Consul General of China Zhao Shiren at the thrid Belt and Road Forum stated that the forum has paved the way for new high-quality cooperation between Pakistan and China.
In Brief
POLITICS
Sindh government needs PKR 2 billion to repatriate migrants
On 29 September, the provincial and federal authorities of Pakistan said that they had finalised the preparations to encompass people who do not adhere to the government deadline for the expulsion of illegal immigrants from Afghanistan. Interior Minister Bugti stated, “After the November 1 deadline, there will be no compromise on the issue of the expulsion of illegal immigrants.” An official from the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees apprised illegal immigrants residing in Pakistan are already seeking settlements in Europe, the US and the UK under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and some choose to remain undocumented. Along the sidelines of the repatriation, the Sindh government has finalised arrangements for the Afghan refugees. However, it claims that it requires about PKR 2 billion to provide shelter, food and transportation for them to their home country. Home Minister Haris Nawaz stated that the Sindh government will pay for all costs associated with deporting illegal immigrants who resided in the province. He declared that a request for PKR 2 billion in funding for the exercise will be made soon by the home department to the Sindh government. ( “No sign of let-up as repatriation deadline nears” Dawn, 30 October 2023); Imtiaz Ali, “Rs2bn needed for the deportation of illegal immigrants from Sindh,” Dawn, 30 October 2023)
Wajiha Qamar of PTI joins PMLN
On 29 September, after meeting with former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, Wajiha Qamar, a different former member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced her joining the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN). The most recent PTI leader to leave the party was Wajiha Qamar. The former prime minister congratulated her on joining the PML-N during his speech at the event. She declared that she had total faith in Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and the party platform. She praised Nawaz Sharif but also stated that the party he led had previously played a "historical role" in Pakistan's growth and development. ( “PTI leader Wajiha Qamar joins PMLN,” The News International, 30 October 2023)
ECONOMY
Petrol and diesel prices may drop due to exchange rates
On 30 September, amidst the increase in exchange rates, petroleum prices are predicted to decline for the third consecutive time, with a decrease of PKR 5 to 18 per litre for gasoline and diesel, respectively. If the caretaker administration doesn't further raise the fuel duty, official sources told Dawn that the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) is expected to drop by roughly PKR 5 to 6 per litre, reaching less than PKR 300 per litre. However, the price of gasoline would drop by almost PKR 18 per litre. This is mostly because, over the past two weeks, the rupee has appreciated by almost PKR 3. With monthly sales of over 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes for gasoline and HSD compared to approximately 10,000 tonnes for kerosene, these fuels are the main sources of income. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Petrol, diesel prices may drop again as rupee strengthens,” Dawn, 30 October 2023)
Govt scurries to secure loans of PKR 8 billion for PIA
On 29 October, The Ministry of Finance was trying to find room for PKR 8 billion in loan guarantees to keep within the agreed-upon restrictions of the IMF, despite a 70 per cent reduction in earnings due to the cancellation of over 600 PIA flights. As per the sources, PIA's daily revenue had drastically decreased by 60 to 70 per cent; formerly, it was generating between PKR 700 and PKR 800 million. Currently, this is down to PKR 300 million. After difficult talks, PIA persuaded them to pay USD 25 million instead of the outstanding USD 30 million. PIA had requested PKR 24.6 billion from the Pakistani government to cover its operational costs. The demand for this injection was first turned down by the Ministry of Finance, which cited PIA's history of proposing financial injections with the promise of implementing a restructuring plan that was never carried out. (Mehtab Haider, “Govt scrambles to get Rs8bn loan guarantees for PIA,” The News International, 30 October 2023)
USD 97.2 billion deal signed between Pakistan and China’s BRI
On 29 October, the Consul General of China Zhao Shiren at the thrid Belt and Road Forum stated that the forum has paved the way for new high-quality cooperation between Pakistan and China. Speaking at the conference he said both sides have agreed to swiftly follow up on the development of the Gwadar Port and ML-1 upgradation. The Beijing Initiative for Deepening Cooperation on Connectivity, Belt and Road Green Development, International Digital Economy Cooperation, Green Investment and Finance Partnership, and High-Level Principles on Corruption-free Belt and Road Building are just a few of the 458 outcomes that have been reached during the BRF. At the BRF CEO conference, business deals totalling USD 97.2 billion were also signed, contributing to the creation of jobs and economic expansion in the BRI nations. According to Shiren, the conference also resolved to create a BRF secretariat to aid in the establishment of institutions and the execution of projects. (Asif Mehmood Butt, “$97.2bn pacts signed at Belt and Road Forum: Chinese envoy,” The News International, 30 October 2023)
PROVINCE
Punjab: The government to present PKR 2.1 trillion budget
On 30 October, the cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, will hear the caretaker Punjab government's second four-month budget for the current fiscal year 2023–24. The caretaker government authorized a budget of PKR1.72 trillion for the first four months of FY23, from July to October, earlier in June, after using the remaining six months' budget, from January to June 2023, which was approved by the previous PTI government. The lack of information in this budget, which is set to expire tomorrow, 31 October, regarding the funds to be used in the lead-up to the elections which were initially scheduled for October provoked curiosity among many people. A budget of over PKR 320 billion has reportedly been created by the Punjab Planning and Development Board for the approximately 4,900 development projects that are presently being carried out in the province. The monies are available for use for 120 days, starting on 1 November. (Mansoor Malik, “Punjab govt to present Rs2.1tr budget for next four months, today,” Dawn, 30 October 2023)
SECURITY
Inaction by Pakistan to stop the growing crimes against journalists
On 29 October, according to the Freedom Network’s Annual Impunity 2023 report, despite passing laws to protect journalists, Pakistan has not been able to stop the growing impunity for crimes against them. Ahead of 2 November, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, a report titled "One step forward, two steps back - Pakistan legislates on the safety of journalists, but still fails to protect them" was released. In the two years following the legislation, "Pakistan continues to record an alarming increase in journalist persecution, especially by government authorities and state agencies, including kidnapping, physical assaults, and serious legal cases against them including on unproven charges of sedition, treason, and electronic crimes," the statement read. The report highlighted that just in Islamabad, 37.5 per cent of the 248 cases that were reported between August 2021 and August 2023 (93 cases total) were infractions. The report also stated that Sindh was the second worst province in Pakistan, accounting for 22.5 per cent of the infractions (56 incidents) and that it was ironic that the majority of attacks against journalists were recorded from areas that had laws protecting their protection. (“Pakistan failing to combat rising impunity for crimes against journalists: report” Dawn, 30 October 2023)
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“Oh God, with the beginning of a new day, grant your servant Imran Khan peace in his prison, patience and determination, and be his companion, protector, and helper. Oh God, grant him freedom soon, so that he may return to serving your religion, the poor and the needy, Pakistan, Palestine, the Muslim Ummah, and peace and justice in the whole world.”- MALHACHIMI
“Abdul Aleem Khan's commitment to the people's prosperity and development, evident in the recent workers' convention, paves the way for a more inclusive and prosperous Pakistan for all. #AleemKhan4Pakistan”
- nazonoor
“Pak army is lighting the lamp of our freedom with its blood. There is no room for anyone to look down on our country. This is because of the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army. #PakArmySymbolOfBravery”
- Nazir mirwani
“The protests in #PoK are a testament to the challenging circumstances the people are facing under Pakistan's rule. Their call for independence and association with India signals a quest for a brighter and more secure future. #POKStruggles #DesireForChange”
- Mahmud Saad
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Maleeha Lodhi, ‘Nawaz Sharif’s comeback’
Dawn, 30 October 2023
“The one thing demonstrated by Nawaz Sharif’s return from self-exile is that political leaders can never be written off in Pakistan’s roller-coaster politics. The country’s political history is punctuated by dramatic reversals in the political fortunes of leaders. Like other politicians who made remarkable comebacks, Sharif has also been a political survivor. Over two decades ago, when he was exiled following a military coup, many believed this would mark the end of his political career. That didn’t happen. He returned to win the 2013 election and become prime minister for the third time. After four years abroad, he is now back to participate in the election, expected in January 2024, and make a bid for prime ministership for the fourth time. Sharif’s long career in politics has seen many highs and lows. He was never able to complete any of his terms as prime minister as he was ousted either by the military or the president (when that office had the constitutional power to do so). The last time he was prime minister, he was forced to step down in 2017 after his disqualification on dubious grounds by the Supreme Court and his falling out with the military establishment. His party survived its leader’s many trials and troubles, but when challenged by Imran Khan’s PTI, Sharif’s absence from the country proved damaging for PML-N.”
Umair Javed, ‘A malignant settlement’
Dawn, 30 October 2023
“Growth during the Musharraf period, as well as in the Shaukat Tarin phase of Imran Khan’s government, made use of (or created) liquidity conditions to spur domestic consumption. Both ultimately led to fiscal deficits and balance-of-payments pressures that required sharp corrections. Such short-lived spurts have been a standard feature of Pakistan’s development trajectory since the 1980s. It is not incorrect to suggest that the country is in the throes of a multi-decade-long period of development stagnation. Over the same period, growth rates in comparable countries exceed Pakistan’s, with increasingly higher shares in global trade and relatively stable price levels. In comparison, Pakistan’s exports remain stagnant as a percentage of GDP, and inflation levels remain high. Social development indicators similarly lag as well.”
Huma Yusuf, ‘Persisting theories’
Dawn, 30 October 2023
“Pakistan is no stranger to conspiracy theories. They have been a key feature of our public discourse. The more the political instability, the greater their proliferation. That fact that we are accustomed to these should not, however, distract from the fact that they offer warnings about the state of our democracy and civil society. Conspiracy theories are a combination of inaccurate information, wilful disinformation and rumour. They persist because they help to rationalise — however irrationally — a person’s experience of state and society. The basis of most theories is that behind the structures of governance there exists a ‘deep state’, a small group of influential people who control government policy. In Pakistan, in the context of our ‘hybrid democracy’, this is not a far-fetched claim. Our local conspiracy theories therefore pertain not to the existence of a deep state, but to its motivations and goals.”
Khalid Bhatti, ‘Levelling the field’
The News International, 30 October 2023
“A level playing field in politics means that all the political parties in play are treated equally and fairly. No political party is provided any undue advantage, specifically during elections. All the competitors in the elections are treated equally and fairly in accordance with the laws and regulations, and there is no discrimination on the basis of ideology, ethnic and linguistic background, programme and political narrative.According to the Cambridge dictionary, “a situation that is fair because everyone has the same chance of succeeding” is called a level playing field. Wikipedia defines a level playing field in the following words, “level playing field is a concept about fairness, not that each player has an equal chance to succeed, but that they all play by the same set of rules.”Before every general election in Pakistan, we hear the demands of there being a level playing field for all the contesting parties. In every election since 1988, at least one or more political parties complain about not getting a level playing field. In the 1988 and 1990 general elections, the PPP was not provided equal opportunities. The powers that be favoured the IJI in both elections.”
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“A political settlement that can produce sustained development eludes the country.”
- An opinion in Dawn, 'A malignant settlement'
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