Imran Khan accuses the establishment of unfair treatment; EU’s new African strategy
In Brief
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2024
PR Exclusive Update #40
Imran Khan indicted for contempt, threatens treason charges against ECP members
On 4 January, Imran Khan was indicted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for contempt, along with former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry. During the in-camera proceeding at Adiala Jail, Khan threatened treason charges against ECP members if he returned to power. He questioned their legitimacy, charged them with conducting elections outside of time, and made personal attacks. Khan reportedly threatened to “invoke article 6” against the ECP members. Under the Elections Act of 2017, a trial is requested in the indictment. (Mumtaz Alvi & Umar Cheema, “During indictment hearing: Imran threatens to slap treason charges on ECP members if he returns to power,” The News International, 5 January 2024)
MQM-Pakistan unveils manifesto focused on empowered district governments and economic independence
On 5 January, MQM-Pakistan (MQM-P) presented its election manifesto, emphasizing empowered district governments through constitutional revisions. The strategy was presented by the MQM-P Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who put forth the objective of utilising the skills of 65 per cent of Pakistani youth to generate USD 100 billion in foreign cash. The manifesto called for a five-to-ten-year emergency in the health and education sectors and suggested replacing the Benazir Income Support Programme with an income generation programme. Additional programmes include giving moms a one-time meal, supplying milk to school-age children, creating industrial zones for job growth, and resolving court system problems. The goal was to elevate the less fortunate individuals through the devolution of powers. (“With empowered district govts as main objective, MQM-P unveils its manifesto,” The News International, 5 January 2024)
US State Department reaffirms non-interference stance in Pakistan’s upcoming elections
On 5 January, the US State Department reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Pakistan’s democratic processes without interfering with the approaching national elections. The spokesperson emphasized that there should be no intervention, adding that it was “Not for the United States to dictate to Pakistan exact specifics of how it conducts its elections.” Ensuring that elections are held in a “free, fair, and peaceful manner” while respecting the rights to free speech and assembly is the main goal of the US, as per the spokesperson. He rejected the notion that the US supports “one candidate or party,” saying that the country is instead interested in the “democratic process.” (Wajid Ali Syed, “Not for US to dictate Pakistan on polls: State Dept,” The News International, 5 January 2024)
Imran Khan accuses the establishment of unfair treatment
On 5 January, The News International cited an article written in The Economist by Imran Khan. Khan, who wrote the report from Adiala Jail, claimed that Pakistan’s establishment was unwilling to create a level playing field for his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. He argued that the ouster of his government was “engineered” by the government, which was “under pressure from America.” Khan alleged that the reason behind the US frustration was due to his “push for an independent foreign policy” and “refusal to provide bases for its armed forces.” He contended that holding elections under the current circumstances would be “a disaster and a farce,” considering that the electoral process is unfair as he is imprisoned on “absurd charges” and PTI leaders are “not allowed to hold even local worker conventions.” The US State Department and the Pakistani government have both issued statements refuting claims of the US meddling. (Mumtaz Alvi, “PTI not being provided any playing field: Imran,” The News International, 5 January 2024)
PTI moves Supreme Court against High Court’s decision on electoral symbol
On 4 January, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed a petition with the Supreme Court against the Peshawar High Court’s decision to revoke its electoral symbol, the ‘bat.’ The PTI argued that the high court’s order caused irreparable harm and violated its constitutional rights. The party contended that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) discriminated against PTI compared to other political parties. Further, the petition asserted that the ECP lacked jurisdiction to challenge internal appointments or intra-party elections of political parties. (“PTI turns to apex court to secure its ‘bat,’ Dawn, 5 January 2024)
PPP unveils ambitious electoral agenda, promises free electricity, housing, and healthcare
On 4 January, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) unveiled its ten- point manifesto, pledging to provide up to 300 units of free electricity, allocate free housing, ensure complimentary healthcare, furnish free education, and commit to doubling the incomes of economically disadvantaged segments. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized the party’s dedication to improving incomes and purchasing power. He added that the PPP would “fulfill its promise, if it hopefully gets the chance,” stating that it was unlike other parties as it “stands alone in having the vision and the potential to extricate the country from its current crisis.” The announcements followed the official nomination of Bilawal as the PPP’s candidate for the prime minister in the upcoming general elections scheduled for 8 February. (Imran Adnan, “Freebies galore in PPP’s electoral agenda,” The Express Tribune, 4 January 2024)
POLITICS
CJP expresses opposition to lifetime disqualification, citing a clash with Islamic teachings
On 4 January, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa expressed his opposition to lifetime disqualification, stating that it is against the teachings of Islam. The remarks came during a hearing by a larger bench of the apex court on the matter of lifetime disqualification of parliamentarians. He questioned how the court could “close the door to repentance if God didn’t.” The CJP highlighted the importance of allowing individuals the opportunity to repent and return to the straight path, questioning the imposition of lifetime disqualification. (Sohail Khan, “Disqualification for life against Islam: CJP,” The News International, 5 January 2024)
PROVINCES
Balochistan: Linking increased national representation to development
On 5 January, Farrukh Javed Abbasi in an opinion in The News International titled “Representing Balochistan” pointed out that Balochistan constitutes only 5.9 per cent of the directly elected representatives in the National Assembly. On the other hand, as per the article, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh have 16 per cent and 22 per cent representation respectively, which has allowed them to play “significant roles in the country’s power structure.” Thus, Abbasi suggested that “amending the law to triple” Balochistan’s seats could be a solution to resolve the “power struggle between authorities and Baloch political parties.” He explained that there is strength in numbers, which could be used to “break the dominance of local leaders,” thereby breaking the “historical hegemony of Punjab” while motivating political leaders to “prioritize the historically marginalized province.” Abbasi also mentioned the benefits that would be enjoyed internally if the number of MNAs were increased to 60. Some include the decentralization of power “to a larger populace,” the development of coastal cities to “economic zones,” and the amplification of “the voices of the voiceless.” Ultimately, Abbasi claimed that by making Balochistan “more important” for Pakistan, issues such as the missing Balochs could be better addressed. (Farrukh Javed Abbasi, “Representing Balochistan,” The News International, 5 January 2024)
WORLDVIEW
'Widening escalation' says Dawn editorial
On 5 January, according to an editorial in Dawn titled, “Gathering storm?,” the hope for stability in the Middle Eastern region has been tarnished due to escalating tensions caused as a result of the spillover of the Gaza war. The first week of 2024 saw significant acts of violence that were linked to the ongoing Israel and Hamas conflict. The editorial stated that the spillover had caused repercussions that led to a confrontation between Iran and US-Israel collation. According to the editorial, on 3 January, the Iranian city of Kerman was the target of two bomb blasts near the tomb of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. Subsequently, on 2 January, the Hamas leader Saleh Al Arouri, along with other Hamas officials, was killed in a drone strike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood, which is said to be a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah. The editorial concluded that the ongoing war is likely to disrupt the Middle Eastern region as well as shake the international order. (“Gathering storm?” Dawn, 5 January 2024)
EU’s new African strategy
On 5 January, according to an editorial in The Express Tribune by Azhar Azam titled, “What’s behind EU’s newest charm offensive against Africa,” November 2023 marked 139 years since the commencement of the scramble for Africa began. Azam gave a historical illustration of the key events that happened at the Berlin Conference for the colonization of Africa, and how the European leaders agreed to split the continent into 53 countries. The European Union (EU) has, as per Azam, relaunched its charm offensive against Africa via an African-EU investment package worth EUR 150 billion and the G-20 Compact with Africa (CwF). Furthermore, Azam stated that the EU is trying to conceal its colonial past by returning the artifacts that were taken from Nigeria. Similarly, Abuja has been urging the British Museum to transfer other treasures that were looted. He further added that the EU is trying to build new friendships with African countries. (Azhar Azam titled, “What’s behind EU’s newest charm offensive against Africa,” The Express Tribune, 5 January 2024)
EXTERNAL
A Pakistani perspective on an “Israel without America”
On 4 January, in an editorial in The Express Tribune by Imran Jan titled “Pakistan — an Israel without America,” comparisons were drawn between Israel and Pakistan. Jan put forth numerous parallels, such as the fact that Pakistan was founded by Muslims and Israel was founded by Jews. He added that the inhabitants of Israel were brought in from the Soviet Union and Europe, and placed in Palestine. That was the time of the Nakba and the tragic event that led to the establishment of the state of Israel. Jan went on to say that out of all the Middle Eastern states, Israel is the only one that its neighbors despise. Jan stated that Pakistan can relate to Israel as it faced similar suppression when it supported the Taliban during its US presence in Afghanistan. He concluded by stating, “Just like Israel, Pakistan would soon find itself to be surrounded by all states that might want to do some harm to this country.” (Imran Jan, “Pakistan — an Israel without America,” The Express Tribune, 4 January 2024)
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“3rd January footages received from different parts of Baluchistan says another story. There was no shutter down in any city. Though the call for shutter down was for entire country but if anyone knows any shutter down anywhere in Pakistan but anyone see any closure in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Lahore, Faisalabad etc. life was Normal in all cities except Huda Road, an ethnic Baloch area, which was closed for an hour.”
-Najiba Faiz
“The most popular man in Pakistan’s history, Imran khan talks about pre polling rigging and this farce of an election under the most inhumane circumstances. Written from behind bars.”
-Sayed Z Bukhari
“Manzoor Pashteen again arrested by deep state officials from Adyala prison Rawalpindi & taken to undisclosed location despite the completion of all legal formalities. Brutal colonial rule continue in Pakistan.”
-Fida Wazir
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Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, ‘Punjab must decide‘
Dawn, 5 January 2024
“For as far as the eye can see, most bourgeois politicians in Punjab offer to reproduce everyday life for the vast majority — a life mediated by state institutions like the thana, katcheri and patwari, and dictated by high-caste, moneyed classes who own land, business and peddle social influence. They all claim to be better than their competitor, while throwing in ‘ideological’ rhetoric about religion for good measure.”
Editorial, ‘Symbolic violence‘
Dawn, 5 January 2024
“Where the ECP once seemed to be merely failing to ensure a level playing field for all contestants, it has now started seeming complicit in efforts to make the upcoming general elections as unfair as possible.”
Syed Mohammad Ali, ‘How the US has saved Adani‘
The Express Tribune, 5 January 2024
“The US-backed Adani port project is thus meant to counterbalance the Chinese investment in Sri Lanka. To pursue this geostrategic objective, however, the US is now going to work with one of the most controversial businessmen in India, Gautam Adani. Adani, in turn, has very close ties with Narendra Modi, who is also a very polarising figure in his own right.”
Azhar Azam, ‘What’s behind EU’s newest charm offensive against Africa‘
The Express Tribune, 5 January 2024
“The EU may however bolster ties and increase influence in Africa by rectifying mistakes of its colonial past and sincerely implementing its policy, which aims to develop partnership on the basis of solidarity, security, peace, sustainable economic development and prosperity for people and two Unions.”
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