PAKISTAN READER

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FO asserts Pakistan does not endorse “zero-sum” relationships

In Brief
EXTERNAL
FO asserts Pakistan does not endorse “zero-sum” relationships
On 26 April, the Foreign Office (FO) said Pakistan remains confident that its ties with Iran would not impact its relationship with “friends and partners,” including the US, and asserted that it does not believe in “zero-sum” relationships. This statement comes after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi took a three-day visit to Pakistan, prompting the US State Department to warn countries that entered any business deals with Iran. FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized: “Expansion of our relations with one country should not be considered as coming at the expense of our relationship with another.” She described Pakistan’s relationships with other countries as being “robust enough to move forward on their own merit.” Citing the Preferential Trade agreement between Pakistan and Iran, Baloch highlighted how the “economy of the poor regions along the border of Pakistan and Iran benefit from local trade” which mostly takes place in “barter form.” At the same time, Pakistan and the US share several channels of communication, which Pakistan would want to continue engaging with. With regard to the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, Baloch stressed: “Pakistan has energy needs. Pakistan will make decisions on the basis of its national interest in fulfilling its energy requirements, taking into account the international environment, taking into account the UN sanctions, if any, and issues relating to trade with other countries, including in the energy domain.” While the US has warned that the project stands at the risk of being sanctioned, Pakistani officials maintain that the possibility of sanctions can only arise once the pipeline is connected with Iran. She added that Pakistan’s position on the gas project would be dependent on its national interests, determined by energy needs and influenced by the global context. (Kamran Yousaf, “Pakistan confident ties with Iran won’t hurt US relationship,” The Express Tribune, 26 April 2024)
 
POLITICS
SIC becomes second-largest party in the N A
On 26 April, as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) accepted the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) as a registered parliamentary political party, the SIC became the second-largest political party in the National Assembly (NA). The ECP’s decision followed the issuance of a notification marking Faisal Amin Khan Gandapure as the first MNA from the SIC. It means that 82 PTI-backed candidates who contested and won the elections on SIC tickets are now SIC MNAs. The PML-N has 120 seats while the PPP has 71 seats in the NA. This also means that the status of PTI-backed members in provincial assemblies will change from independents to SIC members; however, it is unclear if the reserved seats in the assemblies will be reallocated. (Sardar Sikander Shaheen, “‘Sunni Ittehad’ becomes 2nd largest party in NA,” Business Recorder, 27 April 2024)

Nawaz Sharif to become PML-N president following acquittal in corruption cases
On 26 April, during a meeting for the PML-N Punjab chapter, a resolution was passed urging Nawaz Sharif to lead the party considering he has been acquitted in all corruption cases. The resolution noted that he had been disqualified by the Supreme Court (SC) in 2017 “through a conspiracy,” but it is now “time that he assumes the office of the party president and leads the party to new heights of popularity.” PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah added that this decision was to “undo the justice” the SC was responsible for through the Panam Papers-related corruption cases. Since he has been “acquitted in all cases,” the party will “request” Sharif to “take up the party’s reins” once he is back from his visit to China. Sanaullah also tried emphasizing that there had been no grouping in the party and said that those sitting beside him “show that there is a freedom of expression in the party,” referring to PML-N leader Javed Latiff. However, there have been internal rifts within the party, with prominent figures such as Sanaullah, Latiff, and Senator Javed Abbassi publicly criticizing the leadership. (Zulqernain Tahir, “Nawaz set to take up PML-N reins from Shehbaz,” Dawn, 27 April 2024)
 
Imran Khan urges Pakistanis to “break shackles of slavery”
On 26 April, Imran Khan asserted that the PTi would “not strike a deal with those who kept the nations in chains of slavery.” As per the PTI central media department, Khan sent a “special message” through party office-bearers who visited him in Adiala Jail, in which he urged “people to break shackles of slavery and stand up to achieve Haqeeqi Azadi because freedom has never been gifted to any nation.” This statement contradicted a claim made by PTI leader Shehryar Afridi that evening, wherein he stated that the PTI would soon hold talks with the army chief and ISI DG. Khan highlighted how he had laid the foundation of the PTI on the principles of justice, humanity, and self-esteem, making it the strongest political force. Expressing confidence that once Pakistan “is free in true sense, no one will be able to stop” it from “becoming a great country,” he added that a “king of the jungle was the main stumbling block and impediment in the path to true freedom, who established the worst dictatorship in the country by flouting the constitution and law of the country.” The “stubbornness” to run Pakistan “according to his (king of the jungle) will instead of the constitution” would become a “source of destruction of the country’s economy, government system and even democracy and the judiciary.” Khan called on all Pakistanis to play a role in stopping the “ongoing destruction of the country.” (Mansoor Malik, “Imran says PTI will not strike any deal,” Dawn¸ 27 April 2024)
 
COAS Munir affirms army’s support for economic development
On 26 April, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir highlighted the link between economic stability and the country’s sovereignty, promising to combat the consequences of the actions of social media trolls to prevent disruptions to the nation’s progress and development. This statement was made at the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) Conference, attended by key civil and military officials with the aim of ensuring food security and boosting agricultural productivity across the country. Munir noted that “complete independence is not possible without economic stability,” as economic growth is a primary element in maintaining national sovereignty. He also assured that the army would “continue to provide all possible support” for economic development. Speaking on the military’s growing concerns over “negative propaganda and social media trolls,” he asserted that all officials are a “united team,” and all those who want to “distract and obstruct Pakistan’s development journey will fail.” (Baqir Sajjad Syed, “COAS links sovereignty with financial stability,” Dawn, 27 April 2024)
  
JUDICIARY
SC Justice Malik highlights importance of forensic science in criminal justice
On 26 April, the Supreme Court (SC) underscored the need for the police force to make concerted efforts to shift its investigation techniques by relying on forensic science and training specialized officers in the field. Justice Ayesha A Malik observed in a judgement: “The cornerstone of criminal justice system is the effective functionality of the investigating agency and prosecution since a faulty investigative process will continuously dampen trust and confidence in the criminal justice system.” Malik was part of a three-judge SC bench headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar, which took up an appeal by Mohammad Ramzan against the 4 July 2013 Lahore High Court (LHC) order which acquitted Khizar Hayat of murder charges by not confirming the death sentence given the accused. Malik noted that it is time for the “investigation agency to recognize inherent flaws and concerns in its methodology and it needs to work towards specializing its investigative functions by separating the same from other police duties.” She pointed out that the prosecution’s case relied entirely on ocular accounts fraught with contradictions that were uncorroborated by evidence. Citing Article 10A of the Constitution, she said that a principle of a fair trial is that all of the accused must be equitably treated, investigated, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. However in this case, “it was revealed that the entire prosecution evidence was marred by inherent improbabilities and material defects, aside from concerns about the credibility of the witnesses.” The judgement asserted that the prosecution must “establish the guilt against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt,” and brought up the need to “emphasize the importance of forensic science in the criminal justice system.” It described forensic science as a tool used “in the courts of law for the purposes of detection and prosecution of crime,” which plays a “significant role in the criminal justice system by providing data that can be used to assess the degree of guilt of a suspect.” (Nasir Iqbal, “SC finds flaws in police investigation techniques,” Dawn, 27 April 2024)
 
AF-PAK
Extension of validity of Afghan POR cards till 30 June
On 26 April, the federal cabinet approved the extension of the validity of Proof of Registration (POR) cards of Afghan refugees from 1 April to 30 June 2024. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who presided over the cabinet meeting, was told by the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions that POR cardholders would be able to utilize education, bank accounts, and other facilities. These cardholders would be repatriated under the third phase of the programme repatriating illegal foreign nationals, while the first phase of repatriating foreign residents in Pakistan without any identity documents is in progress. (Syed Irfan Raza, “Validity of Afghan POR cards extended till June 30,” Dawn, 27 April 2024)
 
PoK
Pakistan rejects “provocative statements from Indian leaders” regarding PoK
On 26 April, the Foreign Office (FO) rejected statements by Indian leaders regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and warned that this kind of inflammatory rhetoric threatened regional peace and stability. FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed concern over “an alarming surge in provocative statements from Indian leaders, asserting unwarranted claims over” PoK, which is “fuelled by hyper-nationalism.” She urged Indian politicians to “ease their reckless practice of dragging Pakistan into India’s populist public discourse for electoral motives,” and asserted that historical and legal facts along with “ground realities refute India’s baseless claims over” PoK. Further, Baloch advised India to “help implement” UN resolutions instead of “harbouring delusions of grandeur.” (“Pakistan rejects Indian remarks about AJK,” The Express Tribune, 26 April 2024)
 
PROVINCES
Punjab: Opposition to launch protests in solidarity with wheat farmers
On 26 April, in a show of solidarity with wheat farmers, opposition members in the Punjab Assembly boycotted house proceedings and announced a protest drive from 29 April against the government’s poor wheat procurement policy. This marked the third day that the issue of procurement was brought up in the house, with treasury and opposition members remaining unsatisfied with the government’s assurances about the procurement of grain from local farmers. They remain worried that the local grain market was crashing to the disadvantage of growers due to an unclear official procurement target and an unusual delay in starting the procurement drive. Food Minister Bilal Yasin explained that the grain’s moisture level was currently high at 18 per cent, and if his department were to buy produce now, it would cause a loss to the government as the grain would lose its weight after drying up. Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) chief whip Rana Shehbaz said his party had boycotted the proceedings of the house and was in contact with farmer groups to include them in the protest on 29 April.

Pakistan Army hosted a two-day peace fair at Kohat University of Science and Technology, emphasizing peace and prosperity. Local and Afghan students showcased cultural and traditional stalls, drawing attention from spectators. Traditional food stalls were also popular attractions. The event saw enthusiastic participation from a large number of students. University faculty and students expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Army for organizing the Peace Fair and pledged solidarity in defending the homeland. -Balochistan Current Affairs   Govt of Pakistan should raise the Federal Excise Duty on tobacco in 2024 to boost revenue and reduce health risks. Let's back this vital step toward a healthier society. #IncreaseTobaccoTax for a better future. -Pledge Against Consumption of Tobacco   We are all united team Pakistan. God willing, people's cooperation. And with support, all attempts by those who distract and disrupt Pakistan's development journey will fail. -Aqsa Khan

“Expecting improvement under an elite under whose watch Pakistan has been brought to this sorry pass is the triumph of hope over experience.” -An opinion in Dawn, ‘The grand delusion’