Railway employees stage protest over unpaid salaries; TikTok removes 14 million videos from Pakistan
In Brief
EXTERNAL
UN calls on Pakistan to stop deporting Afghans
On 27 October, the Pakistani government was urged to "suspend forcible returns of Afghan nationals before it is too late to avoid a human rights catastrophe" by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani stated in a statement from Geneva, "We call on them to continue providing protection to those in need and ensure that any future returns are safe, dignified, voluntary, and fully consistent with international law." The spokesperson stated that deportations without personalized assessments of individual circumstances, including mass deportations, would be in violation of international refugee law and international human rights law, specifically the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, to which Pakistan is a state party. Meanwhile, the information minister for Punjab Amir Mir, disclosed that over 33,000 individuals were mapped out as unlawful inhabitants without the required paperwork and were therefore scheduled for deportation. The remarks made by the provincial minister align with the government's impending deadline of 31 October for undocumented residents to leave Pakistan. The government issued an ultimatum earlier this month to all undocumented immigrants, including those who are citizens of Afghanistan, telling them that they would face possible detention and deportation to their home countries if they did not leave Pakistan by the specified date. (Amin Ahmed, “UN urges Pakistan to halt Afghan deportations,” Dawn, 28 October 2023; Amin Ahmed, “33,000 illegal immigrants identified so far via mapping to be deported: Amir Mir,” Dawn, 28 October 2023)
US ambassador and Jilani concur on "inclusive" elections
On 27 October, According to State Department spokesman Mathew Miller, a senior American diplomat met with Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani to talk about important topics in the US-Pakistan alliance, including the Israel-Palestine dispute. According to a statement from Miller, "our mutual interest in facilitating the safe and timely resettlement of eligible Afghans to the United States" was also discussed by Victoria Nuland, the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, and Acting Deputy Secretary of State. The Acting Deputy Secretary emphasized the US request for the release of all captives and the safety of civilians during a debate on the escalating Israel-Palestinian conflict. ( “US diplomat, Jilani agree on ‘inclusive’ elections: State Dept,” Business Recorder, 28 October 2023)
POLITICS
Islamabad High Court rejected Imran Khan’s post-arrest bail in Cipher case
On 27 October, Islamabad High Court refused PTI Chairman Imran Khan post-arrest bail in the Cipher case. The verdict stated that in accordance with the Official Secrets Act 1923 Section 5(1)(a), based on wrong communication he was detained and it remains to be applicable. Imran Khan was told that he had no authority to declassify the diplomatic cable. Stated due to inrefutable evidence he could not procure the bail. Additionally, a day prior Imran Khan’s legal team appealed to stop the trial, which was also swiftly rejected in light of being “without merit.” The verdict outlined: “Moreover, the petitioner is [a] co-accused in the case and even if the arguments advanced for [the] quashment of [the] FIR on his behalf are accepted, [the] FIR cannot be quashed in as much as there are other co-accused and there cannot be a partial quashing of [the] FIR.” (“Imran denied bail in cipher case,” The Express Tribune, 28 October 2023)
Railway employees stage protest over unpaid salaries
On 27 October, the protest by railway employees prevailed as they faced financial trouble leading to delays and several unpaid salaries. Inter-city trains from Lahore to Karachi did not depart owing to the protests by staff. The situation escalated as the passengers added to the protests claiming that what did they do to deserve the punishment? The protestors expressed their frustration against the railway administration causing delayed salaries. Chief Executive Officer Shahid Aziz, was informed of the dire situation of the Railways, where the sector needs PKR 35 billion in bailout package, with outstanding liabilities further plaguing the conditions. (“Unpaid railway employees bring trains to a halt,” The Express Tribune, 27 October 2023)
Imran Khan on Nawaz Sharif’s return, “complete collapse of their justice system”
On 27 October, the PTI Chairman posted on the social media platform ‘X’ where he accused Nawaz Sharif return to the “complete collapse of their justice system.” The message was posted by his family on behalf of his where he claimed that a “total mockery of the law” was made. The post stated: “My Pakistanis! In the last few days, we have witnessed a total mockery of the law. All that is happening today is not just an execution of a London ‘plan’ but London ‘agreement’ that was signed between a cowardly fugitive & corrupt criminal and his facilitators.” He perpetrated that the only way a convicted criminal can return with a clean chit is by destroying the state institution. (“Imran terms Nawaz’s return ‘total mockery of law’,” The Express Tribune, 27 October 2023)
TikTok removes 14 million videos from Pakistan
On 27 October, The Friday Times reported on the removal of over 14 million videos posted in Pakistan’s TikTok, in light of violating community guidelines. A statement was issued by TikTok “Community Guidelines Enforcement Report for the second quarter of 2023” where it informed that 14,141,581 videos from Pakistan were removed accounting for 13.28 per cent of all videos taken down globally. The removal focused on eliminating spam accounts and underage users to safeguard younger ones. They expressed that the community guidelines are meant to create a safe environment for all its users and viewers. (“Automated Censorship? TikTok Removed Over 14m Videos In Pakistan,” The Friday Times, 27 October 2023)
The case of Justice Naqvi highlights judicial politics
On 28 October, A discussion concerning the relevance of judicial politics erupted once more in response to the Supreme Judicial Council's (SJC) disagreement on whether to pursue legal action against Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi of the Supreme Court. Regarding Justice Naqvi, who will be given until 10 November to respond to many charges after receiving a show-cause notice from the SJC, three types of politics are pertinent: judicial, bar, and national. Judge Sardar Tariq Masood, a member of the SJC, has previously been criticized by Justice Naqvi for holding back on offering his assessment of the misconduct charges brought against him. (Hasnaat Malik, “Justice Naqvi’s case brings judicial politics into focus,”, The Express Tribune, 28 October 2023)
ECONOMY
Fears over supply cause oil to rise by 3 per cent
On 27 October, Concerns over the possibility that tensions between Israel and Gaza could escalate into a larger battle that would impair the world's supply of crude oil caused oil prices to rise by almost 3 per cent to a one-week high. Brent futures had increased USD 2.25, or 2.6 per cent, to USD 90.18 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil reached USD 85.35, up USD 2.14, or 2.6 per cent, from USD 83. The difference between Brent and WTI was headed to its greatest level since July, which increased the appeal for oil companies to deploy ships to the US to pick up petroleum for export. WTI was down almost 3 per cent for the week, and Brent was down nearly 2 per cent. (“Oil jumps 3pc on supply worries,” Dawn, 28 October 2023)
Regulatory framework in place to use Chinese currency, says Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar
On 27 October, according to Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar, the necessary regulatory framework, which enables the use of Chinese currency (RMB) in trade and investment operations, has already been put in place by the State Bank of Pakistan. China and Pakistan are strategic corporate partners that are weatherproof, according to the finance minister, who made this statement on Friday at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) RMB clearing bank event. The RMB clearing operation, she continued, will aid in bridging the gap between China's onshore and Pakistan's offshore RMB markets, enabling cross-border transactions across a variety of industries and domains. According to Akhtar, the RMB's increasing significance in international trade led to its inclusion in the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) special drawing basket in October 2016, which further highlighted China's growing influence in the global economy. She continued by saying that there has been a rise in the use of RNB in international trade based on data from the Swift Trade Settlement System. She further added the necessary legal framework for enabling the usage of Chinese yuan (RMB) in trade and investment activities has already been established by the SBP. (Zaheer Abbasi, “Use of RMB: Regulatory framework put in place: minister,” Business Recorder, 28 October 2023)
Seventy hospitals were delisted from the Sehat Card Plus program
On 28 October, Dawn reported that 71 private hospitals were removed from the Sehat Card Plus (SCP) program owing to their failure to meet the criteria set by the government. The decision stated that this is part of the government's plans to reduce free healthcare provisions to ensure quality services to the patients and therefore delisted hospitals. Currently out of 129 hospitals providing free healthcare services only 58 are left. It has also limited the free treatment to selected diseases and health conditions like cancer patients, dialysis and emergency services. (Ashfaq Yusufzai, “ Over 70 private hospitals removed from health card panel,” Dawn, 28 October 2023)
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“HRCP is deeply concerned by reports of Pashtun and Baloch students having been harassed and intimidated by law enforcement personnel at universities in Lahore in the last several days, with at least two students having been forcibly disappeared. Students from Balochistan and KP remain especially vulnerable in Punjab. This practice of subjecting students to ethnic profiling must end. All students must be equally allowed to pursue their education without the fear of harassment and enforced disappearance.”
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
“Afghan refugees — children, women, men, elderly — fleeing Taliban persecution deserve support, dignity, and safety, not further obstacles and harassment. I echo UN experts’ call and urge the Pakistani government to reconsider its rushed policy of mass deportation.”
- Malala Yousafzai
“Deeply saddened by the loss of Li Keqiang, former Prime Minister of China. His tireless efforts and contributions in strengthening the Pakistan-China All weather Strategic Partnership and beyond will be remembered as his enduring legacy. Our thoughts are with his family and the brotherly people of China.”
- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
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Ajaz Ahmed, ‘Pakistan dawdling away’
Dawn, 28 October 2023
“FINANCING a sustainable and resilient economy is not an option for Pakistan, but a critical step that is integral to the country’s just, inclusive, and safe future. This requires transforming and restructuring almost all sectors of the economy to adopt low-carbon and climate-resilient pathways. However, any meaningful progress in this regard would be impossible without having sufficient financial resources, as large-scale investments are required to reduce emissions and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.”
Imtiaz Gul, ‘Balochistan: why a black hole?’
The Express Tribune, 28 October 2023
“The elites, it seems, remain indifferent to this incendiary discontent, probably because dozens of elites — Sardars, Nawabs, Jams, Khans — rule the roost and the poor Baloch polpulace, treated as a herd of sheep, hardly pose any direct threat to the monopoly of power. Many of those who refuse to put up with the status quo walk over to the non-state entities, particularly the nationalist elements. Downplaying them as proxy terrorists cannot mask the acute sense of deprivation, injustice and mistreatment at hands of the elites. Sad story indeed of a province that serves as a goldmine for those in power but a black hole for people at large!”
Adnan Anjum, ‘Money matters in elections’
The Express Tribune, 28 October 2023
“Campaign finance and its regulations play a critical role in determining the quality and integrity of elections. While insufficient funds can hamper the ability of candidates to effectively run campaigns, it is equally crucial that all citizens must have a genuine and equal opportunity to participate in elections as candidates on a level playing field, with state authorities taking appropriate measures to prevent fraud.”
Editorial, ‘Madressah reform’
Dawn, 28 October 2023
“Many low-income parents send their wards to madressahs so that they will be fed and have free lodging. This can be addressed by improving the public education system — a long-term project — and offering free school nutrition programmes. Ignoring the ever-expanding growth of madressahs is a recipe for continuing societal disorder.”
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