“We expect the Afghan interim authorities to be mindful of Pakistan’s concerns,” states FO spokesperson
On 11 September, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated: “We expect the Afghan interim authorities to be mindful of Pakistan’s concerns, respect the territorial integrity of Pakistan and ensure that the Afghan territory is not used as a launching pad for terrorist attacks against Pakistan.” This is following the sixth day of the Torkham border’s closure. She went on to highlight that though Pakistan would continue facilitating trade with Afghanistan, it would not condone the illegal construction of structures and indiscriminate firing. Baloch stated that “Pakistan has continued to exercise restraint and prioritise dialogue,” and is ready “to resolve all bilateral issues and concerns through constructive dialogue.”
Although Afghanistan is yet to respond, it issued a statement last week, saying that the border closure and firing led by Pakistani troops was “contrary to good neighbourliness.” The statement also expressed concerns over the economic implications of this closure, as the halting of truck movement could “adversely affect bilateral and regional trade, and cause trade and financial losses to common mercantile class on both sides.” It also blamed Pakistan for creating “hindrances at Karachi port” which “harms bilateral trade” and thus causes “impediments and delays for regional trade and transit.” (Iftikhar A Khan & Ibrahim Shinwari, “Kabul can’t build posts on Pakistani soil: FO,” Dawn, 12 September 2023; “Pakistan Accuses Afghan Forces Of 'Indiscriminate Firing' At Its Posts On Torkham,” The Friday Times¸ 11 September 2023)
Speculation of US Influence on Pakistan’s Elections addressed
On 11 September, Washington State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the US was neither trying to influence the outcome of Pakistan’s elections nor was it in favour of any party or candidate. This was in response to speculation after US Ambassador Donald Blome met Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja. Miller in his statement emphasised that “the United States does not take any position concerning the outcome of an election in Pakistan.” He further suggested that questions be directed to the embassy for “specific comments” on the meeting. (Anwar Iqbal, “US not trying to influence elections in Pakistan, says State Dept,” Dawn, 12 September 2023)
POLITICS
PTI is not proscribed from contesting elections
On 11 September, Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar apprised PTI party that they have not been barred from taking part in the forthcoming elections. While talking about the 9 May incident, he said that “the accused involved in the incident would be dealt with according to the law of the land,”. During the meeting with the Christian minority group, he assured full protection of their rights and security. Kakar’s chief spokesman and Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said that the caretaker government was committed to fostering positive relationships with all political parties. He said PTI was a duly registered political party and there was no restriction on its participation in the electoral process. (“PTI not barred from contesting polls, says PM Kakar”, Dawn, 12 September 2023)
Farmers sought compensation for the hike in sugar
On 11 September, the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) expressed its deep concern over the acquisition of sugar for PKR 140 per kg from mill owners by the Punjab government. PKI’s President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar commented on the statement of the caretaker chief minister about selling sugar at considerable rates at bazaars by saying, ‘If the sugar millers are allowed to sell the product at a much higher price, then the farmers should receive compensation of 40 per cent hike in sugarcane export’. He also apprised, that although the minimum price of sugarcane was PKR 300 per 40 Kg for the previous yield, the government had estimated the retail price at PKR 98.82 per Kg for the present market. Despite the change in prices, he said that he was surprised to see that the Punjab government allowed sugar mill owners to increase the commodity price by over 40 per cent in an unreasonable step. (“Farmers seek ‘compensation’ if sugar procured at Rs140kg,” Dawn, 12 September 2023)
President approves amendment to Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Bill
On 11 September, President Dr Arif Alvi gave his approbation to “the Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding (Amendment) Bill, 2023.” The objective of the amendment bill is to enhance the Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 1977, by curbing the prices of essential commodities. The bill is said to have been passed a month ago in the parliament, however, it was ratified by the President under Article 75 of the constitution. (Naveed Butt, “Price control, hoarding: President gives his assent to the bill” Business Recorder, 12 September 2023)
ECONOMY
SIFC calls for five- year water resource plan to boost agricultural exports
On 12 September, the Business Recorder reported that the Ministry of Water Resources is to draw up a five-year plan for water resource development, based on directions from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The plan, which is to be drafted after consulting with the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, will focus particularly on the agricultural sector, which is the biggest contributor to the national GDP. Seeds, machinery, and the indigenous development of the pivot system will be areas of focus, along with wastewater management. The major aim of the SIFC is to increase the percentage of seeds exported by Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and China. (Mushtaq Ghumman, “Water resource boost: SIFC directs ministry to map out 5-year plan,” Business Recorder, 12 September 2023)
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