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In Brief
POLITICS
ECP suspends 77 candidates elected on reserved seats of the SIC
On 13 May, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a notification that suspended 77 candidates elected onthe reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies following the Supreme Court’s order on the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC)’s case. The suspended 77 legislators include 44 from PML-N, 15 from PPPP, 13 from JUI-F, and one each from PML-Z, PTI, PML, MQM, and IPP. In the National Assembly, f 22 elected members on reserved seats were suspended including 19 women and three minority members. Similarly, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly witnessed suspension of 21 women and four minority members and the Punjab Assembly saw the suspension of 24 women and three minority members. Likewise in the Sindh Assembly, two women and one minority member got suspended. Earlier, on 6 May, the Supreme Court had approved the petition filed by the SIC and rejected the decision of the ECP and the Peshawar High Court to allot reserved seats of SIC to other parties. (Mumtaz Alvi, “ECP suspends 77 MPs on reserved seats under SC order,” The News International, 14 May 2024)
Opposition Leader and Defence Minister put forth differing interpretations of Article 6 in NA
On 13 May, the National Assembly witnessed heated arguments between opposition Leader Omar Ayub and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif due to differeing interpretations of Article 6. Omar Ayub began his address by referring to articles of the Constitution and calling for security agencies to respect the boundaries mandated. He criticized the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG)’s press conference and cautioned that the Security agencies should not interfere in politics as per the Constitution and underscored, that they were “tools of the state, not the state itself.” In his address, he referred to Articles7, 203, 5, 6, and 19. He lauded that Article Six was clear in setting boundaries, underlining, “Constitutionally, every institution has its limits, the country will progress if every institution works within its limits.” He further demanded the formation of a Judicial Commission to investigate the 9 May violence. Referring to the ISPR DG’s press meet, he demanded the reports of the Ojhri Camp disaster, the Hamoodur Rehman Commission, the Army Public School inquiry, and the Abbottabad commission to make it public. In response to the opposition leaders’ remarks, Khawaja Asif reiterated that he supported “the demand for Article 6 proceedings against violators of the Constitution” but it should apply “to everyone one by one.” (“Heated NA session as govt, opposition advocate Article 6 from different perspectives,” Dawn, 13 May 2024)
Confidential data leak will be punishable under Official Secrets Act, warns Defence Minister
On 13 May, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif onX, warned that action would be taken against those involved in leaking the confidential documents and information which are marked as “secrets” from official correspondence under the Official Secrets Act, 2023. He argued that spreading of secret information will have consequences on Pakistan’s strategic and economic interests. He further stated: “Those sharing such documents will face two-year imprisonment and a fine.” In response to this, former president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, Nasir Zaid stated that the government seems to be under confusion: “This government will also face public reaction, just like previous governments who tried to curb freedom of expression and media freedom.” Separately, the Digital rights activist Haroon Baloch highlighted the Pakistan Electronic Crime Authority (Peca) Act, 2016 which had raised concerns that it was aimed at restricting the flow of information in the country. Additionally, Nighat Dad, executive director of Digital Rights recommended enacting of a data protection law in the country instead of restricting free flow of information in the digital space and otherwise.(Kalbe Ali, “Confidential data leak to attract trial under Secrets Act,” Dawn, 14 May 2024)
Imran Khan to write to army chief over recent protests in PoK
On 13 May, Imran Khan disclosed that he would write a letter to the army chief referring to the ongoing protests in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in which a police man had died amid clashes between the police and the protestors. Hestated that : “Very soon, I will write a letter to the army chief about the situation in the country. I am predicting that June and July will be very difficult for this government. Even the salaried class people will come out due to new taxes in the [next] budget and increase in electricity and gas prices.” He highlighted the tax collection of PKR13.3 trillion in which PKR 9.3 trillion was paid as interest on loans and showed concern over no development in the country and the decline in investments. He highlighted his role in establishing the Al-Qadir Trust University which provides free education to children in response to absence of private universities in villages. He further argued that there was no questioning of his political rivals, Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari’s actions. On a query regarding removal of Sher Afzal Marwat from the party’s committees, he replied that Marwat used to attack party leaders and made controversial statements despite his great work for the party. (Imran Asghar, “Imran intends to write to army chief on current situation,” The Express Tribune, 13 May 2024)
ECONOMY
Pakistan – IMF refrain from labeling discussions as “programme negotiations”
On 13 May, Pakistan refrained from labeling ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as “programme negotiations”, instead terming the discussions as “further engagement with the fund.” The finance ministry has not defined the further engagement, unlike in the past when it had stated that the country was keen to secure the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The IMF mission led by Nathan Porter called on the finance minister to kick-start the discussions on further engagement with the Fund. The visit has been overshadowed by unrest in PoK and the consequent approval of the PKR 23 billion “unbudgeted subsidies” by the Prime Minister of Pakistan to cool down the situation. The approval of the subsidy is seen as weakening political will and an indication that the coalition government may not withstand any wide-scale public pressure due to conditions of the next bailout package. The duration, instrument, and size of the next IMF program are open to discussion. Pakistan is keen to have at least a three-year program. The IMF has asked Pakistan to expand the terms of reference of the National Tax Council to include the harmonization of tax rates and bases for agricultural income tax and property tax. The IMF has also urged the Pakistan authorities to encourage provincial governments to step up the collection of provincial taxes and enforcement of provincial tax laws. IMF is concerned about the challenges posed by the existing taxing rights gap between the federal government and the provinces. (Shahbaz Rana, “Pakistan-IMF shy away from calling talks ‘programme negotiations’,” The Express Tribune, 14 May 2024)
SOCIETY
Rise in suicide by youngsters, men most vulnerable
On 14 May, The News International reported on rising suicide cases in Pakistan. Mental health experts detailed that every day, around 50-55 people, mostly men are committing suicides, in which 70 per cent are largely in the 15-29 years age group. They said suicide is now the fourth leading cause of death for youngsters in the country. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Pakistan reported 19,331 suicidal deaths in 2019 of which 14,771 were males and 4,560 were females. Every suicide case was found with 10-20 self-harm and annually, self-harms estimated to around 140,000 to 300,000. Dr. Syed Usman Hamdani, Founding Director, Global Institute of Human Development-Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University (GIHD-STMU) at a mental health moot revealed that the major factors contributing to mental health issues are academic pressure, substance abuse, cyber-bullying, excessive use of social media, family issues and less economic opportunities. Dr Usman Hamdani suggested the need of high-quality studies to assess, reduce the burden of mental health issues and develop policies to prevent it. According to the mental health landscape analysis conducted in Pakistan, stress, anxiety, depression, drug abuse, suicidal ideations, aggression, hopelessness, helplessness, and lack of confidence are found as some of the most pressing mental health issues faced by the youth in Pakistan. (M. Waqar Bhatti, “Alarming rise in suicide by youth in Pakistan,” The News International, 14 May 2024)
SECURITY/EXTERNAL
Joint statement on Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue emphasizes the importance of collaboration
On 14 May, a joint statement was released for the Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue held on 10 May which focused on cooperation between two countries in addressing regional and global challenges, including the threats by terrorist organizations such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K). The statement emphasized the significance given to counter-terrorism collaboration and capacity building. It mentioned the US training for over 300 police and frontline responders. The statement assured for “advance security in the region and serve as a model of bilateral and regional cooperation to address transnational terrorism threats.” Both countries teamed up to increase communication with this focus to “detect and deter violent extremism through whole-of-government approaches.” Notably, Pakistan has witnessed a rise in terrorist activities especially in KP and Balochistan after the TTP ended its ceasefire. The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Pakistan mentioned in its annual report that 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 were marked. Over 90 per cent of fatalities and 84 per cent of attacks were recorded in KP and the Balochistan province alone. (Imtiaz Ali, “Pakistan, US reaffirm continuation of counter-terrorism cooperation to advance regional security,” Dawn, 14 May 2024)
PAKISTAN OCCUPIED KASHMIR
Government subsidy fails to pacify the situation in PoK
On 14 May, Dawn reported that the government decision to distribute a PKR 23 billion subsidy to control the violence in PoK has failed to achieve its objective of pacifying the region following fresh violence that led to the killing of three people and injuring six. Rangers in Jammu and Kashmir were called in to maintain law and order in the state after the Prime Minister announced a food subsidy. Instead of leaving via Brarkot, they chose to exit the region from Kohala. The 19-vehicle convoy was assaulted with rocks near Shorran da Nakka village, prompting them to respond with teargas and firing. After the talks failed talks on 12 May, the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) asked the protesters to resume their march on the state capital. The rallies made a stopover in Dhirkot, where the administration engaged their leaders until the conclusion of a meeting convened by PM Shehbaz in Islamabad. After the government announced the subsidy, the movement leaders said they would decide about it after the issuance of notifications. The AJK food department issued a notification, bringing the price of flour per 40 kilogram to PKR 2,100 and electricity to PKR 3, PKR 5, and PKR 6 per unit for up to 100, 300, and more than 300 units, respectively. While speaking at a gathering in Eidgah, Shaukat Nawaz Mir, one of the key JAAC leaders said their legal team would “legally examine” the notifications issued by the government and unanimously decide their next course of action. (Tariq Naqash, “Govt subsidy fails as three killed in AJK violence,” Dawn, 14 May 2024)
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