Pakistani envoy advises US to balance its ties with South Asian countries; Seven soldiers killed in Lakki Marwat
In Brief
POLITICS
ANP president announces possibility of new opposition alliance
On 9 June, the Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali announced that a six-party alliance of the opposition parties is on the cards to restore the Constitution, empower an elected parliament, and ensure free and fair elections. Along with Wali, the National Party President Dr Malik Baloch, Pashtunkhwa National Party Chief Kushal Khan Kakar, Hazara Democratic Party Chairman Abdul Khaliq Hazara, and representatives of other political parties were present. Wali opined that “forming another political alliance is the need of the hour,” as the alliance would not only identify Balochistan’s issues but also resolve them through consensus of the political parties. He added that the committee would “reach out to the people from all segments of the society, political and social organisations at provincial and national level…for the formation of a new political alliance.” As of now, a six-member committee has been formed to kick-start the process of forming the new alliance. This alliance would aim to “liberate Pakistan from slavery and empowering the people” of Pakistan, and would “uphold the Constitution.” (Saleem Shahid, “Another opposition alliance on the cards: ANP chief,” Dawn, 10 June 2024)
70 people investigated in relation to attack on Raoof Hasan, says SSP
On 8 June, the Islamabad police said they had investigated 70 people connected to a case involving an attack on PTI leader Raoof Hasan and were seeking help from the forensic laboratory, geo-fencing and NADRA to arrest the suspects. SSP Investigation Hassan Jahangir Wattoo informed that the 70 people investigated had included members of the transgender community. The SSP also stated that while the vehicle used in the attack was identified, only half of the number plate had been visible in the CCTV footage. Further investigations are underway. (Naeem Ashraf, “‘70 suspects probed in Raoof Hasan attack case,” The Express Tribune, 9 June 2024)
Focus should be on strengthening the parliament and not protesting, says Nawaz Sharif
On 9 June, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif said that the real forum for protecting the Constitution was parliament and not the streets. During a meeting with Senate Deputy Chairman Syedal Khan Nasir and Senator Irfan Siddiqui, he said that “rioting on the roads has always damaged the Constitution and democracy.” He asserted that the focus should be placed on strengthening the parliament instead of holding “pointless” protests on the streets for the protection of the Constitution. Earlier on 8 June, Sharif said that he had never wanted to seek revenge against Imran Khan as he is “not the person who takes political revenge,” which is why he had signed the Charter of Democracy. However, he criticized Khan for his “wrong” policies and political victimization, describing him as the biggest obstacle in political reconciliation across the country. Additionally, Sharif praised the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the “sharp decline” in the prices of essential items. He maintained that “Pakistan would soon come out of its crises.” (“Street riots only hurt democracy: Nawaz,” The Express Tribune, 10 June 2024)
EXTERNAL
PM Sharif in China: Pak-China joint statement on strengthening strategic relations
On 8 June. Pakistan and China pledged to strengthen strategic relations, safeguard common interests, and promote socio-economic development and the well-being of the people of both countries. According to the Prime Minister’s Office in Pakistan, both sides decided to collaborate in upholding regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity, in order to build a “Pakistan-China community with a shared future in the new era.” On the same day, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X to state: “Under President Xi Jinping’s visionary leadership, China is reaching new heights and In order for Pakistan to flourish and progress, there are abundant lessons we can glean from our steadfast ally. Pakistan and China are proud to be Iron Brothers!” Separately, the Chinese side underscored that both countries “enjoy unbreakable strategic mutual trust, fruitful practical cooperation in various fields, and maintain close coordination on international and regional affairs.”
In a joint statement, both countries stressed the authority of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 cannot be disputed or challenged, and also vowed to build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into an exemplary, high-quality project. While reiterating their All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, China said the relationship is a “priority in its foreign relations” while Pakistan underscored it as the “cornerstone of its foreign policy.” CPEC was recognized as a “pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative” which has changed the development landscape of Pakistan and benefitted the people’s well-being. Under CPEC, the significance of the Gwadar Port was given emphasis as an important node in cross-regional connectivity. Also in the joint statement, Pakistan shared its commitment to the one-China principle, maintaining that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and that Pakistan would oppose “Taiwan independence.”
Separately, in an interview with the Global Times on 7 June, Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized that CPEC’s focus would now be on developing “more industrial cooperation to promote special economic zones and provide incentives to Chinese companies to relocate with a low cost of production in Pakistan.” He explained that Pakistan wants to “modernize” its IT and agricultural sector, and also focus on “people-to-people exchange and cooperation.” Iqbal commented that by “completing Pakistan's strong political, economic, and people-to-people relationship with China,” CPEC has made the relationship between both countries “unbreakable.” (Syed Irfan Raza, “Pakistan, China vow to uphold regional peace,” Dawn, 9 June 2024; “China, Pakistan issue joint statement, vowing to build CPEC into ‘exemplary project of Belt and Road cooperation’,” Global Times, 9 June 2024; “Pakistan and China cooperation has reached space, even higher than sky: Pakistani planning minister,” Global Times, 7 June 2024)
Pakistani envoy advises US to strategically balance its ties with South Asian countries
On 8 June, The News International reported that the Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Masood Khan, stressed that Washington should maintain a strategic balance in its ties with South Asian countries to contribute to regional peace and security. He pointed out that since the US was overly aligned with India, it negated its traditional policy of maintaining a strategic balance in the relationship with South Asian countries. Highlighting Pakistan’s independent space with the US, he said that Islamabad wants to “use up that space in the economic and defence realms.” Both countries, along with other leading nations of the world, have a “shared goal” of ensuring “peace and security in the region.” Khan then went on to state that India’s priority should be neighbourhood first, and advised that India would have better ties with its neighbours if it invests in economic connectivity. On US-China relations, Khan noted that the US “leadership has been managing the relationship with great care and wisdom.” Khan also spoke on reducing poverty, and stated: “When we talk about Global South, the priority number one should be the elimination of poverty, eradication of poverty.” He stressed the need for a “responsible and responsive international financial system” to help countries in a debt trap and to increase the self-sufficiency of economies. (“Pakistani envoy urges US to maintain balance in ties with S Asian nations,” The News International, 8 June 2024)
SECURITY
Seven soldiers killed in Lakki Marwat
On 9 June, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement saying that seven soldiers were killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) “exploded on vehicle of security forces in Lakki Marwat District.” As per local officials, this vehicle was heading to the Kaichi Kamar area but was attacked in the Sultankhel village. The ISPR added that sanitization was being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur condemned the attack. Separately, police in Bajaur repulsed an overnight attack on its post by militants on the night of 9 June. Militants attacked a police post in Khar tehsil with weapons, including rocket launchers. (“Seven security men martyred in Lakki Marwat,” Dawn, 10 June 2024)
SOCIETY
Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan hosts conference on climate change
On 9 June, Dawn reported that during a conference on climate change hosted by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, top judges, environmentalists, and policymakers discussed climate-related issues, and called for making it a mainstream issue. The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, was the chief guest of the conference held at the Supreme Court. The Dean and Professor at Boston University, Dr Adil Najam, gave the keynote address in which he stressed the critical nature of climate change for Pakistan, posing three questions to discuss the topic. One panel discussed the geographical and meteorological challenges faced by Pakistan such as flooding, droughts, and heatwaves, and called for government leadership to take proactive measures. Another panel spoke on climate governance and highlighted the importance of localized action, mapping vulnerabilities, and strengthening local governments. The Attorney General of Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, contended that the executive must step up to help the judiciary play its part effectively. A third panel spoke on the judiciary’s role in climate governance and the limitations of executive action. (Malik Asad, “Call to make climate change a mainstream issue,” Dawn, 9 June 2024)
PROVINCES
Punjab: Governor claims he tried to stop Defamation Bill from becoming a law
On 9 June, Punjab Governor Saleem Haider said that the PPP was against the controversial defamation bill, a day after it became a law, and added that he “tried to stop the [passage] of the defamation bill as governor.” A day earlier, interim Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan signed the bill into law while Haider was absent. The incumbent governor stated: “I did not sign the bill. However, it will become law automatically after the passing of 15 days.” The bill has faced criticism from the central Joint Action Committee (JAC) of media bodies, who have argued that the “black law” is against human values and the Constitution. Petitions had also been filed which maintained that the “Defamation law was hastily introduced to control the media.” (“Punjab governor says he tried to stop passage of controversial defamation bill,” The News International, 9 June 2024)
Punjab: PTI leader says party will challenge Defamation Law in court
On 9 June, PTI said it would challenge Punjab’s newly enacted defamation law and threatened to join protesting journalists. PTI leader and Punjab Assembly’s opposition leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar asserted: “We are with the media on this issue as the PPP stands exposed by its tacit support for the bill.” He accused Punjab’s Governor Sardar Saleem Haider of going abroad to “provide an opportunity to the speaker to become acting governor and sign the bill into law.” Though the PTI had tried to introduce a similar defamation law during its last government, it had backtracked after journalists protested, argued Bhachar. However, the “incumbent rulers have disregarded the reservations of the journalists and social media users.” Additionally, he questioned Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s projects in Punjab, accusing her government of taking credit for the PTI’s initiatives after renaming them. He claimed that PTI’s Kisan Card was renamed as Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card. (Amjad Mahmood, “PTI set to challenge Punjab defamation law in court,” Dawn, 10 June 2024)
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It was a great honour to visit China with PM @CMShehbaz. As always, I came back impressed with the wisdom of chinese leadership & the dynamism of its people. Our countries are committed to further strengthening strategic partnership & economic and trade ties.
-Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
The duo of COAS General Syed Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif symbolises a dynamic of efficiency and partnership between Rawalpindi and Islamabad which will induce a new era of prosperity in Pakistan. Gone are the days of Civ-Mil intrigues.
-Hamza Azhar Salam
Deeply saddened by the martyrdom of Pak Army personnel including a Captain in a targeted attack in Lakki Marwat District. The sacrifices of our brave soldiers and citizens is a debt on us that we must repay by relentlessly eliminating terrorism from our nation. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
-Shehbaz Sharif
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Huma Yusuf, ‘In protest mode’
Dawn, 10 June 2024
“Climate activists have been pointing out the immense climate toll of the war: greenhouse gas emissions from war activities, plus the significant emissions expected from future reconstruction activities. They have also accused Israel of carrying out ecocide, for example, by razing olive trees that have stood on the land for centuries. Given the West’s current focus on tackling climate change, the disregard for these issues in Palestine is highlighted as further proof of double standards, an argument that resonates with the core messaging of pro-Palestine protests.”
Editorial, ‘Approaching budget’
Dawn, 10 June 2024
“In this context, the government’s budget priorities are clear: economic stabilisation by containing the current account deficit in the balance-of-payments, and reduction in the budget deficit and borrowing requirements through primary budget surplus. Stabilisation is crucial for Pakistan to make its external debt payments on time, bring up its dwindling foreign exchange reserves to a safe level, and achieve debt sustainability by narrowing the gap between its income and spending by mobilising additional tax revenue and cutting public expenditure.”
Shahid Javed Burki, ‘India after the elections’
The Express Tribune, 10 June 2024
“Going back to the beginning of the Indian state, its Constitution approved by the assembly that had been created for the purpose of drafting it put in place what in today’s favoured language would be called an “inclusive system”. The document was prepared by a group headed by Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a highly qualified lawyer who belonged to Hinduism’s lower castes. He presented to the Constituent Assembly the document explaining that India’s extreme diversity called for a system that provided space to all religions, castes, and language groups. That ideal was what the Indian historian Sunil Khilnani called “the idea of India”, in a book that carried that title. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, who stayed in that position for 17 years, bought this approach even though he was a great admirer of Stalinism and the way the Soviet Union was governed.”
Shaza Arif, ‘The race for AI dominance’
The News International, 10 June 2024
“While we continue to be impressed by AI’s current level of integration in search engines and chatbots, more innovations are yet to unfold. In fact, the hybrid-AI search engines being used at the moment may evolve to a new level, offering more ‘human-like’ capabilities. Such fast-paced developments in the tech world come with certain implications.”
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““There are many obstacles to a thaw in the frosty India-Pakistan relationship.”
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Is re-engagement possible?’
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