Federal cabinet makes key economic decisions before elections;
Two terrorists killed by security forces in KP
In Brief
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2024
PR Exclusive Update #63
PPP accuses PML-N of carrying out “criminal activities,” lodges complaint
On 7 February, the Business Recorder reported on a letter written by Senator Taj Haider of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to the chief election commissioner, in which it issued a complaint against alleged threatening tactics used by candidates of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). In the letter, the PML-N workers were accused of trying to “snatch bags of postal ballot from the post office,” attacking a PPP election office in NA 127, and a “police raid” on a PPP call centre in the same constituencies. Haider questioned what the police and the administration were doing when these “attacks” were carried out with “impunity.” He cited the “inaction of administration on taking law in their own hands by PML-N ‘goons’” enabled the PML-N’s attempts to “rig the elections through manipulating postal ballots.” The PPP thus requested the chief election commissioner to take “deterrent action against law breakers” in order to end “criminal activities.” (Naveed Butt, “PPP lodges complaint with CEC against PML-N,” Business Recorder, 7 February 2024)
PTI information secretary says voters will take “revenge” for the “terror” unleashed on PTI
On 6 February, according to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) Central Information Secretary, Raoof Hasan, the PTI had been subjected to a “reign of terror” for the past 22 months as part of the ‘London Plan,’ which allegedly aims to destroy PTI and drive out Imran Khan. He said that on 8 February, voters would exact revenge for all the wrongs inflicted on them by voting for PTI. Hasan alleged: “As soon as Sharifs and Zardaris were imposed on the nation, they instantly ended their corruption cases of whopping Rs1100 billion by exploiting the state institutions such as NAB and FIA cases.” He asserted that since the long march on 25 May 2022, PTI leaders and employees had been the targets of brutality and inhumane crimes. He also stated that in addition to raids on their homes, political opponents were being unlawfully detained, harassed, and tortured while in custody. He claimed that because the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) removed the PTI’s electoral emblem “at the behest of its masters,” almost 130 million voters lost their constitutional right to vote. Hasan thus emphasized that “people would take revenge through voting on February 8.” (Ikram Junaidi, “PTI subjected to ‘worst state operation’, claims Raoof,” Dawn, 7 February 2024)
PTI appeals to the Supreme Court for the last time in hopes of regaining its electoral symbol ‘bat’
On 6 February, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) made a last-ditch effort to reclaim its symbol ‘bat,’ by bringing a petition before the Supreme Court, seeking a review of the court's 13 January decision, which upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision to ban ‘bat.’ The case, which was jointly filed by senior counsel Hamid Khan and barrister Syed Ali Zafar, asked the Supreme Court to rule that the ECP’s decision, taken on 22 December 2023, was illegal and could thus be put aside. The petition further explained that the Supreme Court's intervention was warranted because a significant flaw was identified, considering the judgment did not note the freedom of association under Article 17. Instead, as per the petition, the ruling effectively gave higher importance to the statutory requirements included in the Elections Act 2017. Other alleged actions taken by the ECP, including prosecuting cases against PTI and Imran Khan, prohibiting funding, and allowing police interference in the party’s functions, proved that the ECP wanted to exclude PTI from the elections, argued the petitioners. (Nasir Iqbal, “In last-ditch bid, PTI seeks to reclaim its bat,” Dawn, 7 February 2024)
IHC seeks ECP response on women's quota violation as UN rights chief raises concerns
On 6 February, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) demanded a response from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the alleged violation of the law mandating political parties to allocate five percent of tickets to women candidates. This came as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk expressed worries over barriers faced by women and minority communities, including Ahmadis, ahead of Pakistan's general elections. Turk stated that “despite 22 per cent of seats in the National Assembly being reserved for women,” a few political parties had not met the quota. The UNHCHR called for ensuring a fully free and fair vote and urged compliance with democratic processes. On the same day, along with the Aurat Foundation, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) became concerned that major political parties are not providing women with at least 5 per cent of their party tickets for general seats, as required by Section 206 of the Elections Act of 2017. The Human Rights Campaign Platform (HRCP) called on parties to adopt affirmative action in order to guarantee that a minimum of 30 per cent of their candidates for general seats are women. (Amin Ahmed, “Barriers for women, attacks on candidates irk UN panel,” Dawn, 7 February 2024; “HRCP urges ECP to ensure 5% women representation,” The Express Tribune, 6 February 2024)
Petition seeks Supreme Court notice of alleged election law violation by Bilawal Bhutto
On 6 February, advocate Shah Mohammad Zaman filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC), asking for an investigation into Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's, alleged violation of election law. This was based on the grounds that the PPP symbol is ‘sword,’ but Zardari was contesting under the PPP-Parliamentarians’ symbol ‘arrow,’ and was thus a member of two registered political parties and violating Section 203 of the Elections Act. Shah also highlighted that Bhutto is running for office in three National Assembly constituencies, a practice which is barred by Section 205 of the Elections Act 2017. (“Bilawal’s candidature challenged in SC,” Dawn, 7 February 2024)
Interior minister hints at potential internet suspension on election day; Amnesty International calls for uninterrupted access
On 6 February, caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz indicated the possibility of internet service suspension on election day if security issues arise, with any decision dependent on requests from provinces or districts concerned. He stated: “Before taking any such decision, the government would look into the nature of the threat as it is necessary to block the online communication of terrorists.” Amnesty International urged uninterrupted internet access during elections, calling on authorities to “adopt measures that advance human rights by enabling unrestricted access to information and avenues for freedom of expression, both offline and online.” The Sindh High Court directed federal authorities to ensure smooth internet service and social media access until February 21, extending its earlier interim order amid concerns over internet disruptions. (Ishaq Tanoli, “Govt hints at shutting down internet over ‘security’ issue,” Dawn, 7 February 2024)
Caretaker PM assured peaceful elections to Commonwealth Observer Group
On 6 February, the caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq, assured a delegation of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) that despite many obstacles, every effort had been taken to guarantee a smooth and tranquil election day countrywide. The COG delegation, led by the former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, held talks with different stakeholders ahead of the upcoming elections. Kakar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to inviting independent international observers, emphasizing the government's fulfilment of responsibilities to ensure a conducive environment for the elections. Jonathan expressed gratitude and conveyed well wishes from Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, stating that the COG would observe the election process across various polling sites in the country. (“PM assures peaceful conduct of polls,” The Express Tribune, 6 February 2024)
Gohar Ejaz details steps taken by the government to ensure peaceful elections
On 7 February, the caretaker Interior Minister, Gohar Ejaz, said that more than 6,48,000 security personnel had been deployed across Pakistan to facilitate safe, fair, and transparent elections on 8 February. Of these, “137,000 security personnel from army and paramilitary force and 511,000 police personnel will form duties during the elections.” Of the 90,777 polling stations in Pakistan, 44,026 are normal and will have police, 28,985 are sensitive and will have civil armed forces, and the 16,766 highly sensitive stations will have armed forces. Punjab has the greatest number of highly sensitive polling stations (5,621) while ICT has the least (304). Ejaz highlighted that in the 2018 elections, 666 people were killed, and to prevent this, the government would use all available resources, including a Quick Reaction Force, CCTV cameras, and a national crisis information management system. He added that internet would be suspended only if the government receives a request from a district or province. (Fazal Sher, “648,000 security personnel deployed,” Business Recorder, 7 February 2024)
ECONOMY
Federal cabinet makes key economic decisions before elections
On 7 February, the Business Recorder reported that the caretaker federal cabinet approved restricting the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and privatizing the First Women Bank Limited, following a meeting presided over by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar. Members were told that the PIA had been facing recurring losses in the last few years and that a Financial Advisor had formulated a financial restricting plan to divide PIA into two companies. The first, Top-Co, would handle the airline’s core operations such as engineering, ground handling, cargo, and training. The second, Hold-Co would handle subsidiaries like Precision Engineering Complex and PIA Investment Limited. This would reportedly help attract investors. Separately, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Privatisation, First Women Bank Limited’s privatization was approved, while proposals regarding de-regulating the prices of non-essential medicines were approved on the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health. (Zaheer Abbasi, “Less than 48 hours before voting day: PIA restructuring, FWBL sell-off plans approved,” Business Recorder, 7 February 2024)
SECURITY
Two terrorists killed by security forces in KP
On 6 February, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that two terrorists were killed by security forces on 5 and 6 February, in the North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The ISPR stated that there was “intense fighting” between Pakistani troops and terrorists, following an intelligence-based operation on the reported presence of terrorists. It added that “a sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area,” while weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered. (Zarmeen Zaha, “Security forces gun down 2 terrorists in N Waziristan IBO,” The News International, 6 February 2024)
|
“Many came and tried to eliminate the politics of Nawaz Sharif It was him he never gave up.”
-Hannan
“Pakistan has elections tomorrow. But more than two-thirds of people do not even believe in the fairness of the Election2024. They also know who runs the show in Pakistan. But sadly Pakistan seems to be impossible to reform.”
- Sohrab Abbas
“Voting is our national duty. We all must have to participate in the voting process for the future of Pakistan”
- Ahmal Jadoon
|
|
|
|
Shahid Kardar, ‘Restructuring debt’
Dawn, 7 February 2024
“The future servicing of external and domestic debts has become a huge undertaking, having crimped our ability to even fund operational expenditures. The reason for this concern is not just because of the enormity of the task, as shown below, but also because the IMF, which continues to consider our debt sustainable, says in its report on the first review that “The overall risk of sovereign stress is high, reflecting a high level of vulnerability from elevated debt and gross financing needs and low reserve buffers”. There is nothing wrong with borrowing. It creates opportunities for a more productive economy. The issue in our case has been the funding of wasteful expenditures and low priority, poorly designed projects. The result is that gross public debt today at 82 per cent of GDP is 667pc of revenues against an average of 214pc for more than a dozen comparators, while the external debt is 328pc of exports of goods and services as against the average of 64pc for these comparators. The external debt, contracted in the first 67 years since independence, has exploded, doubling in the last seven-odd years to reach $102 billion (35pc of GDP). Around 22pc has a maturity of less than one year, 32pc between two to five years and 22pc greater than 10 years. In 2022-23, its servicing requirement was $20.8bn, 8.6pc of exports of goods and services of which the share of government plus government-guaranteed debt was $18.7bn. In 2023-24, we need to repay $20.3bn.”
Zheala Qayyum, ‘Media and mental health’
Dawn, 7 February 2024
“A scene from a Pakistani television drama shows an emotionally fraught woman, begging a psychiatrist to give her something that will make her feel numb. The psychiatrist agrees, prescribing medications and providing suggestions for ways to relax. In its way, the scene shows progress in Pakistan, a normalisation on popular television of the help that mental health professionals can provide. Yet as much as we might wish there was a simple medication to eradicate disturbing behaviour and unpleasant feelings, the scene oversimplifies the complexities underlying mental illness. In the end, it is another missed opportunity to clear up misconceptions about what mental illness is and what it is not. It also misrepresents what a seasoned mental health professional would say and do in such a situation. Conservatively, an estimated 15 million Pakistanis suffer from some form of mental illness, roughly one of every 16 people. Yet the burden of meeting their treatment needs falls on some 400 trained psychiatrists and a handful of fully trained child and adolescent psychiatrists. Their task, which includes educating people about mental illness, clarifying misperceptions, and integrating mental health into the broader healthcare system beyond providing direct patient care, can seem overwhelming. All of this has been further intensified by the global havoc wreaked by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Talat Masood, ‘How elections can shape the future’
The Express Tribune, 7 February 2024
“In the larger interest of the nation, it is necessary that maximum number of people, men and women, who are eligible voters, exercise their right to vote. This is despite the despondency that prevails due to their realisation that gross interference by state institutions makes a farce of elections. There is too much at stake, as the country continues to drift and lags behind in all major elements of national power be it the economy, politics and strategic coherence. It is equally critical that people vote for that political party or independent candidate that has relatively a better past record of serving and fulfilling promises. The past practice of being herded to the polls by vested interests needs to be discouraged. The credibility gap lends greater weight to ensuring the neutrality and fidelity of the election process. In the past for several intertwining reasons some state institutions have breached the constitutional limits by suppressing or promoting political parties. Regrettably, this practice continues to date with the PTI its main victim, although ironically in the 2017 elections they were the favourites and beneficiaries. This indicates that political leadership equally shares responsibility for the present fragile structure of our democratic institutions and culture. Failure to adopt democratic practices within the political party and promoting dynastic preferences in power sharing makes a mockery of democracy. Looking up to favours from the establishment by some political leaders instead of focusing on the well-being of the masses and drawing power from them further distorts and weakens democracy. The failure to adhere to these basic democratic values and norms has an overarching effect embracing both state and private institutions.”
|
|
|
“There’s no hope until democracy’s allowed to take its course.”
-An opinion in Dawn, 'Darkness at Noon?'
|
|
|
