US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani to discuss his concerns over the safe repatriation plans for illegal refugees and the processing of refugees eligible for citizenship.
In Brief
PR Exclusive Update
Repatriation of Illegal migrants
NCHR petition against the forced repatriation plans of Pakistan
On 31 October, a petition was issued by the National Commission for Human Rights to the Pakistani government stating their concerns against the repatriation program of “Illegal” Afghans. The petition urged the NHRC to protect the refugees and push the government from forcefully deporting or harassing the asylum seekers. UNHCR was also urged to expedite the asylum application by the refugees in Pakistan. It advised the government that any person holding expired government documents should not be removed and the administration should make sure that no families or children were separated. There is an urgent requirement for the development of a proper guideline for the refugee policy after consulting the stakeholders, civil society and the government. (“NCHR asks govt not to repatriate vulnerable groups, asylum seekers,” Dawn, 1 November 2023)
The US ambassador to Pakistan met with the Foreign Minister to discuss the relocation of refugees
On 31 October, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani to discuss his concerns over the safe repatriation plans for illegal refugees and the processing of refugees eligible for citizenship. They conferred over a plethora of bilateral issues facing proper repatriation and the special measures installation regarding the resettlement of eligible citizens to the US. The US mission spokesperson Jonathan Lalley informed of the meeting and stated that both sides agreed that their priority to ensure the safety of the refugees is paramount and that they would install proper screening systems. (“Donald Blome discusses relocation of Afghans to the US with Jilani,” Dawn, 1 November 2023)
100,000 “illegal refugees” from Afghanistan return through Torkham border
On 1 November, Business Recorder reported that within the last two weeks, more than 100,000 illegal Afghan nationals have voluntarily returned to Afghanistan from the Torkham border crossing. The last date for repatriation was set to 1 November when the government directed all the migrants staying illegally should sell their assets and leave. Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti estimated that 1.73 million undocumented refugees were living in Pakistan. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “The decision is in the exercise of Pakistan’s sovereign domestic laws, and compliant with applicable international norms and principles…All foreign nationals legally residing/registered in Pakistan are beyond the purview of this Plan.” (“104,000 undocumented Afghans returned to Afghanistan through Torkham border: Pakistan official,” Business Recorder, 1 November 2023)
POLITICS
PTI and Imran Khan loyalists can contest in polls, says Kakar
On 31 October, Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar stated that PTI leaders and loyalists of Imran Khan will be allowed to contest in elections, clarifying that there is no provision being made to ban PTI. Rumours have been circulating in the political sphere of Pakistan that the party might be banned and that they would be banned from using their official symbol the “bat.” To which Kakar clarified that it is in ECP’s jurisdiction that is beyond their authority and that currently there has been no such proposal. He was further questioned over the refusal to announce election dates to which he again stated that it is under ECP’s jurisdiction. (Zulqernain Tahir, “Imran’s loyalists won’t be barred from contesting polls: PM Kakar,” Dawn, 1 November 2023)
Shehbaz Shari and his son summoned against the Ramzan Sugar Mills case
On 31 October, PML-N leader Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz were acquitted by an accountability court in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case. The National Accountability Bureau approached the court to reopen the case of alleged corruption case of over PKR 500 million, where the case accused both father and son duo of corruption of PKR 213 million. The NAB accused the duo of misusing their authority and the son abetted the crime. (“Ramzan mills reference reopens: Lahore court summons Shehbaz, Hamza,” Dawn, 1 November 2023)
Nawaz strolls into the country to restore the party’s fortunes
On 1 November, as the Islamabad High Court reviewed the appeals of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and suspended his charges in the Al-Azizia case, the PML-N supremo headed the party meeting which was held at Jati-Umra for the first time in four years after his party came into power. The meeting briefed about PML-N's relationship with other political parties. Most importantly, the meeting also conferred about Elder Sharif’s political tour all over the country. He is set to visit all the provinces in November to restore and strengthen his party; 's goals and virtues. PML-N is in the process of releasing a new manifesto according to the concurrent events that are happening in the country. Post the meeting, PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal stated, “We think at the end of January 2024, the elections will be held. The party will start receiving applications from interested candidates across the country from Wednesday (today) till Nov 10 and the central and provincial election boards will be set up for awarding tickets for upcoming polls.” He also stated that a new manifesto committee under Senator Irfan Siddiqui has also been initiated with a focus on the economy and judiciary. (Zulqernain Tahir, “Nawaz to embark on country tour to revive party’s fortunes,” Dawn, 1, 2023)
PROVINCE
Sindh: Agreed to allot PKR 4.5 billion for the deportation of Afghan refugees
On 31 October, the Sindh government approved PKR 4.5 billion for the repatriation of illegal immigrants who are residing in the Sindh province. The Chief Minister Maqbool Baqar chaired the cabinet meeting. The Home Secretary Muhammed Iqbal Memon told the cabinet that the deadline is near to deport all illegal immigrants and has shared the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), which contains necessary actions that are to be taken by all the provinces. He further added that the cabinet has approved and agreed to bear logistics and other things that have to be done. Meanwhile, Baqar has directed the police officers to support them during the deportation. (Tahir Siddiqui, “Sindh cabinet okays Rs4.5bn for deportation of illegal immigrants,” Dawn, 1, 2023)
ECONOMY
Saudi to seek control over Shell Pakistan
On 31 October, Shell Pakistan Ltd (SPL) stated that Saudi Arabia-based company WAFI Energy LLC is set to buy 77.42 per cent of its shares that were put on hold by the foreign sponsor in the oil marketing company (OMC). The Shell Petroleum Company which is a branch of Shell Plc is the sole company that is said to be the largest shareholder in the Pakistan economic market. The public owns 15.2 per cent of shares and the rest is taken care of by public-sector companies, banks mutual funds and so on. In July 2023, Pakistan Refinery Ltd and Air Link Communication Ltd expressed their interest in jointly buying the majority shares of SPL. Meanwhile, the British investment firm Prax Overseas Holdings Ltd also announced their interest in buying the local OMC. (Kazim Alam, “Saudi firm eyes control of Shell Pakistan,” Dawn, 1, 2023)
Prices of petrol and diesel remain unchanged
On 31 October, the government decided to leave the costs of gasoline and high-speed diesel (HSD) unchanged for the next two weeks, defying widespread hopes that they would be reduced. It did, however, somewhat lower the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), light diesel oil, and kerosene. The Ministry of Finance said late that the ex-depot pricing of high-speed diesel and gasoline would remain at PKR 303.18 and PKR 283.38 per litre, respectively. Nonetheless, the ex-depot costs for light diesel oil and kerosene have dropped to PKR 189.46 and PKR 3.82 per litre, respectively. However, the government also reduced the price of LPG by roughly 3.8 per cent, meaning that in November, the cost of a household 11.8-kg cylinder will only be PKR 117.47. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Petrol, diesel unchanged as govt skips expected price cuts,” Dawn, 1, 2023)
US stays as the top exporter for Pakistan
On 1 November, according to the data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) during the first three months of the current fiscal year 2023-24, the US remained the top export place for Pakistani goods. The list was followed by China and then the UK. The products that were exported were about USD 1, 376.125 million. As per China, Pakistan has exported goods amounting to USD 633.374 million and the UK imported around USD 518.948 million from Pakistan. ( “US remains top export destination for Pakistan,” The Express Tribune, 1 2023)
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“Dr. Abid Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI, emphasizes sustainability as the cornerstone of policy making, ensuring a future without disastrous outcomes for our natural resources and climate.#PCC2023 #OnePlanetToOnePakistan”
- Eisha-tir-Raazeyah
“Thousands of Afghans are stranded at the border with Pakistan. Islamabad has given 1.7 million Afghans it says are living illegally in the country until today/November 1 to leave voluntarily or be forcibly removed sparking this mass exodus”
- Saima Mohsin
“It is the war of all those who read Quran. There is no Arab, no Pakistan when it comes to the word of Allah. All of what has happened so far was for the same reason. Pakistan and Arabs both took America and Dollars for God. Thats the core of it. Its not so complicated.”
- Nida Nisar
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Parvez Rahim, ‘Gender inequality’
Dawn, 1 November
“The issue of gender inequality is not peculiar to Pakistan. Realising that such discrimination prevailed in every sphere of life everywhere, the International Labour Organisation framed the Equal Remuneration Convention (C 100), 1951. This was followed by three more conventions on gender equality: the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (C 111), 1958; Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention (C 156), 1981, and Maternity Protection Convention (C 183), 2000. Recently, the UN issued a gender equality and women’s empowerment report, which observes: “Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. There has been progress over the last decades, but the world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and therefore also half of its potential. But gender inequality persists everywhere and stagnates social progress.”
Aftab Ahmed Khanzada, ‘Sinners of human history’
The Express Tribune, 1 November
“Genghis Khan, Hulagu Khan, Adolf Hitler, Mussolini, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and Joseph Stalin were all crazy about power, but all suffered from psychological problems.Childhood deprivations, fear, cowardice and other psychological problems lead a person to authoritarianism. In fact, narcissists and authoritarians are as sick as with any other disease. These are also as worthy of mercy and sympathy as any other patient. The only difference is that other patients are aware of their disease, but they patients are not. If we examine the psycho patients of our country’s history, we will be forced to sympathise with them. Still they cannot be forgiven because the sufferings, tortures and agonies we have suffered due to their disease is terrible and painful.”
Saleem Safi, ‘A rational solution the way forward’
The News International, 1 November
“History tells that this place was chosen by Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) for Bayt al-Maqdis and its construction was started by Prophet Dawud (a.s), which was completed by Prophet Sulaiman (a.s). Just as the land of Hijaz was handed over to Bani Ismail under the divine scheme, similarly, the land of Palestine was handed over to Bani Israel. Moreover, this land is also sacred for the Christians who assert their right on account of this being the birthplace of the Prophet Isa (a.s). In addition, Jews claim the region as their promised homeland as well. However, the right of the Muslim Palestinian is important in the sense that Bayt al-Maqdis is not only the first Qibla of the Muslims but they also have deep respect for all the prophets who have ties with this holy land. But unfortunately, today’s Muslim rulers have left this issue only to the helpless and besieged Palestinians.”
Kim Hor TOH, ‘Building Back Better in Pakistan’
The Express Tribune, 31 October 2023
“Pakistan is also experiencing one of the highest rates of urbanization in South Asia with around 37.7% of its population residing in urban areas. Urbanization will continue to grow rapidly and is already causing a lot of stress to the city’s existing infrastructure. One way to ameliorate this is through embracing Smart City Solutions. By providing Punjab Information and Technology Board with a Feasibility Study to transform Lahore into a Smart City, we envisage that Lahore can once again reclaim its glory as a “Garden City” where its residents can live, work and play in a sustainably built environment enhanced with Smart City Solutions. Apart from collaborating with the public sector, we also invest our expertise and resources with promising entrepreneurs to develop high social impact projects in Pakistan. We are currently co-creating a 10 acre Life Healthcare City in Islamabad which provides cutting edge regenerative medicine such as stem cell technology to Pakistan. This high social impact project can also promote medical tourism in Pakistan to its neighboring countries.”
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“Some Arab leaders are condemning the Israeli aggression but are not ready to go beyond that.”
- An opinion in Dawn, The Arab inaction
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