PAKISTAN READER

Photo : Dawn

MQM-P demands four portfolios in the federal cabinet

In Brief
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2024
PR Exclusive Update #72
MQM-P demands four portfolios in the federal cabinet
On 22 February, Dawn reported that following the agreement between the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on a power-sharing plan for the next five years, a team from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) called on the PML-N representatives demanding the inclusion of three to four ministries in the federal cabinet. Initially the MQM-P had wanted the post of deputy speaker but the PML-N had already promised the same to the PPP.  Subsequently, the MQM-P demanded four portfolios in the federal cabinet.  Additionally, the MQM-P demanded legislation “to empower the local government bodies.” This legislation for devolution of powers has been a long term demand of the party. MQM Punjab leader Muhammad Zahid told Dawn that the PML-N has also agreed to retain Kamran Tessori as the Sindh governor. Separately, the PML-N and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) met and discussed the formation of a provincial government in Sindh likely to be led by Sarfaraz Bugti of the PPP. According to reports in the media, Ishaq Dar informed JUI-F leader Abdul Ghafoor Haideri that it was too late for the JUI-F to approach the PML-N about a power-sharing agreement in Balochistan as the PML-N and the PPP had already reached a consensus on the matter. (“MQM-P wants four ministries as JUI-F also seeks role in Centre,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)
 
PTI, JI and GDA to start a “joint struggle” against alleged election rigging
On 21 February, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) decided to begin a “joint struggle” against the purported election rigging. Additionally, it was agreed that the workers and supporters of the three parties would stage a coordinated protest throughout the province if the Sindh Assembly session for the oath-taking of the newly elected members was announced without prior notice. Subsequently, GDA chief coordinator Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi was visited by PTI Sindh chapter president Haleem Adil Sheikh and JI Karachi chairman Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, along with their delegations. They discussed the possibility of organizing a coordinated demonstration against the “bogus” elections. Speaking with Dawn, the information secretary for the GDA Sardar Abdur Rahim stated that the three party leaders had a lengthy conversation about the present political climate, the “fraudulent” elections, and how the parties could work together. Separately, On 20 February, the president of PTI’s Sindh chapter, Haleem Adil Sheikh, led a group to the JI headquarters in Karachi, Idara Noor-i-Haq, where they decided to demand that the election results be announced per Form 45. The leader of the JI delegation, Hafiz Naeem, gave the PTI officials his word that the delegation will stick to its demand and do everything in its power to advocate for justice while abiding by the Constitution of the country and the law. (Tahir Siddiqui and Imran Ayub, “PTI, JI and GDA vow to put up struggle against ‘rigged’ polls,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)

Joint Investigation Team to track misleading social media campaign against the ECP
On 21 February, The Express Tribune reported that the federal government has decided to form a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to track down those responsible for a “misleading” social media campaign against government officials and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) during the election phase. The individuals responsible will be identified and criminal proceedings will be initiated against them for the “deplorable” campaign. The JIT will also provide recommendations for the future on the matter. Help will be sought from IT professionals for the investigation. A recent report states that the JIT will have five members. The team will be headed by the additional director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and comprise officers from the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The report, citing sources, asserts that the JIT’s formation was approved by the federal cabinet on the basis of a summary that was submitted by the Ministry of Interior. Following accusations of rigging and manipulation by opposition parties in the general elections scheduled for 8 February, a social media campaign was started against the ECP and government officials. The campaign targeted government officials for their suspected involvement in manipulating results, and it accused the ECP of bias and inadequacy. (“JIT formed to probe vote fraud propaganda,” The Express Tribune, 21 February 2024)

Lahore High Court notice to the federal government and the ECP on a petition against revoking PTI’s electoral symbol
On 21 February, in regard to a petition contesting the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) authority to remove a political party’s electoral symbol, the Lahore High Court (LHC) sent notices to both the federal government and the ECP. The petitioner Munir Ahmed, was represented by Advocate Azhar Siddique before a two-judge panel led by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, who was hearing the case. The attorney claimed that section 215 of the Elections Act of 2017, which establishes a political party’s eligibility to receive an electoral symbol, violates the Constitution. The attorney contended that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was eliminated by stripping it of its electoral symbol, citing the ECP ruling on the party’s intra-party polls. He asserted that political party candidates cannot be denied a “common symbol.” He further argued that it is unconstitutional for the ECP to interpret section 215 of the Act to mean that it is entitled to revoke the intra-party election and take away a party’s symbol. Advocate Siddique claimed that the federal government alone has the authority to declare that a party has been created or is functioning in a way that jeopardizes Pakistan’s sovereignty or integrity and that the ECP has no role in the dissolution of political organizations. (“Notices to Centre, ECP on plea against withdrawing PTI symbol,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)
 
Sindh High Court demands explanation for suspending internet services on Election Day
On 21 February, the Sindh High Court (SHC) criticized the internet suspension on 8 February, calling on the federal government to explain the reason behind the disruption. Two lawyers and the Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan filed petitions against the ministries and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for making social media platforms inaccessible and disrupting mobile internet services ahead of the polls. Earlier on 24 January, the SHC issued an interim restraining order and asked the PTA to ensure no shutdown of phone, internet, or broadband services till 29 Jan unless relevant Acts were put in place. On 29 January, a lawyer for the PTA asked for more time to file comments on behalf of the authority, following which the court put off the hearing till 6 February and extended the order. Despite this, there was a national suspension of cellular service on 8 February under the pretext of security concerns. Even after the conclusion of the polls, X remained disrupted for five consecutive days since 17 February. During the hearing, SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi said “everyone around the world,” including the international media, had witnessed the way the elections were held, and noted how the public “understand who is doing what.” He went on to question the “need of the elections if positions were to be distributed sitting in a drawing hall.” While defending its decision, the PTA counsel claimed that the internet suspension prevented a “law and order situation in the country.” (Ishaq Tanoli, “SHC expresses displeasure, seeks reasons for suspension of internet services on election day,” Dawn, 21 February 2024)
 
Majority PTI-backed independents join the Sunni Ittehad Council
On 21 February, almost all of the PTI-backed candidates who won national and provincial assembly seats submitted affidavits to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and officially joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). This included 89 MNAs, 85 members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, 106 members of the Punjab Assembly and nine members of the Sindh Assembly. The number of affidavits proved the PTI’s claim that it won 93 NA seats, as three leaders did not submit their affidavit and the affidavit of a fourth leader was yet to be issued by the ECP. Two did not file affidavits because they intended to contest PTI’s intra-party elections, while the third was nominated as PTI’s candidate for the KP chief minister. Meanwhile, the PTI accused the chief election commissioner of allegedly backing the “regime change conspiracy” and the PML-N and PPP’s decision to form a government using an allegedly stolen mandate. A party spokesperson said the “PDM 2.0” would be “rejected by the nation.” (Ikram Junaidi, “PTI-backed independents join Sunni Ittehad Council,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)

Formation of coalition government is an “internal Pakistani matter,” says US State Department spokesperson
On 21 February, the US Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated the US’ position with regard to the elections in Pakistan, saying that the formation of the coalition government is a “decision for that country itself” and not something that the US administration “would weigh in on.” He repeated similar sentiments on 20 February, saying that the government formation is an “internal Pakistani matter.” At the same time, Miller called for a “full investigation into any claims of irregularities,” and during the briefing on 21 February, he expressed concern over reports of “restrictions of freedom of association and expression.” This concern was with regard to the consistent disruption of X that had been observed since 17 February. Miller claimed that the US’ concern over “partial or complete government-imposed shutdowns on social media platforms” had been conveyed to Pakistan already. (Anwar Iqbal, “Govt formation Pakistan’s internal matter, says US,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)
 
“All predictions that the sun will soon set on Khan once he is removed from power are proving wrong,” claims an opinion in Dawn
On 22 February, Khurram Husain in an opinion in Dawn titled “Imran Khan’s rise” claimed that there is “no sense, and no sanity” in denying the “powerful wave of popular support” that is surging behind Imran Khan, with all predictions that the “sun will soon set” on him once he’s removed being proven wrong. Once it became clear in 2022 after the no-confidence motion and the long march to Islamabad that he did not have the establishment’s support, Khan “fell back on rallies” and used the “fiery rhetoric of betrayal and pride” to appeal to the masses. In June 2022, after Khan won 15 of the 20 seats in the by-elections which the PTI had resigned from. Hussain then cited the October by-elections, where Khan was a candidate in seven seats out of which he won six, proving that “whenever Khan went to the people, he returned with his powers recharged.” Following this, Khan dissolved the Punjab and KP assemblies in 2023 to “push a large number of by-elections in both provinces as required by the Constitution.” However, the PDM government stymied these elections, sensing that it would increase Khan’s strength. In the 2024 elections, with Khan and his supports arrested, and the PTI being stripped of its symbol and not being allowed to campaign properly, widespread allegations of rigging marred the elections. Despite all this, PTI-backed candidates won the “single-largest vote block,” proving that their “voter mobilization strategy was superior to that of other parties.” Hussain thus argued that the more the establishment tries to keep Khan down, the stronger his connection with the electorate gets. Regardless of claims that the PTI-independents won because of anti-establishment votes and votes out of “dislike for Nawaz Sharif,” the bottom line is that Khan “succeeded beyond even his own wildest imagination.” Hussain attributed this victory to a “failing economy and a changing demography.” The youth has begun entering both the workforce and the political sphere, filling Pakistan’s voter roles. If the economy, which is characterized by high debt burden and a high-energy-cost environment, fails to transition out of energy-intensive manufacturing and rely on domestic resources, high inflation and unemployment will ensue as more than two million young people are entering the workforce each year. Thus, Hussain concludes by stating that as more first-time voters enter the rolls, those who adapt to the changes will survive. Those who do not, will go down kicking and screaming.” (Khurram Hussain, “Imran Khan’s rise,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)
 
Shehbaz Sharif to face “the most formidable political test faced yet,” argues an editorial in Dawn
On 22 February, an editorial in Dawn titled “On a leash” stated that following many “hiccups” and “ifs and buts,” an understanding on the formation of a coalition government between the PML-N and the PPP became a “done deal” on 21 February. Shehbaz Sharif will head the coalition, with PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari as the joint nominee for president, a PML-N member as the speaker of the National Assembly (NA), and PPP members getting the Senate chairmanship and the KP and Punjab governorships. In Balochistan, the parties will form a joint government. Despite the generous divide, the editorial highlighted that the PPP’s support for the PML-N will follow a “confidence and supply arrangement.” The PML-N may be on its own on matters except motions of confidence and spending bills, according to the editorial. Meanwhile, the PTI is “poised to take the opposition leader’s slot” as its independents have joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). With the SIC likely to be the single largest party in the Lower House, Sharif will be faced with a “formidable political test,” while his government would be tasked with a “public legitimacy crisis” due to accusations of governing on a “stolen mandate.” Sharif is likely to face resistance while trying to “clean out the Augean stables left behind by his own administration” with regard to the economy, which is characterized by soaring inflation. The editorial questioned whether he would prioritize pushing ahead at “at the expense of what little political capital it has left” or leave the “heavy lifting for whoever comes next.” Though he has claimed that he wants to “save Pakistan,” time will tell how long his resolve sustains. (“On a leash,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)
 
POLITICS
“Defiance is writ large on the landscape — tribal, rural, urban, and metropolitan,” says an opinion in Dawn
On 22 February, in an opinion in Dawn titled “Four unavoidable agendas,” Shahab Usto lamented that the country’s state institutions and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in particular have “fallen miserably short of ensuring electoral transparency or fairness.” The “defeated contestants,” independent observers, and key Western governments have all questioned the election results and legitimacy, highlighting Pakistan’s need for “stability on the back of an unadulterated democratic order.” There are multiple “conflicting currents” in the political landscape, including four major issues. The first is the “split mandate,” which indicates that none of the parties or the establishment are at a position to “dictate the terms” even if they form a coalition. The second is the “looming economic implosion” that must be dealt with by a joint sustainable polity. The third is the system’s “historical addiction” to resorting to an authoritarian or military-style solution to problems of all nature. The fourth is the inability of the judiciary to serve as an “honest arbiter due to a toxic, polarized environment” and accusations that its recent decisions were “unfair and partisan.” (Shahab Usto, “Four unavoidable agendas,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)
 
ECONOMY
SBP deputy governor calls for rapid shift towards Islamic banking
On 21 February, State Bank of Pakistan Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah underscored the need for “a rapid shift towards Islamic banking.” He was speaking at the  2nd National Islamic Economic Forum in Karachi, organized by Saylani Welfare International Trust and Darul Uloom Memon. He urged for the transition  citing the unjust nature of interest-based banking. He called for a focus on wealth creation and decisive action from banks. Saylani Trust Chairman Maulana Bashir Farooq Qadri echoed these sentiments, advocating for a concerted effort against interest-based banking. Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Patron-in-Chief of the National Islamic Economic Forum, criticized the issuance of Sukuk in lieu of immovable assets and urged the direct establishment of Islamic banks instead of conventional bank branches. (“Call for rapid shift to Islamic banking,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)
 
EXTERNAL
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agree to boost trade relations
On 22 February, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to boost bilateral trade and increase investments in construction, digital economy, and infrastructure. Caretaker Minister for Commerce, Gohar Ejaz, led a business delegation to Saudi Arabia, joined by Punjab Minister S.M. Tanveer and prominent businessmen. Both sides highlighted the potential for increased trade and investment. The Saudi Minister of Commerce praised efforts to strengthen relations, emphasizing ample job opportunities for Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia. (“Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to enhance trade,” The Express Tribune, 22 February 2024)
 
SECURITY
Gas pipeline blown up in Balochistan, supply suspended
On 22 February, Dawn reported that a gas pipeline in Balochistan’s Bolan River area was blown up, suspending gas supply to Mach town and nearby regions. A portion of the six-inch pipeline caught fire after the explosion. The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) engineers halted the supply and dispatched a repair team with necessary machinery. SSGC spokesman Safdar Hussain. Stated that repair work commenced immediately, with the aim to resume supply at the earliest, as stated by (Saleem Shahid, “Gas pipeline blown up in Balochistan,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)

WORLDVIEW
US support for Israel a “grotesque display of biasness,” says an editorial in Dawn
On 22 February, an editorial in Dawn titled “Shameful veto”  criticized the US for vetoing a UNSC resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for a record third time. The editorial pointed out that as Israel continues its “genocidal violence” in Gaza, even its staunch European supporters have now called for the “cessation of hostilities.”  The United States, however, remains steadfast in its “iron-clad” support for Israel, despite the continued killing of civilians in Gaza. The editorial opines that the Biden administration’s support for Israel when compared to the US’s historical support for the latter “has lost all sense of right and wrong as it defends Tel Aviv with an almost religious zeal.” This biased support has impacted the US’s role as a “serious player in Middle East peace-making.” The US’s image as a defender of human rights globally has also suffered as its support for Israel is seen as standing with the oppressor. The editorial has also lamented the Muslim world being “comatose” on the matter, including some of these states’ clandestine support for Israel. (“Shameful veto,” Dawn, 22 February 2024)

Concerned about the meeting between the Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan and Maryam Nawaz Sharif amidst heavily rigged recent elections. This raises questions about the Australian government's stance on the legitimacy of the election results. Transparency and fairness must be upheld. The Australian government must not legitimize this rigged election, where 80% of Pakistanis voted for Imran Khan and his party, while Maryam and her party allegedly manipulated the mandate with the help of the establishment, primarily Army Chief Asim Munir. Australia claims to uphold democratic values globally; however, their High Commissioner meeting with Maryam Nawaz raises concerns, especially amid global criticism of pre and post-poll rigging in the 2024 Pakistan election. -Tareen Khan Anees   A sequel is usually made when the first part is a hit. In Pakistan we are making a PDM 2 even though PDM Part 1 was the biggest disaster/flop in the history of the country. So much so that neither Nawaz Sharif wants to be a part of it nor does PPP in any main role. Even most of the other side kicks have rejected this disastrous experiment. When will we learn? When will we stop punishing our country for personal likes & dislikes? -Sayed Z Bukhari   Qazi Muhammad Isa, the father of Qazi Faez Isa, was one of the founding fathers of Pakistan. Like his father, who was Quaid's comrade, he too believes in inclusive Pakistan. It makes sense why the fatwa-equipped military-mullah alliance hates him. Many businesses will shut down. -MD Umair Khan

“This election has drawn its synergies from social media, apt use of technology.” -An opinion in The Express Tribune, ‘Feb 8 verdict: anthropology and aftermath’