|
In Brief
POLITICS
Torkham border crossing set to reopen
On 14 September, The Express Tribune stated that, as per information from Asmat Ullah Yaqub, the person in charge of Torkham border affairs, the Torkham border crossing will resume regular operations on 15 September. He stated: “At eight o'clock tomorrow, the gate will be open as usual for transit and passengers.” The border was shut down after Pakistan accused Afghanistan of constructing a new structure on its territory, leading to clashes between their security forces. The closure stranded hundreds of trucks and travellers at the border. Afghanistan relies on a transit trade agreement with Pakistan for international trade due to its landlocked status. Pakistan reportedly conditioned the reopening on the withdrawal of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants from Chitral district, and reports suggest the TTP has withdrawn from the border areas. The Foreign Office described the closure as temporary, hinting at upcoming developments. (Shahabullah Yousafzai, “Torkam border set to reopen on Friday,” The Express Tribune, 14 September 2023)
PPP voices concerns over election preparations and cabinet composition
On 14 September, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership voiced several concerns and accusations during a meeting of its Central Executive Committee (CEC). These included the inclusion of pro-PML-N individuals in the caretaker cabinet, a ban on development projects in Sindh by the election watchdog, and the election schedule uncertainty. The PPP urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct general elections promptly. PPP Information Secretary Shazia Marri stated that “efforts should be made not to violate other constitutional provisions for the sake of one.” The party called for a level playing field and questioned President Alvi's authority to set an election date.
Furthermore, Marri alleged that the caretaker government was displaying signs of favouritism by trying to push PPP into a corner, while simultaneously accusing President Alfi of playing a dual role with reference to his letter to the ECP. Stating that he was trying “to create confusion on the election has been made,” the PPP has called on party leaders for a mass contact campaign. (Amjad Mahmood, “Wary of ‘bias’, PPP urges polls at earliest,” Dawn, 15 September 2023; “PPP says being pushed against the wall,” The Express Tribune, 14 September 2023; Faizan Bangash, “Conduct delimitations but hold elections on time: PPP CEC,” The News International, 15 September 2023)
Caretaker PM directs fast-tracking of PIA privatisation
On 14 September, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar instructed the caretaker Minister for Privatisation Fawad Hasan Fawad to accelerate the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The move comes as PIA faces financial difficulties, including reports of unpaid employee salaries for August. While the Aviation Division has requested a PKR 23 billion bailout package, the Ministry of Finance has denied plans for financial assistance to PIA. In an interview, Prime Minister Kakar emphasized the importance of transparent elections and discussed various political and security challenges facing Pakistan. (“Interim PM Kakar wants privatisation of PIA on fast-track basis,” The News International, 15 September 2023)
EXTERNAL
US diplomat terms TTP as “biggest threat”
On 12 September, US special representative Tom West, termed the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as the greatest threat to regional stability. While addressing a seminar at Stimson Center, he stated that Taliban rulers have degraded the significance of Islamic State (IS) faction. He apprised Doha agreement made the US troops to withdraw from Afghanistan as the relevance of the region is no longer appreciated. Referring, Former US diplomat Dave Smith's statement about Pakistan being viewed in a different perspective according to the US in the last two years, He said Pakistan is ‘helping’ the US achieve its goals in Afghanistan. Elucidating the link between the Afghan Taliban and the banned TTP, the US official said, “As they were pushed across the border, the TTP became allies of the Taliban. They were financial supporters, logistical supporters, operational allies as well. So, I think the ties between them are quite tight.” (Anwar Iqbal,“ US diplomat terms TTP ‘greatest threat’ to regional stability,” Dawn, 15 September 2023)
Chinese firm about to initiate electric vehicle plant in Pakistan
On 14 September, a Chinese electric car manufacturing company announced its vehicle plant and brandnew showrooms in the major cities of Pakistan. The announcement was made by a delegation of Xinjiang Jingyi Chen Group, led by its assistant chairman GU Xongquan, during a meeting with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Vice President Amin Ullah Baig. Mr. Gu stated that investing in Pakistan was their long-term business plan. He also said that, this initiative emphasises the innovation and progression of automobiles with concurrent technology and assimilation of resources. (Kalbe Ali, “Chinese firm to establish electric vehicle plant in Pakistan,” Dawn, 15 September 2023)
Pakistan and Afghanistan considered to have collaboration to combat terrorism
On 15 September, the participants of the second Pakistan-Afghanistan Civil Society Conference on Exploring Approaches for Regional Peace and Stability discussed the need for a joint strategy to counter terrorist organisations. The participants at the conference initiated by Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) addressed the importance of threats posed by Al-Qaeda, TTP and IS. They even acknowledged the recent tensions in the chitral region and urged the authorities to have diplomatic engagement to resolve issues. ( “Pakistan, Afghanistan discuss collaboration to combat terrorism,” Dawn, 15 September 2023)
SECURITY
Leader of JUI-F survived bomb attack
On 14 September, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Hafiz Hamdullah survived a bomb attack. The incident happened when he was travelling from Quetta to Kalat. The officials are yet to confirm the cause, however with the explosives they believe that the incident might be mitigated by suicidal bombing. None of the organization has taken responsibility for the incident. The bombing was highly opposed by the interim government and Prime Minister Kakar termed the attack cowardly and strongly condemned it. ( “JUI-F Leader Hafiz Hamdullah Survives Bomb Attack In Mastung,” The Friday Times, 15 September 2023)
|
