PHC's “bat” decision criticized by Shehbaz; PTI gains momentum despite hurdles
In Brief
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2023
PR Exclusive Update 34
Army to provide necessary assistance for election
On 28 December, according to Dawn, following the 261st Corps Commanders' Conference presided over by Army Chief General Asim Munir, the ISPR announced to send out troops and offer the necessary assistance to ensure the general elections on 8 February 2024 are conducted safely. The action was taken in response to the ECP's request for military and civil security personnel earlier this month, which would address the shortage of over 277,000 personnel required for a secure voting process. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement stated, “The Forum noted that requisite and necessary support will also be extended to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for forthcoming general elections.” ( Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Army to extend requisite support for polls,” Dawn, 29 December 2023)
Political analysts sceptical about PPP's 10-Point Manifesto
On 28 December, The Express Tribune reported that after Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari unveiled the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) 10-point agenda, political experts have expressed their scepticism. The Chief editor of The Express Tribune, Naveed Hussain, was among those who criticized the promises as political posturing, highlighting the necessity of achieving economic stability before enacting audacious commitments such as providing free electricity, a 100 per cent pay increase, and greater funding for healthcare and education. Hussain emphasized the PML-N's and PPP's historical accountability for the nation's economic problems. He also regretted that the country's political parties have not learnt any lessons from the past. Express News Bureau Chief in Karachi, Faisal Husain questioned Bilawal's political maturity, referencing Asif Ali Zardari’s statement on the former’s ongoing political training. Express News Bureau Chief in Islamabad, Amir Ilyas Rana criticized PPP's governance in Sindh and emphasized the country's reliance on the IMF. Analysts urged a more specific economic revival strategy, warning against meaningless rhetoric in the face of a more politically aware population. (Noman Awan, “Political analysts sceptical of PPP manifesto’s feasibility,” The Express Tribune, 28 December 2023)
Nawaz Sharif is eligible to run for the general elections from the Mansehra NA
On 28 December, the Returning Officer (RO) Hajrah Sami, for NA-15 (Mansehra II), dismissed all of the concerns expressed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding the eligibility of Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) to contest the general elections and deemed his nomination papers to be valid. The legal advisor to Nawaz Sharif, Jahangir Jadoon stated: “The scrutiny process of nomination papers of PMLN supreme leader Nawaz Sharif has been completed and all objections raised by PTI leader Azam Khan Swati, and two others have been set aside, and he has been declared eligible to contest elections from here.” (Khalid Hasnain, “Nawaz ‘cleared’ to contest NA seat in Mansehra,” Dawn, 29 December 2023; “RO declares Nawaz eligible for elections,” The News International, 29 December 2023)
PHC's “bat” decision criticized by Shehbaz
On 28 December, according to Dawn, the PML-N asserted that the Peshawar High Court (PHC) had undermined the authority of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by allowing the PTI to reclaim its election symbol. They even doubted the impartiality of the high court judge who made the decision, alleging that his relatives were planning to run for office on Imran Khan's party ticket on 8 February, 2024. After the Supreme Court approved the post-arrest bail of PTI leaders Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the cipher case, the PML-N, which had just been praising the nation's legal system for providing “expeditious justice” to its then-convicted supreme leader Nawaz Sharif in corruption cases, turned its back on the legal system. On the same day, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif used a brief address to party officials and workers at a hotel in Karachi to discuss his thoughts on the latest events. During the meeting, he stated, “I believe that the Peshawar High Court verdict [regarding the electoral symbol of PTI] is a kind of attack on ECP’s authority.” (Imran Ayub, “Shehbaz slams PHC’s decision on ‘bat,” Dawn, 29 December 2023)
There are no notable distinctions between PPP, PTI, and PMLN, says JII
On 28 December, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq argued that there are no significant differences between the PTI, PPP, and PMLN. The JI chairman claimed these groups were essentially two sides of the same coin while speaking at a press conference. He claimed that a large number of these parties’ leaders were merely opportunistic turncoats who sided with the party that was most likely to win elections. In addition, he introduced the JI election symbol, ‘Scale’. Siraj claimed that political workers have no place in the so-called mainstream parties since these organizations frequently give preference to their relatives. He claimed that these gatherings serve as family clubs with the main goal of consolidating power and safeguarding their interests. (“No substantive difference between PMLN, PPP, PTI: JI,” The News International, 29 December 2023)
PTI gains momentum despite hurdles
On 29 December, The News International reported that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is coming back, fewer than six weeks before the general elections, despite administrative efforts to suppress it. According to the report, the PTI's morale has been boosted as a result of obtaining legal relief from limitations on public activities. The PTI has been reinvigorated by recent court rulings, including the Supreme Court's decision in the cipher case and the Peshawar High Court's order overturning the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to revoke the party's election symbol. Another challenge has been postponed by the stay order issued by the Islamabad High Court in the cipher trial of the party’s ex-chairman Imran Khan. This stay is in effect until 11 January, 2024 and ensures a crucial breather. PTI officials are upbeat and asserting that their emblem has broad public support. More PTI candidates have submitted nominations for the elections scheduled for February 8, 2024 when compared to the 2018 elections. (Ansar Abbasi, “PTI staging comeback for polling day ‘surprise’ despite hurdles,” The News International, 29 December 2023)
Islamabad High Court stays cipher case trial
On 29 December, The News International reported that Imran Khan's request to postpone his trial in the cipher case until 11 January 2024 was granted by the Islamabad High Court on 28 December. In the petition, the PTI founder had contested his indictment, the proceedings, and the gag order issued by a special court under the Official Secrets Act. The PTI attorney argued about purported anomalies, such as the fact that the FIR was filed before the complaint. The judge questioned the necessity of an in-camera trial and voiced reservations about the hurried nature of the cipher trial. On 22 December, post-arrest bail was granted to Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the vice chairman of the PTI, in the cipher case. (Khalid Iqbal & News Desk, “Imran Khan’s trial in cipher case halted till Jan 11: Embattled PTI gets relief from another high court,” The News International, 29 December 2023)
POLITICS
PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi sent on a two-week remand
On 29 December, Dawn reported that in connection with the 9 May riots and violence that followed the arrest of former PTI chairman Imran Khan, a Rawalpindi court has placed PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi on a two- week of remand at Adiala Jail in a case relating to the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.Punjab police had requested a 30-day remand, but the court rejected it. Sources said the Rawalpindi police have implicated the PTI leader in 12 different FIRs registered with the district police in connection with the 9 May violence. Qureshi leveled allegations of physical and mental torture while he was in prison on the night of 27 December.PTI called for action against state authorities and denounced the caretaker administration, claiming that Qureshi's imprisonment was unlawful. The party also appealed to the Supreme Court to step in. (“Qureshi implicated in a dozen May 9 cases,” Dawn, 29 December 2023)
PROVINCES
Balochistan: Judge orders the release of 34 Baloch protesters
On 29 December, The News International reported that the Judicial Magistrate Islamabad, Ahmed Shahzad Gondal issued an order for the release of thirty-four Baloch demonstrators. The Investigation Officer submitted an identification report, which was the basis for the court's ruling. Despite the IO's request to imprison the demonstrators, the court granted the bail motion filed by the Baloch protesters’ lawyers and ordered them to be released. (Khalid Iqbal, “34 Baloch protesters released,” The News International, 29 December 2023)
PAKISTAN OCCUPIED J&K
Gilgit-Baltistan (GB): Administration increases subsidized wheat prices
On 28 December, Dawn reported that the administration of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) increased the price of wheat that is subsidized from PKR 20 to PKR 36 per kilogram amid protests. The GB food department said that the new pricing will take effect on 1 January, 2024. The GB government had originally intended to raise the amount at which wheat was subsidized to PKR 52 per kg. Subsequently, GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan announced at a press conference that the federal government had demanded a 70 per cent increase in the wheat rate that was subsidized. He also argued for targeted subsidies that would only help people who were registered in the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). GB Minister of Food, Ghulam Muhammad has said that ration cards will be used for the delivery of subsidized wheat in the province to maintain transparency. (Jamil Nagri, “GB raises subsidised wheat prices amid protests,” Dawn, 29 December 2023)
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“Pakistan bans New Year celebration in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Announcement made by the caretaker Pakistan PM Kakar.”
- Sidhant Sibal
“Rupee appreciated for 12th consecutive day, dollar became cheaper
Yesterday, the price of the dollar was recorded at 282 rupees 20 paise in the interbank”
- Khabar
“Pakistan’s Total Liquid Foreign Reserves Surge to $12.8 Billion, Marking Significant Growth”
- Mazhar Abbas
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Sara Malkani, ‘Federalism and local governments’
Dawn, 29 December 2023
“THERE is a fear in some quarters that attempts to strengthen local government constitute a ‘rollback’ of the 18th Amendment provisions expanding provincial autonomy. This was expressed in a statement on Dec 4 by the PPP’s Senator Raza Rabbani, who said that the purpose behind such moves “is to make provincial governments redundant”. On the other hand, PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal has said that strengthening local government is the ultimate goal of the devolution process. According to Ahsan Iqbal, the “spirit of the 18th Amendment” requires that power be taken down further to the grassroots.” The 18th Amendment expanded the range of domains over which provinces have exclusive decision-making powers. The 18th Amendment also inserted Article 140-A in the Constitution which requires that provincial governments ‘devolve’ powers to local governments. Differences persist over the extent to which the 18th Amendment grants local governments the right to take independent decisions untrammelled by a central or provincial authority.”
Shahzad Chaudhry, ‘2023 — lessons’
The Express Tribune, 29 December 2023
“We barely survived a default. The economy almost tanked and then with significant external help has only kept intact. Pakistan’s state structure, especially its armed forces retained their integrity and cohesion to come out stronger on the other side of an externally targeted upheaval. Their integrity is sine qua non for country’s stability. After having seen and experienced the worst political turmoil of its history governing structures have somehow muddled through even if these did not conform strictly to constitutional statutes. If the constitution was dented and at some places mauled it still in most parts remains operative. True, the people suffered and perhaps were the most affected in this struggle for political or institutional eminence, yet they have once again lived up to ‘resilience’ imposed on them. It would have been worse had the army chosen to wipe all off including the constitution and established its own writ in the way that they have done numerous times before. For some time now they have upheld the constitution even if they have chosen pathways not in entire conformance. Even more importantly they have had a civilian’s face in position of eminence. They may have reluctantly recognised that their indulgence in civilian affairs, a political fief, isn’t something which holds them popular.”
Senator Mushahid Hussain, ‘Al Aqsa Storm’ reshapes the Middle East’
The Express Tribune, 29 December 2023
“To counter the Iran-led ‘Axis of Resistance’, the US cobbled an ‘Axis of Repression’ to maintain the regional status quo, freezing disputes like Palestine and Kashmir to combat the ‘real enemy’, China. Washington was endeavouring to connect an Israel-centred Middle East with an India-focused ‘Indo-Pacific’, to supplement and support the American-led New Cold War against China. Essentially, India is replicating Israeli policies of repression in Occupied Kashmir, with American complicity, so US regional strategy would rest on ‘twin pillars’, Israel in the Middle East and India in South Asia. Just a fortnight before the launch of the ‘Al Aqsa Storm’, three separate but related developments corroborated this policy. One, on 22 September, Netanyahu proudly unfolded the map of the ‘New Middle East’ at the United Nations General Assembly, where the Palestinians were conspicuously absent. Two, on 20 September, following the G-20 Summit in New Delhi, the India-Israel Middle East European Union Corridor (IMEC) was launched with much fanfare, touted as the West’s copycat response to China’s highly successful Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). Three, in May 2023, President Biden’s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan personally took his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, to meet Saudi Arabia’s Prime Minister and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to “advance their shared vision of a more secure and prosperous Middle East region interconnected with India and the world”.
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“Pakistan confronts an existential crisis far more critical than its economic troubles.”
– an editorial in Dawn, ‘Not only economics’.
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