PAKISTAN READER

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In the Corps Commanders meeting, “stern action” proposed against social media propaganda

In Focus
In the Corps Commanders meeting, “stern action” proposed against social media propaganda
On 16 April, the military leadership vowed to take stringent action against those disparaging the armed forces and asserted a zero-tolerance approach toward maligning and attacks on their reputation. This statement was made during a monthly conference of the corps commanders and the principal staff officers of the army, presided by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. They decided that efforts such as the “malicious propaganda campaign” would not be allowed “to succeed and that as per the law and constitution, stern action will be ensured.” In the last few years, the army has faced increasing criticism, specifically on social media, revolving on the military’s involvement in the civilian government and its impact on the country’s democracy. The recent Bahawalnagar incident involving the army troops and police officials went viral on social media, leading to intense public reaction. While the military said it would jointly probe the “unfortunate” incident, it also blamed elements with “vested motives” for cashing in on the issue by “fanning vitriolic propaganda on social media.” Attendees of the meeting also lamented that “unfounded and baseless allegations” against security forces have become “a fashion. (“Army vows stringent action against online trolls,” Dawn, 17 April 2024)

In Focus
To implement IMF reforms, Pakistan would need three years, says the finance minister
On 16 April, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan needs three years to implement certain IMF-prescribed structural changes directed at alleviating the country’s financial crisis and reducing reliance on bailouts. On the same day, he met the chiefs of the IMF and World Bank to discuss the possibility of a new, long-term Extended Fund Facility (EEF). While talking to AFP, Aurangzeb said Pakistan is engaged in discussions for securing a multi-year IMF loan programme worth “billions” of dollars, adding that officials would begin “getting into the contours of discussions” about a new programme in May. In the meetings held on 16 April, Aurangzeb addressed reforms suggested by the IMF to meet targets agreed upon during negotiations for current programmes expiring in April. He briefed Hela Cheikhrouhou of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on current reforms in certain sectors, and expressed Pakistan’s commitment to working with the IFC “in the priority areas of securitisation of remittances, mining, airport management and capacity-building.” Talking about the trade war between the US and China, Aurangzeb pointed out the importance of striking a balanced approach in Pakistan’s trading relationship with both countries. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to carrying forward the structural programme initiated by the previous administration, including the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). On the same day, he met his Saudi counterpart, Mohammad Al-Jadaan, wherein both sides agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors. (Anwar Iqbal, “‘Need three years to implement IMF reforms’,” Dawn, 17 April 2024)

In Brief
POLITICS
PTI accuses ECP of pre-poll rigging in run-up to by-polls
On 16 April, the PTI accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of pre-poll rigging, with by-elections on vacant seats of the national and provincial assemblies scheduled for 21 April. The party will organize public gatherings in those constituencies where the by-polls will be held. PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub claimed that police had harassed a PTI candidate in PP-36 by raiding his house and not allowing him to run his campaign. He accused Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Punjab IG of allegedly using “brutal and coercive tactics against PTI leaders and workers in other constituencies” to rig elections. Ayub went on to say that the polling stations had been reduced in number and set up in remote areas in order to discourage voters, thus allegedly influencing the elections. He pointed out that a regional police officer of Gujranwala, who is also a relative of the PML-N candidate, was given the responsibility of Wazirabad, while officials have allegedly been “instructed that Form-45 should not be given to the PTI nominees.” (Syed Irfan Raza, “PTI alleges ‘pre-poll’ rigging in lead up to by-polls,” Dawn, 17 April 2024)
 
LHC sets aside two NA seats held by the PML-N
On 16 April, the PML-N lost two of its National Assembly (NA) seats as a result of separate benches of the Lahore High Court (LHC) setting aside the victory notifications of the party’s lawmakers from Gujranwala and Lodhran. Additionally, another PML-N MNA had his victory notification suspended after his PTI-backed opponent filed a petition, while incarcerated PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid challenged Nawaz Sharif’s victory from NA-130. LHC Justice Shahid Karim passed an order against NA-81 (Gujranwala) MNA, Azhar Qayum Nahra, after the counsel of PTI-backed independent Chaudhry Bilal Ijaz contended in a petition that Ijaz was initially declared elected by 7,791, after which the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) conducted a recount on the request of Nahra. Post the recount, Nahra was declared victorious with a margin of 3,100 votes. The counsel argued that at least 10,000 votes of the petitioner were cancelled in the recount while highlighting that the ECP violated the law by approving a recount after the formation of the election tribunals to hear challenges to election disputes. Karim observed that the ECP ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling by ordering the recount, questioned whether the ECP’s actions constituted contempt of court, and set aside Nahra’s victory notification.

The LHC’s Bahawalpur bench unseated the PML-N MNA from NA-154 (Lodhran), Abdul Rehman Kanjoo, and declared PTI-backed Rana Faraz Noon as the winner. As per Noon’s lawyer, the LHC bench declared the ECP’s notification regarding Kanjoo’s victory as null and void. Additionally, the LHC suspended the victory notification of PML-N’s Rana Arshad from NA-133 (Nankana Sahib), after PTI-backed independent Mohammad Atif said he was initially declared the returned candidate with a margin of 3,500 votes. However, following a recount by the ECP on the application of Arshad, the PML-N candidate was declared victorious by 2,500 votes. (Wajih Ahmad Sheikh, “PML-N loses two National Assembly seats in one day,” Dawn, 17 April 2024)
 
JUDICIARY
PTA says it blocked over 1.25 million URLs over objectionable content
On 16 April, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told the Sindh High Court (SHC) that it had blocked more than 1.25 million URLs over objectionable content after a petition had been filed by YouTube content creators against “objectionable, unethical, immoral and unlawful” content being uploaded on social media. Of the 1,253,522 blocked URLs, 988,659 were blocked for indecent and immoral content, 90,980 for anti-Islam content, 84.130 for content against Pakistan’s security, 52,787 for spreading hate speech, 10,363 for defamation and impersonation, 10,252 for being proxies, 9,366 for miscellaneous reasons, and 6,985 for contempt of court. With regard to the platforms, 139,415 were Facebook links, 98,597 were TikTok links, 50,975 were YouTube links, 18,123 were Instagram links, 5,184 were Snackvideo links, 4,285 were Bigo and Linkee links, 550 were Dailymotion links, and 887,453 were miscellaneous. The PTA explained that the URLs had to be consistently verified and re-verified as part of an “ongoing exercise” to keep the database updated. With regard to the Instagram and YouTube URLs that had been blocked, the PTA confirmed that they had blocked the links as mandated under Section 37(1) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, which empowers the PTA to “remove or block or issue directions for removal or blocking of access to an information through any information system if it considers it necessary in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court or commission of or incitement to an offence under this Act.” Further, the authority said that the petitioners never approached the PTA to discuss their concerns, and did not provide the URLs of objectionable content. The hearing was then adjourned till 15 May. (Ishaq Tanoli, “Over 1.25m URLs blocked over objectionable content, PTA tells SHC,” Dawn, 17 April 2024)
 
EXTERNAL
Saudi Arabia’s FM expresses hope for “significant benefits” from expanded investments
On 16 April, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, praised Pakistan’s proactive and business-oriented approach to seeking investments and said both countries would receive “significant benefits” from the expanded investments. While speaking at the Foreign Office (FO) with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Farhan noted that the countries would “continue to work for the economic prosperity and security of our region.” Farhan and a high-level delegation were in Pakistan for a two-day visit, to begin negotiations on prospective investment projects. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, had earlier met in Makkah, where it was decided to fast-track an initial USD five billion investment tranche under a larger Saudi commitment to invest USD 25 billion in Pakistan over five years. Saud said he was “impressed not just by the breadth of the opportunities that exist but also by the format [for facilitating investment],” saying this gives Saudi Arabia confidence to “move forward on those projects.” They will also be “moving significantly ahead on a multitude of opportunities.” During an investment conference co-chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries, Dar highlighted legal and administrative reforms that had been undertaken, underscoring the potential for Saudi investment in agriculture, IT, and mining. The Saudi delegation also met with President Asif Ali Zardari, who expressed Pakistan’s desire to make the relationship between both countries into a long-term strategic and economic partnership. Separately, at the FO, Saud spoke on the “humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza,” saying the world does not need more conflict or “confrontation.” (Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Saudi FM commends Pakistan’s investment strategy,” Dawn, 17 April 2024)
 
SOCIETY
WHO report says Pakistan had the highest number of hepatitis C infections globally
On 17 April, Dawn cited a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), which indicated that Pakistan had 8.8 million viral hepatitis C infections, the highest number globally. 44 per cent of all new infections were linked to unsafe medical injections. In the last few years, Egypt had the largest number of hepatitis C and B cases, followed by Pakistan. As per data from 187 countries, the estimated number of deaths caused by viral hepatitis rose from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022. If the number of hepatitis C and B cases are looked at collectively, Pakistan ranks fifth globally with 12.6 million reported cases in 2022. China, India, Indo­nesia, Pakistan, Russia, and the US represent 50 per cent of the hepatitis C cases. Egypt was noted as being the first country to achieve gold-tier status on the path to eliminating hepatitis C. As per senior medical experts, most patients in Pakistan are diagnosed incidentally or get symptomatic when their illness advances years after being infected. Lahore General Hospital’s Dr Masood Sheikh pointed out that from “2015 to 2019, there was a 5pc increase in hepatitis C-related deaths and an 8pc increase in hepatitis B-related deaths.” Ignorance of sterilization techniques, sharing personal items, and unsafe healthcare practices have been held responsible for the increase in the transmission of the virus. (Asif Chaudhry, “Pakistan tops world in hep C infections,” Dawn, 17 April 2024)
 
PROVINCES
Punjab: Opposition issues strong criticism of government’s wheat policy
On 16 April, the opposition in the Punjab Assembly harshly criticized the provincial government for not purchasing wheat from farmers at a fair price, earning that they would stand by the farmers if they decided to protest the wheat policy. During the proceedings, ministries and secretaries of departments whose businesses were being discussed were found to be absent. Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar expressed displeasure over the same, questioning how progress could be achieved if this behaviour persisted. The opposition lawmakers termed the government’s wheat policy as flawed and detrimental to the agricultural sector, saying it could crush the farmers. They warned that if wheat was not bought from farmers at better prices, the cultivation of wheat would stop. Opposition leader Ahmed Khan Bhachar criticized the decision to reduce bread prices, as this would further deprive farmers of an appropriate wheat price. He accused the government of deceiving the people under the garb of relief since the price of roti had been reduced by PKR four while the price of petrol had been increased. Bhachar warned of the potential for a wheat crisis by November, as a result of which the mafia would purchase wheat at PKR 2,500 per maund, creating severe problems. Food Minister Bilal Yaseen then denied the accusation of the policy being anti-farmer, highlighting that the government’s purchase rate of PKR 3,900 was the highest in Punjab. He also pointed out that wheat harvest in Punjab was the highest of all provinces, and promised that farmers would be protected. Yaseen further expressed the government’s plan to launch a farmer’s card to eliminate fertiliser-related issues. (Rana Yasif, “Opposition threatens to join farmers' protest,” The Express Tribune, 17 April 2024)

Maryam Nawaz Officially promoting McDonald's knowing that McDonald's is an Israeli brand and people of Pakistan are boycotting it. -Waqas Amjad   I want Pakistan to become a country where a poor person's son can become the Prime Minister. -Aleeza Awan   Imran Khan also founded Namal University, a private university in Mianwali, Pakistan, focused on providing quality education to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. -Mohammad Hayat

“Israel’s provocations have widened the war.” -An opinion in Dawn, ‘Iran hits back’