NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : The Express Tribune
In Brief
JUDICIARY
Supreme Court: Repatriation of “Illegal migrants” bound to UN convention rights of refugees
On 1 December, Supreme Court Judge Justice Ayesha A. Malik stated that they are bound to observe the United Nations conventions on the rights of refugees. The remarks were made at the hearing petition demanding to restrict the government’s policy to deport “illegal migrants” especially Afghan nationals. The bench noted that the deportation of migrants provision was also based on “constitutional interpretation,” the petitioner PPP senator Farhatullah Babar questioned the mandate of the interim government to deport illegal Afghan migrants/refugees. He said: “Afghan citizens are being treated inhumanely by the government of Pakistan,” and that the interim governments do not have constitutional authority to make lasting policy-based decisions. (Haseeb Bhatti, “Pakistan bound by UN conventions protecting rights of refugees: Justice Ayesha,” Dawn, 1 December 2023)
ELECTIONS
MOM-P to contest in polls after threatening to boycott them
On 1 December, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) announced that they would be contesting in the upcoming polls and retracting their vow to boycott the polls. The party accused the delimitation and the election commissioner’s support of PPP was unfair. They accused the Sindh election commissioner Ejaz Anwar of “betraying the people of Karachi” and of gerrymandering. They snide that he was not a government servant by a party member of PPP and that they weren’t hopeful that the elections would be impartial. They also accused that there are flaws in the voter list and that thousands of voters are shifted to other areas. (Imran Ayub, “Despite having doubts about electoral process, MQM-P vows to contest polls,” Dawn, 2 December 2023)
Bilawal on the upcoming polls
On 1 December, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged for the public’s involvement in the country’s politics and other concerns. While addressing the Balochistan High Court Bar Association in Quetta he expressed that when the people of Pakistan wake up, no one can stop them. While discussing the future elections he commented that the former Prime Minister is set to become one again for the fourth time, hinting at Nawaz Sharif. He also criticized Imran Khan’s policies and requested that on 8 February when the election happens, they do not leave the fate of the country in the hands of two people. He also clarified that he is not against the old politicians and said: “You can adopt a new style of politics for this country even when you are old, and you can be interested in the same old style of politics even when you are young.” (Saleem Shahid, “People should decide country’s future, says Bilawal,” Dawn, 2 December 2023)
PML-N to start meetings for party ticket decision
On 1 December, PML-N kickstarted the process for the selection of candidates for national and provincial seats. The party would start allocating the party tickets and soon finalize the candidacy. This information was shared by the PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb. The party would participate in regular board meetings to rigorously select the PML-N leader to stand for elections. (“PML-N kicks off party ticket allocations,” The Express Tribune, 2 December 2023)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan Foreign Office disappointed with Afghan's inaction against TTP
On 1 December, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed its displacement with the Afghan administration’s unresponsiveness to the issue of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan terrorist group. She outlined the concerns over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. She said: “With respect to the terrorist groups, which have sanctuaries and hideouts in Afghanistan, Pakistan has serious concerns about their continued presence as these individuals and entities continue to attack Pakistan and cause loss of life inside Pakistan.” Mumtaz also stated that channels of communication should continue between the two countries and that Afghanistan should take concrete actions. (Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Kabul’s response to call for action against TTP ‘disappointing’: FO,” Dawn, 2 December 2023)
Pakistan Navy installs its ship in the Gulf of Aden
On 2 December, The News International reported that the Pakistan Navy had installed its ship in the Gulf of Aden. The ship PNS Tughril is situated to ensure the safety and security of the merchant ships travelling the area from Pakistan port. The Pakistan Navy stated that they vow to ensure freedom of navigation in the High Seas and protect the international sea line communication. It also stated: “Pakistan Navy regularly deploys its ships on Regional Maritime Security Patrols and also contributes to collaborative maritime security efforts under the ambit of Combined Maritime Forces.” They expressed that the protection of sea lines is the prime role of the navies and that the sophisticated technology would prevent them from hitting any ships. (Muhammad Anis, “Amid rising tension in Middle East: Pakistan deploys its ship in Gulf of Aden,” The News International, 2 December 2023)
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