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In Brief
POLITICS
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announces a protest movement against alleged rigging in 8 February polls
On 29 April, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced his party’s plans to launch “a protest movement” against the alleged rigging in 8 February elections. He made the announcement in his first speech delivered in the National Assembly. The protest will begin with a “million march” in Karachi on 2 May and in Peshawar on May 9. The JUI chief also accused the “establishment” of “constantly interfering” in politics. In this regard, Rehman stated: “This system is not acceptable to us. If anyone tries to stop (protest marches), he will invite trouble for himself.” He urged the ruling coalition- the PML-N and the PPP- to hand over the government to the PTI and join the protests. The announcement came amidst the hasty passage of the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024 without a general debate that led to a walkout by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members who also lodged a protest in this regard. (Amir Wasim, “Fazl announces ‘million marches’ against rigging,” Dawn, 30 April 2024)
Imran Khan confirms appointment of Ali Amin Gandapur, Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz to hold talks with the establishment
On 29 April, PTI founding chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan revealed to the media that he had appointed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and parliamentary opposition leaders Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz to hold talks with the military establishment putiing an end to months long speculations. In contrast, the PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had earlier rubbished rumors of “backchannel dialogues with the establishment.” (Malik Asad, “Gandapur, Omar, Shibli to ‘hold talks on PTI’s behalf’,” Dawn, 30 April 2024)
ECONOMY
IMF completes second review under 2023 SBA and approves disbursement of USD 1.1 billion to Pakistan
On 29 April, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave its approval for the “immediate disbursement of approximately USD 1.1 billion to Pakistan.” The approval came after the completion of the second review under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for Pakistan in a meeting of the board in Washington where all members gave a go ahead except India which abstained. The approval has brought the total disbursement amount under the SBA to USD 3 billion. Deputy Managing Director Antoinette Sayeh in a statement highlighted the achievements of the 2023 SBA following the IMF decision: “Pakistan’s determined policy efforts under the 2023 Stand‑ By Arrangement (SBA) have brought progress in restoring economic stability. Moderate growth has returned; external pressures have eased; and while still elevated, inflation has begun to decline. Given the significant challenges ahead, Pakistan should capitalize on this hard‑won stability, persevering—beyond the current arrangement—with sound macroeconomic policies and structural reforms to create stronger, inclusive, and sustainable growth. Continued external support will also be critical.” The IMF also urged Pakistan to protect the vulnerable from the possible impacts of the reforms. (Anwar Iqbal, “IMF okays release of final $1.1bn SBA tranche,” Dawn, 30 April, 2024)
Federal Government notifies new fiscal rules geared towards reducing its debt servicing cost
On 29 April, the federal government notified “new fiscal rules to reduce its debt servicing cost”. It aims to do so by slowly “tapping into trillions of rupees of public money that ministries and departments have parked in commercial banks.”
In this regard, the Ministry of Finance issued new Cash Management and Treasury Single Account Rules in order to gather details of money available “in the non-interest private bank accounts” of various government departments. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also consistently urged the government to bring public money back into the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) by withdrawing it from commercial banks. These efforts had, however, been resisted by different entities, including the military and the police. According to the Finance Ministry, the new “sweeping arrangement” will be carried out in phases: the first phase will be focus on current accounts and if possible the arrangement will be extended to other types of bank accounts after consultations in the second phase. (Shahbaz Rana, “Govt implements sweeping fiscal reforms to cut debt,” The Express Tribune, 30 April 2024)
SECURITY
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Four terrorists with alleged links to TTP arrested for Bisham suicide terror attack
On 29 April, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) revealed that it has arrested “four key terrorists” belonging to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) who were involved in a terrorist attack that took place in Bisham last month. Referring to the arrests, the KP CTD spokesperson stated that all four - Adil Shehbaz, Muhammad Shafiq Qureshi, Zahid Qureshi and Nazeer Hussain- belonged to the Mansehra district and had links to the TTP. The statement alleged that Shehbaz was the mastermind and had “confessed to the attack,” his links with the TTP and that he was a resident of Afghanistan’s Jalalabad district. It is to be noted that on 26 March, the terrorists had targeted a bus travelling between Islamabad and a hydroelectric dam construction site in Dasu at Bishamn in KP. In the suicide attack, five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver had been killed. China had demanded a probe in the incident and Pakistan had promised to swiftly nab the “perpetrators and accomplices.” The government had formed a joint investigation team for the same and Chinese investigators had also travelled to join the investigation. (“KP CTD arrests 4 ‘TTP terrorists’ in Bisham terror attack case,” Dawn, 29 April 2024)
PROVINCES
Punjab: Farmers protesting wheat procurement policy arrested
On 29 April, farmers from across the province in Punjab gathered at GPO Chowk on The Mall to carry out their protest against the government’s in adequate wheat procurement policy which had reduced the “provincial procurement quota from over 4 million tonnes to 2.3 million tonnes.” The protestors attempted to move towards the Punjab Assembly where they were intercepted by a a heavy contingent of police presence. Kissan Ittehad Pakistan General Secretary Mian Umair Masood who was leading the demonstration claimed that more than 250 farmers were arrested by the police in Lahore. However, according to police sources, only 46 protesters have been taken into custody. There have also been reports of arrests from Rahim Yar Khan, Khanewal, Vehari, Kasur, Multan, Sadiqabad, Pakpattan, Muzaffargarh, and Sahiwal districts. Mian Umair Masood also revealed further plans to “block highways across the province with the help of their families and livestock.” The PTI and the Jammat-i-Islami have also supported the cause of the farmers their farmer wing, the Kisan Board has scheduled a slew of protests for 30 April. ( Amjad Mahmood, “Scores held in Punjab for protesting govt’s ‘unfair’ wheat policy,” Dawn, 30 April, 2024)
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