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In Brief
EXTERNAL
FO describes US sanctions as a “discriminatory” approach
On 20 April, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) rubbished the “political use” of export control, following a decision by the US to impose sanctions against commercial entities on allegations of links to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme. FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated: “Such listings of commercial entities have taken place in the past as well on allegations of links to Pakistan's ballistic missile programme without sharing any evidence whatsoever.” She highlighted that in the past, Pakistan has come across multiple incidents where listings have been made just on suspicion, or when involved items were not under a control list but were deemed sensitive. Baloch pointed out the need to “avoid arbitrary application of export controls,” saying that “Pakistan has always been ready to discuss end-use and end-user verification mechanisms so that legitimate commercial users are not hurt by discriminatory application of export controls.” She lamented how the “same jurisdictions, which claim to exercise strict non-proliferation controls, have waived off licensing requirements for advanced military technologies for some countries.” This action has led to “arms buildup; accentuating regional asymmetries, and undermining the objectives of non-proliferation, and regional and global peace and security.” Thus the “discriminatory approaches and double standards” of waiving off licensing requirements for advanced military technologies for some countries has led to undermining the “credibility of non-proliferation regimes and also the objectives of regional and global peace and security by accentuating military asymmetries.” (“Pakistan rejects US sanctions on firms allegedly linked to its missile programme,” The News International, 20 April 2024)
Pakistan sends eighth tranche of aid to Gaza
On 21 April, Pakistan dispatched 400 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Gaza via sea, marking its eighth tranche of aid since the beginning of the war. As per Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the aid, which includes “winterised tents, tarpaulins, blankets, medicines and food supplies,” will be received by the Pakistani Ambassador to Egypt, and then handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent for onward delivery. He emphasized: “Pakistan remains committed to addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of our brothers and sisters in Gaza.” Pakistan has consistently criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza. Earlier on 19 April, it regretted the US’ decision to veto the draft resolution directed at Palestine’s full membership of the UN. It has also been calling for an immediate and complete ceasefire and has advocated for a two-state solution. (“Pakistan dispatches 400 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Gaza,” The News International, 21 April 2024)
POLITICS
PML-N says by-poll win reflects faith of the public
On 21 April, the PML-N won the by-elections, describing its victory as a manifestation of the public’s trust in the people-friendly policies of the party and a rejection of the false narrative created by imprisoned PTI leadership. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the newly elected National Assembly (NA) and provincial legislature members and stated: “We assure the people that we will not leave any stone unturned in their service. We will try to fulfil their faith in us with full honesty and hard work.” He noted how the “success of the PML-N candidates is a public acknowledgement of the government's service in restoring the economy, reducing inflation, and improving foreign relations.” Sharif added that with the given forecasts of economic improvement by financial institutions and news agencies, public opinion is likely to improve. He also stated that the negative political behaviour of the opposition following the election results had left the public confused, and that “flaws and objections in the electoral process can only be removed through mutual cooperation and political dialogue.” The Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said that the results of the by-polls validated how the public has fully welcomed Sharif’s “people-friendly policies.” He stated that the economic stability was responsible for the surge in trust and that the public had rejected the PTI’s “false” and “misleading” narrative. Tarar also pointed out that the people rejected Imran Khan’s “politics of hatred, chaos, division, falsehood and hypocrisy.” Earlier, Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that the PTI’s “bullying” would not be tolerated, as “politics means service and reforms, not violence and intolerance.” This statement followed the killing of a 60-year-old PML-N activist following a clash with the PTI activists in Kot Najo during the by-elections for PP-54. (“PML-N’s win in by-polls symbol of ‘people’s trust’,” The Express Tribune, 22 April 2024)
Foreign minister links Pakistan’s X ban to US’ proposed TikTok ban
On 22 April, Dawn reported that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the government’s decision to ban X was in the “best interests of Pakistan.” Referring to the US’ recent efforts to ban TikTok if it doesn’t cut ties with its Chinese parent company, he asked “those countries that they also have put [a] ban on certain apps … so, one country is OK, and Twitter banned in Pakistan is not OK?” He emphasized that the “country will take its own decision in the light of different reasons, which were the basis of” the suspension. Earlier on 17 April, the Sindh High Court had given the government a week to withdraw the ban, which the interior ministry claimed had been imposed “in the interest of upholding national security, maintaining public order, and preserving the integrity of” Pakistan. Though the court maintained that the ministry’s letter did not provide any reason as to why X was blocked, the ministry told the court that X had not been registered locally as a company, and had additionally ignored requests to remove content maligning the chief justice of Pakistan. Separately, Haroon Baloch from Bytes for All, a think tank focusing on information technologies, stated: “They [Pakistani authorities] wanted data of Pakistani social media users to be housed or hosted through Pakistan and not be hosted outside Pakistan.” (“Foreign Minister Dar compares X curbs with US stance on TikTok,” Dawn¸ 22 April 2024)
ECP notes incidents of violence and irregularity during by-poll process
On 21 April, during the by-elections on 21 seats of the national and provincial assemblies, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said in a statement that it had noted the irregularities and violence, and taken action on the killing of a man near a polling station in PP-54 (Punjab). Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja discussed this issue with the relevant police official and instructed him to take action against the perpetrators. The ECP noted the reports claiming that some presiding officers had forced polling agents to sign blank Form-45 in Punjab’s PP-149 (Lahore III) and asked the provincial election commissioner for a report recommending further action. Further, the ECP sought a report over the alleged abduction of the polling staff. Prior to the elections, the ECP had set up an Election Monitoring Control Centre at its Islamabad Secretariat to monitor the polling process and introduced a helpline and email address where citizens could register complaints about the polling process. (Syed Irfan Raza, “ECP takes notice of irregularities, violence in by-polls,” Dawn, 22 April 2024)
ECONOMY
Finance minister says PIA privatization process will finish by June end
On 20 April, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that the process of privatizing Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would be completed by the end of June or early July, with the possibility of the Islamabad airport following suit after. He expects the “bids for PIA to come in the next two to three weeks,” after which it will be moved to the investors. After this, the Islamabad airport “would be the next,” followed by the airports in Karachi and Lahore. Aurangzeb stated that the “government has no business being in business.” However, he did not mention whether Pakistan would sell its skies to the bidders, or if the government would retain some of its shares in PIA after the privatization. (Anwar Iqbal, “Aurangzeb expects PIA privatisation by end of June,” Dawn¸ 22 April 2024)
SECURITY
Second attack on customs officials in DIK leaves three dead
On 20 April, at least three people, including two Customs officials, were killed in an attack near Bannu Road, marking the second attack on Customs officials in Dera Ismail Khan (DIK) in the span of two days. According to a police spokesperson, the officials were travelling in a vehicle when armed assailants opened fire at them, killing two customs officials and a civilian, and injuring two other officials. The attack was condemned by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Governor Ghulam Ali, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Naqvi paid tribute to officials who “sacrificed their lives to prevent smuggling.” Earlier on 17 April, five Customs officials, a civilian, and a minor girl were killed in an ambush during an intelligence-based operation. (Muhammad Irfan Mughal, “Two Customs men slain in another attack in Dera Ismail Khan,” Dawn¸ 22 April 2024)
PROVINCES
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Government spokesperson warns against deporting Afghans legally in Pakistan
On 22 April, a spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, warned that Afghan nationals legally living in Pakistan should not be “harassed or expelled,” as this could sour relations between the two countries. This statement came amid the government's proposed decision to initiate a second phase of the repatriation drive, in which nearly one million ‘documented’ Afghans would be sent back. Gohar said that “all Afghans without any documentation in KP have returned to Afghanistan,” and no action was currently underway against legal Afghan residents. As per the government’s mapping, 359,000 Afghans are in KP, with Afghan Citizen Cards in accordance with Pakistani law and international resolutions. Saif asserted: “If we are instructed to expel them [legal Afghans], then we will talk [to the authorities]. Deporting illegal Afghans was justified, but we cannot harass or target Afghans living here legally.” However, the “federal government should approach this situation delicately,” as any action against legal Afghan citizens could “foment hatred, misunderstanding and mistrust between” the two countries. (“KP cautions against deporting Afghans living ‘legally’ in Pakistan,” Dawn, 22 April 2024)
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