In Brief
POLITICS
PTI’s Hammad Azhar steps down as party’s Punjab president and general secretary
On 20 March, PTI leader Hammad Azhar stepped down from the position of general secretary and acting president of the party’s Punjab chapter, saying legal tribulations and obstacles he faced in performing duties were the reason behind his decision. Azhar wrote a letter to PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Omar Ayub, saying he had been entrusted with dual responsibilities by Imran Khan in 2023 and had “bravely endured the onslaught of a fascist regime that remained bent upon dismantling the party machinery.” Azhar explained that he had been booked in 42 cases and was banned from electronic media by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority. He stated that since his home had “been raided repeatedly, ransacked and sealed,” and his family had been “harassed,” he had to send his family abroad to protect them from these events “or worse.” In the meantime, he had been working for the PTI “from an undisclosed location since May 2023,” and was “still in hiding and unable to represent the party even on television.” Azhar highlighted it would be selfish of him to continue in the roles if he was unable to appear on television, and advised that the PTI would benefit from having a leader who could be present on the ground. He further stated: “In addition, it should be able to appear on television and most importantly, to have access to the founding chairman directly to receive instructions and communication with him directly.” Azhar lamented that he had “agonized” over his decision which came from a “place of concern for the wellbeing of PTI,” and pointed out that during his 13 years of service, he had worked for the “best interests” of the party and would continue to render his services as a “loyal and ideological worker” of the PTI. (“Hammad Azhar steps down as PTI Punjab’s president, general secretary,” Dawn, 20 March 2024)
Petition filed against Nawaz Sharif for chairing administrative meetings of Punjab government
On 21 March, Dawn reported on a petition filed by Advocate Nadeem Sarwar against Nawaz Sharif for chairing administrative meetings of the Punjab government without holding any official position in the provincial or federal government. Sarwar contended that constitutional questions were raised as Sharif is only an MNA, adding that it was widely regarded that Sharif was calling the shots on major decisions. He gave the example of Sharif’s photo being printed on the flour bags distributed under the Ramzan relief package as proof of his involvement in government affairs. Sarwar thus asked the court to declare Sharif’s actions illegal and restrain him from chairing any meetings or issuing directions to cabinet and state functionaries in the future. (“Plea filed against Nawaz for chairing official meetings,” Dawn, 21 March 2024)
ECONOMY
IMF confirms Pakistan’s intention to secure 24th medium-term Fund-supported programme
On 20 March, the IMF confirmed that Pakistan was seeking a 24th medium-term bailout package to support structural reforms. In the end-of-mission statement, the IMF said that the staff-level agreement on the successful completion of the existing short-term facility would allow Pakistan to access USD 1.1 billion by April, subject to approval from the fund’s executive board. During the discussions, the Fund claimed to have laid out the broader conditionalities of the next programme on which “discussions are expected to start in the coming months.” Pakistani authorities then “expressed interest in a successor medium-term Fund-supported programme to permanently resolve Pakistan’s fiscal and external sustainability weaknesses, strengthening its economic recovery, and laying the foundations for strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth.” The next medium-term programme would have four key objectives. The first will be strengthening public finances and improving tax administration; the second will be restoring the viability of the energy sector by accelerating cost-reducing reforms and anti-theft efforts; the third will be returning inflation to the target with a transparent and flexible foreign exchange market; the fourth will be promoting private-led activity and scaling up investment in human capital. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Islamabad seeking 24th bailout, IMF confirms,” Dawn, 21 March 2024)
PM Sharif to consult global experts and stakeholders from public and private sectors to strengthen economy
On 20 March, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he would include global experts and stakeholders in a consultative process to improve Pakistan’s economic health and financial stability, as the country is set to approach the IMF for a new programme. While chairing a meeting on economic revival and reforms, Sharif clarified that he would oversee the implementation of these reforms personally. Following the meeting, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that Sharif “wants to take advantage of the experience of economic experts working in both, the public and private sector.” Sharif emphasized that strengthening the economy was one of the top priorities of his government, and sought progress reports on economic reforms in different sectors while directing authorities to give significance to value addition to the country’s export policy. He added that his administration would increase the tax net, and support industries of all sizes in Pakistan. Multiple proposals for reforms in different sectors and a roadmap for an export surge were presented. Sharif asked for the submission of a comprehensive plan to enhance the power sector’s capacity, separately adding that the youth should be equipped with the latest and international standard education. (Syed Irfan Raza, “PM Shehbaz consults experts to bring financial stability,” Dawn, 21 March 2024)
JUDICIARY
SC notes it is a not a crime to attend a political rally
On 20 March, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and comprising Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Mussarat Hilali, noted that participating in a rally is not a crime. They granted post-arrest bail to five people accused under various laws including the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997 for vandalizing Hamza Camp in Rawalpindi, in the wake of Imran Khan’s arrest on 9 May. Mandokhail said to the authorities: “Play your political game in the political arena. Don't fight political battles in the courts. The relevant section [of the ATA. 1997] cannot be applied unless firearms are involved.” Rizvi pointed out that there was “no video evidence,” and all of the witnesses were police officers, adding that the offence of obstructing an officer in the discharge of his duties had also been applied. Hilai agreed by saying that while police officers could be witnesses, they needed to present evidence. Further, Mandokhail asked why it was considered a crime for the accused to be affiliated with a party, questioning “what will be achieved by shutting everyone down.” He also asked the prosecution if participating in a rally was a crime, while Rizvi asked the prosecution why they included sections related to conspiracy in the FIR. On the latter, the investigating officer said that according to a head constable at Jinnah Park, a conspiracy for the 9 May incidents was allegedly hatched there. To this, Rizvi questioned: “Should we believe the testimony of just one head constable that a former prime minister is a traitor?” Following these comments, the court granted bail to the suspects by accepting their bail requests in exchange for surety bonds of PKR 50,000 each. (Jehanzeb Abbasi, “Attending political rally not crime: SC,” The Express Tribune, 21 March 2024)
SECURITY
PM Sharif asserts Pakistan will not tolerate cross-border terrorism
On 20 March, amid simmering tensions with the Taliban regime, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that Pakistan would “not tolerate any kind of terrorism from across the border.” The statement came days after clashes and air strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He lamented: “Unfortunately, terrorism has reared its head again. The reality is that despite such great sacrifices and resources, our martyrs and troops are risking their lives to eliminate terrorism.” Sharif highlighted that while Pakistan wanted to “engage in trade and commerce and develop” its relations, “if a neighbour’s soil is used for terrorism [in Pakistan], this is intolerable.” He went on to express hope that Pakistan’s neighbouring states would devise a joint plan against terrorism with “sincerity.” (Syed Irfan Raza, “We desire peace, but cross-border attacks not tolerable: PM,” Dawn, 21 March 2024)
Interior minister announces restructuring of Nacta following uptick in terrorist attacks
On 20 March, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the restructuring of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) on modern lines, while chairing a meeting at the Nacta headquarters. He added that the authority would be restructured in order to be on the front foot in the war against terrorism, and highlighted the need for the complete implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) “at any cost to counter terrorism.” Earlier on 24 December 2014, a 20-point NAP for countering terrorism and extremism, devised by Nacta and stakeholders, had been approved by the parliament. Naqvi’s decision came following the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stated: “It is more important for us to take preemptive measures to eliminate terrorists and their facilitators instead of taking action after every incident of terrorism.” Naqvi will chair a meeting of the NAP’s coordination committee next week. (“Nacta to be restructured on modern lines, says Naqvi,” Dawn, 21 March 2024)
EXTERNAL
US diplomat says failure to investigate into allegations of election rigging would “retard” ties
On 20 March, the US Assistant Secretary of State, Donald Lu, told a Congressional panel that the failure of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to investigate allegations of election rigging would “retard” America’s relationship with Pakistan. Lu is the diplomat whose supposed warning to Islamabad via cipher became the point for Imran Khan’s allegations that the US wanted to oust the PTI from power. During the session, he stated: “I want to be very clear on this point. These allegations — this conspiracy theory — is a lie… It is not accurate. At no point does it accuse the US government or me personally of taking steps against Imran Khan.” He further claimed that these allegations had led to him and his family facing death threats. Denying the US’ involvement in removing Khan from power after his visit to Russia, and in stopping aid to Pakistan after Pakistan refused to vote against Russia in the UN, Lu maintained that he and other Americans were “absolutely not involved” in the ouster of the PTI government. He also said that no US official was “even a contractor” in any “regime change” conspiracy against Khan. On the matter of elections, Lu pointed out that the US “never used the term ‘free and fair’ in characterising” the polls, and that the ECP’s failure to conduct an investigation would put a strain on the US’ ability to have the type of relationship it wants, “in security matters, on [the] business front and people to people.” He added that the “US does not go around recognizing new governments,” lamenting that relations between the countries would suffer if “Pakistan is not a full democracy.” Lu went on to regard the disruption of X and the internet as one of the most “damaging things,” as it “denies Pakistanis from getting the kind of diversity of reporting information that they deserve.” Lastly, while acknowledging that Pakistan was a “very important” partner and a major non-NATO ally, Lu highlighted that the US administration viewed Pakistan’s current relationship with the Taliban with “suspicion.” (Anwar Iqbal, “US diplomat links Pakistan ties with election probe,” Dawn, 21 March 2024)
SOCIETY
Education minister calls for ‘national emergency’ to address out-of-school children issue
On 20 March, Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui called for imposing an ‘education emergency’ to address the issue of 26.2 million out-of-school children (OOSC) across the country. Voicing his intention to advise the prime minister and federal cabinet to declare the emergency, he explained that the “declaration aims to bring back these out-of-school children into the education system, ensuring that no child is left behind.” In a recent report by the Pakistan Education Statistics for 2021-22, it was found that 39 per cent of children in Pakistan were out of school- 11.73 million in Punjab, 7.63 million in Sindh, 3/63 million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 3.13 million in Balochistan, and 0.08 million in Islamabad. There is also a low literacy rate of 62 per cent, amid low government spending on the education sector. As per the Economic Survey of Pakistan in 2023, only 1.7 per cent of GDP was spent on education. Siddiqui highlighted the government’s aim to improve access to quality education through various measures, including a ‘school meals programme’ in state-run primary schools in the capital and a special focus on narrowing the gender literacy gap. To help achieve these goals, a national conference will be organized in collaboration with the Special Investment Facilitation Council, to address the issue of OOSC and learning poverty through the use of technology. (Kashif Abbasi, “Minister wants ‘education emergency’ imposed to enrol out-of-school children,” Dawn, 21 March 2024)
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U.S. official points to Afghanistan as a source of terrorism threat to Pakistan. In a recent statement, Donald Lu, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs identified Afghanistan as the primary source of terrorism threatening Pakistan. Lu emphasized that the current greatest terrorist threat to the people of Pakistan originates from across the border in Afghanistan.
-Pak Afghan Affairs
As soon as Donald Lu said that there was no conspiracy against Imran Khan government in Pakistan, the people sitting in the room called him a liar.
-Anwar Lodhi
A convoy of security forces was targeted by an IED in Hatala, Dera Ismail Khan.
Two Pakistani soldiers have been martyred and few are injured.
Preliminary analysis indicates a Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED) attack.
-Saleem Wazir
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Samia Liaquat Ali Khan, ‘Revisiting LHW Programme’
Dawn, 21 March 2024
“Today, the LHW programme stands at a crossroads. Policymakers need to undertake an extensive review of the challenges and find new and innovative solutions for a Pakistan that is very different from what it was 30 years ago. We need to have diversified rural and urban healthcare models. Provinces need to support one another to identify what works and where. For example, the LHWs are not a model that works well in Balochistan given the way society and geography intersect. They do better in the other provinces, but may not be so relevant in urban centres.”
FS Aijazuddin, ‘A Rubik’s Cube’
Dawn, 21 March 2024
“Drawing rooms are rife with speculation that a disappointed Nawaz Sharif will return to London, now that the IMF, the Chinese and the Saudi crown prince have anointed his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif. Having ensured that his daughter Maryam is installed as chief minister Punjab, he has stayed to see his sons Hussain and Hassan safely through the judicial carwash which may now restore them to the pink of wealth.”
Editorial, ‘Gwadar attack’
Dawn, 21 March 2024
“A proper investigation must uncover how the attackers were able to strike such an official facility housing LEAs. Even otherwise, Gwadar is said to be under a security blanket, mainly to protect Chinese nationals and others associated with CPEC projects in Balochistan. In fact, several observers have pointed to the ‘working relationship’ between religiously inspired militant groups such as the TTP, and Baloch separatist outfits, including the BLA.”
Editorial, ‘X-cuses aplenty’
Dawn, 21 March 2024
“What does one make of the PTA’s feigned cluelessness now? It was suspicious that the PTA chief had simply not ordered the restoration of X when nobody was willing to take responsibility for its suspension. Given that several petitions regarding this matter have since landed in the courts, it seems the regulator is now trying to wriggle out of the mess.”
Abhas K Jha, ‘How Pakistan can beat the heat and save the planet’
The Express Tribune, 21 March 2024
“Pakistan urgently needs to shift from a reactive, “disaster response” approach to extreme heat to a proactive and strategic approach, as some countries are doing. For example, Miami was the first city to appoint a Chief Heat Officer in 2020. She leads and coordinates the city’s response to extreme heat, raises awareness, identifies vulnerable communities and implements solutions.”
Inam Ul Haque, ‘Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan- the aftermath’
The Express Tribune, 21 March 2024
“We must have the belief that just like Afghans prevailed in their decades-long struggle against the occupation forces with the help of Pakistan and their just cause, so would Pakistan against the proponents of hostility in Pak-Afghan bilateralism. This essentially is transient tarboorwali — the cousin rivalry!”
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“Government does not reflect the people, which is what should happen in a democracy with whatever extent of genuineness.”
-An opinion in The Express Tribune, ‘Star and crescent’
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