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Maryam Nawaz Sharif gives her debut speech in parliament as newly elected CM of Punjab

In Brief
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2024
PR Exclusive Update #74
Maryam Nawaz Sharif gives her debut speech in parliament as newly elected CM of Punjab
On 26 February, after being elected as the first female chief minister of Punjab, PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz gave her debut parliamentary speech and vowed to go “above and beyond” as the PML-N’s “extensive and comprehensive agenda” for Punjab would be implemented from the same day. Maryam Nawaz made multiple promises in the speech. She asserted that she would transform Punjab into an “economic hub” by removing bureaucratic hurdles and creating policies that would “provide an enabling environment” while also facilitating the business community so that they “invest and economic revival begins.” With regard to “all kinds of youth,” she claimed that the Punjab government would provide “funds” for a student who did not have the means to study on merit.   Maryam Nawaz spoke to institutions to “increase the internship programmes” and ensure interns are paid a minimum of PKR 25,000, and added that the youth loan programme would be revived while “incubators” would be set up to help start-ups. Speaking about the transport system, she said that a school transport system would be established in Punjab. She claimed that “as a mother,” it is her dream “that no child should be out of school due to a lack of finances,” which is why a “’private-public partnership to incentivize education” was being developed. Maryam Nawaz emphasized ensuring the presence of capable doctors, a “state of the art hospital” in each district of Punjab, “free medicines” at every government hospital, and a “motorized ambulance service” would all be prioritized.  She also announced a “dedicated helpline for women” what would help making Punjab safer, and day care centres at “every workplace” for working mothers. She asserted: “To empower women financially, socially and professionally, Maryam Nawaz is willing to work 24/7.” In her speech, Maryam Nawaz touched on changing the “societal attitudes” towards marginalized communities, including women and transgender, as they were the “crowning glory” of Pakistan. Further, she highlighted her plan of “digital Punjab,” under which the government would provide incentives to “tech giants,” provide free Wi-Fi in major cities, and revive e-libraries. Lastly, she stressed on the importance of a “safe Punjab” with “zero tolerance” for police high-handedness,” and promised that after five years, each district would have an “extensive Safe City project.” (“Notable promises newly elected Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz made in her victory speech,” Dawn, 26 February 2024)
 
PTI to hold Punjab Assembly session to elect CM, speaker and deputy speaker
On 26 February, after the PTI called for a Punjab Assembly session to elect its chief minister, speaker, and deputy speaker, the party’s central leader, Shaukat Basra, asserted that PTI members who have emerged victorious as per Form-45 will take part in the session. Basra said that as per their Forms-45, more than half of the Punjab Assembly members, including the newly sworn-in chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, were in the house of “stolen mandate.” He further said that the PTI-backed candidate Mehr Sharafat defeated Maryam Sharif in the PP-159 constituency of Lahore. Though the Election Commission of Pakistan’s data shows that Sharif secured 23,598 votes while Sharafat had 21,491, Basra claimed that Sharif “won the election on 9 February instead of 8 February.” He added that the “PML-N leaders used to say they struck a deal with powers that be, but they failed to strike a deal with the people of Pakistan,” warning the “rigged election will result in anarchy.” PTI leader Naeem Haider Panjotha said that he was winning PP-71 with a significant lead, but was defeated following which application against rigging submitted by him was “rejected.” Meanwhile, the PTI strongly condemned Maryam Sharif being elected as the chief minister of Punjab and asserted that “all democratic and constitutional norms were trampled to elect her.” The party alleged that after “stealing the mandate,” a “defeated woman” was brought to power in Punjab. (Mansoor Malik, “PTI to call ‘parallel’ Punjab Assembly session to elect CM, speaker,” Dawn, 27 February 2024)
 
PTI meets PKMAP and BNP-M chiefs to raise a joint voice against alleged election rigging
On 26 February, a PTI delegation led by Asad Qaiser met separately with the Pashtun­khwa Milli Awami Party chief, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and Balochistan National Party (Mengal) chief, Akhtar Mengal, to jointly raise a voice against the alleged rigging in the elections.  Qaiser stated that the parties discussed how the election’s alleged winners were declared losers, lamenting that PTI’s seats were allegedly stolen and demanding parties that won seats because of this to “respect the vote.” Achakzai said that his party would endorse every political party that believes in the supremacy of the Constitution and the empowerment of parliament, claiming that Pakistan’s progress was dependent on respect for the mandate and the constitution’s supremacy. Mengal reportedly said that the mandates of all parties should be respected, and after this meeting, leaders of both parties said they would jointly act against the alleged rigging. (Ikram Junaidi, “PTI team meets Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Mengal to seek support against ‘rigging’,” Dawn, 27 February 2024)
 
PTI blames MQM-P and PPP for “stealing its mandate” in Karachi and Hyderabad
On 26 February, speaking at the press conference at the Karachi Press Club, PTI leader Haleem Adil Sheikh asserted that PTI- backed independent candidates had won 22 National Assembly seats in Karachi, and two seats in Hyderabad, accusing the MQM-P and the PPP of “stealing its mandate” in these two regions. He stated that the incoming government at the centre would not survive for more than five months. Sheikh claimed that as per Form-45s, “The nation gave its verdict in the favour of PTI. But the returning officers illegally changed the results in Forms-47.” He further alleged that the PTI’s “mandate was stolen in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other cities as well.” He vowed that the party would “move courts and take back our snatched mandate.” Meanwhile, PTI’s Sher Zaman said that the PTI’s intra-party elections would be held on 3 March, after which they would “go to courts with evidence as we have confidence in our judiciary.” (“PTI accuses MQM-P, PPP of ‘stealing mandate’ in Karachi,” Dawn, 27 February 2024)
 
POLITICS
IHC accepts appeals for hearing from Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and Shah Mehmood Qureshi
On 26 February, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) accepted appeals of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and Shah Mehmood Qureshi against their sentences in the cipher and Toshakhana cases, demanding records of court proceedings by 7 March. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb accepted the appeals during the hearing. Barrister Syed Ali Zafar and Barrister Salman Safdar represented Khan in the cipher case, with Safdar alleging of anomalies in the procedure that convicted Khan. He accused the Special Court of bypassing the law. ” As per the appeal, Khan’s arrest happened in the “most objectionable, clandestine, and secretive manner.” The appeal further asserted that Khan and his attorney “extended all the cooperation” to the trial court; despite this, the “the proceedings were hurried through by the court in breakneck speed for reasons known only to the court itself.” In the Toshakhana case, Zafar argued that an accountability court convicted Khan and Bushra Bibi after depriving them of the right to cross-examine prosecution witnesses. (Malik Asad, “IHC admits Imran, Bushra, Qureshi’s appeals for hearing,” Dawn, 27 February 2024)
 
Women protest gas outages and inflated bills
On 26 February, hundreds of women blocked the Rawalpindi road in the Bahawalnagar of Punjab, to protest against gas outages and inflated bills.  The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) had provided gas only three times a day, and the pressure was very low. Despite the sustained outages, the bills for February ranged from PKR 16000 to PKR 25000. They condemned the district administration for not regulating and monitoring the supply of basic commodities to domestic consumers.  An official sent by the administration assured the protestors that there would be a smooth supply of gas, after which the protest ended gradually. (“Gas outages protested in Kohat,” Dawn, 27 February 2024)
 
ECONOMY
Pakistani rupee hits four-month high as inflows increase
On 26 February, the PKR hit a four-month high at PKR 279.20 against the US dollar in the inter-bank market. This was potentially due to the high inflow of dollars in the markets as overseas Pakistanis sent home remittances. With the high hit in the currency, exporters remained hopeful that the rupee would continue to remain unchanged in the market. The increase also followed talks on augmenting a new IMF loan programme from USD 7.5 billion to USD 8 billion. According to the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) data, the rupee gained 0.06 per cent, or PKR 0.16, on a day-on-day basis and closed at PKR 279.20. The data further highlighted that currency regained ten per cent of its value. (“Rupee at 4-month high as inflows rise,” The Express Tribune, 27 February 2024)
 
Additional PKR 7.9652/unit for power bills in March permitted by Nepra
On 26 February, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) permitted state-run distribution companies to levy an additional PKR 7.0562 per unit on power bills for March 2024, considering the fuel charge adjustment for January 2024. Consumers will face a burden of roughly PKR 56 billion, that could rise to PKR 66 billion when adjusting with tax. This increase will be applicable to all consumer categories except electric vehicle charging stations and lifeline consumers. The PKR 14.6206/kWh increase in fuel cost for January has instigated an investigation by Nepra into the reason for such a high fuel cost under Section 27 of the NEPRA Act. The authority will also evaluate the performance of each Disco following Ramzan in terms of sales, losses, recovery, connections, and outages, to see whether there have been any violations. Further, Nepra directed the Ministry of Energy (MoE) to submit its power purchase forecast for FY25, and Discos to file their annual indexation adjustment request for FY25 to ensure a timely rebasing of tariffs. (“Nepra okays additional Rs7.0562/unit for March power bills,” The News International, 27 February 2024)
 
EXTERNAL
MoU signed between Pakistan and UAE to boost date palm cultivation
On 26 February, Pakistan and the UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to develop and promote parts of date palm cultivation and the allied industry by enhancing related agricultural innovation and research. Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, and the General Secretary of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, Dr Abdelouahhab Zaid Prof, signed the MoU, which will promote cooperation between both countries and enable Pakistani farmers to boost date palm cultivation. The UAE, a leading country in terms of date production, will share technology with Pakistan to help increase its cultivation as the latter’s topography is ideal for the sector. Additionally, the first Pakistan International Date Palm Festival 2024 will be held under the MoU. (“Pakistan, UAE eye date palm cultivation,” The Express Tribune, 27 February 2024)
 
Bulgarian ambassador calls for diversification of trade and stronger collaboration
On 26 February, Bulgaria’s ambassador to Pakistan, Irena Gancheva, addressed the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and emphasized the immense potential for collaboration between Pakistan and Bulgaria in terms of food processing, agriculture, Information Technology (IT), and new technologies. She claimed that Bulgaria was a leader in mobile internet speed, had a “favorable taxation system for the investors,” and could help providing a “gateway to all EU markets.” Gancheva also highlighted Bulgaria’s export of wheat and import of textile from Pakistan, noting the need to diversify trade and partnerships. The LCCI President, Kashif Anwar, described Bulgaria as an important European economy with a strategic location, and expressed Pakistan’s desire to enhance its exports to the EU. Anwar pointed out that of Bulgaria’s total trade volume of USD 108 billion, trade with Pakistan accounted for only USD 80 million, thus showcasing the need to identify key areas of collaboration. (“Bulgarian envoy urges deeper collaboration,” The Express Tribune, 27 February 2024; “Bulgaria seeks trade ties with Pakistan,” The News International, 27 February 2024)
 
JUDICIARY
Government asks SC to overturn IHC orders relating to allegedly missing Baloch students
On 26 February, the federal government submitted a petition to the Supreme Court with the aim of getting it to overturn the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) directives of forming a joint committee to determine the whereabouts of the allegedly missing Baloch students. The petition, moved by the interior ministry through the Attorney General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, contended that the IHC overstepped its jurisdiction and stepped into the domain of the executive by forming the joint committee. It also pointed out that the government-appointed Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances is already functioning in accordance with the SC’s directives to trace the students, and is regularly submitting a progress report. Considering this, the federal government held that the IHC should have shown restraint instead of constituting a joint committee, and it called on the SC to set aside the IHC’s order. Earlier, the IHC had formed a joint committee constituting directors general of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Inter-Service Intelli­gence (ISI), and Military Intelli­gence (MI). It had also summoned the caretaker prime minister and federal ministers along with secretaries, while alleging that 26 Baloch students were “picked up by the law enforcement agencies from Balochistan.” With regard to this, the federal government claimed that the IHC had made a mistake by claiming that “respondent institutions, establishment, and departments were guilty of misconduct, being an accomplice to the crime committed by their subordinates, and they were not interested to resolve the delicate issue of enforced disappearance, and as such earned bad name for the State of Pakistan in the international community,” as the high court had no proof. (Nasir Iqbal, “Govt challenges IHC order to trace ‘missing’ Baloch students,” Dawn, 27 February 2024)
 
President Alvi refuses to convene inaugural session of National Assembly, leading to strong criticism
On 26 February, after President Dr Arif Alvi returned a caretaker government’s summary for convening the inaugural session of the National Assembly (NA), the NA Speaker, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, called the maiden sitting of the lower house on 29 February. Alvi had said that he would approve the summary only if the issue of reserved seats was distributed among the parties. Article 91(2) of the Constitution states that the NA “shall meet on the 21st day following the day on which a general election to the assembly is held, unless sooner summoned” by the President. While a formal statement summoning the session has not been issued, NA officials said that the speaker was left with no other option once Alvi had returned the summary, despite him being constitutionally bound to summon the session. Law expert Hafiz Ehsaan Ahmad Khokhar said that Alvi could not deviate from the constitution and did not have the mandate to delay things under Article 75 of the Constitution. He added that the NA secretary could summon the session under Article 91(2) following the president’s refusal.
On the same day, in a senate session, former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani termed Alvi’s decision as a “terrorist attack” on the constitution. He stated: “Pakistan's Constitution is under threat of terrorism; this time, the President's House has attempted an act of terrorism.” Rabbani accused Alvi of “violating Article 91 of the Constitution,” and urged him to not “derail the democratic system and refrain from violating the Constitution.” (Waqas Ahmed, “Alvi under fire in Senate for attack on Constitution,” The Express Tribune, 27 February 2024; “Speaker overrides Alvi to summon NA session on 29^th,” The Express Tribune, 26 February 2024)
 
SOCIETY
Code of conduct to protect domestic workers launched by EFP
On 26 February, in a meeting with representatives from employers, workers’ federations, labour department officers and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) announced a code of conduct for those employing domestic workers. It consisted of aspects such as minimum wage, fixed working hours, and meeting health and safety rules. The Secretary Labour and Human Resource Development Department Sindh, Shariq Ahmed, claimed that this would grant domestic workers their fundamental rights and protect them, as many workers face low wages and various forms of abuse. EFP’s Secretary General, Syed Nazar Ali, said that the code of conduct had been formulated with the assistance of the ILO and stakeholders, and would offer guidance to employers. The Country Director of ILO Pakistan Office, Geir Tonstol, highlighted the importance of implementing the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and other ILO Conventions to promote decent work for domestic workers, and acknowledged that the code of conduct would help initiate discussions for a law protecting domestic workers in Sindh. (“EFP introduces code of conduct for domestic workers’ rights,” The Express Tribune, 27 February 2024)
 
PAKISTAN’S WORLDVIEW
“Why should the US not be considered complicit in Israel’s inhumanity in Gaza?” questions an opinion in Dawn
On 27 February, in an opinion in Dawn titled “Israel’s partner,” Touqir Hussain condemned the US for “sitting on the sidelines in contempt of world opinion” and using its “wilful advocacy” at the UN to protect Israel, while “30,000” civilians had been killed in Gaza. He questioned why the US should “not be considered complicit in Israel’s inhumanity in Gaza,” as the number of “high-profile Israel sympathizers” have “exaggerated” the American perception of Israel as an important ally in the Middle East to help justify the “policy of endless US support.” Hussain claimed that both “Israel sympathisers” have “hypnotized American politicians” and pressurized the executive branch and the Congress to be “over-committed to Israel.” Thus this “blanket US protection” has allowed Israel to use its “unrestrained expansionist policies” in Palestine with no political cost. The opinion referred to an article by Stephen Walt titled “America is a Root Cause of Israel and Palestine’s Latest War’ in Foreign Policy,” which described US President Joe Biden’s approach towards the Gaza war as “minimalist” and devoid of “empathy for the Palestinians.” This could potentially be due to the “fraught environment” that the US is in currently, and with the elections around the corner, Biden would not want to “alienate the majority of voters by pressuring Israel.” While Biden approached Saudi Arabia to help normalize the situation, the Saudi’s are unlikely to oblige without establishing a “Palestinian home,” with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “not interested in.” Further, even if a move to attach conditions to aid to Israel were to pass in the Congress, these conditions can be waived by Biden. Hussain lamented the US’s failure to realize the influence it could have had in shaping events in the Middle East had it not “appended itself to Israeli expansionism.” America is thus “walking alone” as the region is “challenged by China, menaced by Iran, rivalled by India and hindered by Saudi Arabia.” With both US and Israel locked in “morally bankrupt” policies, the future of Palestine depends on a change in policies in both countries. In the US< policies should be reformed to serve the “moral purpose the US always claimed but rarely measured up to.” (Touqir Hussain, “Israel’s partner,” Dawn, 27 February 2024)

CM Maryam Nawaz is clearly dedicated to serving the people. Hit the ground running on day one! She is on a roll! Love her energy and focus. -Maimoona   Aleem Khan's dedication to Pakistan shines through in his efforts to construct schools, provide medication to students, and support humanity. -Thohid Ali   Great and brave leader of Pakistan Imran Khan has called for a peaceful protest on Saturday, against the rigged elections. -Hena Zainab

“Climate resilience can save human lives.” -An opinion in Dawn, ‘Flawed climate policies’