Afghan minister Omari requests TTP and Pakistan to negotiate for peace; Afghan minister Omari requests TTP and Pakistan to negotiate for peace
In Brief
‘US plans to expand the security partnership with Pakistan,’ says Matthew Miller
On 03 April, the US State Department said that the country would expand its “security partnership” with Pakistan. Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that Washington is also willing to work with Pakistan on the “shared targets of international peace and regional security.” When asked about US’s support in combating Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups, Miller said: “We have spoken to that a number of times from this podium. It has been a priority for us and will continue to be so.” Refuting the claims on US’s interest in India’s opposition leader arrest and not Pakistan, he said: “I would not agree with that characterisation. We have made clear on a number of occasions that we want to see everyone in Pakistan treated consistent with the rule of law, treated with respect for human rights as is our position with any country in the world.” Regarding the UN aid reaching UN aid militants in Afghanistan, Miller requested its partners to ensure that the aid reaches the needy. (Anwar Iqbal, “US pledges to expand security partnership with Pakistan,” Dawn, 03 April 2024)
POLITICS
Former FM Qureshi was implicated to a case for not testifying against Imran Khan, says Defence counsel Safdar
On 03 April, the defence counsel in the cipher case notified the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was subjected to legal proceedings for not testifying against the PTI leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The attorney of the two PTI leaders, Barrister Salman Safdar informed the division bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb that Qureshi was “under tremendous pressure to testify against Khan.” He further said that as a result of Qureshi’s refusal to testify against Imran, he was hinged in a case. Safdar asserted that the former principal secretary to Imran Khan, Azam Khan had used ‘the offer’ and ‘got off scot-free’. He further mentioned that the complainant former interior secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar did not nominate Khan and Qureshi in his complaint. He added that these cases were registered under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). However, Chief Justice Farooq stated that the successive governments, which also includes the PTI government had “never tried to repeal the law, therefore, this argument did not carry weight.” (“Qureshi paying the price for siding with Imran: lawyer Salman Safdar,” Dawn, 04 April 2024)
President meets COAS, discusses to resolve baseless allegations with an iron hand
On 03 April, in a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir, President Asif Zardari said: “Baseless and unsubstantiated allegations levelled by a specific political party and its few individuals” against the army for their political interests.” According to the official statement, the COAS highlighted the ongoing operations of the army against terrorism. The statement said: “The COAS also intimated about the contributions of the army towards development initiatives, particularly in the regions of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” Zardari lauded the role of armed forces and affirmed that their contributions had been beneficial in “safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.” According to the statement: “The president emphasised Pakistan’s steadfast commitment against terrorism and reaffirmed the nation’s resolve to respond with full force through all elements of national power.” According to Dawn, the meeting ended with a “determination to uphold the values of peace, security and progress in Pakistan.” (Nadir Guramani, “In meeting with COAS, president notes with concern ‘baseless’ claims against army by ‘certain political party,” Dawn, 03 April 2024)
EXTERNAL
Netherlands to enhance bilateral relations with the transfer of technology
On 03 April, according to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry, Ambassador Henny de Vries of the Netherlands called Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb to discuss enhancing bilateral relations and exploring new opportunities in the areas of mutual interest. The discussion also emphasized Pakistan’s structural reforms for boosting economic growth and fiscal sustainability. The minister, on the other hand, stressed that Pakistan was interested in “technology transfer and leveraging the expertise of the Netherlands in agriculture, dairy, and farm production that would lead to increased production and exports, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s economy.” Meanwhile, de Vries reiterated further enhancing ties with Pakistan and cooperation across various sector. She also told about the projects run by the Netherlands in Pakistan which includes “fishing production, ensuring labor safety and environmental standards in textile industries, and projects on water management in agriculture.” (“Pakistan discusses technology transfer with Netherlands,” The Express Tribune, 04 April 2024)
ON AFGHANISTAN
Afghan minister Omari requests TTP and Pakistan to negotiate for peace
On 03 April, a senior Afghan Taliban leader urged the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamabad to negotiate for peace as the international community blames Afghanistan for TTP operations. Deputy interior minister of the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan Muhammad Nabi Omari said: “We ask the government of Pakistan and advise the brothers (TTP) who are fighting with them to come together and talk.” According to Dawn, the Afghan Taliban had facilitated talks between both sides, however, the parties were not able to reach an agreement. Afghanistan has denied the allegations of TTP’s operation from its soil and has urged Pakistan to address the internal security issues. Omari asserted that TTP could not win this war. He said: “And to our brothers (the TTP), whatever, they may call it – jihad or war, we don’t meddle in their affairs if they are fighting against the system (state), even if you fight the system for hundred years … you cannot win.” (“Afghan minister asks TTP, Islamabad to negotiate,” Dawn, 03 April 2024)
JUDICIARY
CJP Isa receives ‘threat letters’, confirms DIG
On 03 April, following the Islamabad High Court (IHC) jurists, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations informed that threat letters containing suspicious powder were sent to the Supreme Court (SC) judges including Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa. The letters sent to CJP Isa, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, and Justice Aminuddin Khan have been handed over to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). DIG asserted that the envelopes had a powdery substance and they have been sent to lab to examie, additionally, DIG enquired post master for his ignorance. The letters were sent by a woman namely “Resham” without mentioning her address. (“Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai, “CJP Isa, SC judges also received ‘threat letters’, DIG Operations tells IHC chief justice,” The News International, 03 April 2024)
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“Candidates from PTI and JI contesting Feb 8 elections challenge results of seven Karachi constituencies before election tribunals, alleging fraud and seeking victory overturn."
- Fourth pillar post
“It is our shared responsibility to respect the rights and privileges of women in the light of PTI principles. Nawaz Sharif's or anyone else's child, every person has importance in society, but it is also necessary to condemn the abuse of government energies.”
-Muhmmad Azhar
“Encouraging signs for Pakistan's economy: Projections showing steady improvement. Latest inflation numbers from PBS indicate a significant slowdown, hitting a 22-month low. Progress may signal an end to the vicious cycle, pointing towards a positive trajectory."
- Nuzhat Sadiq
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Faisal Siddiqi, ‘Sword versus pen’
Dawn, 03 April 2024
“The letter dated March 25, 2024, written by six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the intimidation and interference of state agencies in their judicial work will perhaps go down as one of the greatest judicial acts in world judicial history. It signifies extraordinary judicial courage, a deep sense of constitutional duty, a heightened sense of moral clarity, and equally important, an understanding of relevance and immediacy, which requires action to be taken now, not tomorrow. But this letter of resistance also signifies something more fundamental. Firstly, this is the latest, most prominent example of its kind in the continuing conflict in Pakistan between de jure (constitutional) power of the pen/ judiciary and the de facto (actual) power of the sword/ establishment. Secondly, in historical terms, it denotes the age-old problem of power: the taming of the sword or raw power by the pen or ethics. In other words, is the pen mightier than the sword?”
Editorial, ‘Senate elections’
Dawn, 03 April 2024
“The Senate returned to almost its full strength yesterday after an unusually sedate election. Unfortunately, polling for KP’s seats could not be held due to an ongoing stand-off between the provincial government and the ECP over reserved seats. Meanwhile, there were few reports of the feverish wheeling-dealing and horse-trading that have, in the past, marred the conduct of Senate polls, which are held every three years to elect half of the total strength of the Upper House. All of the candidates for Balochistan’s seats were declared winners unopposed, while in Punjab, the PTI, PML-N, and PPP reportedly reached an understanding that allowed its seven general seats to be filled without contest. Punjab’s five remaining seats two for women, two for technocrats, and one for minorities were all grabbed by the PML-N, thanks to its majority in the provincial assembly. In Sindh, the PPP secured all seats but two, which went to the MQM-P and Faisal Vawda, respectively.”
Rafia Zakari, ‘Diminished spending power’
Dawn, 03 April 2024
“IT happens twice a month. Every 15 days the government decides whether or not to tighten the noose around the necks of Pakistan’s masses. Last Sunday, the masses got unlucky as the government decided to jack up petrol prices by Rs9.66 ahead of the Eid holidays. It is a tricky measure for the government — one that it says is based on price fluctuations in the global market — as it knows that this is an unpopular move. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund, which has long wanted the removal of subsidies on gas and electricity, among other items, in order to move towards market-based prices, has been dissatisfied with Pakistan’s efforts in this direction.”
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“The tone of anxiety underlying this letter reflects the deep unease of living a judicial life of constitutional hypocrisy and pretence.”
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Sword versus pen’
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