PAKISTAN READER

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Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan; accuses elements in Kabul for patronizing TTP

In Brief
AF-PAK
Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan; accuses elements in Kabul for patronizing TTP
On 18 March, Pakistan launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan, attacking the militant outfit responsible for the 16 March North Waziristan attack, and the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed the airstrikes a few hours later. Earlier on 16 March, in a terrorist attack in Mir Ali, seven soldiers were killed. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) explained that “the terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the post, followed by multiple suicide bombing attacks, which led to the collapse of a portion of a building,” killing five soldiers. Following this, during an “intense exchange of fire,” two more troops were killed. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed “national commitement” to the “complete eradication of terrorism,” and vowed that Pakistan would not hesitate to strike back if attacked at borders or inside its territory.
 
The FO stated: “Pakistan…always prioritized dialogue and cooperation [with Kabul] to confront the terrorist threat. We have repeatedly urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete and effective action to ensure that the Afghan soil is not used as a staging ground for terrorism against Pakistan. We have also called on them to deny safe havens to the TTP and to hand over its leadership to Pakistan.” It alleged that “certain elements among those in power in Afghanistan” were patronizing the TTP, and described Afghanistan’s approach against a “brotherly country [Pakistan]” as being shortsighted. The FO lamented that this approach “ignores the support extended by Pakistan to the people of Afghanis­tan over the last several decades,” and urged authorities to “rethink the policy of siding with ‘Khwarij’ terrorists shedding the blood of innocent Pakistanis and to make a clear choice to stand with the people of Pakistan.” Pakistan maintained that groups like the TTP, which pose a “collective threat to regional peace and security,” need to be dealt with.
 
Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that the Pakistani aircraft which “bombarded civilian homes” along the border, killed eight people. He alleged that the “houses of common people were targeted,” adding that the militant Abdullah Shah, whom Pakistan was targeting, “lives on the Pakistani side.” Mujahid asserted: “The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the attacks and describes these as non-serious actions and violation of Afghanistani territory.” He added that if Pakistan were to continue blaming Afghanistan for “their problems and failure to control violent incidents,” there could be “dire consequences which will not be in control of Pakistan.” Later, a statement from the Afghan foreign ministry highlighted that Pakistan’s charge d’affaires had been summoned. It also mentioned that Afghanistan “has a long experience of fighting for freedom against the superpowers of the world and cannot tolerate aggression on its territory in any way.” The ministry called on the government and the civilians to “not allow some circles to complicate the relations between the two neighbouring Muslim countries with their irresponsible actions and wrong policies.”
 
In response to the air strikes, as per the Defence Ministry of Afghanistan, “bases of Pakistani security forces” across the border were targeted with heavy weapons, killing one army officer and injuring three soldiers. As per DPO Kurram, Mazhar Jahan, “the clashes are underway” but have not elicited any response from Pakistan. Though the ISPR emphasized that the “recent wave of terrorism in Pakistan has the full support and assistance of Afghanistan,” it did not directly comment on the strikes. It further accused the Afghan interim government of allegedly “arming the terrorists” while also “providing a safe haven for other terrorist organizations as well as being involved in the incidents of terrorism in Pakistan.”
 
Pakistan’s airstrikes also elicited a response from the US on 19 March, with the State Departments’ Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Pate stating: “We deeply regret the loss of life and injustices sustained during the attack in Pakistan, and the loss of civilian lives during the strike in Afghanistan.” The US also urged the Taliban to “ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil,” while calling on Pakistan “o exercise restraint and ensure civilians are not harmed in their counterterrorism efforts.”
 
An editorial in Dawn titled ‘Afghan turbulence’ advised: “What is important at this juncture is that matters do not escalate with Kabul. While terrorist attacks targeting civilians as well as security personnel are a red line and cannot go unanswered, and the frontiers must be defended, unilateral action should not become the norm. This will only cause further deterioration of ties with the Afghan Taliban, and Pakistan may lose whatever leverage it has with Kabul, adding to our security concerns.” It noted this as the new government’s “first test on the Afghan front,” and emphasized the need for both sides to “verify where the attacks targeting Pakistan orginated from.” While the Taliban should “take action to stop anti-Pakistan fighters from launching attacks inside” Pakistan, Pakistan should “use carrots and sticks with the Taliban to permanently solve the militancy problem.” Another editorial in The News International titled ‘Terror threat’ lamented that the “Afghan Taliban have not exactly been forthcoming about Pakistan’s TTP problem and Afghanistan’s role in it.” It contended that Pakistan “needs more action” by the Taliban in “containing” the TTP, as it has become increasingly difficult for Pakistan to “adopt a policy of waiting for Afghanistan to do something at its end regarding the terrorism being unleashed on Pakistan.” The editorial cited this as the context in which the Pakistani air strikes were carried out, and asserted that in the long run, there is a need to “go deeper and address the causes that lead so many young men to the path of terror.” (“Afghan govt should prevent terror attacks from its soil: State Dept,” The News International, 19 March 2024; Iftikhar A Khan & Umer Farooq, “Pakistan ends restraint, bombs militant bases in Afghanistan,” Dawn, 19 March 2024; “Afghan turbulence,” Dawn, 19 March 2024; “Terror threat,” The News International, 19 March 2024; “President vows retaliation as attacks continue,” Dawn, 18 March 2024; Tahir Khan, “2 officers among 7 soldiers martyred in terrorist attack on post in North Waziristan: ISPR,” Dawn, 16 March 2024)
 
POLITICS
PTI announces plans for march and sit-in after Eid against alleged election rigging
On 18 March, PTI leader Shaukat Basra said the PTI was planning to hold a long march and sit-in after Eidul Fitr, against “massive rigging and stealing of public mandate.” The party will also not enter into any dialogue or “move on until the stolen mandate” is returned. Basra explained that the PTI was consulting with other parties and contesting these cases in state institutions to get back the mandate. He further accused the president, prime minister, and Punjab chief minister of allegedly robbing Pakistan of its mandate and “ruling at gunpoint.” Additionally, Basra claimed that the rulers were afraid of Imran Khan, and emphasized that the Form-45 elected representatives would oust the “fake” rulers. (“PTI plans long march, sit-in against ‘rigging’ after Eid,” Dawn, 19 March 2024)
 
PTI supports Amnesty International’s call for lifting ban on X
On 18 March, PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan on behalf of the party endorsed Amnesty International’s demand for the immediate restoration of X. He called on the state to remove the ban to allow a “free flow of information as should be the case in a democratic country.” The party has said that the “shameful” ban is to help the government conceal facts regarding the alleged “mandate theft” in the general elections. Hasan also said that the “usurper and anti-constitutional” group were prioritizing murder of freedom of expression and the press, and claimed that coercive tactics such as enforced disappearances, had been used to target unbiased journalists. He also lamented that the government of the “people rejected” PDM-2 were trying to suppress the critical voices to gain control over the media, and was thus continuing to violate fundamental and constitutional rights. Hasan cited Article 19 of the Constitution and other international laws and said that the ban on X along with a closure of social networking sites without a justification violated the constitution. (Ikram Junaidi, “PTI endorses Amnesty’s call for restoration of X,” Dawn, 19 March 2024)
 
NA Secretariat seeks “legal advice” from AGP on SIC’s status as parliamentary party
On 19 March, The Express Tribune reported that the National Assembly (NA) Secretariat asked the Attorney-General for Pakistan, Mansoor Awan, for a legal opinion on whether the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) can be classified as a parliamentary party. In a letter to Awan, the secretariat pointed out that the SIC did not participate in the elections and therefore did not secure even one seat in the NA, with the party’s chairman contesting the elections as an independent. Further, the secretariat contended that there was no confirmation from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on 86 independents having joined the SIC. The letter added: “Moreover, in its February 28 order regarding applications filed by the SIC for allocation of reserved seats in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh, and K-P, the ECP declared that the SIC is not entitled to claim quota for reserved seats for women and non-Muslims due to non-submission of a party [priority] list for reserved seats.” It thus asked Awan for his “legal advice” on “whether the SIC can be classified as a parliamentary party or otherwise, keeping in view the aforementioned facts.” (Hasnaat Malik, “Legal opinion sought on SIC's status,” The Express Tribune, 19 March 2024)
 
ECONOMY
Pakistan and IMF agree to extend talks
On 18 March, the visiting staff of the IMF mission and Pakistani authorities decided to extend talks overnight to conclude the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP), as an understanding was reached during the final review of the USD three billion Standby Arrangement (SBA). While “most of the work on the documentation is already complete,” as per an ‘informed source,’ the letter of intent and MEFP on behalf of the minister and governor of the central bank will be finalized on 19 March. As per Dawn’s sources, both sides have agreed on a set of contingency measures to address gaps in data till 31 March and would remain in contact regularly in the run-up to securing approval from the Fund’s executive board with regard to the disbursement of the final tranche of about USD 1.1billion in the first part of April. On 18 March, they held talks on enhancing the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and the Combating the Financing of Terror (CFT) laws following international practices and also spoke on secrecy safeguards with relation to access of bank data to assets documentation of public officials. According to sources, while the banks would be bound to share data with the FBR, there would be standard protocols to be followed while doing so. There is also a chance of increasing the rate of petroleum development levy on sales of major oil products. Pakistani officials shared a detailed plan on completely freezing electricity and gas circular debt with the IMF, in which the gas electricity tariff would be revised from 1 July to allow consumers to face predictable monthly fuel costs. Similarly, the consumer-end gas tariff would be revised upward from 1 July. This revision would be part of the next ‘longer and larger’ programme with the IMF. Sources added that the government shared the FBR’s digitalization programme with the IMF mission, with tax rates for non-filers in real estate transactions being increased and monitored. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Pakistan, IMF extend talks to conclude SBA review,” Dawn, 19 March 2024)
 
President Zardari calls on increased investment from US and UAE to strengthen trade ties
On 18 March, President Asif Ali Zardari called on businessmen from the US and UAE to invest in the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), in a move to boost trade ties with both countries. As per the Presidency, while talking to the US Ambassador Donald Blome, Zardari “urged the need to enhance trade and investment relations with the USA, besides exploring collaborative opportunities in diverse sectors.” He went on to highlight the long-standing ties between Pakistan and the US and expressed the need for it to be strengthened. Blome in response said the countries could enhance bilateral collaboration in the fields of trade & investment, climate change, renewable energy, agriculture and security. Separately, while talking to the Ambassador of UAE to Pakistan. Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, Zardari pointed out the need to boost trade ties and increase collaboration in the aviation sector. He informed Salem Al-Zaabi on how Pakistan began investing in mangrove forests, trading carbon credits internationally, and initiated projects of lining canals to overcome seepage and boost agricultural production. The ambassador expressed commitment to cooperation and congratulated Zardari on his re-election. (Syed Irfan Raza, “President urges US, UAE to invest in stock market,” Dawn, 19 March 2024)
 
SECURITY
Security forces kill perpetrator of Mir Ali attack, along with seven other militants
On 18 March, as per the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), eight militants, including the perpetrator of the Mir Ali attack on 16 March, were killed by security forces in North Waziristan as part of an intelligence-based operation (IBO). Shera alias Janan, who was the orchestrator of the attack, was killed after an exchange of fire with security forces. The ISPR added that sanitization operations were “being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan remain determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.” (“Perpetrator of Mir Ali attack killed: ISPR,” Dawn, 19 March 2024)
 
EXTERNAL
President Zardari congratulates Russia’s Putin on re-election
On 19 March, President Asif Ali Zardari took to X to express his “heartiest felicitations” to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election. He expressed confidence that “relations between Pakistan and Russia will grow further” under Putin’s “dynamic leadership.” Earlier on 17 March, Putin won a record 88 per cent of votes in the Russian presidential election, easily securing his fifth term amid a crackdown on opposition leaders in the country. (“President Zardari congratulates Vladimir Putin on election victory,” The News International, 19 March 2024)
 
SOCIETY
Employees of Balochistan University hold protests over non-payment of salaries
On 18 March, teachers and other employees of Balochistan University protested against the university administration over the non-payment of salaries for three consecutive months. They gathered in the main campus with placards and banners inscribed with their demands, while chanting slogans against the government and the Higher Education Commission. The protests staged a sit-in in front of the Commissioner's Office, before heading to Quetta Press Club where leaders spoke about non-payment of salaries and the university’s financial crisis which was impacting all employees’ salaries and pensions. Lamenting that employees were forced to resort to protests during Ramazan, the protests called on the university’s authorities to convince the government that the university’s financial crisis could not be resolved by providing limited funds. An agitation camp in front of the university’s main gate has been scheduled for 19 March. (Saleem Shahid, “Teachers in Quetta hold protest against non-payment of salaries,” Dawn, 19 March 2024)
 
PROVINCES
Punjab: Nawaz Sharif chairs three meetings of Punjab government, raising questions
On 18 March, Nawaz Sharif chaired three administrative meetings of the Punjab government, leading to many questioning the move as he holds no official position in either the provincial or federal government. As per an official handout issued after the meeting, Sharif provided directions to ministers and officials with regard to infrastructure projects, including farmers’ plight and the Ramzan relief package. Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, sat beside Sharif during the meeting, where the latter asked officials to help small farmers by shielding them from electricity tariffs. In a separate meeting, Sharif praised Maryam’s government for launching the Ramazan relief project, and it was decided in the same meeting to set up civic administration centres in three cities with the power to control price hikes. In the third meeting, Sharif ordered an increase in the number of electric bikes given to students on low monthly instalments, directed the officials to cut bus fares, and proposed launching metro bus projects in three cities with an underground train in Lahore. However, questions arose on how Sharif could preside over the meetings and issue directions without having an official role in the province. (Zulqernain Tahir, “Questions raised as MNA Nawaz chairs Punjab govt meetings,” Dawn, 19 March 2024)
 
Punjab: Government tables three-month budget for FY24
On 18 March, the Punjab government under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, tabled its first budget for April to June for FY24 and ratified the nine-month budget of the total annual budget for FY24. The three-month budget includes a PKR 280 billion annual development programme (ADP), comprising PKR 55 billion for initiatives announced by Nawaz, PKR 16 billion for development projects, PKR 158 billion for ongoing development schemes, and PKR 51 billion for foreign-funded schemes. Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shajaur Rehman, while delivering the budget speech, explained: “In a short time of 21 days, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has given her vision for a prosperous Punjab, allocating PKR ten billion for the country’s biggest Nawaz Sharif IT City, PKR four billion for the IT infrastructure investment programme, PKR 1.5 billion for Punjab IT graduation internship programme, PKR one billion for global IT certification programme, and setting up the CM helpline.” The government will also spend PKR 500 million on a provincial database authority, PKR one billion for free Wi-Fi, PKR 250 million for launching the Punjab Dastak programme, and PKR 40 billion for revamping rural health centres. The focal points of the budget include education, healthcare, IT, and social infrastructure. (Khalid Hasnain, “Punjab’s three-month budget focuses on health, IT, agriculture,” Dawn, 19 March 2024)

BREAKING. Iran, Russia and China to start naval exercises. Representatives from the countries of Oman, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and South Africa are also present. -Huzaifa Khan   Pakistan’s new face BB Aseefa BZ now assumes the role of daughter-first lady, and will shortly contest by-polls on NA-207 Nawabshah. -PPP Digital   The world is watching. Thirty-one members of the US Congress have already written to the State Department urging a full, independent, and credible investigation into allegations of fraud in Pakistan's elections. Now, on Wednesday, March 20th, a Congressional Hearing will be held by a subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee entitled: “Pakistan After the Elections: Examining the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship.” -PTI USA Official

“The mainstream press, from newspapers to channels, is no longer a challenge for the state.” -An opinion in Dawn, ‘Unruly social media’