Photo : PID
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : PID
In Brief
POLITICS
President Zardari approves the formation of the National Economic Council
On 7 June, President Asif Ali Zardari approved the formation of National Economic Council (NEC). The NEC is a 13 member constitutional body responsible for “reviewing the country’s overall economic condition.” Article 156(2) of the Constitution defines its mandate as “The NEC shall review the overall economic condition of the country and shall, for advising the federal government and the provincial governments formulate plans in respect of financial, commercial, social and economic policies; and in formulating such plans, it shall, amongst other factors, ensure balanced development and regional equity.”A Cabinet Division notification revealed the membership of the Council: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and the four chief ministers. Other members of the Council include those nominated by the chief ministers: Punjab minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM on Finance Muzammil Aslam and Balochistan Planning Minister Zahoor Ahmed Buledi. The NEC is required to meet altleast twice a year and the quorum consists of one half of the members. The NEC Council meeting which is crucial for reviewing the overall macroeconomic situation is yet to be scheduled for the year due to the unavailability of PM Sharif who is on a visit to China. (Nadir Guramani, “President Zardari constitutes National Economic Council,” Dawn, 7 June 2024)
Imran Khan accepts responsibility for controversial 26 May tweet, rejects the accompanying video
On 7 June, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) questioned Imran Khan in Adiala Jail in the 26 May controversial tweet case. Imran Khan has accepted the responsibility for the tweet but has refused to comment on the accompanying video stating that he was unaware of the contents of the video. The tweet in question was posted on Imran Khan’s X account and read ““Every Pakistani should study the Hamood ur Rahman Commission Report and get to know who was the true traitor, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.” He had basically compared the current situation in Pakistan to the fall of Dhaka. Speaking to journalists on 7 June outside Adaila Jail, Khan reiterated that same mistakes were being made alluding to the state of the economy. Further, he also referenced the amendments to the accountability law and the consequent alleged loss to the exchequer PKR 1100 billion, arguing that a country already “on its knees” could not afford it. Emphasizing his acquittal in the Cipher case, he demanded an apology from the FIA for implicating him in a false case. On questions of whether he would talk to political parties, he responded that he would only talk to the “real power holders” and not the “proxies.” (Malik Asad, “Imran admits to approving ‘1971 tweet’, not video,” Dawn, 8 June 2024)
JUDICIARY
Petition filed against Punjab Defamation Law, 2024 in Lahore High Court
On 8 June, The Express Tribune reported that the controversial Punjab Defamation Law, 2024 which was passed by the Punjab assembly has been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC). A petition was filed in the LHC today by Advocate Nadeem Sarwar. The chief minister of Punjab, its governor, and the Punjab government have been named respondents in the petition. The petition argues that the law in question is unconstitutional and in conflict with “existing defamation ordinances and acts.” Further, the petitioner has alleged that important stakeholders like the journalists were not consulted and that the law was “rushed to control the media.” The petition requests the court to declare the now passed and notified Defamation Bill as “null and void” and cease its implementation. The Bill had witnessed vehement opposition before it was passed, especially by journalists and the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) which had described it as “black law.” (“Punjab Defamation Law, 2024 challenged in LHC,” The Express Tribune, 8 June 2024)
ECONOMY
May sees “highest-ever monthly remittances” amounting to USD 3.24 billion
On 7 June, the State Bank of Pakistan released the data on remittances which shows an increase in the inflow of remittances for the month of May. The country received the “highest-ever monthly remittances” amounting to USD 3.24 billion in May. Compared to last year for the same month when the remittances amounted to USD 2.1billion, this is a 54 per cent increase. The remittance inflow for May is also 15.3 per cent higher than the month of April when the country had received 2.8 billion. This is a significant development as there was a “shortfall” of USD 4 billion in remittances during the previous fiscal year (FY23). In the current fiscal year, the total amount of remittances has reached USD 27.09 billion for the period between July-May alone, amounting to an increase of 8 per cent compared to last year. The reason for this positive inflow of remittances has been attributed partly to “the timing of Eidul Azha” and others factors like “a stable exchange rate, anticipated foreign investments and a buoyant equity market.”(Shahid Iqbal, “Remittances surge to record $3.2bn in May,” Dawn, 8 June 2024)
SECURITY
Violent clashes between Chaman protestors and law enforcement agencies continue
On 7 June, violent clashes between the Chaman protestors’ and law enforcement agencies continued, entering its third day. The clashes resulted in several injuries, including twenty people and 8 security personnel. In this regard, a senior police officer told Dawn, “At least 20 people, including eight security personnel, were injured in the clashes, bringing the total number of the injured to 60 over the past two to three days.” 45 people were arrested by the security forces for allegedly causing damage to public and private property and for attacking security officials during protest rallies and demonstrations. The incident has resulted in the suspension of train service between Quetta and Chaman. According to security officials, despite assurances provided by tribal elders that the demonstration would be restricted to a particular area the protesters “unexpectedly swarmed onto various roads, armed with sticks and stones, and began hurling stones at shops that had been opened by shopkeepers.” In response, the security forces have resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters. Businesses, banks and traffic remain adversely affected in the surrounding areas. (Saleem Shahid, “20 more injured, 45 held as Chaman remains restive,” Dawn, 8 June 2024)
EXTERNAL
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping agree to upgrade CPEC to phase two
On 7 June, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Chinese President Xi Jinping and both leaders reiterated their commitment to the “high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the timely completion of ongoing projects.” Further, they announced their agreement to upgrade CPEC to phase two. PM Sharif updated the Chinese president on various reforms undertaken by Pakistan in the economic sector, industrial development, agricultural modernization, and regional connectivity. He highlighted the crucial role that CPEC plays in the development of Pakistan and emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to building synergy and cooperation on the development front. Both leaders reaffirmed the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between the two countries and vowed to further “deepen cooperation” across diverse domains, including political, security, economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. Regional and global developments were also discussed with special focus on “Afghanistan, Palestine, and South Asia, particularly the human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).” (“PM Shehbaz, President Xi agree to upgrade CPEC, advance development in second phase,” The Express Tribune, 7 June 2024)