In Brief
Sharif's China Visit: Day One
PM Sharif reaches Shenzhen, commemorates Pakistan-China Business Conference
On 4 June, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached Shenzhen for a five-day visit to China. The visit will likely witness the inauguration of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC) second phase and the signing of several bilateral agreements. In Shenzhen, Sharif met the party secretary of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Meng Fanli, and the Deputy Party Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee. Sharif took to X to express that he was “impressed by the city’s skyline and development that symbolizes modern-day China.” He added: “Looking forward to my engagements with the provincial authorities, the business community, and industry giants here before proceeding to Beijing for official talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other Chinese leaders and high officials.” In addition, he also commemorated the Pakistan-China Business Conference where the Pakistani delegation participated in collaboration with Chinese counterparts.
According to Chinese experts, the visit will help further tie between the two countries and push for the development of CPEC, along with new cooperation in emerging sectors such as technology. While they have acknowledged security threats as a continuing issue, Sharif’s visit is expected to deepen mutual trust. On the other hand, Pakistan hopes to promote interaction between industries from both countries, utilize special economic zones, and enhance Pakistan’s manufacturing output. (Syed Irfan Raza, “Shehbaz lands in China’s tech hub with lofty plans,” Dawn, 5 June 2024; Zhao Yusha & Chi Jingyi, “Pakistan PM starts China visit to enhance ties, expand CPEC cooperation,” Global Times, 4 June 2024)
POLITICS
PTI challenges FIA investigation notices over post from Imran Khan’s account
On 5 June, the PTI challenged investigation notices sent by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over a controversial post from Imran Khan’s X account. PTI leaders Barrister Gohar, Secretary General Omar Ayub, and spokesperson Raoof Hasan received the notices which stated that an inquiry had been initiated regarding the “highly obnoxious and inciting content against state institutions” shared from Khan’s account. They were also ordered to appear in person before FIA Sub-Inspector Muhammad Monib Zafar at the FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre on 5 June. The notice highlighted that in case of failure to appear, proceedings [under section] 174 Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) will be initiated against them. However, the PTI party registered a petition and pleaded that the post was intended to “encourage national dialogue.” The petition requested that the court set PTI aside from the notices and ask FIA to stop harassing PTI leadership. (Malik Asad, “PTI assails FIA notices over ‘1971 tweet’; JIT grills Qureshi,” Dawn, 5 June 2024)
PTI has “lost hope for” talks with Establishment
On 4 June, former president Arif Alvi questioned who the PTI should talk to “if the real power in the country is not ready for a dialogue,” adding that the party leaders would only talk to the “owner of the house.” Despite trying to hold talks between the PTI and the establishment “for the last two years,” his efforts have “led nowhere.” Further, he lamented that “the entire system” does not believe in the process of accountability which is why it is not a “national priority,” and said he has “lost hope for it.” Blaming the “regime change” operation for taking away confidence in Pakistan, he questioned how “foreigners” could invest in the country if “Pakistani investors are fleeing.” When asked about the high court’s decision on the cipher case, he replied: “It was a made-up case, which had to end like this. I have always maintained that the prime minister has the right to reveal its [cipher’s] content if he considers it necessary. It [case] never had any criminal content and the court has only affirmed it.” (“Establishment not ready for dialogue, says Alvi,” Dawn, 5 June 2024)
PTI challenges ECP’s power to withdraw the party symbol in LHC
On 4 June, the Lahore High Court’s Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh referred to a full court bench a petition that had been filed by the PTI wherein the party challenged the powers of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to withdraw the party’s symbol. While answering questions, PTI’s counsel Uzair Bhandari explained that intra-party polls were held nationwide after providing information to the ECP. He claimed that the polls were conducted digitally due to the alleged suppression of the government and that the ECP initiated proceedings against the election in Islamabad. In the petition, PTI leaders argued that Section 215 of the Elections Act, 2017, which centres around providing eligibility for a party to obtain election symbols, was against the constitution. (Wajih Ahmad Sheikh, “PTI challenge to ECP powers referred to LHC larger bench,” Dawn, 5 June 2024)
JUDICIARY
IHC instructs registrar to approach to seek X over smear campaign
On 5 June, The Express Tribune reported that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the registrar's office to approach X’s legal counsel in order to find those involved in an online smear campaign against Justice Babar Sattar. The bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri and Justice Sardar Ishaq Khan released the written order of the contempt of court case, relating to the defamation campaign against Sattar and his family. They called for an emergency disclosure request sent by the FIA to X for tracing suspicious accounts and asked the FIA to conduct a forensic investigation into the leakage of the judge and his family’s documents. According to the FIA Cyber Crime Wing report, some accounts were found to have tweeted and re-tweeted posts. It found that a smear campaign consisting of three hashtags was run against Sattar. (Fiaz Mehmood, “IHC directs registrar to approach ‘X’,” The Express Tribune, 5 June 2024)
POK
Hundreds protest Indian PM Modi’s re-election in India, citing a threat to peace
On 4 June, hundreds of people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged a protest in Muzaffarabad opposing the victory of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the elections in India. They criticized his government for crackdowns that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir. Uzair Ahmad Ghazali, the head of a Kashmiri refugee organization, argued that Modi’s re-election would bring “more oppression and more restrictions for Kashmiri Muslims.” Kashmiri lawyer Majid Awan also noted a persisting “threat to the peace in the region due to the fanaticism of Modi.” Political analyst Qamar Cheema pointed out that while Pakistan is “trying to project itself as a normal country after the war on terror” and wants to maintain “good relations with India” to help its image, “Modi doesn’t want to engage with Pakistan” as it is “not important to him.” (“Protest in AJK’s Muzaffarabad against Modi’s Indian election victory,” Dawn, 4 June 2024)
SOCIETY
UNHCR announces plans to solarize educational and health institutions
On 4 June, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced plans to solarize 125 educational and health facilities across Pakistan this year, aiming to reduce 5,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. The solar systems will provide clean and sustainable energy, benefiting refugees and their host communities. The initiative will also distribute and install over 34,000 solar home systems in refugee villages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. These portable solar kits can power three lights, and a fan, and charge a mobile phone, providing a transformative impact on families without electricity. The initiative will also expand solar streetlight activities in other remote and isolated refugee villages and their hosting areas. The UNHCR is focusing on finding clean energy solutions to address the growing energy needs in Pakistan while mitigating the environmental impact. In celebration of World Environment Day, 20 organizations from around the country were recognized for their efforts in promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. (Jamal Shahid, “UNHCR to solarise 125 educational, health facilities,” Dawn, 5 June 2024)
PROVINCES
Sindh: MoU signed by Sindh Investment Department and Swiss Business Council
On 4 June, the Sindh Investment Department (SID) and Swiss Business Council (SBC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote trade and investment. The MoU will create connections for trade and investment opportunities between Pakistan and Switzerland. The Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan, George Steiner, endorsed the agreement and stated: “The significant presence of the Swiss business community in Sindh attests to the region’s substantial business potential.” SID Secretary Raja Khurram Shehzad Umar commented: “We are pleased to see this collaboration strengthen further. SID will facilitate any incoming investment in the Sindh region and will also oversee matters of trade between Sindh, Pakistan, and Switzerland, along with other ancillary functions. Additionally, the SBC noted that “collaboration is essential to attract Swiss investment into Sindh, and this platform will help promote potential business and investment opportunities in the province.” (“Sindh signs MoU to attract Swiss investment,” Dawn, 5 June 2024)
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Justice Muneeb Akhtar's statement that the Election Commission snatched the election symbol from a party on the basis of intra-party election, then the Supreme Court sealed this mistake, the whole matter has deteriorated due to this one mistake. Maryam Nawaz Khan
- Tehreek-e-Insaf
Participated in Pak-China Business Forum in Shenzhen where I joined top business executives from both China and Pakistan. Highlighted bilateral trade and investment potential, esp. in key sectors e.g. transfer of Chinese technology, industry & partnership in IT, agriculture, mining, steel, textiles, renewable energy etc.
- Shehbaz Sharif
Pakistan is determined to deal with environmental problems. Thanks to initiatives like the Green Pakistan Program, significant progress has been made in the restoration of forests and ecosystems. President Asif Ali Zardari
- PPP
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Rafia Zakaria, ‘Climate catastrophes of the past’
Dawn, 5 June 2024
“Another strategy of diversion from the cataclysms of the present is to place them in a historical perspective. The wider the lens and the further back one looks, the more one realises that nearly every catastrophe that confronts human beings in the present moment is one that people in the past have already had to endure. One of the highest temperature readings these past days was in the ancient site of Mohenjodaro, where the temperature reached 52 degrees Celsius. The settlement, which is said to date back to 2500 BCE, may be among the places that tell us most about climate catastrophes of the past.”
Dr Shahid Hussain Kamboyo, ‘Free speech and defamation — future of NCCIA in digital age”
The Express Tribune, 3 June 2024
“This provision is a cornerstone of democratic society, ensuring that individuals can freely express their opinions, criticise government policies, and engage in open dialogue. However, this freedom is not absolute and must be balanced against other societal needs, including the protection of reputation and the prevention of harm caused by defamatory statements. Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 addresses various forms of cybercrime, including defamation, which involves the intentional publication of false information that harms another person’s reputation. Section 20 of PECA explains that “Whoever intentionally and publicly exhibits or displays or transmits any information through any information system that he knows to be false and intimidates or harms the reputation or privacy of a natural person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both.”
Romina Khursheed Alam, ‘Heal the land’
The News International, 5 June 2024
“Prioritizing land restoration, leading to drought resilience, is important for a country such as Pakistan to protect our fertile land by combating desertification so that we can ensure our food security, biodiversity, and community resilience. It is time to realize and act before it gets too late. Communities and development partners need to join hands with the government to invest in land restoration projects, making land management practices sustainable to check land degradation and enhance the ecosystem's productivity. The reforestation efforts also need to be supported by all. It is an undeniable fact that environmental degradation and climate change are causing devastating effects on our land and its productivity, risking our food security.”
Editorial, ‘Lower inflation’
Dawn, 5 June 2024
“AS anticipated, the dramatic drop in May’s inflation figures to 11.8pc — the lowest in 30 months — has provided enough ammunition to critics of the State Bank’s tight monetary policy stance to more forcefully call for lowering the year-old policy rate of 22pc. They argue that real interest rates are now above 1,000 bps on a forward-looking basis and that SBP must start reversing its stance. They also contend that rate cuts would mitigate the financial ‘stress’ on corporate borrowers and help slash our burgeoning domestic debt payments. However, this argument does not take into account the more compelling realities that favour the continuation of a tighter policy stance for now.”
Editorial, ‘Paretabad incident’
The Express Tribune, 4 June 2024
“Paretabad, a densely populated locality in Hyderabad, has been shrouded in sorrow, following a devastating incident that could have been avoided. Witnesses describe a scene straight out of a nightmare. It all began with a single cylinder explosion at a fuel filling shop, igniting a massive fire. As curious onlookers gathered, a second cylinder exploded, unleashing a fireball that engulfed everyone nearby. The result was chaos and destruction, with many victims now in critical condition, clinging to life in various hospitals across Karachi. Eight children, rushed to the burns ward of Civil Hospital Karachi, succumbed to their injuries by Friday evening.”
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