NIAS Area Studies


PAKISTAN READER

PR DAILY BRIEFS

Photo : Dawn

2 May 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.87
Surge in militant attacks during April; KP worst affected says a PICSS Report
Pakistan-UK Regional Stabilization Conference; President on special operations to curb crimes in Sindh

In Focus
Surge in militant attacks during April; KP worst affected says a PICSS Report
 
On 2 May, Dawn reported on the Islamabad-based think-tank, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS)’s monthly security assessment report. The report revealed that after a brief dip in March, militant attacks surged in April with the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being most adversely affected. According to the report, “the country experienced at least 77 verifiable militant attacks during April, resulting in 70 fatalities, including 35 civilians and 31 members of security forces. Four militants were killed.” The number of injured individuals stood at 67, out of which 32 were civilians and 35 were security personnel. As compared to March, “this indicates a 38 per cent increase in the number of militant attacks.” The report also highlighted the efforts made and measures taken by the security forces “in thwarting numerous potential attacks during the month.” At least 55 suspected militants were killed and 12 others arrested, including those involved in the Basham suicide attack. This marked a 55 per cent increase in militant deaths compared to March.
 
Further, the report revealed that 73 per cent of the total number of militant attacks reported in April took place in KP leading to the death of 43 people- 26 members of security forces and 17 civilians. The total number of the injured individuals was 32- 19 members of security forces and 13 civilians. Also, compared to the tribal districts there were more attacks in the mainland districts- 31 attacks, resulting in 25 fatalities and 10 injuries. The southern districts that were most affected were- D.I. Khan and Lakki Marwat with 7 attacks each, Bannu with 6 attacks and Tank with two attacks. “Together, these districts accounted for 71 per cent of the attacks in mainland KP.” The tribal districts of KP (formerly Fata) witnessed at least 25 attacks with 18 fatalities and 22 injuries. The most affected districts were- North Waziristan, Bajaur, and South Waziristan.
 
Balochistan witnessed 16 attacks with 21 fatalities- 17 civilians and four security personnel. The number of injured individuals stood at 31. The attacks were concentrated in “the Baloch belt of the province, particularly in the south and southwest.” There was a surge in militant attacks in the Punjab province, with four attacks reported in April compared to one in March. The number of casualties stood at three. Sindh witnessed one lone attack resulting in the death of three people. Overall, in the first quarter the country witnessed 323 militant attacks, resulting in 324 fatalities and 387 injuries.
 
References
Ikram Junaidi, “Militant attacks claim 70 lives in April, says report,” Dawn, 2 May 2024)

In Brief
POLITICS
PPP opposes privatization of key public institutions, argues for public-private partnerships
On 1 May, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the PML-N government’s key ally at the centre opposed the idea of privatization of public institutions. Instead, it suggested that the federal government should consider public-private partnerships for key public institutions like the PIA and Steel Mills. It also argued that the federal government should take the opinion of the Sindh provincial government on the matter “where most of such giant institutions are located.” The PPP revealed that it will raise the issue with the federal government and urge it to reconsider selling public institutions to private businesses. Speaking at a function organized by the People’s Labor Bureau (PLB) on World Labour Day, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated “Here in Sindh, we launched several projects under public-private partnerships, which proved effective and helped restore several institutions. We propose the same to the federal government.” He further revealed that the PPP-led governments in Sindh and Punjab would “prioritize salary increases in the forthcoming budget” and assured that his party will take up the matter with the federal government as well. (Imran Ayub, “PPP challenges plan to privatise public enterprises,” Dawn, 2 May 2024)
 
SECURITY
Regional and global environment discussed at the Pakistan-UK Regional Stabilization Conference
On 2 May, Dawn reported on the ongoing three-day Pakistan-UK Regional Stabilization Conference taking place at the National Defence University where both countries aim to exchange views on “the global and regional environment.” It is aimed at addressing the issues relating to national security, regional peace and stability. The conference was inaugurated by Army Chief General Asim Munir and the UK Chief of General Staff Gen Sir Patrick Sanders. In addition to this, the Inter Services Public Relations mentioned the participation of the UK General Sir Roland Walker and a 30 member UK-delegation headed by Major General Tom Bateman, Standing Joint Force Commander. The conference has widened its focus area from bilateral to regional issues this year. ISPR also revealed that “Both sides discussed matters of professional interest and measures to further elevate bilateral defense relations.” (Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Pakistan-UK security conference kicks off in Islamabad,” Dawn, 2 May 2024)
 
EXTERNAL
US reiterates its support for Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism efforts
On 1 May, The News International reported on the United States Department briefing in Washington where the Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Vedant Patel reiterated the US’s allegiance to Islamabad’s counter-terrorism efforts. Patel stated: “We support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in a manner that promotes the rule of law and protection of human rights.” His remarks come in the wake of a meeting between both countries to enhance cooperation in areas of trade, investment, and regional security. It is important to be noted that the US State Department had published a report titled “2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices” last week which had highlighted Pakistan’s inability to address “human rights abuses in the country.” However, the foreign office described the report as “unfair and based on inaccurate information.” (“'We support Pakistan's efforts to combat terrorism: US State Dept spox,” The News International, 1 May 2024)
 
PROVINCES
Sindh: President directs Sindh CM to launch special operations to curb crimes
On 1 May, the President presided over a special meeting at the Chief Minister’s house to take measures to control crimes in Sindh. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Technology Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and several other officials. After hearing the briefings given by CM Shah and senior ministers, he urged the CM to manage street crimes in Karachi by launching a special operation and completing “the Karachi Safe City project on war footing.” He insisted on deepening the ongoing operation against the dacoits and the menace of drugs in the province. He directed the Interior Minister to provide enhanced weapons to the Sindh Police force. He went on to question the inability of the police force to take action against the people involved in crimes. The President stated: “The operation in Karachi must deliver results so that confidence of the citizens could be restored” and “I have zero tolerance for the illegal occupation of lands in Kacha areas and it must be stopped, once and for all.” (Hafeez Tunio, “President orders holistic approach to uproot crimes in Sindh,” The Express Tribune, 1 May 2024)
 
Balochistan: Transporters continue their protest against new check posts
On 2 May, Dawn reported on the transporters’ protest that has continued for more than a week. The highways have remained blocked for the tenth consecutive as protestors continue to demand the withdrawal of the new SOPs which mandates the transporters to create a security picket at the Quetta-Taftan and Coastal highways. They also asked for the removal of new check posts which mandates inspection for vehicles at every post. The provincial government had implemented this to provide safety to the passengers after the Noshki attack where the gunmen had killed nine people. Home Minister Ziaullah Langove mentioned that the issue will be resolved after “mutual consultation.” Further, the agriculture minister Ali Madad Jattak assured, “We will take up the demands of the transporters with the chief minister and after that, the issues facing the transporters will be resolved.” (“Protests continue in Balochistan against new check posts,” Dawn, 2 May 2024)

Pakistan on Twitter

The exploitation of farmers in Pakistan is a grave injustice that must be addressed.
-Jabbar Jutt
 
Let the people decide the future of Pakistan. Conduct free and transparent elections and submit to the decision of the people. That there is no other way.
-Javeria Zakir
 
This is exactly what’s happening in Pakistan. People have been murdered, arrested, abducted, women have been mistreated and much more. Innocent civilians have been treated like Terrorists.
-Mohammad Hayat

Also read...

Samia Liaquat Ali Khan, ‘Moving the needle on GDP’
Dawn, 2 May 2024
“Pakistani policymakers need to engage in a process of dialogue to reconfigure our current approach to economic growth, with a view to building economic, social and environmental well-being for present and future generations. This will require time, but would lead to benefits for the entire nation. In the shorter term, there are opportunities to improve both GDP and well-being indicators. Take the labour force participation rate. In Pakistan, male labour force participation is at 81 per cent as of 2023. For females however, the rate is estimated at a worryingly low 24pc. The ILO has been charting this same indicator since 1990. In 30 years, the number of women in the workforce has increased by only abysmal 13pc. The population, meanwhile, has more than doubled in that time.”
 
Sa’adia Reza, ‘Journalists in Gaza’
Dawn, 2 May 2024
“Reporting on war is never easy. But for those in Gaza, the trauma of human suffering, bloodshed, sheer mental exhaustion, and the fear that the next fatality they report could potentially be a loved one are inescapable. Moreover, the struggle to cover the war while, at the same time, trying to meet basic everyday needs — given the extremely limited supply of humanitarian aid — is a reality that’s hard to imagine. Like all civilians in the Strip, journalists too have had to battle against hunger, thirst, mental and physical pain, and, often times, forced to make a choice between putting down the microphone or camera and focusing on finding a means to survive.”
 
Editorial, ‘Punishing evaders’
Dawn, 2 May 2024
“The FBR’s action appears to be largely limited to those whose names are already in its database. Many will justifiably ask what is being done to expand the tax base itself. Under the law, any person earning an annual income of Rs600,000 or more, or owning a 1000cc car or a house is liable to file tax statements. However, less than 2pc of the population (4.5m persons) had filed their returns last year, down from 5.9m a year earlier. Besides, a very large number of filers do not show taxable income in their statements.”
 
Editorial, ‘Freedom to question’
Dawn, 2 May 2024
“The recently concluded fifth edition of the Asma Jahangir Conference, a two-day moot themed ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil Rights in South Asia’, has become an important platform for such voices. This year, the conference highlighted repression in the country and called upon political parties to talk to each other, sign a charter of fundamental rights, and refrain from involving unelected quarters in their quest for power. It was encouraging to note that a vast tract of violations was discussed, indicating that those dedicated to civil liberties will persevere.”
 
Editorial, ‘The interference conundrum’
The News International, 2 May 2024
“It isn’t just the IHC judges who have talked about interference by the security agencies, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Lahore High Court (LHC) have also complained about this. In its response submitted to the Supreme Court, the PHC said that when some judges were directly approached by intelligence agency members seeking favours in political cases and they decided those cases impartially, “they received life threats through non-state actors from the neighbouring country, Afghanistan”.”
 



 

“Pakistan is trapped between two options.”
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Peace pipe and war’

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