Industry leaders demand SIFC-CPEC cooperation; BBC Urdu report links Pakistan arms agreement to Ukraine war
In Brief
POLITICS
PTI demands justice as Imran approaches his 100-day detention
On 15 November, Dawn reported about a statement issued by the PTI spokesperson claiming the unlawful arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan who is being punished for upholding the primacy of the rule of law in the nation. He further insisted that the Supreme Court should take up the responsibility of resolving the problems by restoring the Constitution and the rule of law in their true language and spirit, and step up to save the state from a great calamity at this crucial point in its history. The spokesperson also demanded that Mr Khan be released right away and that the current use of state authority to crush the PTI be stopped. In addition, open and transparent elections ought to be held in order to allow everyone to exercise their right to vote without fear. He claimed that in an effort to destroy Mr Khan's morale, the state had been trampled on by the Constitution, laws, and morals for the past 20 months. Along with more than 10,000 other prisoners of conscience and those who gave their lives in defence of Pakistan's Haqeeqi Azadi, he said, "History will remember him for standing on the right side when it mattered." (Ikram Junaidi, “PTI demands justice as Imran approaches his 100-day detention, Dawn, 15 November 2023”)
EXTERNAL
Industry leaders demand SIFC-CPEC cooperation
On 15 November, The Express Tribune reported that Business leaders and market analysts are expressing strong support for the newly established Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), viewing it as a critical step towards boosting economic growth and addressing long-standing investment challenges. Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Adeel in a conversation with The Express Tribune brought to light how the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has been hailed as a crucial step towards boosting economic growth and addressing long-standing investment challenges in Pakistan. Its inclusive representation of stakeholders, including the civil-military forum, trade bodies, businesspeople, bureaucrats, and politicians, ensures that issues faced by industrialists or investors are promptly addressed. The SIFC has also been successful in creating a conducive environment for potential foreign investments, with the aim of attracting USD 60 billion within the stipulated five-year period. Muhammad Kamran Arbi, President of the SITE Association of Industry in Karachi, requested the SIFC to provide local investors with the same advantages as foreign investors. In addition, he emphasised the significance of encouraging regional industrialization, putting in place a one-window system, and enforcing competitive electricity pricing throughout the region. These programmes may contribute to meeting the government's high investment goals. To draw in foreign direct investment (FDI), economist Faizul Haq recommends extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by using the Shanghai International Financial Centre (SIFC). A solid basis for FDI expansion is provided by CPEC's vast infrastructure network, which includes electricity generation, transmission systems, highways, and special economic zones (SEZs). Haq also drew attention to the possibility of imposing standard right-of-way (ROW) fees on the telecom industry. This action might completely transform Pakistan's IT sector by facilitating quicker internet access and fostering the country's explosive economic expansion. (Gohar Ali Khan, The Express Tribune,“Industry leaders demand SIFC-CPEC cooperation,15 November 2023”)
BBC Urdu report links Pakistan arms agreement to Ukraine war
On 14 November, BBC Urdu published a report in which it claimed that Pakistan entered into an arms sales agreement worth USD 364 million with two private US companies in 2022, with the weapons allegedly sent to Ukraine for its ongoing war with Russia. The Foreign Office, which affirmed that Pakistan has maintained “strict neutrality” in the war, has refuted these claims and denied the sale of arms and ammunition to Ukraine. These contracts were signed in August 2022, which was the period of rule of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), and also a time when the Russia-Ukraine war was part of political discussions in Pakistan. Actions by political officials were also taken around this time, with Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow on the day of the invasion, and the then army general Javed Bajwa calling for an end to the invasion. Ukraine’s foreign minister also rejected claims that Pakistan had supplied arms to Ukraine during his visit to Pakistan in July 2023. However, the BBC Urdu report alleges that as a result of the contracts with Global Military and Northrop Grumman, deliveries were made via a British military cargo plane from Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi. The report also cites a 3,000 per cent increase in Pakistan's arms exports during FY 2022-23, reaching USD 415 million, as per State Bank of Pakistan data. (“Pakistan signed contracts with two US companies for arms sales to Ukraine, claims BBC report,” Dawn, 14 November 2023)
ON AFGHANISTAN
Discussions on “bilateral trade” held between Afghanistan and Pakistan amid repatriation
On 14 November, as per a statement from the Afghan embassy in Islamabad, the Taliban’s acting commerce minister and Pakistan’s foreign minister met this week to discuss “bilateral trade” and how the repatriation of Afghans could mean that they may take cash and other assets from Pakistan back to Afghanistan. The embassy also said that the “smooth transfer of refugees’ properties” was discussed, as many Afghans who are leaving claimed that restrictions have been imposed on cash and property transfer from Pakistan, where many have businesses set up. Further, the Afghan minister called on Pakistan to release the 3000 Afghanistan-bound containers of imports from Karachi Port, containing electronics, chemicals, and textiles. The “transit problems and challenges of the two countries” have potentially arisen due to Pakistan losing millions of tax dollars as goods are being sent duty-free from Pakistani ports to Afghanistan, and then being smuggled back across the border. In response to the worries from the Afghanistan side, caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said that there is “full potential for regional trade and connectivity” by harnessing “collective action against terrorism.” This statement brings out Pakistan’s claim that the surge in terrorist attacks is linked to the Taliban government, as caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said that “no actions were taken against the anti-Pakistan groups.” The Taliban government maintains that militancy is an internal matter for Pakistan, and on these lines has called on Pakistan to stop its deportation of Afghans. (“Kabul raises the issue of refugee assets with Islamabad,” Dawn, 15 November 2023; “Taliban minister raises issue of refugee assets with FM Jilani during Pakistan visit,” Dawn, 14 November 2023)
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“Empowering women through education takes center stage for the party's vision. Bridging gaps and fostering active participation is key to shaping Pakistan's future. Together, let's make education a beacon of empowerment”
-Mraazad
“Pakistan’s democracy is threatened as violence rears its ugly head again.”
-Sufia Bukhari
“Every citizen of Pakistan deserves to have their case heard in a timely manner. No one should have to wait years for justice.”
-Imaan
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Arooj Waheed Dar, ‘Increasing margins’
Dawn, 15 November 2023
“According to the Labour Force Survey for 2020-21, only two per cent of employers in Pakistan are women, representing a mere 0.1pc of the total working female population. Eighteen per cent working women are own-account workers. A staggering majority of working women, around 60pc, are contributing family workers. Not only do these statistics raise alarm regarding the lack of female entrepreneurship, they also underscore the scarcity of decent work opportunities for women in Pakistan.”
Rafia Zakaria, ‘The underground arena’
Dawn, 15 November 2023
“Then, perhaps responding to the world that saw its actions as inordinately cruel, they shared a different explanation. In a hastily produced video, an Israeli commander appeared in what he said was the ‘basement’ of the Rantisi paediatric hospital. The items he pointed to were supposed to be proof that Hamas had been using the hospital for nefarious purposes.”
Editorial, ‘Justice delayed’
Dawn, 15 November 2023
“On Monday, a resolution was presented in the Senate urging the Supreme Court to “reconsider” that verdict. The resolution had not been on the agenda and was presented in the closing minutes of a private members’ day in the presence of less than a dozen lawmakers. It was deemed as ‘passed’ with just six votes.”
Editorial, ‘One billion lives’
Dawn, 15 November 2023
“Alarmingly, children’s needs have been largely neglected in climate change responses. Only 2.4pc of climate finance is dedicated to child-focused activities, an oversight that significantly impacts our youngest generation’s future. As COP28 approaches, it is crucial to refocus our climate strategies and policies on children. Pakistan, alongside others, must commit to ensuring a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for children. This involves integrating children’s needs and rights within the UN’s climate framework, adapting services, and reshaping education systems to withstand climate adversities.”
Dr Raashid Wali Janjua, ‘Illegal Afghan migrants’
The Express Tribune, 15 November 2023
“Ever since the present Afghan Interim Government (AIG) took control of Afghanistan, Pakistan has been trying to wheedle some concessions out of Kabul to help stabilise its border regions. Every engagement with the Taliban yielded empty promises and little was done on the ground to rein in non-state actors like TTP. Pakistan even went to the extent of entering into parleys with TTP on the express desire of the Taliban government but the talks yielded no result. The TTP depredations in Pakistan’s NMDs spiked after IAG assumed control of Kabul. In the last two years, Pakistan has suffered 2,867 civilian casualties, with a 500% increase in suicide bombings.”
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“The unfolding genocide in Gaza has heightened public anger against the shameful capitulation by Arab govts.”
-An opinion in Dawn, “Shameful capitulation”
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