COAS Munir visits Germany, meets civil-military officials; Capital Development Authority seals PTI office citing “encroachments”
In Brief
EXTERNAL
PM Sharif secures USD ten billion worth investment from the UAE
On 23 May, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that he secured USD ten billion worth of investments from the highest-ranking officials of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This marks the second major investment in Pakistan within two months after Saudi Arabia's USD five billion commitment in April. Sharif met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for a brief visit. Following their meeting, the UAE's news agency announced that the emirate had allocated “USD ten billion for investment in promising economic sectors” in Pakistan. The two leaders discussed their mutual interest in global and regional developments. Sharif also addressed a roundtable meeting where he stressed that aid alone cannot lead to prosperity. Sharif “underscored the importance of galvanising existing cooperation and strengthening strategic partnership including in the field of information technology, renewable energy and tourism.” He noted steps taken by the Pakistani government towards ensuring socio-economic stability, and emphasized the country’s commitment to ensuring “meaningful implementation of investment cooperation agreements” in areas including energy, ports operations projects, wastewater treatment.” He also met with a delegation from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, strengthening ties between the two entities. (“PM returns from UAE with $10bn pledge,” Dawn, 23 May 2024)
Pakistan asks UNSC to hold individuals responsible for war crimes accountable
On 23 May, during a UN Security Council (UNSC) discussion concerning the safeguarding of civilians in armed conflicts, Pakistan emphasized the necessity of protecting civilians who are living under foreign occupation. Pakistan’s representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, proposed the deployment of UN peacekeepers to achieve this protection. Akram highlighted the severe human rights violations in Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the “plausible genocide” in Palestine, a description given by the International Court of Justice, is a blot on the world’s conscience and will forever haunt the perpetrators.” Akram additionally urged the UNSC to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable by halting the supply of weapons to them and enforcing political and legal consequences on responsible states and individuals. (“Pakistan seeks accountability in occupied lands,” Dawn, 23 May 2024)
POLITICS
Capital Development Authority seals PTI office citing “encroachments”
On 23 May, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) team accompanied with a heavy contingent of police sealed the PTI’s Central Secretariat in Islamabad. The CDA conducted an operation in collaboration with the district administration, during which anti-encroachment teams used heavy machinery to demolish an additional floor. In a statement, the CDA said that there were “violations of building by-laws, including the construction of an additional floor.” The PTI had “also reportedly encroached on the adjacent land.” As per the officials, the plot located in Sector G-8/4 was originally allocated to a person named Sartaj Ali and several notices and warnings were issued to the plot’s owner following the encroachments erected. Due to the non-compliance with the orders, on 10 May, the CDA was instructed to seal the property. The CDA spokesperson stated that such campaigns against violation and illegal construction would continue without discrimination. (Usama Iqbal, “CDA seals PTI Secretariat for violating by-laws,” The Express Tribune, 24 May 2024)
Court reserves judgement on appeals against convictions in Iddat case
On 23 May, a district and sessions court reserved the verdicts on appeals against Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi’s conviction in the Iddat case as the lead counsel for complainant Khawar Fareed Maneka didn’t show up in the court during the hearing. However, defense counsel Usman Gill and the prosecutor concluded their arguments before Judge Shahrukh Arjumand. Following this, the court urged Rizwan to submit his arguments in person or via video link. The verdict will be announced on 29 May. Khan alleged the case was fabricated and politically motivated. He asked all religious scholars to oppose such “conspiracies” and voice out publicly against them. Additionally, he demanded that the judge who sentenced him and his spouse be questioned about his knowledge of Islam and religion. (Malik Asad and Ikram Junaidi, “Judgement reserved on appeals against conviction in Iddat case,” Dawn, 24 May 2024)
JUDICIARY
SHC directs authorities to collect fresh reports on missing persons
On 23 May, the Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered the federal secretaries of interior and defence to collect new reports on missing persons from all the internment centres and agencies under their control. The bench expressed discontent over the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and a Provincial Task Force (PTF)’s performance on missing persons. The SHC instructed authorities to submit the reports to the court on the next hearing and in case of inability to do so. A two-judge bench headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto commented on the progress reports filed by the police, saying they were lacking in substance. In some cases, the deputy attorney general filed reports denying the claims of custody of the individual on behalf of the defence and interior ministries. Following this, the SHC directed the secretaries of interior and defence to collect and submit reports from agencies under their purview at the next hearing. (Ishaq Tanoli, “SHC asks for updated info on missing persons,” Dawn, 24 May 2024)
SECURITY
COAS Munir visits Germany, meets civil-military officials
On 23 May, as per a statement issued by the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir reached Germany for an official visit. He was welcomed by the German Chief of Defence at the Federal Ministry of Defence, General Carsten Breuer, and an Honour Guard ceremony was conducted in his honour. Munir had discussions with Lieutenant General Alfons Mais, Chief of the German Army. He also witnessed an urban warfare demonstration, inspected different training facilities, and toured the Army Combat Training Centre in Gardelegen. Discussions on issues relating to mutual interest took place with officials at the Ministry of Defence. The ISPR stated: “The German leadership acknowledged Pakistan Army’s role in the fight against terrorism and its efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.” Munir is also scheduled to visit the German Armed Forces Command & Staff College in Hamburg to deliver an address on Pakistan’s regional and international security perspectives and the contributions of the Pakistan Armed Forces in United Nations missions. (“COAS meets civil-military leadership during Germany visit,” The Express Tribune, 23 May 2024)
Police arrest two more ‘RAW-trained’ suspects
On 23 May, Korangi SSP Hassan Sardar Niazi revealed that in an operation carried out by the police and the intelligence agency, two suspects- Sheikh Mohammed Ayub, alias Ayub Ansari, and Ahsan Raza- were arrested. Describing Ansari as the “mastermind agent” of RAW, he claimed that “A huge network being operated by RAW in Karachi has been smashed.” Weapons, including hand grenades, were taken from their possession. The action was taken after an investigation into the two earlier arrested 'RAW-trained' suspects. Niazi described Ansari who came to Karachi on a visit visa from Mumbai in 1988 as the leader of the operation. The SSP alleged that Ansari was living in Pakistan by hiding his identity and got a Pakistan passport and CNIC illegally. The police statement added: “As per information, RAW has been operating an organized network of terrorism in different countries.” (“Two more ‘RAW-trained’ suspects held in Karachi,” Dawn, 24 May 2024)
SOCIETY
Heatwave warnings issued by Climate Change Ministry
On 23 May, the climate change ministry stated that almost 26 districts of the country have been subjected to the scorching heat that has been prevailing since 21 May. The first wave is likely to last until 30 May which will be followed by two more separate heatwaves in June. The ministry blamed unsustainable environmental practices and deforestation for the extreme weather conditions. Pakistan PM’s coordinator on climate change, Romina Khurshid Alam, urged all the federal and provincial government departments to mobilize the requirements to protect citizens from the extreme heat. Alam detailed that the temperatures of most regions were five to six degrees Celsius above normal. She stated: “High atmospheric pressure is exacerbating these conditions, adversely affecting the socio-economic activities of our people.” She emphasized that heat waves are primarily caused by human activities, exacerbated by deforestation and other unsustainable environmental practices. The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) is working on early warnings and coordinating with provincial departments to manage natural disasters and calamities. The agency has developed a disaster calendar projecting natural calamities for the next six months, highlighting significant rainfall variations and water stress as major concerns during heat waves. The NDMA is also developing a mobile application to provide real-time alerts, advisories, and disaster management plans to the public and media. (Jamal Shahid, “Climate change ministry warns of more heatwaves in June,” Dawn, 24 May 2024)
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Mandate thief government nonsense! Not a single notice was issued or received. By the way, what is the difficult task for those Khusres who can prepare fake medical reports of their showy political assets and send them to London.
- Sibghatullah Virk
It is not our ideology that they want to demolish. You can tear down buildings but you can't destroy people's resolve. They thought that people would forget Imran Khan if they snatched the sign.
- Barrister Gohar Khan
Pakistan's Hijri Army should be removed from Punjab, Islamabad is the land of Punjab and the boots of Pakistan Army cannot be tolerated on the land of Punjab.
- M. Iqbal Vaseer
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Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, ‘Hot capital’
Dawn, 24 May 2024
“Then again, hope should not be the only fall-back plan. It is not as if global warming is an unknown phenomenon, or that most people are unfamiliar with the lexicon of climate change. There are many, in fact, who whip out terms such as ‘mitigation’, ‘adaptation’ and ‘resilient development’ at will. And ‘experts’ are said to be working in tandem with donors, governments and businesses to usher us towards a ‘just transition’ away from fossil fuels. Pakistan’s quota of experts has increased markedly since the 2022 floods. They gather increasingly regularly at conferences on climate change, both at home and abroad. Consultants are hired and reports written. But virtually nothing changes.”
Tahir Mehdi, ‘Making hay of wheat’
Dawn, 24 May 2024
“Farming families fight against many odds to secure these two top food items; among these odds is the most taxing, unforgiving and unpredictable one — the market. Over the last century, our agriculture has transformed from family need-driven subsistence farming to market-oriented commodity production. The relationship with the market, however, has not evolved into a stable, trustworthy bond. Farmers thus vacillate between market logic and a subsistence mindset, while making cropping decisions. Growing wheat exemplifies this.”
Abdul Sattar, ‘Why is Nawaz Sharif upset?’
The News International, 24 May 2024
“Many analysts believe that Sharif was kicked out from the power corridors of Islamabad for allegedly picking a fight with the powers that be, but his unceremonious departure was never vehemently protested. On the contrary, it was celebrated by his detractors who accused him of corruption and poor governance. Many might justify these complaints arguing that Pakistani people tend to buy the propaganda of ‘invisible powers’ who not only control the media but have always dominated the mainstream narrative. They are the ones manufacturing a lethal propaganda against politicians branding them corrupt, incompetent and illiterate.”
Editorial, ‘App for GBV survivors’
Dawn, 24 May 2024
“But the high volume of incidents — over 63,000 reported GBV cases in the past three years — reflects that the app will struggle to succeed if it functions in isolation. As all provinces are equipped with laws for domestic violence, far-reaching structural reforms, which focus on a societal shift through comprehensive training, sensitisation, recruitment of female police, and resources for law enforcement and officers of the court, are essential. Moreover, awareness drives must evolve so that people can challenge customs.”
Editorial, ‘Toxic violence’
The News International, 24 May 2024
“Around the world, political differences are voiced through words. When these differences turn personal and violent, there is something really wrong with the political arena. It is important for the government to bring the political temperature down. Fingers will be pointed at each other but it is time for political parties to put a stop to this culture of hate, intolerance and toxic polarization. Pakistan needs breathing space and healing. The PTI should also consider taking a step in the right direction – parliament and talks with its political opponents. Peaceful protests are a democratic right but we have seen how quickly these protests can turn violent. Everyone needs to take a step back and calm down. Let political differences be resolved through political dialogue.”
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“Fallaci mistrusted history, preferring modern reportage.”
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Deniable truths’
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