PIA CEO takes measures to speed up divestment of airlines; Undocumented refugees staying put in Peshawar
In Brief
POLITICS
Kakar responds to accusations made by PTI and PPP
On 19 November, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar stated that any political party could play the “victim card” to serve their narrative after the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) made accusations against caretakers. He questioned what “actions” the caretaker government had taken to “create the impression” that they “harbour bias against any political party.” Kakar firmly asserted that the “topmost priority” of the government is to “conduct elections at the earliest” through elections that allow people to exercise their “democratic rights.” He additionally said that they had never “incarcerated” Imran Khan, saying that there was no “impartiality” shown in his “lawful arrest.” (“PM Kakar hits back at accusations, denies bias against any party,” Dawn, 20 November 2023)
ECP releases timetable for benches to address delimitation in 13 districts
On 19 November, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) released a timetable on delimitation, as per which the two assigned benches will address the delimitation of constituencies in 13 districts on 20 and 21 November. On 20 November, Bench 1 will be responsible for the districts of Mandi Bahauddin and Khanewal, while Bench 2 will be responsible for Kech and Gujrat. On 21 November, Bench 1 will handle DG Khan and Sahiwal, while Bench 2 will handle Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Kachi, Sohbatpur, Usta Mohammad, and Harnai. (“ECP to settle delimitation dispute,” The Express Tribune, 20 November 2023)
ECONOMY
IMF advises Pakistan to revive development planning for climate-sensitive investments
On 20 November, Dawn reported that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Pakistan to revive its five-year development planning, implement climate-sensitive public investment management plans, and publish criteria for project appraisals to attract global climate financing. The guidance comes after the staff-level agreement on the first review of a USD three billion bailout, emphasising the need for climate-resilient and adaptation measures to secure international support. It is also in light of repeated natural disasters that Pakistan has been experiencing, and the unwillingness of international donors to provide funds until the country adopts climate-resilient measures. The IMF called for a “nationwide strategy” to “enhance urban resilience,” advising the government to revive medium and long-term planning that includes climate-sensitive investments in public investments. Pakistan and the Ministry of Finance have been asked to develop a five-year strategy by December 2024 that identifies projects and funding in all major sectors, monitors fiscal risks of public investments at all levels, improves the scrutiny and coordination of these projects, and conducts a one-time review that prioritises these projects. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Govt urged to revive five-year development planning,” Dawn, 20 November 2023)
Crackdown reveals drugstores selling medicines at five-fold higher prices in Karachi
On 20 November, Dawn reported that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has initiated a crackdown in Karachi, uncovering pharmacies and medical stores selling medicines at prices five times higher than the maximum retail price (MRP) approved by the authority. The raids are part of an effort to curb drug profiteering, with Drap conducting inspections on warehouses, wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, and medical stores. The crackdown aims to ensure that pharmaceutical companies adhere to the approved MRP and take legal action against those selling medicines at inflated prices. Health Minister Dr Jan stated that legal action has already been taken against owners who were selling medicines higher than the government-approved rates. Jan stated that he “directed Drap to take action against those involved in selling drugs in black markets,” and that Drap would ensure that the “quality of drugs would not suffer and they would be sold within the MRP.” (Ikram Junaidi, “Medicines in Karachi being sold at five-time higher prices, Drap reveals,” Dawn, 20 November 2023)
PIA CEO takes measures to speed up divestment of airlines
On 19 November, the CEO of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) chaired a meeting to review the progress on the airline’s divestment process, after cancelling scheduled off days on Saturday and Sunday. Senior officials, along with the department’s general managers and teams have been directed to report to their offices on these days, after the PIA-privatisation announcement sparked concern among its employees regarding their jobs and pensions, and led to protests. Senator Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), offering his thoughts on the matter, said that the PIA is viable if it is given professional management, as the current management cannot understand the dynamics of today’s aviation industry. (Mohammad Asghar, “PIA CEO speeds up divestment process,” Dawn, 20 November 2023)
Pakistan and IMF: Debt dependency
On 20 November, an editorial in Dawn “Pakistan’s debt dependence” Pakistan’s debt dependence by Fatima S Attarwala outlined the continued dependency on IMF and how it would remain so in the following years. Attarwala noted the stress of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, shocks in energy prices and inflation have led to Pakistan steeping into debt. She said: “To borrow to service debt and pay off loans is to paddle in a sinking boat. And Pakistan’s economy has more holes than Swiss cheese.” The op-ed pointed out that while there are other economies facing crisis, but impoverished economy such as Pakistan’s makes it harder to generate enough revenue to pay off the debt. (Fatima S Attarwala, “Pakistan’s debt dependence,” Dawn, 20 November 2023)
PROVINCE
Punjab: PKR 20 billion approved for Green Corporate Initiative
On 20 November, Business Recorder reported that the Economic Coordination Committee have approved PKR 20 billion for Green Corporate Initiative. The cabinet in Punjab and the Green Corporate Initiative have reached an agreement to provide them with an interest-free loan of PKR 100 billion limited to this fiscal year. The discussion observed that the issue should be looked at from the preview of the province and going ahead they should not involve the federal government. (Mushtaq Ghumman, “ ECC approves Rs20bn for Green Corporate Initiative,” Business Recorder, 20 November 2023)
On AFGHANISTAN
Undocumented refugees staying put in Peshawar
On 19 November, Dawn reported on a government survey that 18,665 illegal refugees were staying put in Pakistan despite the expiry of their stay and that most were present in Peshawar. The officials were advised that they should not bother the undocumented migrants but rather convince and assist them in voluntary repatriation. Officials from Peshawar district mapped the area and encouraged the refugees to the transit point. (Umer Farooq, “Illegal migrants unwilling to return identified: officials,” Dawn, 19 November 2023)
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“Eleven members of the US Congress, in a letter to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, have urged the Biden administration to withhold future US assistance to Pakistan, until the country restores constitutional order and holds free and fair elections.”
-Mohammad Ashraf
“The youth is the first priority for the stability of Pakistan Party.”
-Suhail Khan
“An Afghan businessman who wishes to remain anonymous has donated 3000 blankets to Afghan refugees who have been deported from Pakistan. The refugees are currently being housed in makeshift tents on Afghan side of the Durand Line.”
-Sangar Paykhar
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Reema Omer, ‘Myths about ‘military justice’’
Dawn, 20 November 2023
“At best, such support of military trials of civilians and denunciations of the SC order show ignorance of the relevant legal framework and jurisprudence. At worst, they are bad faith attempts at misleading the public and further empowering the security establishment at the expense of the rights of the people of Pakistan.”
Editorial, ‘Toxic cough syrups’
Dawn, 20 November 2023
“Misuse of other drugs, such as one globally recognised to treat migraines but marketed in Pakistan as an ‘appetite stimulant’, is dangerously commonplace. These episodes are not isolated events but symptoms of a systemic failure in Pakistan’s drug regulatory framework. They highlight significant flaws in oversight, from manufacturing to distribution, and expose the informal, often unsafe, transportation methods employed within the industry.”
Shahid Javed Burki, ‘China and the US take tiny steps towards détente’
The Express Tribune, 20 November 2023
“The summit with President Biden was meant to reduce the pressure America had begun to exert on China. It followed discussions between several senior Chinese and American leaders. Secretary of State Athony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen went to China and, according to their accounts, were able to engage the Chinese side in productive exchanges. In an article titled “The U.S. can compete with China — and work with China”, published in The Washington Post on November 7, 2023, Yellen wrote, “President Biden and I have been clear-eyed abut navigating the complexities of the U.S.-China relationship with a pragmatic economic strategy: one that protects our vital national security interests while seeking a stable and healthy economic relationship.””
Azhar Azam, ‘Rich West is inundating poor East with plastic waste’
The Express Tribune, 20 November 2023
“Up until 2017, China was considered among the world’s largest plastic waste importers for it had long absorbed about half of global plastic scrap including a significant share of the EU plastic waste exports. Once Beijing in 2018 imposed import bans on 24 types of recyclable waste, its plastic waste imports dropped by 95% within a year, thinning out developed world’s options to get rid of its waste. Germany, Japan, the US, the UK and other European countries are top plastic waste exporters. China wasn’t even in the top-10.”
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“The international community has failed the people of Gaza.”
-An opinion in Dawn, “Crisis of humanity”
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