The ECP has reserved its decision on the petitions; The Pakistani Youths at COP28
In Brief
POLITICS
PTI tries AI-generated Imran Khan
On 18 December, according to Dawn the PTI, which is widely regarded as a pioneer in the use of social media for political messaging, successfully employed AI to clone the voice of the party's founder, Imran Khan, who addressed the virtual jalsa while imprisoned in Adiala Jail. The audio recording was played over historical footage of Mr Khan speaking and was disseminated on social media in the early hours of the five-hour online event. Azhar Mashwani, the PTI chairman's social media point man, told Dawn that Mr Khan sent a written message from prison, which was then cloned into a voice that sounded like his. He stated, “This was a no-brainer for us when Imran Khan is no longer there to actually speak at a political rally.” (Ikram Junaidi, “PTI blazes a trail with novel use of artificial intelligence,” Dawn, 19 December 2023)
Nawaz hinted about introducing 'Shehbaz speed' to Karachi
On 18 December, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif asked Karachi citizens why they overlooked his party in the polls even though it had served them best, implying that the party may nominate his younger brother as a candidate from the city by the sea. He addressed ticket hopefuls from Sindh at the party's provincial secretariat in Model Town, boasting of all the development work done in Lahore under Shehbaz Sharif's watch, while stressing that no comparable project had been completed in Karachi. He stated, “We maintained peace and ended terrorism in Karachi. We made a tunnel in Chitral, but when the elections took place the people voted for someone else... why?” Drawing a parallel between his brother's development projects in Punjab and those in Karachi, the elder Sharif stated, "Why is no progress being made in Karachi... not a single water project was completed while we had initiated the Green Line work there, but buses have yet to ply." Shehbaz Sharif, on the other hand, has initiated a metro bus project in Punjab as well as the Orange Line in Lahore. (Zulqernain Tahir, “Nawaz hints at bringing ‘Shehbaz speed’ to Karachi,” Dawn, 19 December 2023)
The ECP has reserved its decision on the petitions
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reserved its decision on a series of petitions challenging the PTI's intra-party elections. The polls, which resulted in Barrister Gohar Khan replacing Imran Khan as PTI chairman, were held on 2 December following the electoral body's recommendations. After being nominated by Imran, who is currently detained at Adiala Jail, the lawyer was elected as the next party chief. However, the party came under fire for the polls as disgruntled PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar said that he would contest the entire process. He claimed that the PTI used a selection procedure to oust party workers to transfer the keys to a few attorneys. (Irfan Sadozai, “ECP reserves verdict on pleas challenging PTI’s intra-party elections,” Dawn, 19 December 2023)
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2023
PR Exclusive Update 28
Supreme Court rules objections to constituency delimitation ineffective after election schedule released
On 18 December, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that objections to the delimitation of constituencies cannot be raised once the election schedule is released. The decision came in response to a plea by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) challenging changes made by the Balochistan High Court to two constituencies in Zhob and Shirani. The Supreme Court set aside the Balochistan High Court's order, emphasizing that challenges to constituencies become ineffective after the release of the election schedule. The ruling aims to ensure that the upcoming elections proceed as scheduled on 8 February. (Haseeb Bhatti, “Objections against delimitations cannot be raised after release of election schedule,” Dawn, 19 December 2023)
ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT
President Alvi calls for sustainable practices and energy efficiency to mitigate climate change
On 18 December, President Arif Alvi emphasized the importance of improving energy efficiency, adopting sustainable practices, and changing attitudes to address the adverse impacts of climate change. Speaking at an event for the "Green Presidency of Pakistan" project, Alvi highlighted the need for “transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reforestation to curb the adverse impacts on the planet’s climate and ecosystems.” The Green Presidency initiative involves a one-megawatt solar PV system installation and energy conservation measures, resulting in a 42.5 per cent reduction in energy usage at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The project received the "International Energy Project of the Year 2023" award. (“President urges energy efficiency for climate,” The Express Tribune, 19 December 2023)
The Pakistani Youths at COP28
On 18 December, according to Dawn, the youth climate action groups fighting for climate justice attended the COP28 meeting held in Dubai. This move came with the support from Pakistan's Ministry of Climate Change. The annual climate change negotiations conference concluded the next day with a final agreement stating, “transitioning away from fossil fuels.” The attendees say, including youths from the state of Pakistan where 68 percent of the population is under 30 into the Climate Change conferences represented by almost 200 parties are "Extraordinary." Hafsa Rizwan, a project lead for COP in My City and a climate consultant said “Youths are the ones who will take the climate conversation forward” Meanwhile, Hania Imran, who heads up Youth Climate Activists Pakistan added that her primary interest in the COP28 were the Loss and Damage Fund and transitions, as these two are very relevant to Pakistan in her view. Kamran Ali, the co-founder and lead organizer of Fridays for Future Pakistan who also attended the meeting from the Gilgit-Baltistan province stated, “I feel a deep sense of responsibility to contribute to finding sustainable solutions and resilience-building strategies for regions like Gilgit-Baltistan.” (“The young voices speaking up for Pakistan at COP28,” Dawn, 18 December 2023)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan asserting its support to Iran combating terrorism
On 19 December, according to Dawn, Jalil Abbas Jilani Foreign Minister in his phone call with Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iranian counterpart asserted the support from Pakistan to Iran in combating terrorism, where both the dignitaries recognized this as a shared threat, a significant hurdle in the path of regional peace and stability. The development and the discussion were brought out after the terrorist attack on a police station in Rask, a place in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province. The responsibility was claimed by the militant group Jaish Al-Adl, an organization by Tehran. The initial investigations highlighted the attackers were infiltrated from Pakistan. Following this, Ahmad Vahidi Interim Minister of Iran urged Pakistan to curb terrorist bases in the borders. (“Pakistan reaffirms pledge to help Iran fight terrorism,” Dawn, 19 December 2023)
ON AFGHANISTAN
PM Kakar on "the country's priority is to set our home in order"
On 18 December, according to The News, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar highlighted his concerns over prioritizing the country's national security by not allowing huge numbers of undocumented foreigners, including Afghan people to continue staying. In an op-ed release in The Telegraph PM Kakar addressed, "Our ultimate aim is to build a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Pakistan with associated benefits for our own," and he also expressed concerns about the Afghans attempting suicide and the terrorists killed by security forces were found to be Afghans. About this, he says "When we raised this with the interim Afghan government, they advised us to 'look inwards'. We have finally decided to heed their advice to put our house in order.” While the country has benefitted from the hard-working and talented migrants, the overall record shows economic and security instability. A considerable portion of the undocumented population has steadfastly refused to formally register, preferring to live in hiding, despite numerous opportunities to return home freely and numerous government attempts to register them poses a threat to the holding country, Kakar mentioned. (“PM terms undocumented foreigners ‘security risk’ for Pakistan,” The News, 18 December 2023)
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"PTI must consider Kamal Salim Swati on MNA seat from Mansehra. He is the real fighter and the most deserving. All my support and prayers for my younger brother. Best of Luck Kamal Khan."
-Atif Khan
"Ali Ahsan, son of Aitzaz Ahsan would be joining Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He is likely to contest from Lahore."
-Jasim Chatha
"The Prime Minister of Pakistan has made a significant statement, acknowledging that the Kashmiris under occupation are essentially Pakistanis under foreign control. He questions the legitimacy of allowing one's own people to be under the occupation of foreign forces."
-Soza Jahan
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Aisha Khan, ‘Ambitious outcome’
Dawn, 19 December 2023
“COP28 also saw many new announcements and pledges, ranging considerably in their significance and credibility. The UAE-led Finance Framework, along with record-breaking pledges to the Green Climate Fund and new finance for loss and damage of around $655.9 million can be interpreted as a shift in politics of financing.”
Editorial, ‘Balanced ballots’
Dawn, 19 December 2023
“In addition, the role of communities in shaping attitudes towards women’s voting rights cannot be overstated. Comprehensive efforts to educate and engage communities, especially in regions marked by pronounced gender disparities, are of utmost importance.”
Editorial, ‘Balochistan’s wounds’
Dawn, 19 December 2023
“If the marchers are peacefully exercising their right to protest, the state has no business detaining them. Either the demands of the protesters — a transparent investigation into the case and an end to the arbitrary detention of Baloch youth — should be satisfactorily met, or the marchers allowed to proceed to the Supreme Court to express their plaints.”
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“The Charter of Democracy was not the only factor which led to relative stability post-2008.”
-An opinion in Dawn, “Revisiting the CoD”
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