PAKISTAN READER

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Imran Khan calls for proper investigation into 9 May riots and audit of elections

In Brief
POLITICS
Imran Khan calls for proper investigation into 9 May riots and audit of elections
On 6 March, Imran Khan expressed support for the communiqué of the corps commanders’ conference, and demanded strict action against those responsible for inciting the 9 May violence by using CCTV footage to identify the culprits. He lamented that no one wanted to conduct an independent and transparent probe into the violence, adding that the “May 9 narrative could not work for 8 February [election].” Criticizing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for making the “unconstitutional” decision to not give the PTI its reserved seats, Khan questioned the legal basis on which seats were distributed among parties that did not win them. He thus demanded an audit of four constituencies, asserting that accepting the election results would be equivalent to “accepting the slavery.” Describing the 2024 elections as “the most rigged one in the history” of the country that would lead to an economic downfall, he claimed that the Sharifs were only relying on the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for their future policies. (Malik Asad, “Imran backs army’s resolve to bring May 9 culprits to book,” Dawn, 7 March 2024)
 
ECONOMY
Shehbaz Sharif asks for timeline of PIA privatization, calls for FBR restructuring and economic reforms
On 6 March, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on the privatization of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), and directed the Ministry of Privatization to present the schedule of the airline’s privatization in the next two days. He approved the roadmap for the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) automation and hiring a consultation for restructuring the FBR. Sharif also asked for a resolution of legal issues that have held up PKR 1.7 trillion in stuck-up taxes, and called on the Ministry of Law to present proposals directed at creating a legal department in the FBR focused on preparing drafts. Emphasizing that reforms would help the economy grow by six to seven per cent, he stated: “We want to bring a system of taxation based on incentives. We desire to reduce the burden of taxes, but the business community has to help by playing a role for the progress of people through social service.” (“PM seeks timeline for PIA privatization,” Dawn, 7 March 2024)
 
SBP governor highlights importance of ‘big data’ and Saarc
On 6 March, while speaking at the SaarcFinance Seminar on the ‘Potential Role of Big Data in Economic Policy,’ the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Jameel Ahmed, highlighted the importance of data by digital services. He stated: “The unprecedented volume of data generated by digital devices underscores the potential of effective data utilization in contributing to sustained economic growth, societal welfare, poverty reduction, and improved living standards across the diverse Saarc region.”  Commenting on the role of big data in central banking and financial inclusion, Ahmed cited examples of how the SBP uses big data analytics for economic analysis, and machine learning algorithms for detecting and preventing fraud. Highlighting the legal and regulatory challenges relating to privacy, he underscored the need for strong data protecting laws and addressing the costs associated with technological infrastructure and skilled human capital. Further, Ahmed urged Saarc member nations to collaborate and build a data-driven ethos that ensured inclusive benefits and responsive policies in the region. According to him, Saarc can play a vital role in setting industry standards and regulatory best practices. (Shahid Iqabl, “‘Big data’ usage must for sustainable growth: SBP,” Dawn, 7 March 2024)
 
JUDICIARY
Contempt notices to interior ministry and PTA for outages of X, SHC seeks “legal justification”
On 7 March, Dawn reported on notices issued by the Sindh High Court (SHC) to the Ministry of Interior and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on two applications that sought contempt proceedings against both for not restoring access to social media. A two-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, directed them to file replies by 20 March after hearing a set of petitions against the suspension of mobile services on the election day, and persistent outages of X post-elections. In its order, the bench stated: “It is, however, observed that if no legal justification or reasonable explanation whatsoever is given by the respondents for denying internet access to X/Twitter to the petitioners and public at large, inspite of court’s orders, the concerned respondents/alleged contemnors will expose themselves for initiation of contempt of court proceedings at their risk and consequences.” Earlier in February, following a petition against the outage of X, the SHC had directed the respondents to restore X and provide a compliance report if there was no lawful justification for the suspension. Following this, the lawyers for the petitioners filed an application to seek contempt proceedings against the respondents after X had still not been restored and a comment had not been filed. (Ishaq Tanoli, “Contempt notices issued to PTA, interior ministry for not restoring social media platform X,” Dawn, 7 March 2024)
 
EXTERNAL
Saudi Arabian delegation expresses interest in investing in Pakistan
On 6 March, a delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ajlan Holding Group visited the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), led by the Deputy Chairman of the group, Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz. Comprehensive briefings pointed out the potential for investment opportunities in different sectors in Pakistan, with the delegation expressing interest in exploring investment possibilities within Pakistan under the SIFC. The visit reflected the growing interest of Saudi Arabian investors in Pakistan, and Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with its regional ally. (“Saudi business group explores investment opportunities in Pakistan,” The Express Tribune, 6 March 2024)
 
AF-PAK
Pakistan’s UN Ambassador claims 98 per cent Afghans left Pakistan voluntarily, calls for UN investigation into TTP’s funding source
On 6 March, addressing a special UN Security Council (UNSC) session on Afghanistan, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram stated that Afghans had not been forcefully deported from Pakistan. Citing a UN report that regarded the protection environment in Pakistan as unfavourable, he said the description was inaccurate and offensive, and highlighted that Pakistan had sheltered nearly five million Afghan refugees for almost 40 years. Akram stated that of the 500,000 undocumented Afghans who returned to Afghanistan, 98 per cent left voluntarily and two per cent engaged in terrorism, drug smuggling, or other criminal activities. He added: “Even today, over one million undocumented Afghans remain in Pakistan. They should return forthwith. We have made several exceptions for those with Afghan ID cards, POR cards, for those who may be ‘vulnerable’ if they return.” Akram also pointed out the international community’s obligation to help the destitute Afghans with unconditional humanitarian assistance, and called on the global community to help revive the Afghan banking system, release the country’s frozen assets, and implement the planned infrastructure and regional connectivity projects.
However, Akram also urged the UN to carry out an investigation into how the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group had access to advanced military equipment and find out its funding source which is allowing to sustain its 50,000 fighters. He also expressed confidence that the UNSC would “join Pakistan in demanding that the AIG terminates its relationship with the TTP and its affiliates and prevents them from having free rein to conduct cross-border attacks against Pakistan or other neighbors.”  Akram also advised that “counterterrorism should be the highest priority” for the interim Afghan government to eliminate any potential security threats Afghanistan could pose to its neighbours. (Anwar Iqbal, “No ‘forced’ deportations of Afghans, Pakistan tells UNSC,” Dawn, 7 March 2024; Kamran Yousaf, “Pakistan terms TTP a global security threat,” The Express Tribune, 7 March 2024)
 
Senator calls for “regional reset” in Pakistan’s Afghan policy
On 6 March, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed highlighted the importance of opening borders and minds, and delinking trade from politics to promote mutual peace and connectivity. These comments were made during the ‘Pak-Afghan Stakeholders’ dialogue, where he emphasized the need for Pakistan to go through a “regional reset” and develop strategic clarity on its regional relations. On these lines, he advocated for more engagement with the Taliban and pointed out the benefits of Pakistan’s ties with China. The discussion also saw an exchange of ideas on how key challenges between Pakistan and Afghanistan could be addressed, with importance placed on maintaining regional cooperation and economic connectivity. Syed himself spoke on the importance of stability within Afghanistan, and called for a reassessment of Pakistan’s Afghan policy which he said should be made more inclusive toward Afghan migrants. He added that “Pakistan’s internal security is inextricably intertwined with geopolitics,” and the same was the case in Afghanistan. (“Delinking trade from politics crucial for promoting connectivity with Afghanistan: Mushahid,” Dawn, 7 March 2024)
 
SECURITY
Joint operation foils terrorist attack on Adiala Jail
On 6 March, City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani stated that the Rawalpindi police and the Counterterrorism Department (CTD) jointly foiled a terrorist activity by preventing an attack on Adiala Jail, and arrested three Afghan nationals. He stated: “Sketches of Adiala Jail, hand grenades, and IEDs [improvised explosive devices] were recovered from the terrorists.” Hamdani added that the terrorists had been taken for investigation, while a search operation was underway in and around the jail. (“Terrorist attack on Adiala Jail foiled,” The Express Tribune, 7 March 2024)
 
SOCIETY
National Education Policy 2024 to potentially replace current outdated policy
On 6 March, according to the Special Secretary of Education, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, the first meeting of the National Advisory Committee to formulate the National Education Policy 2024 for Pakistan was conducted. This was seen as a positive development, as Pakistan is currently following an education policy framed in 2009. Wani said to Dawn that all stakeholders were on board and the new policy is expected to be introduced soon. The meeting also focused on issues such as out-of-school children, quality education, skill development, and promoting girl education, soft and digital skills, and language proficiency. As per officials, though a draft national education policy was prepared in 2016 and 2018, no policy was formulated in 2009, as in the last few years, one of the provinces objected to it. Both the PML-N and the PTI-led governments failed to introduce new policies. (Kashif Abbasi, “Ministry may finally prepare new education policy,” Dawn, 7 March 2024)
 
Aurat March announced 12-point charter of demands and raises calls for gender-inclusive media
On 6 March, at a press conference held at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), the Aurat March Lahore announced a 12-point charter of demands while calling for a gender-sensitive media coverage that focused on the demands instead of misinformation. Media houses were encouraging to send women and transgender employees to the press conference in a move to underscore the need for gender-inclusivity in media. Speakers at the conference emphasized that feminist movements including the Aurat March and women in politics have often been misrepresented in the media. Reiterating the Lahore chapter’s 2024 theme of ‘Politics, Resistance, Liberation,’ the speakers at the conference blamed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for failing to conduct transparent elections, and called for establishing a ‘truth and reconciliation commission’ with representation from people-led movements, marginalized communities, and political parties, to restore public trust in the electoral process. They also lamented the ECP’s failure to comply with the five per cent minimum requirement of women’s nomination on general seats for all parties, with one of the speakers saying that while they “appreciate that Punjab has a woman as its chief minister for the first time,” they remained “cautious that having a few women in power means little for the ordinary lot in Punjab unless systemic measures are taken to tackle gender inequality in politics.” Another leader said that the Aurat March volunteers were in solidarity with the victims of the war in Gaza, but also empathized with the [victims of] injustices close to home.” She claimed it was their “responsibility as feminists to stand in solidarity with all oppressed groups, especially those that don’t get media coverage.” (“Aurat March presents 12-point charter of demands,” Dawn, 7 March 2024)
 
PROVINCES
Punjab: Maryam Nawaz promises “ruthless” response to any political violence by opposition
On 6 March, Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that she would be “ruthless” in responding to any of her political opponents who would resort to “violent protest.” She claimed that the PTI, which is in a “state of mourning” and a “defeated mindset,” wanted to create “anarchy, polarization and instability.” However, she would have “zero tolerance for them” if they tried to “create law and order situation on the pretext of doing politics.” This was following the PTI’s criticism of Nawaz for the “torture” of its workers during a party protest in Lahore against alleged rigging, to which she responded saying that she did not “care about criticism.” (Zulqernain Tahir, “Maryam says she’ll be ‘ruthless’ if opposition resorts to violence,” The Express Tribune, 7 March 2024)
 
Balochistan: Chinese firm distributes relief materials in Gwadar following rains and floods
On 6 February, a spokesperson for the China Overseas Port Holding Company (Pakistan) stated that more than 30,000 water bottles and 30,000 packets of canned food were distributed by the company to the people of Gwadar who had been affected by rains and deluge. The China-Pakistan Faqir Colony Middle School in Gwadar, which was constructed using aid from China, sheltered hundreds of people affected by the weather. Separately, the Balochistan Secretary of Health, Abdullah Khan, stated that measures were taken to prevent any epidemic from spreading, while medical teams and stocked ambulances had been dispatched. (“Chinese firm distributing relief goods in Gwadar,” Dawn, 7 March 2024)

GE2024 are the Most Rigged Elections in History of Pakistan. RO’s have Done Betrayal with Pakistan By Stealing Mandate of People -PTI Politics Update   A Saudi delegation recently visited SIFC to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. The delegation has shown a strong interest in investment prospects. Seems like KSA & Pakistan friendly ties are evolving into something more as both countries are collaborating on different projects across various public & private sectors. -Laila   I have taken the Oath to protect the integrity of Pakistan and in shaa Allah will work on principles of Islam for the betterment of the Islamic republic of Pakistan. -Faisal Saif Khokhar

“The markets, for the most part, see political risk subsiding after the elections.” -An opinion in Dawn, ‘The creditors’ view’