In Brief
POLITICS
Supreme Court conditionally allows trial of 9 May rioters in military courts, sparking criticism
On 14 December, The Express Tribune reported that the Supreme Court of Pakistan granted conditional approval for the trial of 104 individuals involved in the 9 May riots, most of whom are PTI workers, in military courts. This decision sparked criticism, particularly from lawyers and PTI supporters, who questioned the suspension of the court’s 23 October judgment declaring the trial of civilians in military courts unconstitutional. The composition of the six-member bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, has raised further questions, with some perceiving a conservative stance on legal issues. The order affects high courts dealing with the 9 May rioting cases, limiting their ability to grant relief to detainees. The development has also impacted PTI’s expectations for Supreme Court intervention against state institutions’ actions post-9 May incidents. (Hasnaat Malik, “Security establishment gets big relief,” The Express Tribune, 14 December 2023)
ECONOMY
ADB releases Asian Development Outlook report for December 2023
On 13 December, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in its report titled “Asian Development Outlook-December 2023,” described Pakistan’s overall recovery as constrained by moderate confidence, highlighting that high inflation rates were impacting the purchasing power of citizens. This rate is expected to fall, as per the ADB, due to fiscal consolidation, monetary tightening, and better access to food. As per the report, China’s economy was projected to increase by 5.2 per cent in 2023, owing to a rise in household consumption and public investment. Speaking on Asia as a whole, ADB Chief Economist Albert Park stated that “developing Asia continues to grow at a robust pace despite a challenging global environment.” However, he warned that though inflation is “gradually coming under control,” the presence of “climate events like El Niño” combined with “elevated global interests” mean that risks are still persistent. Weak demand for manufacturing products caused the growth outlook for Southeast Asia to be lowered from 4.6 per cent to 4.3 per cent. Park advised Asian and Pacific governments to “remain vigilant,” especially considering the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the volatility of oil prices. (Khaleeq Kiani, “ADB sees inflation easing owing to monetary tightening,” Dawn, 14 December 2023)
Pakistan’s largest Thar coal-fired power project achieves USD two billion financial closing
On 13 December, the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) in Pakistan announced the USD two billion financial closing of the country’s largest Thar coal-fired power project by Shanghai Electric Corporation. The project, with a generation capacity of 1,320MW, is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The financial close agreement was signed by PPIB Managing Director Shah Jahan Mirza, the Chief Executive of the project company Meng Donghai, and CEO of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Karachi Branch Zhou Bo. The project is considered the second-cheapest power project from the fuel cost perspective, contributing to foreign exchange savings, and reducing the overall basket price of electricity. (“$2bn Thar power plant achieves financial close,” Dawn, 14 December 2023)
PIA fails to pay the entire workforce their November salary
On 14 December, The Express Tribune reported on the failure of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to pay its 7,000 employees their salaries for November. PIA has recently been undergoing a financial crisis, and the non-payment of salaries has made employees even more uneasy. The CBA union President of the PIA, Hidayatullah Khan, stated: “Employees are being subjected to deliberate humiliation. Should salaries be delayed again next month, expect forceful protests from the union.” Khan went on to blame the caretaker government for the fuel crisis, and the PIA management for creating the financial distress. While confirming the delay in salaries, a PIA spokesperson assured that “efforts are underway to secure funds through alternative channels for salary disbursements” within the coming days. (“Financial strain hits PIA employees hard,” The Express Tribune, 14 December 2023; Tahir Amin, “ADB explains why recovery is still constrained,” Business Recorder, 14 December 2023)
PROVINCE
Balochistan: Baloch Yekjehti Committee march against alleged extra-judicial killing by CTD
On 14 December, The Express Tribune reported on the Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) declaration of a long march, protesting against the extra-judicial killing of Balach Baloch. The protest has been going on for three days in Quetta. The protestors accuse the Counter-Terrorism Department of discriminately branding the victim as a terrorist. This was refuted by the CTD who stated that the loss of life was because of a clash with the security forces and that it was not targeted. Balochistan caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai expressed his concerns that the anti-state elements are exploiting the sit-in. The protestors are demanding that the murder be registered against CTD officials in accordance with the law and be probed for the same. (“BYC plans Quetta to Islamabad march,” The Express Tribune, 14 December 2023)
ON AFGHANISTAN
The repatriation deadline for illegal immigrants in transit extended
On 13 December, the federal cabinet extended the transit deadline for the repatriation of Illegal immigrants who have no documents and are waiting to be relocated to Western countries. They also announced that those who are waiting to leave for other countries would have to pay a reduced fine of USD 400 rather than USD 800 for their overstay. After the due date is surpassed an additional fine of USD 100 would be imposed with the maximum limit of the fine being USD 800. (Syed Irfan Raza, “Deadline extended for Afghan refugees in transit,” Dawn, 14 December 2023)
EXTERNAL
COAS meets US Defence Secretary
On 13 December, COAS Asim Munir met with the US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III as part of his Washington visit. During the meeting, he was hosted was Austin where they both discussed recent regional issues developments and the future of cooperation and Defence operations between the two countries. Munir is also set to meet US Secretary Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. (Anwar Iqbal, “ US defence secretary hosts army chief in Washington,” Dawn, 14 December 2023)
SOCIETY
Polio virus was detected in six samples collected from five different districts
On 14 December, Dawn reported the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health data that found positive reports for poliovirus in six samples collected from five districts in the country. The samples were collected from the sewage water which is usually used to determine the success of polio eradication campaigns, it said: “The presence of virus in sewage shows the immunity level of children in the area has fallen and they are at risk.” Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan said: “we have detected the imported cluster, which highlights the constant risk of poliovirus spread through cross-border transmission.” (Ikram Junaidi, “Poliovirus found in another six samples,” Dawn, 14 December 2023)
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“Cricketer Usman Khawaja wore a black armband as a show of support for the people of Gaza during Australia's first test match against Pakistan, after the International Cricket Council barred him from displaying messages including "All lives are equal" on his shoes.”
-SBS News
“97% of Pakistanis believe Asim Munir to be a foreign slave and a traitor. The picture of MA Jinnah is ironic, because Jinnah would’ve never allowed Pakistan to become a garrison state.”
-Salman Ahmad
“Mr. Munir Akram has been fulfilling his responsibility exceptionally well as the permanent representative of Pakistan in the UN. Why is it that the stance we have seen in New York, United Nations, is not seen in Islamabad?? Why is Islamabad's stance so passive to the mass murder and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians?? Why is Islamabad parroting the 2 State Solution for Palestine?? If Islamabad is unable to practically do anything to stop the genocide then at least it must clearly, comprehensively and bravely state its stance.”
-Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan
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Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, ‘New climate finances’
Dawn, 14 December 2023
“The critics are not clear how many of these commitments are new and additional, and how and when these will be operationalised. According to the Guardian, the amounts pledged to LDF will cover less than 0.2 per cent of the amount needed. In most cases, the exact funding targets and mechanisms are unclear. A big concern for developing countries is how much of the financing will be in the form of grants and how much in loans that will increase their debt. The debate now centres around the growing financial gap: how much of it will be covered by the domestic and how much by the international private sector investment?”
Editorial, ‘Unchanged policy rate’
Dawn, 14 December 2023
“A shift to monetary easing at this time, therefore, might potentially result in a spike in imports, resulting from pent-up demand and lead reserves — which are barely enough to cover two months’ imports — to drain quickly. This could cause the exchange rate to deteriorate and the current account deficit to widen, thwarting efforts to tame prices.”
Editorial, ‘Home free?’
Dawn, 14 December 2023
“The Supreme Court this week raised a timely question: how can the apex court’s interpretation of the ‘sadiq and ameen’ clause — which, it has upheld, deems a politician ineligible to contest polls for their lifetime — and recent amendments to the Elections Act, which limit disqualification to five years, coexist?”
Inam Ul Haque, ‘Pak-Afghan relations- DI Khan attack and TTP’
The Express Tribune, 14 December 2023
“TTP is a vexing issue, and the only ‘variable’ with the potential to further derail and irreparably damage relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Inability (most likely), unwillingness, or both on the part of Afghan Emirate (IEA) to resolve this very critical issue has severe implications that are not fully comprehended by the interim government in Kabul. There are powerful external lobbies, regional nemesis and internal detractors in both nations who would not want to see peace and amity between the two countries. So, what is Afghan locus standi on the issue?”
Imran Jan, ‘Global politics and the erosion of democracy’
The Express Tribune, 14 December 2023
“Yet, Pakistan today cannot dare ask the same question from the Americans: condemn the actions of Israel and do not provide arms and diplomatic support to this terrorist/apartheid state. Can America practise what it preaches? Israel kills UN personnel and attacks UN run schools or hospitals almost on a weekly basis, if not everyday. Imagine if Pakistan had done something like that or even had shaken hands with the leader of a country who would have done something like that.”
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