Kakar described smuggling and illegal foreign currency trade as an ‘existential threat to Pakistan.’
In Brief
EXTERNAL
UK to transport Afghan refugees from Pakistan to Britain
On 10 October, Dawn reported on a development in the UK’s crackdown on illegal foreign nationals, stating that it has expedited the process of moving eligible Aghan asylum seekers out of Pakistan. Since 2022, 3000 Afghans (the majority of whom served in the British army) who were to be given residence in the UK, have been stuck in Pakistan. The UK agreed to charter flights only when they had arranged for housing in Britain; however, following the expiry of some of their visas and a raid in their hotel, the UK government is looking for accommodation on their behalf. While the UK government stated that it would “honour” their commitment to getting Afghans to the UK and “issuing new visas,” many Afghan nationals have been in Pakistan “for nearly two years,” describing their life as “very hard and tiring.” (“UK rushes to move asylum-eligible Afghans from Pakistan,” Dawn, 10 October 2023)
ECONOMY
World Bank suggest Pakistan to reduce the “tax-free” threshold
On 9 October, the World Bank advised Pakistan to halt all tax exemption and to generate revenue from agriculture, real estate and retail businesses that can lead to up to PKR 4 trillion in income in the short term. World Bank Pakistan’s Director Najy Benhassine and an economist Tobia Haque elaborated that the sectors of real estate and agriculture are the most untaxed groups, and the government should restructure their focus by improving every province's accountability in collecting taxes. This is the only way the government can improve services and curb financial strains faced by the centre. Haque reckons that both sectors can yield up to two per cent in revenue, where the expanded agriculture income tax. Additionally, they suggest that there needs to be an improved legal outline to tax the growing peri-urban settlements. The policy notes by the World Bank found that within the South Asian region, Pakistan has the lowest revenue collection while having the highest tax rate. Furthermore, the policy paper suggested that Pakistan should diversify the tax structure for salaried and non-salaried individuals based on a regularly updated database. (Khaleeq Kiani,“ World Bank urges Pakistan to eliminate tax exemptions,” Dawn, 10 October 2023)
World Banks warns against privatization plans
On 10 October, Business Recorder reported on the government's plans to privatize distribution companies like Discos. The policy report “Public Expenditure Review 2023” warned against the action plan for state-owned enterprises. The move might lead to private companies monopolizing in the absence of a competitive market and therefore, a stronger regulatory system for the SOEs is required. While the SOEs have the largest asset base, to incompetency of the administration and lack of accountability have led to its downfall. The report suggests a SOE’s law strengthening, a central monitoring unit for better financial performance. (Tahir Amin, “Privatising Discos to create private-sector monopolies, warns World Bank,” Business Recorder, 10 October 2023)
POLITICS
Former PTI member Sadaq Abassi inculpates Imran Khan for 9 May riots
On 10 October, The Express Tribune reported that former South Punjab President, Sadaq Ali Abbasi, in an interview with a private news channel, regarded Imran Khan as the culprit behind the 9 May riots. Abbasi, who was a part of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, highlighted how Khan’s confrontational relations with institutions and the army, not only led to the violence in May but also the disintegration of PTI. He went on to explain that the reason behind his resignation from the PTI was to free himself from the burden of the riots. Besides, Abbasi stated that he and other individuals were pressured into staging a rally that would disrupt Rawalpindi. (“Former PTI leader blames Imran for May 9 riots,” The Express Tribune, 10 October 2023)
27,000 smuggled Iranian oil vehicles enter Pakistan daily, says Kakar
On 9 October, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar disclosed that around 27,000 vehicles smuggling Iranian oil illegally enter Pakistan daily, facilitated by local officials accepting bribes. Kakar described smuggling and illegal foreign currency trade as an ‘existential threat to Pakistan.’ He credited the military for a crackdown on Iranian oil smuggling and emphasized the need to tax various sectors, including lawyers, doctors, media, and retailers. He also addressed the expansion of the Special Investment Facilitation Council's role and plans to address losses caused by power distribution companies. Kakar defended the repatriation of illegal Afghan immigrants and assured equal rights for all political parties in the upcoming elections, pledging neutrality and transparency. (Shahbaz Rana, “PM terms smuggling ‘existential threat’,” The Express Tribune, 10 October 2023)
PROVINCE
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Successful crackdown on smuggling
On 9 October, a performance report released by the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan highlighted the commendable suppression of smuggling activities in the last three weeks. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PKR 20 million worth of operations led to items such as foreign cloth, cigarettes, gold, and alcohol, amounting to PKR 140 million, being seized across the country. Meanwhile, in the Dera Ismail Khan area, items including China salt, black tea, and foreign oil were seized, which amounted to more than PKR 110 million. Both places have also seen legal action underway against those convicted. These operations were appreciated by Chief Collector Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Saeed Akram, who brought to light the department’s commitment towards prioritising the elimination of smuggling activities. (Abuzar Afridi, “ Smuggling goods worth Rs140m seized in K-P operations,” The Express Tribune, 9 October 2023)
SECURITY
Intelligence operation kills five terrorists and two soldiers in Balochistan
On 9 October, an intelligence-based operation in the Zhob district of Balochistan led to the death of five terrorists and two soldiers. The information was released through a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), and highlighted the army’s “resolve to uproot the menace of terrorism.” Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Interim Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti took to X to express their support to the army and the country’s commitment to “eliminate terrorism from Pakistan.” (Iftikhar Shirazi, “2 soldiers martyred, 5 terrorists killed in operation in Balochistan’s Zhob district: ISPR,” Dawn, 9 October 2023)
SOCIETY
Namira Salim, Pakistan’s first female astronaut
On 8 October, The News International reported that Pakistan’s first female astronaut Namira Salim completed her first space journey boarding from Virgin Galactic’s commercial flight. The flight took off from New Mexico with the Virgin Mother Ship piloted by Chief Astronaut Instructor Beth Moses. Namira expressed that her childhood dream to venture into space has finally come true. (Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada,“ Pakistan's first female astronaut Nimra Salim creates history,” The News International, 8 October 2023)
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“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leaders Saturday released video statements, under oath, denying claims that they were instructed by their Chairman Imran Khan to attack state institutions or military installations on May 9.”
– Nadir Hussain
“LAHORE: The investigation police re-arrested the prominent women activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), including Sanam Javed and Shah Bano, shortly after they were released from the Kot Lakhpat Jail here on Monday night.”
– Kashif Abbasi
“Navigating these complex and challenging times will require Pakistan to uphold democratic values, ensure transparency, and protect the rule of law.”
- Reem
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Sana Farrukh, ‘Grave violation’
Dawn, 10 October 2023
"The fact that torture does not work, while essential to note, should be our secondary concern. First and foremost, torture is a serious human rights violation — the Constitution of Pakistan, Islamic principles, and international law all declare an absolute prohibition on the practice."
Taha Sabri & Mariyam Sibghatullah, ‘Suicide decriminalisation’
Dawn, 10 October 2023
"Last year, suicide claimed around 20,000 lives in Pakistan, with over 200,000 people attempting it and two million thinking about it. Mental illnesses are already heavily stigmatised in Pakistani society. Seeking help is perceived as shameful and leads to social repercussions for patients and their family. Lack of implementation of the law adversely impacts thousands of patients affected by mental illness, preventing them from seeking help. The criminalisation of suicide makes the process of seeking mental health services even more difficult."
Editorial, ‘Smuggled goods’
Dawn, 10 October 2023
"Smuggling is the bane of the Pakistani economy. It especially has a debilitating impact on the revenue losses."
Dr Irfan Ahmed Rind, ‘Freelancing allure: short-term gain, long-term pain?’
The Express Tribune, 10 October 2023
"Pakistan, however, seems to have missed this nuance. The push for freelancing, especially in premier higher education institutes, has been aggressive. The allure of easy money through tasks like content writing, graphic design and virtual assistance has diverted the attention of our brightest minds. Why would they pursue specialised fields that offer initial salaries of 35k to 50k when they can earn up to 400k from home? This shift in focus has had its short-term benefits, with freelancers contributing up to $500 million to the economy in 2018. But at what cost?"
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“Financial crises, like the one we are facing right now, change development priorities,”
-An opinion in The Express Tribune, “Global goals vs local realities”
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