PAKISTAN READER

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UNHCR condemns Islamabad's decision

In Brief
On AFGHANISTAN
UNHCR condemns Islamabad's decision
On 21 November, Concerns have been raised by the UNHCR regarding the Pakistani government's determination to deport unauthorized migrants, which has a noticeable effect on Afghan nationals. Even individuals with legal documentation or those who had registered as refugees were experiencing panic due to the activities of local officials and others, despite statements to the contrary. It reported an exponential increase in the number of Afghans detained, arrested, and deported by Pakistani officials. In a statement, the UNHCR stated that "Desperate women and children are among those who were not given a choice but to pack and leave." In addition to this, the UNHCR also reiterated the sudden influx of refugees engendered to severe humanitarian crisis amidst the approaching winter. It further added "Many Afghan returnees are vulnerable, including women and children who could lose their lives in a harsh winter if left without adequate shelter." (“UNHCR Raises Alarm Over Forced Repatriation Of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan,” The Friday Times, 22 November 2023)

Chaman border closure upon month-long protest
On 21 November, Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan through the Chaman border crossing ended abruptly when participants in a month-long sit-in over Pakistan's draconian visa policy blocked the road to Kandahar. On 20 November, demonstrators stopped the Chaman highway, causing a partial halt to other imports and exports as well as the transit traffic. However, customs officials reported that trade through Friendship Gate, the authorized border crossing between Chaman and the Afghan district of Spin-Boldak, had been entirely suspended for the previous twenty-four hours. Hundreds of demonstrators have blocked the road leading to Friendship Gate with barriers and obstacles, making it impossible for any car carrying cargo to pass. On the other hand, the caravans of undocumented immigrants heading toward Afghanistan were proceeding as usual. Jan Achakzai, the information minister for Balochistan, did, however, affirm that the border crossing was open for the refugees returning to Afghanistan. He quoted border security personnel as saying that trucks delivering supplies to Afghanistan were entering the nation through different entrances. (Saleem Shahid, “Chaman grinds to a halt amid protests,” Dawn, 22 November 2023)
 
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2023
PR Exclusive Update 22
Peshawar High Court alarms authorities on restraints of PTI
On 21 November, the Peshawar High Court issued a warning, stating that it would summon the chief election commissioner (CEC) and the acting chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to account for the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's illegal political activities in the province. Justice Ijaz Anwar during a hearing into the petition of former prime minister Imran Khan’s party stated, “Both the chief minister and CEC will be asked about their failure to fulfil the responsibility of holding polls in a free and fair manner amid the PTI’s complaints of restrictions on its activities in the province.” As a member of a two-member bench with Justice Syed M. Attique Shah, Justice Ijaz questioned how the Pakistani Election Commission would conduct general elections if the security situation was so precarious that the deputy commissioner of Peshawar was preventing a political party from holding a public meeting. AG Aamir Javed told the court that Abid Majeed, the province's additional chief secretary (at home), had convened a conference of deputy commissioners from all over the province to assess the security situation and develop a coordinated plan of action for administrations concerning political activities. (“Peshawar High Court warns govt, ECP over ‘curbs’ on PTI,” Dawn, 22 November 2023)
 
ECONOMY
Call for Transparency by stakeholders
On 21 November, the interim government made a pitch for more international financial support, particularly those related to "debt for nature and debt for social development swaps," to help Pakistan meet climate finance targets, amid calls for greater transparency from multilateral and bilateral lenders and struggles with project implementation. In a series of meetings with lenders and development partners before the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-28), which is being held in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December, organized by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar appealed for more financial support. Representatives from every significant bilateral and multilateral lender attended the meetings. The minister has already cancelled budgetary plans to introduce a traditional Eurobond, citing unfavourable conditions in the global financial markets. Instead, she has stated that she will work to gain access to climate financing, including through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) bonds, once her credit rating improves after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) disburses the second tranche of the USD 3 billion program, which is also expected to be complemented by other multilateral. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Lenders seek transparency as Pakistan pitches for environment funding,” Dawn, 22 November 2023)

The advisory committee recommends realignment of the National Finance Commission for a revenue boost
On 22 November, The News International reported that a committee comprising mainstream political parties in Pakistan has recommended realigning the National Finance Commission (NFC) with provincial capabilities to boost revenue mobilisation. The parties advocate for initiating new IMF programmes, improving governance, and fostering a minimum broader consensus on the economic agenda for the upcoming general elections. Former Finance Minister Dr Hafiz A Pasha has proposed imposing an additional PKR 2,000 billion in taxes for the incoming government, including measures like collecting PKR 540 billion from the property sector, implementing an Agriculture Income Tax of up to PKR 270 billion, imposing a 10 per cent inheritance tax, and introducing income tax on retailers and green tax. (“Roundtable calls for fiscal overhaul, consensus on economic agenda before polls,” The News International, 22 November 2023)

SECURITY
Soldier killed in KP blast
On 21 November, at least three "terrorists" were killed in separate intelligence-based operations in the districts of Dera Ismail Khan and South Waziristan, while a soldier accepted martyrdom in an improvised explosive device blast in North Waziristan. An IED attack in the Gharyoum area of the North Waziristan district claimed the life of Soldier Shahzeb, a Rawalpindi resident, according to a statement from the military's media department, Inter-Services Public Relations. As per ISPR, security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan's Kuluchi neighbourhood, and two "terrorists" lost their lives in a gunfight with security personnel. It said that in a different operation carried out in the South Waziristan district's Kot Azam neighbourhood, another "terrorist" was slain.   ( “Soldier martyred in KP blast, three ‘terrorists’ killed,” Dawn, 22 November 2023)

POLITICS
Fresh sitting arrangements
On 21 November, following a meeting with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that the parties had reached a seat adjudication agreement to strengthen their relationship, as the political landscape heats up ahead of elections. Nawaz Sharif visited the JUI-F chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his home in Islamabad following his hearing at the Islamabad High Court on charges of corruption against him. Regarding the meeting between the two, the PML-N remained silent, while JUI-F chairman Maulana Fazl claimed that both parties had decided to run together in the polls. Reporters were informed by Maulana Fazl that JUI-F and PML-N have also decided to "walk together in future." He claimed that earlier, both parties had presented a united face against Imran Khan's PTI. He further added, “There will be seat adjustments with PML-N and the rules of the game should be fair and equal for all the parties.” (Syed Irfan Raza and Kalbe Ali, “Old allies tout fresh seat adjustment,” Dawn, 22 November 2023)
 
CJP expresses concerns over high courts disregarding Supreme Court judgements
On 21 November, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, expressed regret over precedents in the country’s judicial history where high courts knowingly disregarded or invalidated earlier Supreme Court judgments. The remarks were made during a hearing of appeals against a Lahore High Court (LHC) order that declared the death sentence awarded to late military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf in the high treason case as unconstitutional. Isa referred to Article 189 of the Constitution and questioned whether Supreme Court judgments are not binding on high courts. He expressed concern over “how the petition was filed” and “entertained when the office had raised objections.” (“CJP assails LHC for ignoring verdicts in Musharraf case,” Dawn, 22 November 2023)
 
PTI leaders indicted in 9 May riots case
On 21 November, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Pakistan indicted prominent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including former Provincial Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, and former MPA Rubina Jamil. The arrests were made in connection with the 9 May riots that erupted following the arrest of Imran Khan. They have been accused of inciting the public to set ablaze police vans in Lahore. The court granted the prosecution permission to frame charges against the accused, who have opted to contest the charges. The next hearing is scheduled for 16 December. (Rana Yasif, “Yasmin Rashid, other PTI leaders indicted in May 9 riots case,” The Express Tribune, 21 November 2023)

PROVINCE
Punjab: Appeals to Supreme Court’s decision on military trials of civilians
On 21 November, the caretaker Punjab government in Pakistan filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the decision of a five-member bench that declared the trials of civilians under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, as unconstitutional and of “no legal effect.” The bench, in its 23 October ruling, had stated that trying civilians in military courts for their alleged role in attacks on army installations during the riots that followed Imran Khan’s arrest was ultra vires the Constitution. The appeal urged the court to set aside the verdict and “dismiss petitions with costs,” arguing that the Army Act sought to prosecute only those who infiltrated a “prohibited place.” (Haseeb Bhatti, “Punjab govt challenges SC verdict on civilians’ military trials,” Dawn, 21 November 2023)
 
EXTERNAL
EU expresses concerns over forced disappearances, media freedom restrictions, and corruption in Pakistan
On 21 November, the European Union (EU) released a joint monitoring report on Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preference (GSP-Plus), where it expressed concerns about “enforced disappearances, on allegations of torture as well as on restrictions of freedom of expression, and media freedom.” The report, which covers the period from 2020 to 2022, brought out the “outsized role” played by the military in Pakistan’s politics and economy. The GSP-Plus also raised questions about “pervasive corruption” and the use of anti-corruption rhetoric and legal cases for political purposes. Additionally, “challenges” relating to Pakistan’s “capacity to uphold and protect” human rights were highlighted, such as high rates of “child labour,” and the “discrimination of women in the labour market.” Terming these concerns as a violation of international treaties, it has urged Islamabad to implement laws for the protection of economic, social, and political rights. (Shahbaz Rana, “EU questions Pakistan’s record of human rights, restrictions on media,” The Express Tribune, 22 November 2023)
 
Pakistan urged to shift from geopolitics to geo-economics, open CPEC for neighbours
On 22 November, The Express Tribune reported that at a conference on “South Asia and Regional Connectivity in the 21^st Century” held in Karachi, the Dean Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Lahore, Dr Rabia Akhtar, urged Pakistan to make a paradigm shift from geopolitics to geo-economics. This includes opening the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for Pakistan’s neighbours to achieve economic well-being and strengthen its position in the region and beyond. Akhtar emphasised that CPEC is vital for Pakistan, and extending it to Afghanistan would benefit all three countries. She stated: “The policy recognises that a secure and prosperous Pakistan can play a more active and positive role in regional and global affairs, augmenting the country’s voice and influence in the process.” Another speaker highlighted the potential for improved trade and economic ties between Pakistan and India despite political differences. (Salman Siddiqui, “Experts stress need for opening up CPEC,” The Express Tribune, 22 November 2023)

Beyond empty platitudes, the IPP's political objective is a genuine commitment to assist Pakistan's populace. He is a ray of hope because their ambition for a better future is in line with the goals of many families. -Fiza Noor   The front of resistance which emerged in Lebanon, consolidated in Gaza, is strong in Iraq, & firing missiles from Yemen, from today, consider Pakistan included in this Axis of Resistance. -Sayed Amir   Leaders, policymakers, and citizens alike must unite in their commitment to create a Pakistan where the welfare of every individual is a collective responsibility, ensuring a future where the nation thrives as one. -Ayesha Khan

“It looks like that the stage is set for the return of a PML-N led government.” -An opinion in Dawn, “Elections or selection?”