Over PKR 474m is recovered by Iesco from power pirates; Imran Khan’s indictment
In Brief
POLITICS
Supreme Court calls the military court trial of civilian's as unlawful
On 23 October, a five-member Supreme Court bench pronounced the military trials of civilians for their alleged involvement in attacks on army posts unlawful by a vote of 4-1, a decision that was applauded across the political spectrum. The panel, which included Justice Ijazul Ahsan as its chair, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Ayesha A Malik, unanimously emphasized that the criminal courts will hear the cases of the accused involved in the 9 May disturbances. The order stated that “without limiting the generality of the foregoing criminal courts of competent jurisdiction established under the ordinary and/or special laws shall conduct the trials of civilians and accused persons, being approximately 103 persons identified in the list provided to the apex court by the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP), and all other persons who are now or may at any time be similarly placed in relation to the events arising from and out of May 9 and 10, 2023.” (Nasir Iqbal, “SC strikes down ‘military justice’ for civilians,” Dawn, 24 October 2023)
Over PKR 474m is recovered by Iesco from power pirates
On 24 October, in an ongoing effort that started on 1 September, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) collected PKR 474.63 million from 28,866 clients. Iesco reportedly conducted indiscriminate and rigorous operations against power thieves and defaulters in all of the regions, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi City, Rawalpindi Cantt, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum Region. Iesco Chief Executive Dr Mohammad Amjad Khan said that no one had the right to use energy without paying the bill and that every effort was being made to recover electrical debts from defaulters. He made this statement during a meeting to review the effectiveness of the ongoing campaign for recovery and anti-power theft. Data shows that Iesco's recovery teams have recouped PKR 220.72 million from 20,167 running defaulters and PKR 253.91 million from 8,699 dead defaulters. Iesco has recovered PKR 474.63 million in total from 28,866 clients during the campaign. The Iesco detection teams, on the other hand, tracked down energy theft totaling PKR 3.24 million units and fined 2,358 offenders PKR150.27 million. Three hundred sixty-six thieves were detained by police after 453 FIRs were filed. (“Iesco recovers over Rs474m from power pilferers,” Dawn, 24 October 2023)
A new "dictatorship 2.0" will sweep the nation says Bilawal
On 23 October, the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, expressed alarm over the country's growing exposure to a "new form of dictatorship" and demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) declare the date of the general elections right away. Bilawal thanked the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for its crucial role in protecting the Constitution during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Constitution, which was hosted by the SCBA. He also highlighted the SCBA's important role in defending democratic values and human rights. He stated, “The nation values this bipartisan struggle against dictatorship waged by the legal fraternity. This indeed raises our hopes in democracy and fighting dictatorship. We salute your courage and determination in the relentless struggle for the rule of law in Pakistan.” According to the PPP leader, the court has supported constitutional amendments made by tyrants in the past both under the guise of the "doctrine of successful revolution" and under the "doctrine of necessity." (“Bilawal warns of emerging 'dictatorship 2.0' engulfing country,” The Express Tribune, 24 October 2023)
Imran Khan’s indictment
On 23 October, Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi's indictment was roundly condemned by the PTI, which has referred to it as "a fatal blow to justice and the legal system" and "a move against justice and the system." A party spokeswoman responded with a scathing statement criticizing what he called Pakistan's callous destruction of justice, a worrying trend that has persisted. The spokesperson emphasized her serious concerns regarding the protection of the rule of law, the supremacy of the constitution, and the rights of citizens, particularly PTI supporters. The spokesperson lamented the "judiciary's failure to deliver fair justice to the nation" and warned that widespread lawlessness was roiling the very fabric of the state. He also emphasized the system's paralysis and underlined that over the previous 18 months, the state's vision had been lost, followed by a loss in its intellectual capacity, leaving the justice system in disarray and the state's entire existence in a condition of paralysis. (Imran Adnan, “Imran’s indictment ‘death knell to legal system’: PTI,” The Express Tribune, 24 October 2023)
PM anticipates a noticeable effect from the drop in oil prices
On 23 October, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar ordered that the advantages of the 12.38 per cent drop in gasoline prices and the 4.7 per cent drop in diesel prices be distributed to the general public as soon as feasible. The prime minister presided over the meeting to ensure that the results of the decline in the price of petroleum products are passed on to the average person through a decrease in the price of necessary commodities. The meeting was informed, according to the Prime Minister's Office, that the recent drop in the price of petroleum products caused the inflation rate to fall by 1.7 per cent, the greatest reduction in a year. According to the prime minister, a total of PKR 41 billion has been saved as a result of the dollar's stability and the drop in the price of petroleum goods, and this alleviation would be distributed to the general public. Kakar commanded fast action against hoarders and profiteers and intensified measures to ensure that the benefits of lower petroleum product prices reach the average person. He said that the operation against power theft and smuggling helped the average person. (Zaheer Abbasi, “Cut in oil prices: PM expects a visible trickle-down effect,” Business Recorder, 24 October 2023)
ECONOMY
ECC approves hikes in natural gas tariff
On 23 October, the Economic Corridor Committee approved the 194 per cent hike in the prices of natural gases. The consumers will also face a surge in fixed monthly charges. The surge in prices was due in July which was deferred by the PML-N government leaving the difficult task to be pulled off by the interim setup. The Petroleum Division of Pakistan estimates that the natural gas reserves are depleting. The hike is segregated amongst the types of consumers with the traffic remaining unchanged for the residential protected consumers, a significant rise of 50 per cent of PKR 300 was approved for non-protected residential consumers whereas the commercial consumer saw the biggest hike of 136 per cent raising the rate to KR 3,900 per mmBtu. (Mubarak Zeb Khan, “ECC okays massive hikes in gas tariffs,” Dawn, 24 October 2023)
Ministers alerted to prepare itself for the first IMF review under the stand-by agreement
On 24 October, the Business Recorder reported that the Ministry of Finance has ordered all ministries and departments to prepare for the first review of the International Monetary Fund’s standby agreement. All departments are required to submit the data to the financial division for submission to the IMF. The first review is scheduled to be in November and therefore it is vital that their affairs are in order with all benchmarks, quantitative requirements, targets and other commitments met. Some of the requirements under the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies state that a ceiling be established by September, the structural benchmark for annual rebasing and limited spending on energy subsidies amongst others. (Mushtaq Ghumman, “Govt braces itself for first review of SBA,” Business Recorder, 24 October 2023)
Prime Minister Kakar urges that benefits from reduced petrol prices reach the public
On 23 October, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar ordered that a decrease of 12.38 per cent in petrol prices and a 4.7 per cent decrease in diesel prices reach the common people. He said that the decline in prices and the benefits should reach the common man with the reduction in prices of essential commodities providing a sigh of relief. This benefit came due to the stability of the dollar and the decrease in prices, saving PKR 41 billion. Kakar stated that due to unyielding efforts by the administration the prices of essential prices will observe a decrease and a substantial reduction will be seen in the prices of agricultural production, electricity and rents. (Zaheer Abbasi, “Cut in oil prices: PM expects a visible trickle-down effect,” Business Recorder, 24 October 2023)
PSO supplies fuel to 120 aircraft of PIA
On 23 October, Pakistan State Oil approved the refueling of its supply for 120 Pakistan International Airlines which it halted owing to pending outstanding debt. PIA as per the daily agreement paid PKR 84 million in two installments. As per the PSO spokesperson, the outstanding amount remains to be PKR 26.825 billion. Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar in a meeting stressed the need to expedite the process of privatization within the stipulated period, to cut the losses. (Wasim Iqbal, Nuzhat Nazar, “PSO restores fuel supply to at least 20 PIA flights,” Business Recorder, 24 October 2023)
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“Maryam Nawaz has played a pivotal role in rejuvenating her father's political legacy in Pakistan, showcasing resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Her efforts reflect the dynamic evolution of political dynasties in modern times.”
- Dr Tehmina Aslam Ranjha
“Release Imran Khan from jail for two days only and announce a day before that Imran Khan will be out of jail at this time tomorrow.And after that, seeing the procession again, all of them will die. People are shouting at you. He is Imran Khan #AbsolutelyNotGuilty #ImranKhanPTI”
-Tania rana
“#ImranKhan getting indicted in #ciphercase, #NawazSharif returning – just in time for Pakistan's election season. It's like a season finale for Pakistan's political soap opera! Political dramas in Pakistan, coming to a ballot near you! #PakistanPolitics”
-Oshi Saxena
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Arifa Noor, “Nawaz Sharif’s return”
Dawn, 24 October 2023
“After all, this is a party not known for street spectacles; the last time Nawaz Sharif returned to the country from Saudi Arabia, his party could not even manage a half-decent show, even though it came shortly after the spectacular show organised by the PPP for Benazir Bhutto’s arrival in Karachi in October 2007. And while comparisons were made back then, they didn’t faze the party; neither did they stop it from winning back central Punjab from its evil twin, the PML-Q, which had ruled the province during the prosperous Musharraf years.But the noughties were different, so was Pakistan including Punjab. The PML-N knows this; which is why unlike the past it now tries to match its competitor’s street shows, song for song and flag for flag. It is noteworthy that in its heyday, the PML-N didn’t bother with jalsas at Minar-i-Pakistan.”
Mohammad Ali Babakhel, “Conflict and women”
Dawn, 24 October 2023
“While conflicts and violence directly and indirectly impact everyone, girls and women are invariably the most vulnerable and worst affected. According to a study, nearly 90 million girls live in conflict zones worldwide, with negative consequences for their education, health, and well-being. From experiencing forced displacement to being denied appropriate healthcare to facing gender-based violence and child marriages, women pay disproportionately for wars started and waged by men. Traditionally, men are expected to fight in conflicts while women are forced to flee and are usually left with no option but to leave for their native towns. According to UNHCR, out of the 80m people displaced worldwide, half are women and children. Conflicts also destroy a country’s health infrastructure; hospitals are bombed, and health workers are overburdened and understaffed. Since women have specific health needs, it is challenging to meet them when they are displaced.”
Muhammad Hamid Zaman, “Applying the same rules”
The Express Tribune, 24 October 2023
“The global media coverage of the tragic events in the Middle East has brought, once again, several important issues to the fore. Many people, across the board, are rightfully concerned about the global media coverage and the bias it may have. There are grievances on all sides. Important and thoughtful voices of analysts, historians and regional experts are deprioritized over the voices of those whose Wikipedia-based understanding of complex human issues is shallow. Dehumanizing rhetoric is further fueling anxieties among communities that have long been traumatized by hateful speech and vile actions. Calling out one-sided coverage that may be biased and prejudiced, protesting the silencing of dissenting voices and rejecting hateful speech by those who have the mic is the right thing to do. But it is only the right thing if we apply the same rules everywhere. Like their peers around the world and from across the political, religious, ethnic and geographic spectrum, Pakistani colleagues and analysts are raising these concerns.”
Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, ‘Census and election’
Dawni, 22 October 2023
“An overall high number, such as 13m, of unregistered voters would have been truly a source of great concern but thankfully it is not the case. The discrepancy between population and registered voters in districts is, however, possible as the persons are not necessarily registered as voters at the same place as they normally reside and get counted in a population census. Karachi and Sindh-based political parties had been complaining for long that there is a wide divergence between the number of voters and the population reported in the census.”
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“One must ask if Sharif’s suffering still resonates in a land where inflation has ravaged every home.”
- An opinion in Dawn, 'Nawaz Sharif’s return'
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