In Brief
POLITICS
Ruling coalition says it is open to hold “meaningful talks” with the PTI
On 27 May, Dawn reported that the ruling coalition of the PML-N and the PPP invited the PTI for “meaningful talks’ and urged the PTI to stop street protests. Acting President Yousuf Raza Gilani and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the government’s openness to hold talks. While speaking to the media, Gilani noted that while the coalition’s doors were “open for meaningful talks,” the PTI must “decide with whom they want to negotiate.” He pointed out that when the PTI was in power, the PPP was still willing to hold talks. Separately, Iqbal expressed that while the government is willing to talk to “all parties for purposeful and meaningful negotiations,” these negotiations can “only happen when the parties negotiate with a positive agenda.” He went on to criticize the PTI for wanting to “make its way by fighting the establishment and the government in the court.” (“PML-N, PPP invite PTI to ‘meaningful’ talks,” Dawn, 27 May 2024)
SECURITY
Police arrest 26 and book over 400 after violent mob attempts to lynch Christian man
On 27 May, Dawn reported that 26 people were arrested and cases were registered against 44 nominated and 300 or 400 unidentified suspects by the Urban Area police of Sargodha, following mob violence and an attempt to lynch a Christian man. The cases were registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 and several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The police also registered a blasphemy case against the Christian man, who was critically injured by the mob violence that began after some pages of the Holy Quran were found burnt adjacent to his residence. However, he denies such activities. On 25 May, after the attacks by a mob of religious people, Station House Officer (SHO) Shahid Iqbal registered the mob violence case. Despite efforts to resolve this, the mob set a shoe unit ablaze and destroyed the electricity meters and AC units of his house. Following the violence, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar and Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal paid a visit to the area. Sargodha District Police Officer Dr Asad Ijaz Malhi monitored the district, tightening the security of the churches in the district and deploying more than 1000 security personnel. Additionally, SP Headquarters Ziaullah imposed Section 144 for seven days and conducted a flag march in the Sargodha city. He stated: “The purpose of the flag march is to instil a sense of security among the people and send a clear message to the miscreants that security in Sargodha was on high alert and that the police were ready to deal with any emergency.” (Imran Gabol and Sajjad Abbass Niazi, “26 arrested, over 400 booked for mob violence in Sargodha,” Dawn, 27 May 2024)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan supports 'One China' policy, says PM Sharif
On 26 May, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X to reemphasize Pakistan’s unwavering support of China’s “One China” policy on the Taiwan issue, describing Taiwan as an “inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China.” Calling Pakistan an “iron-brother and strategic partner of China,” he assured that Pakistan would continue extending its “principled support to the Chinese position on Taiwan.” Sharif contended that the “so-called elections or transition of the self-proclaimed government in Taiwan do not change the objective facts on the Taiwan issue.”
Similar setiments have been expressed in the past by the government’s of Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif. On 10 September 2020, the then Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart and expressed firm Pakistani commitement to the ‘One China’ policy. He said that his country would firmly support China on its core national interest issues. Similarly, on 20 April 2015, Nawaz Sharif held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, expressing commitement to the consistent support to China over the Taiwan issue. (“PM Shehbaz reiterates support for 'One China policy',” The News International, 26 May 2024; “Islamabad favours ‘One China’ policy, Qureshi tells Chinese FM,” Dawn, 11 September 2020; “Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan, and Both Sides Decide to Upgrade China-Pakistan Relations to All-weather Strategic Partnership of Cooperation,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, 21 April 2015)
Foreign Office welcomes ICJ ruling on Gaza war, calls for “unconditional” ceasefire implementation
On 25 May, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) in a statement welcomed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling on the Gaza war and called for “unconditional” implementation of the court's orders against Israel's ongoing offensive in Rafah. The FO stated: “Pakistan welcomes the additional provisional measures by the ICJ ordering Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah in conformity with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and the worsening deteriorating humanitarian conditions faced by civilians.” It reaffirmed its stance for a contiguous and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The statement came after the ICJ ordered Israel to halt its military offensive and any other action that could bring physical destruction and demanded the Rafah border be kept open for unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance and basic services. Pakistan urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to stop Israel’s military actions across Gaza, calling on the organization to ensure that the flow of humanitarian assistance was not hindered. (“Pakistan demands unconditional implementation of ICJ ruling on Israel's Rafah offensive,” The News International, 25 May 2024)
AF-PAK
Interior minister notes Afghan involvement in Bisham attack, demands the arrest of perpetrators
On 27 May, Dawn reported that during a press conference in Lahore, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed the leadership of the banned Afghanistan-based Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, and hostile foreign intelligence agencies, were responsible for the 26 March suicide attack on Chinese engineers in Bisham. The attack killed five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani drivers. Naqvi argued the attack was planned and executed by Afghanistan with the Pakistani handler’s aid. He stated: “TTP leadership planned this attack as a flagship project, and enemy intelligence agencies paid them heavily for the attack.” He demanded the arrest of three alleged terrorists and the entire leadership of the banned group, asserting: “We want good ties with Afghanistan, but for that it is important they arrest these terrorists, prosecute them or hand them to us.” When asked about Pakistan’s decision if the Afghan government decides to not cooperate, he explained that the Pakistani “government will take a unilateral decision.” Naqvi also reiterated Pakistan’s “attached great importance to its relationship with China” and highlighted the security of the Chinese nationals in Pakistan was of utmost priority. (Abdul Moiz Malik, “Afghanistan asked to hand over plotters of Bisham attack,” Dawn, 27 May 2024)
SOCIETY
Technical Advisory Group for polio eradication concerned about Pakistan’s deteriorating polio status
On 27 May, Dawn reported on the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for Polio Eradication’s concerns on Pakistan’s deteriorating situation relating to poliovirus. TAG, an independent body responsible for making recommendations to the health ministry on polio eradication programmes, conducted meetings with the health departments of Pakistan and Afghanistan from 22 May to 25 May in Doha. An official of the polio program stated: “Although the detailed report of the meeting will be released in two weeks, we faced an embarrassing situation as all the gains by Pakistan in 2021 have been lost and the virus has re-emerged in three blocks i.e. Quetta, Karachi, and Peshawar-Khyber.” During the meeting, TAG brought up a document which highlighted 44 infected cases since the previous meeting in 2023 During the same time, in Afghanistan, the number of infected districts went from eight to 18. The document noted that the risk of the virus is becoming native. (Ikram Junaidi, “World body concerned about poliovirus surge in Pakistan,” Dawn, 27 May 2024)
PROVINCES
Punjab: Governor assures of consultation with JAC delegation before signing Defamation Bill
On 26 May, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider promised to consult stakeholders on the Defamation Bill, 2024 and assured without this consultation, the bill would not pass. He stated: “Though the government should have taken on board all the stakeholders before introducing the new law, I’ll invite all parties to the Defamation Bill to develop a consensus on it before signing the bill into law.” The bill, which proposes a special tribunal to trial the accused involved in drafting, publishing, and airing the false news, elicited protests by journalists. A JAC delegation told the governor that this clause was an “attempt to suppress freedom of expression.” In response to this, the governor acknowledged the importance of mutual consultation, saying consultations would be held on the controversial clauses of the bill. (Amjad Mahmood, “Punjab governor pledges talks with all stakeholders on defamation bill,” Dawn, 27 May 2024)
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As an iron-brother and a strategic partner of China, Pakistan has always extended its principled support to the Chinese position on Taiwan and will continue to do so. Pakistan adheres to ‘One China’ policy, regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China and supports the Chinese government’s efforts for national reunification. The so-called elections or transition of the self-proclaimed government in Taiwan do not change the objective facts on the Taiwan issue.
- Shehbaz Sharif
The Military is NOT interested in talking to Imran Boot Polishiya Khan. When asked about “popularity”, they replied, “We don’t contest the election, politicians should worry about popularity, we need to think about country’s security.”
- Saad Kaiser
In another other information-based action from Excise and Narcotics department one Drug dealer Muhammad Rashid was arrested from Gulistan E Johar Karachi and 1 kilogram of Heroin was recovered from his possession. Case has been registered and investigation is under way.
- Sharjeel Inam Memon
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Umair Javed, ‘In defamation’s name’
Dawn, 27 May 2024
“Before getting into these in detail, there is sufficient ground to wonder whether a defamation law of this nature helps in addressing its targeted problem in the first place. There is no denying that the widened use of social media outlets has created an oversupply of information, much of which is free from the burden of factual rigour or accuracy. It is also true that the proliferation of such information happens at a much faster rate now, with intended, or otherwise, effects taking place more rapidly and at a wider scale.”
Mohammad Ali Babakhel, ‘Moving bombs’
Dawn, 27 May 2024
“The militants also use parked VBIEDs, which resemble SVBIEDs but are parked at a location and detonated remotely. Parked VBIEDs lack drivers and function as larger, disguised stationary IEDs. Different vehicles provide varying storage capacities to place explosives as needed, effectively targeting and ensuring maximum damage. Usually, VBIEDs are employed by terrorists against large targets to facilitate forced entry and create significant impact. To increase the explosion’s impact, a few SVBIEDs were designed and used on some occasions by IS with rooftop rocket pods and a firing mechanism that enabled the drivers to suppress fire from the SVBIED’s target. In some instances, explosives are mounted on the doors and windshields’ interiors to direct as much of the explosive power of the blast forward and to the sides. The payload arrangement also included crude oil to increase the primary blast effect upon detonation of the main payload and ensure that the remnants at the site were burned, causing more losses.”
Amanat Ali Chaudhry, ‘Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow’
The News International, 27 May 2024
“Given the importance of the SOTF, Pakistan has taken a lead role in shaping the agenda and outcome of the summit. Apart from participating actively within the Group of 77 and China (developing countries) on development issues, Pakistan has organized a cross-regional group of like-minded countries, including Algeria, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe, to ensure that the ‘Pact for the Future’ upholds the core principles of the UN Charter and promotes the interests and priorities of the Global South. Pakistan has emerged as a pivotal voice in the ongoing negotiating process.”
Ali Hassan Bangwar, ‘Poverty in Pakistan’
The Express Tribune, 26 May 2024
“Poverty is the inability of people to afford basic necessities of life. In other words, it’s a condition in which a person is constrained (financially, among others) from affording the necessities of life. A poor person, in this regard, is one who is financially constrained from buying the needful. There are two commonly applied parameters for measuring or quantifying poverty: the poverty line, also called the breadline or poverty threshold, and the multidimensional approach to poverty.”
Editorial, ‘Mercury rising’
Dawn, 27 May 2024
“SHOULD we expect a political heatwave this summer? The climate seems to be rather conducive to it. The two largest parties are once again on the warpath, with a slew of troubling developments precluding any hopes for the long-awaited normalisation of political temperatures. In Lahore, the chief minister of Punjab has approved the registration of fresh cases against the PTI leadership, this time for “building a hateful narrative against state institutions”. It appears that the PML-N government will rely on the odious defamation bill it recently passed in the Punjab Assembly to go after its chief rival.”
Editorial, ‘Journalists in danger’
The News International, 27 May 2024
“Yet another journalist has lost his life, this time 40-year-old journalist Nasrullah Gadani who worked with a Sindhi daily called ‘Awami Awaz’. Gadani was shot by some unidentified armed men in Ghotki, Sindh a few days ago and succumbed to his injuries on Friday. The now-silent timeline of Gadani on different social media sites shows the work of a journalist who was passionate about holding the powerful to account. He regularly covered protests held in different parts of Sindh against the area’s influential landlords. His wide range of work could easily explain why some thought that his voice had to be silenced. Journalism in Pakistan has become a dangerous territory where investigative stories involving powerful and influential people usually put a journalist’s life in danger. In August 2023, journalist Jan Mohammad Mahar was shot dead by unknown assailants in Sukkur. In 2021, journalist Nazim Jokhio was found dead at a Malir farmhouse.”
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