Interior minister orders FIA to launch a crackdown against gas and electricity thieves; FO says US concern over polls are based on “misunderstandings,” calls for “meaningful” talks
In Focus
With Afghanistan, Pakistan doesn’t want “armed conflict,” says the Defence minister
On 21 March, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif noted that while Pakistan did not want an “armed conflict” with Afghanistan, Islamabad could block Kabul’s corridor for trade with India if it did not curb anti-Pakistan terrorists operating from there. While “force is the last resort,” Asif stated that there was a surge in terror attacks in Pakistan after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. He asserted that if the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) could “harm” Pakistan, then the latter would be “forced” to retaliate. However, he expressed hope that Afghanistan would rein in the TTP instead of allegedly allowing it to operate against Pakistan.
Also on 21 March, the Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch reiterated Pakistan’s desire to address the issue of terrorism with Afghanistan through the use of dialogue and cooperation. She stressed how Pakistan “repeatedly” said it prioritizes “dialogue and cooperation in finding solutions to issues of mutual concern and that is why Pakistan has been engaged in conversations and dialogue with Afghanistan to fight the threat” of terrorism that “emanates from these groups which are currently based in Afghanistan.” Baloch highlighted the importance of collaboration to remove a “major issue” weighing down the relationship between both countries and assured that the “channels of communication between the two countries remain open.” She added that Pakistan would continue to “engage with Afghanistan” in order to “defeat these terror groups and the threat that they pose to Pakistan and the friendship between Pakistan and Afghanistan.” Baloch clarified that the recent air strikes launched from Pakistan were not “targeted against the government or institutions or the people of Afghanistan,” but against the “terrorist hideouts and sanctuaries.” She ruled out the potential for future air strikes in Afghanistan, saying that Pakistan “will only take any action in any direction, dialogue or otherwise, depending on the situation that arises.” (“We don’t want armed conflict with Afghanistan: Asif,” The Express Tribune, 21 March 2024; Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Pakistan stresses talks with Kabul through gritted teeth,” Dawn, 22 March 2024)
In Brief
POLITICS
Zardari seeks presidential immunity in Thatta water supply reference
On 21 March, President Asif Ali Zardari filed an application in an accountability court, seeking presidential immunity in the Thatta water supply reference. Zardari’s counsel submitted the application and argued that since the same has been attained in other cases, such as the Park Lane reference case, the current case cannot proceed. The water supply reference centres around an alleged illegal award of a contract for the water supply scheme in Thatta to a private contractor. In 2023, an accountability court sent back a corruption reference against Zardari following certain amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law. Zardari’s lawyer, Farooq H Naik, stated that Zardari’s presidential status grants him immunity from legal action, meaning the Thatta water supply reference could not continue. The court issued notices to the NAB and adjourned the hearing till 22 April. (“President Zardari moves court seeking presidential immunity in NAB reference,” The Express Tribune, 21 March 2024)
Interior minister orders FIA to launch a crackdown against gas and electricity thieves
On 21 March, the Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Mohsin Naqvi, directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to initiate a national crackdown on power and gas thieves. During the meeting where this order was given, FIA officials informed Naqvi that teams had already been formed for a crackdown on electricity and gas thieves, as per instructions given during the last meeting. Naqvi then ordered action against elements involved in human trafficking, and further action against those involved in Hundi/Hawala businesses. According to the FIA, previous measures taken against these businesses have helped improve the value of the PKR. Naqvi additionally reviewed the progress on the pending promotion cases of FIA officials and ordered concerned officials to deal with this matter within a month. (Iftikhar A Khan, “Interior minister orders crackdown on power, gas thieves,” Dawn, 22 March 2024)
EXTERNAL
FO says US concern over polls are based on “misunderstandings,” calls for “meaningful” talks
On 21 March, in response to a testimony of the US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch criticized the hearings as “intrusive.” While labelling it as indicative of a “misunderstanding of Pakistan’s domestic situation and electoral laws,” she said that Pakistan hoped to “engage in meaningful discussions with the US to address these misunderstandings.” Baloch noted that the hearing was an “internal event” of the US as it consisted of a conversation between the Congress and the administration, and advised that “deliberations of legislative bodies should contribute to promoting positive dynamics in bilateral ties and should be based on mutual respect and understanding.” She expressed hope that the Congress would “play a positive and constructive role in strengthening Pakistan-US ties and developing venues of mutually beneficial cooperation.” Lu had also spoken on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, disclosing Washington’s “goal” to prevent the construction of the line. He questioned where “the financing for such a project would come from” as he believed most “international donors” would not be “interested in funding such an endeavour.” Lu added that the White House “will uphold both in letter and spirit all sanction laws related to Iran,” and that Pakistan had not asked for a waiver related to US sanctions. On this, Baloch asserted that since the construction was an internal matter, Pakistan did not “believe that at this point there is room for any discussion or waiver from a third party.” (“Pakistan says US concerns over polls ‘based on misunderstanding’,” Dawn, 22 March 2024)
PTI claims Donald Lu “accepted the cipher’s existence” but “lied” about contents
On 21 March, the PTI claimed that the US Assistant Secretary of State, Donald Lu, established the “veracity and reality” of the diplomatic cable and thus vindicated the stance of Imran Khan. PTI’s Central Information Secretary, Raoof Hasan, said while Lu “accepted the existence” of the cipher, he “lied” about there is no conspiracy in the contents. He added that the two National Security Committee (NSC) meetings with the former envoy of Pakistan to the US, Asad Majeed, led to a demarche to the US for its “grave interference in Pakistan’s affairs.” Hasan argued that the cipher was “no more a secret or a classified document” after its contents were published and that since the contents allegedly indicated Washington’s unhappiness over Khan’s visit to Russia, Khan did not lie and was “unjustly being prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act” for making the cipher public. Further, on Lu’s comments over the 8 February elections, Hasan pointed out that the US office faced questions on the “mega elections robbery” where clear winners were converted to losers through an alleged “midnight assault on public mandate.” PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry separately added that the credibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan had been “wiped out” after Lu’s observations. (“Donald Lu admitted cipher’s existence, disagreed over content, claims PTI,” Dawn, 22 March 2024)
SECURITY
Suicide bombing in DI Khan kills two and injures 22
On 21 March, a suicide bombing against a convoy of vehicles in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), killed two people and injured 22 others. As per police, the suicide car bombing hit the convoy near a petrol pump. The injured people were taken to a hospital, while the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) began its initial investigation. Separately, as per the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed a terrorist and injured two others during an intelligence-based operation in Panjgur, Balochistan. Chakar Liaquat, the militant who was killed, was “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities” as per the ISPR. (“Suicide bombing kills two in DI Khan,” The Express Tribune, 21 March 2024)
PROVINCES
Balochistan: CM Bugti says government will welcome militants who abandon violence
On 22 March, Dawn reported on Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti’s statement, wherein he said his government would welcome militants who abandon violence and join the mainstream. At a seminar titled ‘Balochistan Youth State Harmony Summit,’ Bugti claimed that anti-state elements mislead people on various issues to incite and provoke the Baloch youth against the state. He asserted that only the state had the authority to use force against the people challenging the legitimacy and writ of the government, and that no one else would be allowed to use force to press their demands as it is “against the religion, customs, culture and society.” Taking the example of former militant commander Bangulzai who surrendered to the state, Bugti said that the government would “help every such individual who wants to join the mainstream.” (Saleem Shahid, “Govt to welcome militants who shun violence, says CM Bugti,” Dawn, 22 March 2024)
Punjab: ‘Plant for Pakistan’ drive launched on World Forest Day
On 21 March, in observance of World Forest Day, civic agencies, including the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), launched Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s Plant for Pakistan drive. Departmental heads planted saplings in various spots and set up points to distribute free plants to the public. The LDA organized the inaugural event for the drive, where Director General Tahir Farooq and other officers planted saplings after inaugurating a Miyawaki forest, where 6,000 saplings were planted. Farooq stated: “It is the time to save the country from the worst impacts of the deteriorating environmental situation by planting more and more saplings and taking care of them. We are planting 200,000 saplings in Lahore city alone.” Maryam said that this would be the first time that QR codes and GIS technology would be used to identify the plantation record. She added: “We will oversee and ensure that trees should be seen planted on the earth and not on papers.” (“‘Plant for Pakistan’ drive launched,” Dawn, 22 March 2024)
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Pakistan Army Clears Barzal Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan Barzal Pass, a crucial link in Gilgit-Baltistan, was closed on February 18, 2024, due to heavy snowfall. The Pakistan Army swiftly mobilized 14 bulldozers, 11 snow vehicles, 2 wheel dozers, and 1 excavator for Operation Claris, which started on March 9, 2024, and concluded within 10 days. The pass's reopening on March 19, 2024, is vital for the region's connectivity. Local residents lauded the Pakistan Army for their dedicated efforts in clearing the pass.
-Balochistan Current Affairs
I have learnt through reliable sources that the EU delegation that visited Pakistan prior to the holding of elections has compiled its report outlining serious irregularities in the election process. I also understand that the publication of the report is awaiting GOP ‘approval’. First, I don’t understand why GOP’s approval has been sought for publication of a fact-based report. Second, it the right of the people of Pakistan as also others in the democratic world to learn how the election process was systematically impacted through interference by various state institutions which operated beyond the scope of their constitutional role to inflict grievous damage on the prospect of democracy taking roots in the country. I call upon the EU to publish this report in its unaltered form to strengthen the fight for genuine democracy & reinforcement of human rights policies in Pakistan.
-Raoof Hasan
We continue to strongly urge and demand that Ch Perveiz Elahi must be immediately released and allowed proper medical check up. Parvez Elahi’s crime is standing for Pakistan, the crime is not leaving PTI despite massive pressure.
-PTI
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Rihab Khalid, ‘Embracing feminism’
Dawn, 22 March 2024
“Feminism means opposing pervasive injustices and violence in daily life, and recognising that while such injustices manifest across socio-spatial demographics, they are deeply influenced by gender. In Pakistan, about 32 per cent of women have experienced gender-based violence and over 90pc face domestic violence in their lifetimes. Pakistan ranks 142nd out of 146 on the Global Gender Gap Index. Of the 23 million children not attending school, the majority are girls — 58pc in Sindh and 78pc in Balochistan. Additionally, while only 50pc of women own a mobile phone compared to 81pc of men, women are also 49pc less likely to use mobile internet, highlighting significant gaps in access to education, communication, and digital resources.”
Editorial, ‘Reactivating Nacta’
Dawn, 22 March 2024
“NAP specifically mentions the reconciliation process in Balochistan, as well as reforms in KP’s merged districts, in its latest iteration. These ideas must not remain on paper, and need to be implemented with full vigour if the state is to uproot militancy permanently. In both instances — Baloch separatism as well as religiously inspired militancy in KP — poverty, deprivation and the state’s apparent disinterest in the welfare of the populations of these affected areas, have contributed to swelling the militants’ ranks.”
Anish Mishra, ‘Inherent flaws in political systems of Pakistan and Bangladesh’
The Express Tribune, 22 March 2024
“The ECP ruled 4-1 in a verdict dismissing the SIC-PTI application to be allotted their share of reserved seats. As such, their share of reserved seats was given to other political parties. The allocation of reserved seats transformed the electoral outcome in Pakistan from a hung parliament to the formation of numerically strong government with a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly commanding the support of at least 230 out of 336 members.”
Jong-Jin Kim, ‘Concerted efforts needed in Asia-Pacific to protect resources’
The Express Tribune, 22 March 2024
“From the perspective of forests and water’s link to agri-food systems in Asia and the Pacific — the systems that provide us with the nutrition we need each day to survive and thrive — the stakes are high. In this region, water resources form the basis of agrarian prosperity and economic development. The vast majority of aquaculture produced in the world comes from this region, as just one example.”
Editorial, ‘Gunning Gwadar’
The Express Tribune, 22 March 2024
“It is worrisome to note that the dreaded Majeed Brigade had claimed responsibility for the attack. This offshoot of Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is widely known as a sleeper cell busy in clandestine activities at the behest of foreign instigators. But, of late, it has been targeting military and developmental sites, which makes it horrendous. While they reportedly maintain sanctuaries along the Pakistan-Iran border, it has become a bone of contention between the two neighbouring countries. The skirmishes between the two states owing to presence and activities of non-state actors has mapped the restive province in volatility. Perhaps, this is why there has been an increase in terror incidents in Balochistan, and unfortunately Chinese interests are on the receiving end.”
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