PAKISTAN READER

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PML-Q rejects seat adjustment with PML-N, citing “double standards”

In Brief
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2024
PR Exclusive Update #44
PML-Q rejects seat adjustment with PML-N, citing “double standards”
On 12 January, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) announced that it had decided against seat adjustment with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the upcoming general election. The decision stemmed from PML-N’s alleged “double standards” in allocating only four seats to PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who played a significant role in the coalition that ousted Imran Khan in 2022. The PML-Q accused the PML-N of issuing tickets to candidates running against PML-Q’s nominees. Further, the PML-Q asserted that it had “always played a role in the development and prosperity of Pakistan and its people and will continue to do so,” with Hussain adding that they would “compete without any seat adjustment.” (Nadir, Guramani, “PML-Q decides against seat adjustment with PML-N over ‘double standards’,” Dawn, 12 January 2024)
 
PTI faces delay in finalizing election candidates “due to different reasons”
On 11 January, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) finalized the list of candidates for the general elections, after facing a setback in deciding the names despite an announcement by the party Chairman, Barrister Gohar Khan. The chairman, who had initially stated that the announcement would be made by 11 pm, faced difficulties in the process. An anonymous PTI leader said that Gohar Khan was “not allowed to take the documents in the jail” to finalize the list with Imran Khan. The delay was also attributed to the fact that the names were discussed verbally, which meant that the chairman “had to recall the names discussed.” Additionally, a holdup in the issuance of PTI’s election symbol by the Election Commission of Pakistan caused the setback. (Ikram Junaidi, “PTI ‘unable’ to finalise tickets despite Gohar’s proclamation,” Dawn, 12 January 2024)
 
Supreme Court to deliberate on ECP’s appeal against PTI’s symbol restoration
On 12 January, the Supreme Court of Pakistan is set to deliberate on an appeal by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), challenging the Peshawar High Court’s decision to restore the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election symbol. The PTI has also initiated legal action, filing a contempt petition against the Chief Election Commissioner and other ECP members for not implementing the high court’s order in the PTI’s intra-party elections case. The Supreme Court hearing holds significant implications for the country’s electoral landscape, especially as returning officers are scheduled to allocate symbols to candidates soon. (Iftikhar A Khan & Waseem Ahmed Shah, “Amid contempt threat, ECP-PTI ‘battle’ lands in apex court,” Dawn, 12 January 2024)

JUDICIARY
President accepts sudden resignation of two Supreme Court justices
On 12 January, Pakistan’s President, Dr Arif Alvi, accepted the resignation of Supreme Court Justice Ijazul Ahsan, who opted to leave the top court a day earlier following the departure of his colleague, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi. Ahsan was the third senior-most judge and in line for the position of Chief Justice. In his letter, he highlighted that his time in the court was an “honour and privilege” but he no longer wanted to continue as a judge. Naqvi, facing at least ten complaints, resigned citing the impossibility to continue in the current circumstances. Ahsan expressed disagreement with the Supreme Judicial Council’s handling of the case against Naqvi, stating the proceedings were conducted in undue haste and the allegations were baseless. The strength of the Supreme Court has now been reduced to 14 out of the available 16 judges. (Nadir Guramani, “President Alvi accepts resignation of Justice Ijazul Ahsan,” Dawn, 12 January 2024; Sabih Ul Hussnain, “Judiciary In Crisis: Justice Ijazul Ahsan Resigns From Supreme Court,” The Friday Times, 11 January 2024)

Supreme Court’s verdict on Musharraf’s death sentence, an “inflection point,” says Dawn editorial
On 11 January, Dawn in an editorial titled “Musharraf’s sentence” highlighted how the recent decision by the Supreme Court upholding the death sentence of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, marked “an inflection point where Pakistan’s constitutional history and future are concerned.” While acknowledging concerns about the death penalty, the judgment holds considerable significance, prompting reflection on the country’s democratic path and adherence to the rule of law. The editorial argues that the symbolic ruling should serve as a catalyst for “soul-searching” across state institutions, fostering a collective examination of deviations from the constitutional framework and “autocratic tendencies.” Rather than inciting conflicts, the verdict calls for an “honest historical appraisal,” urging all pillars of the state to uphold constitutional bounds and prevent further deviations. The editorial concludes by asserting that the need for institutional self-reckoning becomes imperative in the quest for “national salvation” and the preservation of fundamental rights. (“Musharraf’s sentence,” Dawn, 11 January 2024)

SECURITY
A demand for re-evaluation of Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy
On 12 January, an editorial in Dawn titled “Terror wave” argued that a recent “spate of deadly recent terrorist attacks,” particularly targeting police personnel and polio vaccination teams, underscores the urgent need for Pakistan to reassess its counterterrorism measures. The attacks, in which terrorists have struck both “hard” and “soft” targets, have resulted in numerous casualties, including police officers, soldiers, and even election candidates. In 2023 alone, over 1,500 fatalities were reported from nearly 800 terrorist incidents. The vulnerability of security personnel, especially in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, requires a comprehensive “recalibration” of the national counterterrorism strategy. The editorial also placed emphasis on the “tragic” incidents in which around a hundred people have been killed “in polio-related incidents” since 2012. This shows that “polio teams should be provided multi-layered security.” Further, the internal efforts to eradicate militants from Pakistani territory must align with “diplomatic channels” to convey to the Afghan Taliban that Pakistani “soil cannot be used by forces inimical to Pakistan.” As per the editorial, a unified front involving security agencies, intelligence, and civil administration is crucial to neutralize the militant threat, ensuring the safety of communities, security personnel, and upcoming election activities. (Editorial, “Terror wave,” Dawn, 12 January 2024)

ECONOMY
“Economic activity has stabilized in Pakistan,” says IMF board
On 11 January, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that it had completed the first review of Pakistan’s economic reform programme and cleared the way for an immediate disbursement of SDR 528 million, which is roughly equal to USD 700 million. This latest release has brought the total disbursement under the arrangement to approximately USD 1.9 billion. The board acknowledged that the macroeconomic conditions in the country had improved and stated that “Economic activity has stabilized in Pakistan, although the outlook remains challenging and dependent on the implementation of sound policies.” It also advised Pakistan that it “requires strict adherence to fiscal targets while protecting social spending, a market-determined exchange rate to absorb external shocks, and further progress on structural reforms to support stronger and more inclusive growth”. The release of this fund will help Pakistan implement key reforms of the IMF-supported programme and in dealing with the countries various economic challenges. (Anwar Iqbal, “IMF board nod allows disbursement of $700m,” Dawn, 12 January 2024)

SBP reports a fall in foreign exchange reserves
On 12 January, Dawn reported that the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves fell by USD 66 million in the week that ended on 5 January. The bank has stated that this is due to debt repayments. It also stated that its current reserves stand at USD 8.154 billion. The country’s total reserves have increased to USD 13.256 billion which is inclusive of the USD 5.101 billion held by the commercial banks. Pakistan is also expected to arrange USD 24 billion to cater to its external obligations during the current fiscal year. This has had a bearing on the exchange rate which has remained under stress. The local currency, however, has remained strong for the seventh consecutive session against the US dollar in the interbank market. (“SBP reserves fall,” Dawn, 12 January 2024)

PAKISTAN OCCUPIED KASHMIR
Gilgit-Baltistan: Protests and sit-ins continue  
On 11 January, thousands took part in protests across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) against the hike in price of subsidized wheat and other issues. It was the fifteenth day since the protest began and demonstrations were held in Hunza, Astore and Shigar. Simultaneously, sit-ins continued in Skardu, Gilgit, Ghizer and Yadgar-i-Shuhada. A protest sit-in site in Garibagh witnessed visits from political and religious leaders. The Awami Action Committee (ACC) which had given the call earlier for starting the protests has revealed that it aims to intensify the protest if its demands are not met. Even the protestors have expressed similar sentiments. A large number of women organized a protest in Aliabad, Hunza and blocked the Karakoram Highway. It is to be noted that the GB government had recently increased the price of subsidized wheat from PKR 20 per kg to PRK 36 per kg. The ACC has demanded that “the price of the subsidized wheat should be restored to the 2022 level” and “the Finance Act 2023 should be suspended and all taxes imposed on GB people abolished.” (Jamil Nagri, “GB wheat protests enter 15th day,” Dawn, 12 January 2024; Jamil Nagri, “Protests erupt in Gilgit-Baltistan against increase in wheat price,” Dawn, 3 January 2024)

Gilgit-Baltistan: Government formulates a Social Protection Policy
On 12 January, an article in Dawn titled Social welfare for GB lamented the treatment of Gilgit-Baltistan by the federal government in Pakistan. It has lauded the region’s beauty and encouraged tourism. However, when questioned regarding “the denial of constitutional rights and the territory’s undefined legal status,” it has reiterated that the region is an integral part of the country and will remain so. In contrast, when the issue of representation is brought before the Supreme Court, the federal government “challenges the court’s jurisdiction, asserting that the region is not part of Pakistan but a disputed territory of Kashmir under de facto control of Pakistan.” The national political parties have also complicated the situation by exerting influence through their “local chapters” and stymied “the limited empowerment granted to locally elected governments.” The article further argues that despite the region’s richness in mineral resources and hydropower potential, the region remains energy-starved and infrastructure development has tended to fulfill the demands of the federation. Some NGOs have played an important role in dealing with the myriad problems that afflict the region. In this context, the article celebrates the new Social Protection Policy that the government of Gilgit-Baltistan has formulated in collaboration with Unicef Pakistan. It provides for a Social Protection Fund (SPF) and aims to “address the systemic challenges of poverty and inequality in GB by providing a sustainable financial base for social protection programmes.” Funds will be raised with Initial Public Offering (IPO) and the provincial government will provide PKR 100 million. The article further argues that “the SPF will do more than just provide services; it will engender a new philosophy of social welfare that is participatory, inclusive, and democratic.” (Afzal Ali Shigri, “Social welfare for GB,” Dawn, 12 January 2024)

INDIA VIEW
On Balakot airstrikes: “The drama of Pulwama was staged for a political game” 
On 11 January, The News International reported that Pakistan has reacted to the claims made by the Indian diplomat Ajay Bisaria regarding events relating to the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and termed it “surprising”. While addressing a weekly media briefing, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that “Such a statement from a professional diplomat is surprising.” She clarified that she had not read the book but only knew of it through reports in the media. She further stated that “The drama of Pulwama was staged for a political game. It reflects India’s fascist mentality.” It is to be noted that on 10 January, The News International drawing on reports in the Indian media had reported that Ajay Bisaria in his upcoming book titled- The Anger Management: The Troubled Diplomatic Relationship between India and Pakistan- has revealed that the former Prime Minister Imran Khan had made an urgent midnight call to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 February, 2019. This call was made to avert a military crisis between the two countries following the Balakot airstrikes and the capturing of Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. The book also claims that India was successful in its “coercive diplomacy” by escalating the conflict and the return of the pilot and announcements by Imran Khan made subsequently was proof of that. (Azaz Syed, “Pakistan terms Indian diplomat’s claims on Balakot strike ‘surprising’,” The News International, 11 January 2024; Rafique Mangat, “Imran tried to talk to Modi after Balakot airstrikes: ex-envoy,” The News International, 10 January 2024)

“Warm felicitations to Senator SaniaNishtar on appointment as Chief Executive Officer of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. Dr. Nishtar is a distinguished global public health leader and has demonstrated exceptional contributions to Pakistan throughout her illustrious career.” - Spokesperson MoF “I am grateful to everyone, both within and outside Pakistan, who have lent their support to the Baloch Long March against enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and illegal detentions in Balochistan. Your untiring support has strengthened this movement and sustained its momentum.” - Mahrang Baloch “Pakistan is healing, Justice System is healing. Agents of “Bajwa Doctrine” are jumping off the ship to save themselves. Justice Ijazul Ahsan has RESIGNED as well. Not everyone is as determined as Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Nawaz Sharif was ALWAYS right! - Saad Kaiser

“The principle of prioritizing health services applies to all healthcare organizations.” - An opinion in Dawn, ‘Essential health services’