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In Brief
POLITICS
Treasury benches criticize PTI’s terrorist resettlement policy
On 19 April, the treasury benches reminded the National Assembly (NA) that the PTI government had allowed the resettlement of terrorists in Pakistan during its tenure. The Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, then emphasized that the “government has decided that there will be no talks with terrorists,” and that the terrorists would be “paid back in their own coins.” He lamented that the PTI government’s decision to allow thousands of terrorists to resettle in Pakistan resulted in the citizens being “once again exposed to terrorists.” PTI has been criticized by the PML-N-led coalition multiple times for its terrorist resettlement policy, with the coalition calling for an inquiry into the release of outlawed individuals associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Imran Khan’s decision to invite them to settle in the tribal areas of the country was also questioned. (Rizwan Shehzad, “Govt opens PTI’s old wounds, refuses talks with terrorists,” The Express Tribune, 19 April 2024)
EXTERNAL
FO expresses “regret” over US decision to veto Palestine’s UN membership attempt
On 19 April, the Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, regretted the US’ decision to veto a draft resolution at the UN Security Council (UNSC) for Palestine’s full membership of the council. She stated: “Pakistan is deeply disappointed by the result of last night’s debate at the UNSC and its inability to reach a consensus and recommend Palestine’s membership to UN General Assembly.” This statement followed the UNSC’s move to block Palestine’s bid to become a full member after the US vetoed the resolution. The proposal received 12 votes in favour, one against (the US), and two abstentions (the UK and Switzerland). Baloch noted that Pakistan believes that the “time has come for admission of Palestine to the UN,” as this would be a “step towards correcting the historic injustice suffered by Palestinians for over 75 years’ and “affirm their right to self-determination.” (“Pakistan 'regrets' US veto on Palestine's UN membership bid,” The News International, 19 April 2024)
SECURITY
Suicide attack in Karachi targets Japanese nationals
On 19 April, a private security guard was killed as a result of a suicide attack targeting Japanese nationals near Mansehra Colony, Landhi, Karachi. DIG East Azfar Mahesar stated that “all five Japanese remained safe. However, a private security guard accompanying them and two passers-by were injured.” While no group claimed responsibility, as per Raja Umer Khattab, a senior official at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), one of the deceased attackers was part of an outlawed Baloch Republican Army (BRA). He was identified as Sohail Ahmed and had previously been involved in insurgency. Another police official said that the attack was a “failed operation” as the militants had mistakenly assumed that the Japanese workers were Chinese nationals. The CTD’s DIG Asif Aijaz Shaikh explained that since the van was armoured, casualties were prevented. He also explained that a motorcycle was used to carry out the bombing. Khattab added that since the blast didn’t harm the Japanese nationals, an accomplice fired shots from behind roadblocks. The foreigners’ guards and nearby police returned fire. Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack. (Imtiaz Ali, “Guard killed, all five Japanese safe in Karachi suicide attack,” Dawn, 20 April 2024)
PM Sharif directs authorities to ramp up anti-smuggling efforts
On 19 April, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed authorities to accelerate the nationwide drive against smuggling in Pakistan, while chairing a meeting to curb smuggling. He appreciated Army Chief General Asim Munir for his cooperation with the government in combating smuggling, and the investigation committee headed by AD Khawaja for identifying elements involved in using the Afghan Transit Trade for smuggling. Sharif was informed that a list of smugglers, hoarders, and facilitating officers had been sent to law enforcement agencies and provincial governments, and he stated that the officers should be removed from their posts with disciplinary proceedings to be initiated against them. Asserting that looters of public money should not be dealt with leniently, he asked the law ministry to immediately carry out the required legislation with regard to punishing smugglers and drug dealers. He noted the need to take measures to provide alternative earning opportunities to the youth living in frontier areas. With regard to the Afghan Transit Trade goods, he highlighted the need for swift and effective monitoring of the sale and smuggling of these goods and asked for a third-party audit of the monitoring system. (“Shehbaz calls for third-party audit of ATT monitoring system,” The Express Tribune, 19 April 2024)
PROVINCES
Sindh & Punjab: Police to launch joint operation against dacoits of Kacha
On 19 April, during a meeting of the National Action Plan Implementation Review Committee presided over by the Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Raza Naqvi, it was decided that the Sindh and Punjab police would launch another joint operation against the dacoits of Kacha, Sindh. The meeting, which was also attended by the interior secretary, police chiefs of all provinces, and provincial home secretaries, was briefed on the security measures taken for the Chinese citizens of the country. They decided to restrict the movement of tourists not following the prescribed SOPs, and reviewed security arrangements in place for the Iranian president’s visit. Naqvi asserted that strict action would be taken for negligence in implementing the SOPs for foreign citizens, adding that institutions would be equipped with modern technology to help eradicate terrorism. (“Sindh, Punjab police plan operation against Kacha area dacoits,” Dawn, 20 April 2024)
Balochistan: 14-member cabinet sworn in
On 19 April, the 14-member three-party Balochistan cabinet was sworn in at the Governor’s House, with Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar administering the oath. The new ministers include a female minister, Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, who was earlier the Balochistan Assembly speaker. Mir Tariq Hussain Magsi and Mir Ziaullah Langove were chosen by the BAP for their representation in the provincial cabinets. This ceremony took place nearly two months after Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, took office. As per a notification, Bugti appointed Dr Rubaba Buledi, Nasimur Rehman Khan of PML-N, Mir Ali Hassan Zehri, and Sardar Ghulam Rasool Umrani of PPP as four advisors. Following the ceremony, the cabinet decided to implement multiple measures, including steps to establish good governance. Bugti stated: “No positions in government departments will be sold, jobs will be awarded to youths based solely on merit, and injustice will not be tolerated.” He also highlighted that “good governance will define the incumbent government,” adding that his government had proposed 60 recommendations for reforms and improvement of the governance in the province. (Saleem Shahid, “14-member Balochistan cabinet takes oath,” Dawn, 20 April 2024)
Punjab: Farmers threaten to hold protests against wheat procurement target and support price
On 19 April, the President of the Kisan Board Pakistan, Sardar Zafar Hussain, announced that farmers will hold province-wide demonstrations on 25 April against poor wheat procurement targets and low grain support prices in Punjab. The demonstrations would take place at district headquarters and major towns, in a bid to make the government procure at least five million tonnes of wheat in the ongoing season, and raise the grain support price from PKR 3,900 to PKR 5,000 per 40 kg. Hussain alleged that the government was deliberately delaying the wheat procurement campaign, which caused the prices of grain to decline in the open market. He regretted that even though the farm input prices had more than doubled in roughly the last year, farmers were forced to sell their produce at last year’s rates and even lower. Further, he stated that fertilizer companies had increased the urea rate by PKR 600 per bag, despite no tax being imposed on any ingredient of the fertilizer. (“Wheat farmers threaten protests,” Dawn, 20 April 2024)
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