PAKISTAN READER

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PPP raises concerns over the test trial of new EMS

In Brief
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2024
PR Exclusive Update #56
PPP raises concerns over the test trial of new EMS
On 30 January, Dawn reported that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had raised concerns over the trial of the new Election Management System (EMS). The head of PPP central election cell Senator Taj Haider in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja asserted that his party has objected to the initiation of a new application, ‘EMS Mobile App’ for electronic transmission of the poll results. According to the letter, Haider mentioned: “We apprehend that a situation similar to that of the failure of RTS in 2018 elections can emerge which like the general elections 2018 will be used for massive rigging of the results besides causing long delays in compiling of the provisional results by the returning officers.” The letter further stated: “POs and assistant POs will have to take quite a few steps and make entries on their mobile phones in order to make the cameras on their mobile phones operational.” PPP also urged that the WhatsApp application should be used while transmitting the poll results and not EMS Mobile App. (Iftikhar A. Khan, “PPP raises alarm over planned use of new poll result app,” Dawn, 30 January 2024)
 
FIR filed against PTI candidates for violating section 144
On 29 January, the police filed a case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders for breaching section 144 and mistreating the policeman during a procession. The rally comes after the PTI leader Imran Khan’s order to fasten the election campaign. On 28 January, section 144 was imposed in Quetta district, however, PTI supporters violated it by conducting a rally in the area. FIR has been registered against Salar Kakar and Doda Shahwani, who are contesting for both provincial and national assembly elections from Quetta. The FIR stated: “When police officials deployed at the PTI provincial secretariat tried to halt the procession, the leaders not only breached Section 144 but also attempted to assault the police officials, resulting in injuries to a policeman.” According to the sources, these PTI candidates might be barred from contesting the elections, if they are unable to secure a bail. Saleem Shahid, “PTI leaders booked in Quetta for violating Section 144,” Dawn, 30 January 2024)
 
Police detain PTI workers in a terrorism case
On 30 January, Dawn reported that 15 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party workers had been sent to two day police custody by an antiterrorism court for conducting an ‘unlawful’ procession at Teen Talwar in Clifton, Karachi. They have been accused of “resorting to violence and terrorism.” Representing the state, the Frere police station has registered a terrorism case against “around 5,000 workers and leaders.” DIG-South Syed Asad Raza said that PTI activists “challenged the writ of the state by vandalizing public property, assaulting uniformed policemen, resorting to aerial firing to spread terror in the area, and raising slogans against the police.” He further added that seven policemen had been injured. (Sumair Abdullah, “15 PTI workers remanded in police custody in terrorism case in Karachi,” Dawn, 30 January 2024)
 
PTI faction fighting for dominance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa says an article in Dawn
On January 30, an article in Dawn by Ahmed Fraz Khan and Mohammad titled, “Factions carved out of PTI post-May 9 jostle for space,” stated that Ashfaq Pervez Khattak’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P), a breakaway faction of the Imran Khan founded PTI, are fighting for dominance in the vibrant political scene of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the article, the party is driven by boastful claims that its leader is expected to win the chief minister’s position following the general elections on 8 February. Through both public and private meetings, Khattak is promoting his ideas, allegedly with the support of the country’s influential establishment. However, the PTI-P has had difficulty luring the electables required to establish Khattak as a serious contender for the coveted post. Probing ahead, the article states that events have been planned to highlight the importance of every recruit of Khattak’s party, but the truth is as follows: electables are not joining the PTI-P in large numbers as expected, forcing the party to scurry to find worthy candidates to run. The party’s goals are shared by Jahangir Khan Tareen’s Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP), a growing political party that sprang from the original Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and is currently navigating its first political upheaval in Punjab, the article added. IPP political analyst Hassan Askari Rizvi asserted: “Do not rule the IPP out till the post-election scenario unfolds.” With that being endorsed, PTI-P anticipates winning against the odds. To conclude, the article stated: “With elections just days away, the people of both provinces watch with bated breath, knowing that the true measure of these parties’ strength and relevance will only be revealed in the aftermath of the polls, where the number of seats won will speak louder than the promises made.” (Ahmed Fraz Khan and Mohammad, “Factions carved out of PTI post-May 9 jostle for space,” Dawn, 30 January 2024)
 
No political party has given a manifesto to revive the country’s economy, says PM Kakar
On 30 January, Dawn reported that the interim Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, asserted that no political party had offered a manifesto with a strategy to revive the economy and given assurances that there was no justification for delaying the general elections. In addition, the PM has also prohibited government employees and federal ministers from leaving the country until after the elections. Kakar stated that political party candidates were canvassing and that any rumors about the postponement of the general elections would end on 8 February in an interview broadcast on the TV channel Aik News. While acknowledging that strengthening the economy should be the main priority, he also pointed out that regrettably, no political party has yet to propose a plan to address the persistent problems with the economy. He continued by saying that a stable economy was a prerequisite for the promises made by political parties during their campaigns about affordable electricity, food security, jobs, and shelter. Kakar said: “Political parties need to come up with a plan for revenue generation and widening the tax net.” In a separate move, the PM revoked the authorization for foreign visits given to federal ministers, advisors, and pertinent authorities until the election. Syed Irfan Raza, “Manifestos ‘lack economic foresight’: PM Kakar,” Dawn, 30 January 2024)
 
South Punjab would be turned into ‘mini Lahore’ if elected, says PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif
On 29 January, the Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif while addressing a public gathering at Rajanpur, Punjab vowed to convert the “undeveloped” south Punjab into “mini-Lahore” if he gets voted into power again. Mini-Lahore is touted to be the most developed area of the region. During his speech, he asked the people to vote for PML-N and pledged to bring prosperity to the region. He further accused the previous chief minister of inadequately serving people despite having the resources. Shehbaz, “highlighted the establishment of a Daanish School in the area, and reiterated Nawaz Sharif’s vision of providing quality education to the underprivileged children.” Further, he apprised to establish agriculture and IT universities in the region. He said: “darkness of May 9 would end on February 9”. He concluded by requesting people to vote for the PML-N election symbol ‘lion’. (“If elected, will turn S Punjab into ‘mini Lahore’: Shehbaz,” The News International, 30 January 2024)
 
PTI’s calls for constitutional reforms a “knee-jerk reaction” to its challenges, says an editorial in Dawn
On 30 January, an editorial in Dawn titled, “Presidential-style model,” states that with the election quickly approaching, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finally unveiled its manifesto, which calls for significant constitutional changes. According to the editorial, the plan is to establish a presidential-style system that would support direct election of the prime minister to lessen the power of “vested interests.” This idea not only contradicts the fundamental principles of parliamentary democracy but also heralds a risky shift towards a personality cult that is evocative of the political systems in Russia and Turkey. The editorial further states that the prime minister under a parliamentary system is chosen by the representatives of the people, guaranteeing that the choice represents the will of the whole country. By usurping this fundamental premise and running the risk of establishing a hybrid regime that blurs the lines between a legislative and presidential system, the PTI has suggested a transition to a direct election model. This strategy undermines the function and authority of parliament by consolidating power in the hands of one person, which is fundamentally faulty, the editorial added.(“Presidential-style model,” Dawn, 30 January 2024)
 
ECONOMY
Monetary Policy Committee keeps current policy rate unchanged at 22 per cent
On 29 January, in a press conference after the meeting of the State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad stated that the committee reviewed “current economic developments” and decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 22 per cent. The committee also highlighted the fact that Pakistan’s external account had “improved” and is reflected in an increase in the country’s foreign exchange reserves- from USD 4 billion in July 2023 to USD 8.3 billion currently. This increase is despite the fact that Pakistan has repaid USD 6.2 billion “principle foreign debt.”The governor also noted that the current account deficit which was very high in 2022 has “shrunk from 4.7 per cent to 0.7 per cent and in the first six months of the current fiscal year it is contained and stands at USD 800 million.” This trend is projected to continue in January. The MPC also reviewed inflation related issues and noted that though inflation is showing a “declining trend”, its levels remain “elevated.” (“SBP maintains key interest rate at 22pc for fifth time in a row,” Dawn, 29 January 2024)
 
Fiscal deficit increases to a three-year high in the first half of this fiscal year
On 30 January, Dawn reported that the fiscal deficit of Pakistan was recorded at over 2.3 per cent of its GDP in the first half of this fiscal year. This number is the highest in the last three years. The key reason for this increase in the fiscal deficit is- an approximately 64 per cent increase in “markup payments” in the last fiscal year despite the caretaker government’s attempts to keep a check on other expenditures. According to fiscal operations data released by the Ministry of Finance on 29 January, the fiscal deficit in “absolute terms'” stood at PKR 2.41 trillion in the first half of the current year. This was a  43 per cent increase from the  same period of last year. However, the consolidated budget deficit, which is “the gap between income and expenditure of the federation,” in the years 2022-23 and a year earlier 2021-22 remained unchanged at 2 per cent. Also, the primary balance which is the “difference in revenues and expenditure excluding interest payments,” saw an improvement and increased to 1.7 per cent of the GDP compared to 1.1per cent in the same period last year and 0.1per cent a year earlier. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Fiscal deficit surpasses 2.3pc of GDP in July-Dec,” Dawn, 30 January 2024)
 
Pakistan received a total of USD 150 billion in remittances between 2017-22
On 30 January, Dawn reported that Pakistan has received USD 150 billion in remittances from 2017 to 2022 and ranks fifth among “the top remittances-receiving countries in 2022.” This information was revealed to during the 2nd Albaraka Regional Conference organized by AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy in collaboration with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD). The conference was organized to “shed light on the crucial role of home remittances in Pakistan and their impact on sustainable development.” According to the Saleh Kamel Islamic Economy Database, around USD 150 billion has flowed into Pakistan in home remittance from 2017 to 2022. This makes Pakistan take the fifth spot among the top remittance-receiving countries in 2022 when it received USD 29.9 billion. Home remittances constituted 33 per cent of the total imports and are thus crucial for Pakistan. (“Pakistan received $150bn in remittances in five years,” Dawn, 30 January 2024)
 
SECURITY
Terrorist killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, says ISPR
On 29 January, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), stated that one terrorist was killed in an intelligence based operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district. The intelligence based operation was conducted on the basis of information that terrorists were present in the area. The ISPR identified the terrorist as Naikman Ullah, who had been “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities, including target killing of innocent civilians.” According to ISPR, weapons, explosives and ammunitions were recovered from the terrorist and further sanitization operations were being conducted in the area. ISPR also stated that “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.” (Iftikhar Shirazi, “Terrorist killed in North Waziristan intelligence-based operation: ISPR,” Dawn, 29 January 2024)
 
Security forces thwart coordinated terror attacks in Mach town of Balochistan
On 30 January, the Interim Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai revealed that six militants were killed after security forces thwarted three coordinated terror attacks in the Mach area of Balochistan province on the previous night. Earlier, Achakzai had blamed the attack on terrorists affiliated with the Aslam Acho group, however, later the Majeed Brigade of the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the police, on 29 January, a minimum of 15 rockets were launched from the nearby mountains, which landed and exploded in different areas of Mach town. Subsequently, the terrorists also attacked security forces camp near the central jail and entered the Mach railway station. No official confirmation has been given regarding casualties even though there were reports that a railway policeman had been killed. (“Balochistan minister says 6 militants killed after security forces thwart terror attacks in Mach,” Dawn, 30 January 2024)

“Our mark has changed, not faith, God willing, no one can stop Tehreek-e-Insaf” - Imran Khan “Pakistan's first & only Cyberknife Robotic surgery is providing expensive cancer treatment to patients all over the country absolutely free.” - Maryam Bhutto “The world needs to see this travesty of justice in name of court proceedings in Pakistan where former PM is being persecuted in most disgusted trial under guns n tanks, deprived of his legal team, coerced witnesses forced to testify n then cross examined by state appointed lawyer.” -Mirza Shahzad Akbar

“For Pakistan, the global shift towards environmental justice is a challenge. - An opinion in Dawn, ‘Climate aid’.