In Brief
POLITICS
Former finance minister announces the formation of new political party
On 12 May, former Finance Minister Miftah Ismael confirmed in an op-ed that a new political party would be formed. This comes amid speculation that disgruntled PML-N leaders including Ismael, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and former PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokar, would be forming a new political party.He detailed that the party would be “different” and it would include “women and young people” with a constitutionally directed term limit, while avoiding ethnic targets. The main focus of the creation of this party is to reorganize the government. He said: “We are fast reaching the point of no return — and it is imperative we take a hard look at our ineffective governance that has failed our people.” Ismael criticized other political leaders for being “out-of-touch and short-sighted” with regard to Pakistan’s future, and and claimed they lacked the courage to bring change to the country. He highlighted that the country should be run by young people, and asserted:“We want to present to our people a new vision of Pakistan, a nation focused on its people — especially the young.” (“Miftah confirms to form new political party,” The Express Tribune, 13 May 2024)
Opposition coalition announces new nationwide protest to protect Constitution
On 13 May, Dawn reported that a multi-party coalition of opposition parties, I Tehreek Tahafuz Aayeen-i-Pakistan, has decided to hold another nationwide protest calling for the ‘restoration’ of the Constitution. Earlier in April, the alliance decided to kick-start a countrywide movement for the rule of law with Mahmood Khan Achakzai as its president.. This decision was taken after the chief of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press conference that there would be no mercy for the instigators of the 9 May riots. The members of the meeting, including PTI leaders Omar Ayub and Asad Qaiser, and the SIC Chief Hamid Raza, mentioned that the ISPR chief’s statements were “unconstitutional,” and demanded apologies from those who have violated the constitution. The alliance spokesperson mentioned that the parties decided to reach out to the courts in Karachi and Faisalabad to get permission to carry out the public gatherings. (Ikram Junaidi, “Opp plans fresh campaign to `protect` Constitution,” Dawn, 12 May 2024)
SECURITY
Seven security personnel killed following militant attacks in North Waziristan
On 11 May, two militant attacks on security forces at different locations were carried out in North Waziristan, in which seven security officers died and two others were injured. The first attack took place in the Hassan Khel area of Tehsil Datta Khel. A bomb disposal unit was targeted using the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). After the blast, militants started firing in which five securing personnel were killed and two others injured. The second attack was carried out in the Seeman area of Mir Ali, where militants attacked the security post. Two security personnel lost their lives in this attack. Based on the local sources, the bodies were taken to Combined Military Hospital, Bannu. (Pazir Gul, “Seven security personnel martyred in North Waziristan,” Dawn, 12 May 2024)
AF-PAK
Taliban officials cancel planned visit of Pakistani military delegation
On 12 May, Afghan Taliban officials canceled a planned visit by a Pakistan military delegation to Kandahar in light of apparent protests over cross-border strikes by Pakistan targeting terror hideouts in Afghanistan. There was no response from Pakistan on the airstrikes or the delegation. . As per sources, the military delegation’s visit, aimed at resolving the issue of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), would have included a visit with the Governor of Kandahar, Mullah Shirin Akhund. Shirin is considered close to the Taliban, and a key interlocuter of the Taliban trying to defuse tensions over the TTP. (Kamran Yousaf, “Pakistan delegation visit to Kandahar ‘cancelled’ by Taliban,” The Express Tribune, 12 May 2024)
POK
Protests continue amid no sign of agreement with government
On 13 May, Dawn reported that despite President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promising to address the “genuine demands” of protestors in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), an agreement between the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the PoK government remained elusive. Though the situation remained calm in the region following clashes between protestors and the police in which one policeman died, protests resumed in Muzaffaraba. After the talks between the JAAC core committee and PoK Chief Secretary Dawood Bareach ended in stalemate and failed to make any headway, the movement announced its march. JAAC’s Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri mentioned in a video clip: “There was no single notification on any issue. There was evasion, delay tactics, lies, fraud, and deception.” Due to the protest, the government offices and the educational institutions will be closed on 13 May. The rally will begin from Mirpur and Poonch division to Rawalakot and march further towards Muzaffarabad. In response, Zardari urged to resolve the issue through dialogues and mutual consultations. Sharif took to X to say: “Unfortunately in situations of chaos and dissent, there are always some, who rush in to score political points. Despite the efforts of detractors, the matter is expected to be settled soon.” (Tariq Naqash and Syed Irfan Raza, “AJK march resumes amid stalemate,” Dawn, 13 May 2024)
PROVINCES
Balochistan: Resolution for effective measures against illegal fishing adopted
On 11 May, the Balochistan Assembly adopted a resolution on efforts to take effective measures to curb illegal fishing and trawling in the province’s waters. It also demanded action against individuals and officials of the Fisheries department who are involved in the illegal fishing business. The resolution was moved by Maulana Hidayatur Rehman of Haq Do Tehreek (HDT). He detailed, that due to the use of banned nets and other equipment, fishermen were tending to lose at least 15 different species of fish. He added that this caused a PKR 70 loss every year to Balochistan. The provincial Minister for Planning and Development, Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, supported the move and announced: “The government is giving fisheries the status of an industry, and people affiliated with it will be declared laborers.” (Saleem Shahid, “Action against illegal fishing, trawling demanded in Balochistan,” Dawn, 12 May 2024)
PR EXCLUSIVE UPDATE #15
PUNJAB WHEAT CRISIS
PASSCO hints possibility of raising wheat procurement
On 11 May, The Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation Limited (PASSCO) began its second phase of wheat procurement, where Food Minister Rana Tanveer hinted at the chances of an additional increase in the target to facilitate farmers. This phase began after the federal government decided to procure 400,000 tonnes more than the original 1.4 million tonnes target. However, the farmers were not satisfied with the increase, and they argued that the surplus rate this year is anticipated to be ten million tonnes, meaning PASSCO’s target hardly makes any difference. Meanwhile, Punjab has been refusing to purchase wheat from farmers despite agitations. The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) said that the plunging prices, which reportedly fell below PKR 3,000 per 40 kilograms, had cost farmers PKR 1,150 billion in lost revenue from the wheat crop alone. Although Punjab notified that it would compensate farmers with interest-free loans of PKR 150 billion, the latter was not satisfied. (Ahmad Fraz Khan, “Govt hints at raising wheat purchase target,” Dawn, 12 May 2024)
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The decision given in the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto reference is the result of the struggle of the workers of Pakistan People's Party.
- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah's participation in the opening ceremony of C-ARTS Hyderabad. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated the Center for Autism, Rehabilitation and Training by cutting the ribbon. President PP Sindh Nisar Khoro, provincial ministers, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Jam Khan Shoro are also present.
-PPP
Deeply concerned about the situation in AJK. Unfortunately, in situations of chaos and dissent there are always some who rush in to score political points. While debate, discussion and peaceful protests are the beauties of democracy, there should be absolutely no tolerance for taking the law in one's own hands and damaging government properties.
- Shehbaz Sharif
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Umair Javed, ‘Political capitalism’
Dawn, 13 May 2024
“According to Milanovic, if regulations are applied uniformly (ie, rule of law is practised), then over time the state loses its relative power over the private sector. This is the case we see in most liberal capitalist states across the world. However, if the state becomes too discretionary (and corrupt), it will stifle economic productivity and lead to economic stagnation. The Chinese state is remarkable in that it has struck a balance in using selective discretion to generate high rates of economic growth, though with accompanying inequality. Other countries that have managed this model well include Vietnam and Singapore, both of which have used state involvement to create prosperity. Increasingly, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Rwanda are following a similar trajectory.”
Huma Yusuf, ‘Shadow of the moon’
Dawn, 13 May 2024
“Pakistan already uses international satellites for storm tracking and agricultural planning, but given how climate-vulnerable it is, we must invest in domestic space infrastructure to take full advantage of the myriad uses of satellite technology at lower cost. But to do this, we have to get our programme right. Writing for Chatham House in 2022, Val Munsami, a former CEO of the South African National Space Agency, argued that for a developing country to make the most of a space programme, it needed to consider four elements: availability of human capital, an industrial base to capitalise on the sector’s commercial potential, presence of technological infrastructure, and an appetite for international cooperation. Viewed from this angle, our space ambitions seem precarious.”
Dr Muhammad Ali Ehsan, ‘Alternative world order: better for Pakistan?’
The Express Tribune, 12 May 2024
“Given the dissent shown by these converging states, the current world order is under deep stress. History shows us that whenever two orders compete, it always results in conflict. The converging states are creating an alternative order and the current global chaos that we witness has got everything to do with US strategic response of doing everything within its power to prevent this order from taking shape. BRI, EEU, SCO and BRICS are some of the initiatives of this alternative order that are designed to create an alternative world controlled by many centres of power and influence — a multipolar world.”
Dr Naazir Mahmood, ‘How Sindh keeps Sindhi alive’
The News International, 13 May 2024
“For nearly a hundred years, Sindhi was an undisputed medium of instruction in schools and colleges, but after Independence, the language received setbacks as the demographic compositions altered in the province. Aijaz Qureshi explained how a rapid conversion of Sindhi medium schools to Urdu medium undermined local heritage and literature. Sindhi intelligentsia had to fight to reclaim their language. Dr Manzoor Ali Veesrio is an assistant professor of Sindhi language and literature at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. As a young and prolific writer, Veesrio has been contributing articles, essays and books of immense value. His presentation focused on strategies to preserve endangered languages in Pakistan.”
Editorial, ‘Climate authority’
Dawn, 13 May 2024
“With the memory of the devastating monsoon of 2022 still fresh in everyone’s minds and freak weather wreaking havoc in many parts of the country of late, it is understandable why the Supreme Court has attached such urgency to the matter. However, experts have previously pointed out that the establishment of the CCA and operationalisation of the CCF are not such straightforward matters that they can be resolved with a simple order. For example, there are various complexities involved in setting up the authority, as its mandate will likely overlap with subjects in the provinces’ domains, and with the work of the Ministry of Climate Change.”
Editorial, ‘Battle against polio’
The Express Tribune, 12 May 2024
“The scourge of polio is slowly spreading its tendrils once more across the landscape of Pakistan. In a concerning turn of events, wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) has reappeared in sewage samples from Hub, a district that had proudly remained free from the virus until now. This unsettling development — coupled with the detection of WPV1 in several other districts and the rising count of new cases, currently standing at 116 for this year alone — casts a shadow of uncertainty over our nation’s efforts to eradicate this crippling disease.”
Editorial, ‘Education for all’
The News International, 13 May 2024
“We expect the PM to draft a plan to improve our students’ learning outcomes. Most education experts think that early education in the mother tongue can help children retain the lessons learned in previous classes. The medium of instruction in a foreign language has turned bright students into parrots, who learn their text verbatim to get good marks. Reforms in the education sector would mean reevaluating our teaching patterns. The country’s future rests on the shoulders of our children. It is important to ensure that all children – regardless of their financial status – receive quality education. An educated nation will lead us to a prosperous and financially strong Pakistan.”
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“In those few brief years, good seemed to be ahead.”
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘A lost future’ |
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