UN human rights experts call for protection for minority girls from forced marriages; Tariffs on electricity bills to reduce for April
In Focus
IMF chief notes “very important issues” have to be solved amid bid for new loan
On 11 April, the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, said while Pakistan is engaged in discussions with the Fund for a potential follow-up programme to the previous nine-month USD three billion stand-by arrangement (SBA), important issues need to be solved. She noted Pakistan for completing the existing programme and taking measures that brought some improvements to the economy, and appreciated the country’s “commitment to continue on this path.”
However, Georgieva then highlighted that there are “very important issues to be solved in Pakistan: the tax base, how the richer part of society contributes to the economy, the way public spending is being directed and of course, creating … a more transparent environment.” Earlier in March, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb expressed hope for reaching a staff-level agreement (SLA) on the last review of the SBA, by the end of FY24. He added that the IMF seemed to be “very receptive” to a “larger and longer programme” in his recent communications with them. (“Important issues remain to be solved as Pakistan seeks potential follow-up programme: IMF chief,” Dawn, 11 April 2024)
In Focus
UN human rights experts call for protection for minority girls from forced marriages
On 11 April, UN human rights experts in a statement expressed dismay over the lack of protection for women and girls from minority communities in Pakistan. These girls, especially those from Christian and Hindu families, “remain particularly vulnerable to forced religious conversion, abduction, trafficking, child, early and forced marriage, domestic servitude and sexual violence.” The experts included special rapporteurs on forms of slavery, trafficking, and minority issues, who belong to the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. They asserted that the “exposure of young women and girls belonging to religious minority communities to such heinous human rights violations and the impunity of such crimes can no longer be tolerated or justified.” Further, they highlighted how these marriages were “validated by the courts, often invoking religious law to justify keeping victims with their abductors rather than allowing them to return them to their parents.”
The experts also criticized the fact that “perpetrators often escape accountability, with police dismissing crimes under the guise of ‘love marriages’.” They asserted that early and forced marriages could not be justified using religion or culture, and citing international law, noted that consent remains irrelevant if the victim is a child under the age of 18. As per Article 14 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, “change of religion or belief in all circumstances must be free, without coercion and undue inducements.” The experts also emphasized the need for a “woman’s right to choose a spouse and freely enter into marriage” to be “protected and upheld by law.” They called on Pakistani officials to “enact and rigorously enforce laws to ensure that marriages are contracted only with the free and full consent of the intended spouses,” and raise the minimum marriage age for girls from 16 to 18. (Amin Ahmed, “UN experts alarmed by lack of protection for minority girls from forced marriages, conversions,” Dawn, 12 April 2024)
In Brief
ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT
Tariffs on electricity bills to reduce for April
On 11 April, the Federal Minister for Energy, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, announced a reduction of PKR 3.82 per unit on electricity bills for April, providing relief to households and businesses facing rising utility costs. The reduction of PKR 2.14 per unit came as the fuel price adjustments for April have been set at PKR 4.92 per unit, down from PKR 7.06 per unit in March. Previously, the adjustment was PKR 4.43 per unit. Leghari said that this reduction highlights the government’s commitment to easing the burden on consumers, and was done due to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s aim to reduce the problems of the people. He also noted that NEPRA consistently reviews and determines fuel price adjustments to maintain transparency and fairness in the bills. Leghari added that this reduction is crucial to avoid increasing Pakistan’s deficit. (“Govt announces reduction in electricity tariffs,” The Express Tribune, 11 April 2024)
EXTERNAL
Zardari notes need to exchange information during call with Iran’s Raisi
On 11 April, as per a statement released from President Asif Ali Zardari’s office, Zardari held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi, where he highlighted the need to enhance the “exchange of information to overcome the security challenges” facing both countries. Zardari offered his “heartfelt condolences and sympathies with the Iranian leadership and the bereaved families who lost their dear ones in the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus.” Further, he expressed concern over the “humanitarian crisis and the genocide being committed by the Israeli forces and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.” Zardari also assured Raisi that Pakistan would continue working with Iran to enhance bilateral cooperation. (Nadir Guramani, “In phone call with Iran’s Raisi, Zardari stresses exchange of information to overcome security challenges,” Dawn, 12 April 2024)
PROVINCES
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: IGP says 88 terrorists have been killed in 2024
On 11 April, the Inspector General of Police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Akhtar Hayat Khan, said that since 1 January 2024, 88 terrorists were neutralized as part of anti-terror operations, including high-value targets. 41 police personnel were also killed in the same time period. He noted an improvement in the law and order situation in Dera Ismail Khan (DIK) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) while asserting that intelligence-based operations (IBOs) would continue to be carried out to pursue militants. Khan claimed that the “security of foreigners has been improved.” (Shakeel Farman Ali, “'88 terrorists killed in 2024 so far': IG KP on security situation in province,” The News International, 11 April 2024)
Punjab: Police denounce “fake propaganda” after videos go viral on social media
On 10 April, the Punjab police decried “fake propaganda” after multiple videos showing Pakistan Army officers allegedly beating up cops in Bahawalnagar went viral on social media. The police asserted on X that the matter had been “taken out of context and exaggerated.” Earlier on 9 April, videos showering men in army uniforms allegedly beating up police officials in Bahawalnagar, a man sitting on the ground with a bloody nose, and a man and two army personnel forcing policemen to kneel in a queue, were released and went viral. The footage resulted in immediate outrage, with PTI leader Hammad Azhar saying the Punjab police chief should have resigned immediately, and criticizing the provincial government for considering the matter to be “trivial.” PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan said the incident, which reflected a “malady which has penetrated deep into societal fabric,” required a “transparent and comprehensive inquiry with its report to be made public without editing.” However, on 10 April, the police said the episode was showcased in a way to “imply that there has been fighting between the Pakistan Army and Punjab Police.” They added that following the release of the videos, “both institutions launched a joint investigation” wherein officers from both sides “reviewed the facts and peacefully resolved the matter.” The police’s statement asked social media users to “not spread fake propaganda,” but did not give details on what transpired between the men in the video. (“Punjab police decry ‘fake propaganda’ after video of cops being assaulted in Bahawalnagar goes viral,” Dawn, 11 April 2024)
Sindh: CM and caretaker home minister exchange blame over deteriorating security situation
On 11 April, Sindh’s Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and former caretaker Home Minister Brig (retd) Haris Nawaz exchanged blame amid a spike in street crime cases across the province and in Karachi particularly. Shah claimed that the reshuffle within the police department by the caretaker government ahead of the elections “affected the entire policing system.” However, the PPP-led government “is taking strict measures to improve the overall law and order situation, including in Karachi, rural areas, and particularly in the katcha (riverine) area.” Shah stated that the PPP government improved the security situation in Sindh in the past, and the newly established government had been successful in neutralizing dacoits in the katcha area, and arresting bandits and street criminals. He pointed out that in 2008, when the PPP was not ruling in Sindh, Karachi was ranked as the 7th most dangerous city globally by the International Crime Index; however, the PPP “restored law and order after coming into power,” and when it left in 2023, Karachi was ranked 128th on the same index. In response, Nawaz said that the caretaker government had not appointed any superintendent police (SP), deputy superintendent police (DSP) or SHO. While Shah “has his own point of view,” the caretaker government “approved postings of the officers with good reputation.” Nawaz added that during the tenure of the caretaker set-up, the “crime rate was very low.” He suggested enhancing the patrolling of police and Rangers’ contingents as ways to improve Karachi’s situation. (“Reshuffle in Sindh police by caretakers affected entire policing system: CM Shah,” The News International, 11 April 2024)
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In a major blow to trans-border drug smuggling networks, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police arrests 1 associate of Jaipal Bhullar Gang and recovers 3 Kg of Heroin and 2 pistols. Investigations reveal the racket was sourcing Heroin across the border from Pakistan. FIR under NDPS Act registered and Investigations on-going to establish backward & forward linkages. PunjabPoliceInd is committed to destroy the drugs supply-chain and make our state drug-free.
-DGP Punjab Police
Senior officials from the Pakistan Army and Punjab Police convened, reconciled their differences, raised slogans together, and resolved the issue stemming from the Bahawalnagar incident.
-Shrafat Ali
This jawan of Punjab Police not only resigned from his job but also burned his commando uniform in protest against an attack by Pakistan Army soldiers on a police station in Bahawalnagar. Is it a fake news or those who are denying this incident are spreading fake news?
-Hamid Mir
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Rafia Zakaria, ‘The American eclipse’
Dawn, 10 April 2024
“During the afternoon of April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse bisected the US. Not everyone sees solar and lunar eclipses as purely scientific events that have to do with the physical position of the moon or Earth and the sun’s light. According to myths and legends — and there are many in different religious traditions and cultures — solar eclipses are moments of omens and portents. For weeks leading up to the event, astrologers and psychics predict all kinds of things that could happen in the months following the eclipse. Astrologers say that the total time during which the sun is obscured, in this case three and a half to four minutes, corresponds to that many number of months in terms of the duration of the eclipse’s ‘effects’. As if the eclipse were not enough, a comet called 12/P Pons-Brooks has also appeared in the sky at the same time as the eclipse. This comet, which appears every 71 years, is called the ‘Devil’s comet’ because it has a horned shape. The first spectacular image of the comet, which can be seen with the naked eye in many parts of the US, shows a bluish tail against the darkness of the sky. The last time that this comet was seen was in 1954 and it will not appear again until the end of the century in 2095.”
Neda Mulji, ‘Teacher well-being’
Dawn, 10 April 2024
“With overworked and underpaid professionals, the teaching profession has earned itself a bad name. Many schools have to contend with disgruntled employees who have to get by with a second job or rely on a spouse’s earnings. Teachers have to keep themselves motivated riding on the gratification they get from developing potential in their students and enabling their academic success. Things could change if schools were to take responsibility for their teachers’ well-being. If we wish to create a ‘positive’ school culture where the pupils’ health, safety and emotional and social well-being are catered to, it is imperative that teachers learn the tools for self-care. Most teachers complain of a sub-optimal work-life balance but don’t take steps to rectify it. They have their own home lives, children and extended families, as well as pupils that they are responsible for. In this mix, well-being programmes are essential for teachers to remain motivated, sustain a healthy mindset and model the right behaviour in class.”
Aftab Ahmed Khanzada, ‘Waiting is like killing life’
The Express Tribune, 10 April 2024
“Canadian author Heidi Priebe says: “If there’s one thing we all need to stop doing, it’s waiting around for someone else to show up and change our lives. Just be the person you’ve been waiting for. Live your life as if you are the love of it. Because that’s the only thing you know for sure- that through every triumph, every failure, every fear and every gain that you will ever experience until the day you die, you are going to be present. You are going to be the person who shows up to accept your rewards. You are going to be the person who holds your own hand when you’re broken. You are going to be the person who gets yourself up off the floor every time you get knocked down and if those things are not love-of-your-life qualities, I don’t know what are.”
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