PAKISTAN READER

Photo : Dawn

KP and Balochistan witnessed 86 per cent of attacks during Jan-Mar, says a report

In Focus
KP and Balochistan witnessed 86 per cent of attacks during Jan-Mar, says a report
On 01 April, according to a report released by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Pakistan witnessed about 432 violence-linked deaths, 370 injuries of civilians, security personnel and terrorists as a result of terror attacks and counter-terror operations in the first quarter of 2024. According to the report, provinces bordering Afghanistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan witnessed 92 per cent of all the deaths and 86 per cent of attacks that encompass security force operations and terrorism during the first quarter. Although “the former suffered 51per cent and the latter 41per cent of all fatalities in the first quarter of 2024.” Nevertheless, the data states that other regions experienced relatively less than 8 per cent of the violent attacks. About less than 20 per cent attributed to terrorism in the first quarter of 2024 was claimed by the militant organizations, the report added. According to the findings, a new militant group named Jabhat Ansar al-Mahdi Khorasan (JAMK), affiliated with the Gul Bahadur group, has also emerged.

According to Dawn, in addition to attacks and counter attacks, about 64 incidents were reported on the attacks that targeted government properties, politicians, and private and security properties. In the first quarter of 2023, Balochistan recorded a 96 per cent surge in violence, with deaths jumping to 178 from 91. Meanwhile, Sindh witnessed 47 per cent of surge in violence, despite the low death rates. The other regions of KP, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) witnessed a decrease in violence by 24 per cent, 85 per cent, and 65 per cent, respectively. Although GB experienced less violence, on 31 March, GB home minister issued a terror threat alert presuming attacks from the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The alert was followed by the recent attack on the Chinese nationals who were working on the Dasu Dam project.
 

In the first three months of 2024, the security forces suffered over 65 per cent in 200 terror attacks, and terrorists suffered 35 per cent in around 48 counter-terror operations. The civilians being the primary victims of violence suffered 36 per cent. Dawn further reported that comparing the last quarter of 2023, the deaths of civilians together rose by 17 per cent, whereas the deaths of outlaws, militants, and insurgents combined decreased by almost 15 per cent in the first quarter of 2024. There was a significant increase in the deaths of insurgents by 215 per cent and a decrease of 33 per cent in militant’s death. Traditionally active terror groups such as Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), Lashkar-i-Islami (LI), and Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LeJ) have stopped claiming responsibilities for any attacks in the first quarter of this year. “Only the TTP and the militant Islamic State group, or Daesh, have claimed responsibility for some attacks,” added Dawn. Although TTP claimed responsibility for only three attacks, nevertheless the recent attack that killed seven security officials on 16 March, in north Waziristan remains unclaimed. Dawn reported: “Balochistan Liberation Army, Baloch Liberation Front, Baloch Raaji Ajoi Sangar, and Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, claimed responsibility for 18 attacks in the first quarter, causing 42 fatalities and 40 injuries. The prime targets of the insurgent groups were the security and government installations, including Gwadar Port Complex, Mach Jail, and Turbat Naval Base.” (Ikram Junaidi, “Balochistan, KP dominate violence landscape in first quarter: CRSS,” Dawn, 01 April 2024)

In Focus

Pakistan wants to work with the US on regional peace, says Shehbaz
On 31 March, responding to US President Joe Biden’s letter, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that Islamabad is “willing to engage with Washington for the common goals of global peace and security and development and prosperity of the region”. Welcoming the collaboration with the US across various sectors, including the energy sector, PM Shehbaz termed the relations to be significant. He said that both countries had been collaborating in various initiatives such as “energy, climate change, agriculture, health and education sectors, welcoming the cooperation in the energy sector and the Green Alliance Framework.” In a recent press briefing, the US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller asserted that the international community would not let Afghanistan resurface as a hub to terrorism. Miller said: “The United States remains vigilant against the evolving threat posed by terrorist groups, including IS-K, and has maintained an unwavering focus on terrorism since President Joe Biden took office three years ago.” He further added, the US was “working both unilaterally and with its partners to successfully disrupt threats across the globe and degrade IS.” According to Dawn, during the tenure of Imran Khan, the relationship between the US and Pakistan was stagnant as he blamed the US for his ouster from power using a diplomatic cipher cable. Following Imran’s ouster from power, Shehbaz Sharif became the PM, however, Biden did not congratulate him over the election victory. The recent letter from US President Joe Biden is said to be the first communication with the newly elected government.
 

On 29 March, in his first letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, US President Joe Biden highlighted the “enduring partnership” between both countries. The letter, according to the US Embassy in Islamabad read: “The enduring partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of our people and people around the world and the United States will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle the most pressing global and regional challenges of our time.” US President Biden asserted that this also encompasses the shared vision “for a future of greater health security, economic growth and access to education for all”. He emphasized that through the US- Pakistan Green Alliance Framework, the two countries will continue to strengthen its water management, climate resilience and sustainable agriculture. The letter concluded by stating: “The United States remains committed to working with Pakistan to protect human rights and promote progress. Together, we will continue to forge a strong partnership between our nations and close bond between our people.” Meanwhile, on 15 March, US Ambassador Donald Blome asserted that Pakistan was considered as an “important partner” and expressed his hope in further strengthen ties with the newly elected government.  (Syed Irfan Raza, “Ready to join hands for regional peace, PM tells Biden,” Dawn, 01 April 2024; Abdullah Momand, “In first letter to PM Shehbaz, Biden says ‘enduring’ Pak-US partnership critical to ensuring world security,” Dawn, 29 March 2024)

In Brief

POLITICS
IRSA to meet amid Wapda’s failure to complete its projects
On 01 April, The News International reported that the Advisory Committee of Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has scheduled a meeting on 02 April. The meeting might record turbulence as the “Wapda has failed to complete its tunnel projects at Tarbela Dam and its opposition to release the water to Sindh from low-level outlets and work out water availability for Kharif season with expected water shortfall of just below 30 per cent.” According to the officials, the IRSA’s technical committee has worked below 30 per cent water shortfall for the Kharif season. Despite the low percent, the early spanning (01 April to 10 June 2024) will be more than 30 per cent. Tarbela Dam at Indus is the main source to the irrigational needs of the four federating units of Sindh, Punjab, KP, and Balochistan. Wapda anticipates IRSA to release water from the Tarbela Dam beyond the storage level of 1,420 feet mark. However, given the current situation, the sowing of two main Kharif crops including cotton and rice, in Sindh would be at risk. Wapda’s instructions to IRSA came along the sidelines of the requirement of water for the construction of the tunnel project (T3). According to The News International, “The work by Wapda on T-3 and T-4 was to be completed by October-November 2023 but is still ongoing. However, on T-5, the construction work is to be completed in 33 months. With the completion of projects such as T-3, T-4, and T-5, Tarbela Dam would have the capacity to generate hydro generation of 6,298 MWs.” (Khalid Mustafa, “IRSA to discuss water issue in its stormy session tomorrow,” The News International, 01 April 2024)

INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES’ INTERVENTION IN THE JUDICIARY
PR UPDATE # 03
Azam Nazir is set to give a policy statement in NA
On 01 April, according to The News International, Federal Law and Justice Minister Senator Azam Nazir Tarar is set to give a policy statement in the National Assembly regarding the formation of commission to probe the allegations made by six judges of Islamabad High Court (IHC) against state institutions. The opposition, constituting Independent members of the House submitted an adjournment motion to the National Assembly Secretariat to discuss the matter. The News International reported that Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will not abide the motion as the “court matters could not be taken up in the National Assembly and the law and justice minister then had taken the House in confidence on the subject.” (Muhammad Saleh Zaafir, “Inquiry commission: Azam Tarar to give policy statement in NA today,” The News International, 01 April 2024)

Lawyers urge to initiate suo motu proceedings and not ‘powerless commission’
On 01 April, Dawn reported that a group of lawyers and civil society members has urged the Supreme Court (SC) to initiate “suo motu” proceedings to investigate the allegations put forth by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges against intelligence officials. The lawyers had rejected the ‘powerless’ one-man commission initiated by the federal cabinet to probe these allegations. According to Dawn, the SC was requested to take “cognisance of the matter in its jurisdiction under Article 184(3) of the Constitution as this issue eminently relates to the public interest and to the enforcement of fundamental rights”. The joint letter signed by 300 lawyers and civil society members stated that the apex court should form a bench to hear the proceedings and it should be broadcast live for the public. The letter read: “When judges, the last guardians standing between state excesses and the fundamental rights of citizens, are systematically coerced and intimidated, the entire system of justice becomes a sham and loses its credibility. Lawyers seeking justice for litigants before the courts do so with the expectation that they will be heard by neutral, impartial and unbiased arbiters seeking to dispense justice.” The letter further urged the Pakistan Bar Cou­ncil and all bar associations to conduct a convention of lawyers on an “urgent basis” for collective action for the independence of the judiciary. (Kashif Abbasi, “Lawyers say yes to ‘suo motu’, no to powerless commission,” Dawn, 01 April 2024)

SECURITY
Armed men kill two security personnel in Gwadar
On 31 March, according to the officials, two security personnel were killed and four were injured in an attack at a bomb disposal squad of Pakistan Army near the Ankara Dam. Dawn reported that the incident took place when the armed men opened fire against the bomb disposal team of Pakistan, who was clearing landmines in the Ankara Dam area of Gwadar district. Gwadar SSP Mohsin Zohaib said: “The firing incident took place some 25km from the port city [Gwadar], which claimed two lives and injured four others.” In response, the security forces have deployed personnel to identify the attackers in the area. (Behram Baloch, “Two troops martyred in Gwadar gun attack,” Dawn, 01 April 2024)

ECONOMY
IMF requests petroleum division not end cross subsidy

On 01 April, The News International reported that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had asked the authorities of the Petroleum division “not to end cross subsidy in one go but go for it in a phased manner till the protected gas consumers are safeguarded under the BISP (Benazir Income Scheme Programme) mechanism.” The IMF, however, requested that the government to halt the subsidy to gas consumers from 01 July 2024, because of the Re-Liquefied National Gas (RLNG) diversion to domestic consumers. According to The News International, the government has extended an amount of PKR 40 billion in the last fiscal year of 2022-2023 as the subsidy of the current financial year 2023-24 on the account of RLNG diversion is PKR 29 billion. The government is set to halt the subsidy to domestic consumers for the next financial year 2024-2025 as the RLNG diversion would be recovered from the consumers through the Weighted Average Cost Of Gas (WACOG) mode. (Khalid Mustafa, “No budgeted subsidy for gas consumers in next financial year, IMF tells govt,” The News International, 01 April 2024)

“The recent attacks on Chinese infrastructure in Pakistan have once shed light on the challenge of the Baloch insurgency that the country faces. But the insurgency began decades ago. What fuels BLA's attacks on Pakistani forces and Chinese-invested projects” - Zirnoor Baloch “We often hear ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ but in Pakistan ‘justice’ is cancelled. ” -Imaan Zainab “No matter how hard they try to remove him from the political arena, the fact is that he IS the entire political arena of Pakistan now!” - PTI

“It is necessary to look at a significant public intervention as the response of a system weighed under a lopsided power structure.” -An opinion in Dawn, ‘Fighting monopolisation’