Delayed passport issuance in Pakistan leaves thousands in limbo; Visitor spending in the country reached USD 16 billion in 2022
In Brief
POLITICS
Deportation of illegal immigrants in Sindh suspended for one day, to resume by train
On 7 November, the deportation of illegal immigrants from Sindh, primarily Afghan nationals, was temporarily suspended for one day. The government decided to send them back to their country by train instead of buses. Approximately 80 illegal Afghan immigrants were brought to Afghan transit centers in Sultanabad. A decision was made to deport 760 immigrants to Balochistan by train, with a special train set to depart for the Chaman border. The process involves verifying the identities and documentation of these individuals, with the assistance of mobile vans provided by the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). There was a meeting in Islamabad to discuss the repatriation process and address challenges related to verification and documentation. The pace of repatriation had slowed down due to “certain factors,” including the number of illegal foreigners being on the “higher side.” Steps were taken to expedite the process while ensuring security and border clearance. (Imtiaz Ali, “Sindh to send illegal immigrants back to Afghanistan by train,” Dawn, 8 November 2023)
Pakistan’s caretaker PM discusses election preparations with chief election commissioner
On 7 November, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar held a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja to review preparations for the upcoming general elections scheduled for 08 February. During the meeting, the chief election commissioner briefed the prime minister about the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) readiness and revealed that a final list of redrawn constituencies would be issued on 30 November. The schedule for the general elections will be announced soon after. Current hearings on objections related to delimitations are ongoing, with a substantial number of objections already filed. Additionally, the prime minister is preparing for a series of international visits, starting with the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and attending an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference on Gaza in Saudi Arabia. (Syed Irfan Raza, “PM assures CEC of full support for free, fair elections,” Dawn, 8 November 2023)
Delayed passport issuance in Pakistan leaves thousands in limbo
On 08 November, The Express Tribune reported that a nationwide shortage of lamination paper for passports has created a significant backlog and delays in passport issuance in Pakistan. Thousands of individuals who need passports for international travel, including students and workers, are facing uncertainties and cancellations of their travel plans. The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P) acknowledged the issue, with the Director General for Media of the Ministry of Interior, Qadir Yar Tiwana, saying that the “situation will soon be under control and passport issuance will continue as normal.” Many people have expressed frustration, saying that they have “had to cancel” their travel plans, as the “mismanagement of the DGI&P” has cost them their “golden ticket out poverty and this country.” (Muhammad Ilyas/Aihtesham Khan/Razzak Abro, “Passport shortage leaves many stranded,” The Express Tribune, 08 November 2023)
PTI accuses Karachi police of crackdown against the party
On 7 November, PTI accused the Karachi police of discriminately arresting PTI workers ahead of their 12 November rally. The party member stated that they were not even nominated and that these actions were sheer injustice and political vendetta against the party and called it a “crackdown.” Regarding the rally, Barrister Fayaz Samor announced that they have finalised all arrangements from their end. (“PTI says police pick up eight workers in Karachi’s Korangi,” Dawn, 8 November 2023)
ECONOMY
Pakistani traders seek private airlines’ support for business facilitation
On 7 November, the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President, Fuad Ishaq, called on private airlines, including Emirates Airlines, to introduce new schemes and initiatives aimed at facilitating the business community. During a meeting with Emirates Airlines officials, Ishaq suggested the airline provide special incentives, loyalty cards, and joint promotions with SCCI. The goal is to create an “ease of doing businesses and removal of irritants in smooth promotion of businesses, trade and industries in the province.” The airline representatives expressed their willingness to consider these recommendations and ensure further facilitation for SCCI members. (“Private airlines asked to facilitate traders,” Dawn, 8 November 2023)
Visitor spending in the country reached USD 16 billion in 2022
On 8 November, according to the World Bank, Pakistan brought in USD16 billion in visitor spending in 2022, and that amount is expected to rise to USD 30 billion by 2033. The bank's website stated the travel and tourism industry would create 4.2 million employment and contribute 5.9 per cent of Pakistan's GDP in 2022. Considering the variety of tourism destinations spread out over the nation, this is not ideal. Following the lifting of the travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19, Pakistan saw an unparalleled increase in domestic tourism: in 2021 and 2022, more than 1.2 million visitors from both domestic and foreign countries entered the country's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. (Tahir Amin, "Country attracted $16bn in visitor spending in 2022: World Bank,” Business Recorder, 8 November 2023)
70 per cent of the oil and gas field is undiscovered says Federal Minister for Energy
On 7 November, Federal Minister for Energy Muhammad Ali, addressing as the keynote speaker at a conference, stated that up to 70 per cent of Pakistan's land is still uncharted and has to be assessed for the search for oil and gas to lower the country's reliance on fuel imports. The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and Pakistan Section, along with the Pakistan Association of Petroleum Geoscientists (PAPG), organized the two-day 29th Annual Technical Conference (ATC). The conference this year has "Exploring the Unexplored: High-Risk Plays and Economic Challenges" as its theme. Ali added that both domestic and foreign businesses would be encouraged to participate in the two-phase auction of 24 oil and gas wells that would take place in a few months. He also emphasized the value of these kinds of technical conferences and asked experts for advice so they might pool their knowledge to solve the nation's energy and economic problems. (Wasim Iqbal, “Oil, gas: 70pc area remains unexplored,” Business Recorder, 8 November 2023)
SECURITY
The prime minister states that terror activities have risen since the inception of the Taliban in Afghanistan
On 8 November, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar noted that there has been a rise in terror activities in Pakistan since the inception of the Taliban administration in 2021 after the US left. He said: “After the establishment of the interim Afghan government in August 2021, we had a strong hope that there would be long-term peace in Afghanistan. […] Strict action would be taken against Pakistan-opposing groups, especially the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, and they would not be allowed to use Afghan soil against Pakistan.” He estimated that 2,267 innocent lives have been taken by the Afghan terrorist group TTP. (“Terror incidents increased since Afghan interim govt came to power in 2021: PM Kakar,” Dawn, 8 November 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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Zahid Hussain, ‘Forced expulsion’
Dawn, 8 November 2023
“The arbitrariness of our policymaking process has been very evident in our latest decision to expel hundreds of thousands of Afghan migrants. For decades, we hosted millions of refugees who were fleeing war and devastation. And now, suddenly, they are being told to leave. Many of them were born and grew up in this country and now have nowhere to go in their native land. The draconian decision has already forced some 200,000 Afghans to leave, while many more are being kept in holding camps near the Afghan border for repatriation. Recent days have witnessed some harrowing scenes of Afghans being hauled up by the security agencies after the expiry of the deadline for undocumented Afghan nationals to leave voluntarily.There are some 1.7m undocumented Afghans out of more than an estimated 3m living in this country. Many of them have been here for the past four decades. There has been a constant inflow of refugees since the 1980s following the Afghan war against the Soviet occupation. Porous borders allowed the influx of refugees.”
Navaira Ali Bangash, ‘Food safety’
Dawn, 8 November 2023
“Pakistan made its first food safety law back in the 1960s. Over the years, policymakers established clear standards regarding food safety and protection in the country, with the federal and provincial regulators trying to implement them.However, in violation of the set standards, the adulteration of packaged food by adding inferior or harmful ingredients to edible products, and the trend of cutting corners and duping consumers have persisted here. Local standards even prohibit the addition of certain food colours or additives to packaged food products. With the laws in place and the regulators apparently enforcing them, and a formal well-documented food sector operating in the country, one would have assumed that ensuring food safety would not be much of a challenge, but the situation is, in fact, the reverse. The grey food trade is booming in Pakistan and formal channels suffer. Not only is the smuggling of food items detrimental to an already crippled economy it also raises grave health concerns.”
Zaeem Mehmood, ‘Untapped economic potential of Pakistan’s EEZ’
The Express Tribune, 8 November 2023
“Pakistan is blessed with approximately 1,050km coastline and an EEZ of 240,000 sq km. It is the first country in North Arabian Sea, whose case for extension of Continental Shelf was approved by the UN. The approval added 50,000 sq km, thereby extending the total EEZ to 290,000 sq km, making it larger than the combined land areas of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and experts terming it as the “fifth province of Pakistan”. The country is ranked 74th in terms of coastal length out of the 142 coastal states and has a blue economy potential of more than $100 billion. However, presently it contributes an estimated $1 billion or around 0.4% of the national GDP. The National Security Policy of Pakistan 2022 states, “Pakistan’s vast EEZ and coastline present unexplored opportunities for trade connectivity, natural resource exploration and wealth generation. A comprehensive maritime policy will be developed to optimize the blue economy of Pakistan by tapping the economic potential of the maritime sector with special focus on transshipment, ship construction, offshore exploration, ports infrastructure, fishing, coastal tourism, and other maritime industries.”
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