In Brief
POLITICS
PM’s advisor assures PPP will be consulted before budget is passed
On 17 June, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, and PML-N’s Punjab president assured that the government would consider PPP’s input before passing the budget for FY25. Sanaullah noted that these are “budget proposals right now” on which “there will be discussion” both “within the parliament as well as on the sidelines.” Earlier, on 12 June, hours before Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb started the budget presentation, PPP decided to boycott the session; later, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was able to convince the party to attend. The PPP had expressed animosity over non-consultation regarding the budget processes. Referring to PPP’s “valid” concerns, Sanaullah admitted: “Yes, there was some lack from our side. However, the budget isn't finalized yet, we're still taking proposals.” He noted that the government is focused on passing the budget before the end of June by setting a challenging tax revenue target of PKR 13 trillion for the year. Referring to this, he noted that the “coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif does not have the luxury of a parliamentary majority to help it pass the budget smoothly.” Separately, PPP top leader and Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani demanded the PML-N government adhere to the “written pact” that was penned while forming the government. Gilani stated: “We will try to make sure that the needy are provided relief in the budget. People should also be provided relief from inflation.” (“PML-N says budget to be finalised after PPP's input,” The Express Tribune, 17 June 2024
JUI-F chief unlikely to be influenced by “disruptive group,” says PM’s advisor
On 17 June, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's political advisor Rana Sanaullah stated that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is unlikely to be affected by the influence of any “disruptive group.” His comments came following reports stating that the PTI and JUI-F were on the verge of ceasing hostilities and “joining hands’’ against the government. Both parties had previously held multiple meetings over the elections, which both alleged had been rigged. Earlier, it was also revealed that Imran Khan had formed a three-member committee to look after Rehman’s concerns. (“Sanaullah says Fazl unlikely to be influenced by 'disruptive' group,” The Express Tribune, 18 June 2024)
PTI leaders and workers protest against “rigged election,” face legal action
On 17 June, The Express Tribune cited Express News and reported that the Rawalpindi police lodged a case against the PTI leaders, including party leader Seemabia Tahir, for staging a protest outside Adiala Jail. The case was filed under Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Before this, six PTI leaders were arrested in relation to this protest. In addition, five other names were listed along with several others whose identities are unknown. The PTI has been demonstrating against the government nationwide on allegations of “rigged elections,” demanding the restoration of their “stolen mandate.” In addition, they have been demanding the release of Imran Khan who has been imprisoned in Adiala Jail since May 2023. (“PTI leaders, party workers face legal action for protesting outside Adiala Jail,” The Express Tribune, 18 June 2024)
INDIA VIEW
COAS condemns India for “false propaganda and provocations against Pakistan”
On 17 June, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir celebrated Eid ul Adha with the troops in Haji Pir sector. He offered prayers along with officers and soldiers and paid respects for the loss of lives in Pakistan. While addressing the troops, COAS stated: “As soldiers, we take pride in celebrating such festivities away from our homes and loved ones while on duty, ensuring the security of our country and fellow citizens.” He discussed the ongoing struggles of the Kashmir population in Jammu and Kashmir and reemphasized Pakistan’s stance which is aligned with UN resolutions. He condemned India’s sustained “oppression and brutalities against Kashmiris” underlining the surge of aggression post-elections through “false propaganda and provocations against Pakistan.” The ISPR statement read: “Such tactics, including manufacturing false flag operations, have become a routine political tool of India.” Munir warned that while “Pakistan has always supported peace and stability in the region,” any form of “provocation or violation of Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty will be met with a swift and resolute response, with the full support of the nation.” (“India masking aggression on Kashmiris with provocations against Pakistan: COAS,” The Express Tribune, 17 June 2024; Tariq Naqash, “COAS celebrates Eidul Azha with troops stationed at LoC,” Dawn, 17 June 2024)
SOCIETY
Low prices and lack of government support force cotton growers to shift to “profitable crops”
On 17 June, Dawn reported that cotton growers have been forced to shift to alternative crops due to a fear of low prices and the lack of government support. This shift has resulted in lower cultivation area and yield. Based on Punjab Crop Reporting Service (CRS) data, the white link was unable to achieve the sowing target of four million acres and declined 3.22 million acres by 19 per cent in the 2024 Kharif season. The total cultivation area was less than 32 per cent compared to the previous season’s 4.15 million acres. According to the provisional data in Pakistan’s Economic Survey, cotton production doubled from the previous year’s 4.9 million bales to 10.22 million bales. The total cultivation area also increased in the first nine months of FY2024 after a steady decline for three years between 2019 and 2022. The declining cultivation of this year will impact the textile sector with cotton as the main raw material. The Pakistan Economic Survey also observed that the sector already experienced a massive contraction of 8.3 per cent from July to March of 2024. Now, the cotton growers are shifting to more profitable crops like in the Bahawalpur division, with farmers opting for sesame and rice. The sesame’s overall cultivation area increased by over 168 per cent in the division. Similarly, the rice plantation also increased in this season.
The government fixed PKR 8,500 per kilo gram intervention price of seed cotton last year. However, Muhammad Azeem, a cotton grower from Rahim Yar Khan district, said the government “failed to keep its promise.” (Amjad Mahmood, “Low price fears force growers to shun cotton for ‘profitable’ crops,” Dawn, 17 June 2024)
WORLD VIEW
Muslim states must take more worldly actions to restrain Israel, argues Dawn editorial
On 17 June, an editorial in Dawn titled “Palestine’s plight” focused on the “continuing massacre in Gaza,” and demanded people across the world to remember the “brutalized inhabitants of Palestine” during the Eid ul Adha celebration. Thousands of Palestinian children have been killed or lost their families as a result of the conflict. The editorial noted that on 15 June, at the Haj rituals, the Saudi cleric delivering the khutba in Arafat urged Muslims to pray for their “brothers and sisters in Palestine who have been afflicted with harm.” The editorial noted that “Muslim countries have fabulous wealth” and others have “standing armies;” despite this, they failed to end the eight-month struggle in Gaza, marking a response characterized by “feebleness.” Though masses in various countries “boycotted brands perceived to be sympathetic to Israel,” people belonging to the “lands of Islam” did “little else of consequence” The role of countries such as South Africa, Brazil, and Colombia was appreciated for confronting Israel and expressing “exemplary solidarity with Palestine.” The editorial concluded by arguing that since Israel “is not interested in a ceasefire” and “lukewarm resolutions” would not make it stop its “blood-soaked campaign,” Muslim states need to take “more worldly actions to restrain Israel.” (“Palestine’s plight,” Dawn, 17 June 2024)
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A tax should also be imposed on chuckles so that no more youths are born.
Are you agree?
- Imran Bilal
Had a wonderful conversation with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan on Eid ul Adha. Exchanged warm greetings and discussed ways to further strengthen our bilateral relations, especially trade & investment as well as regional cooperation. Look forward to my visit to Astana for the SCO Heads of State meeting next month.
- Shehbaz Sharif
Azhar Siddique has drowned his boat with whomever he has stood, Nik de koke maliko na vi le de gaya, he wanted to go out of the country, he was not allowed to go because of the names of PTI concerts abroad. But chaos was to spread
- Pervaiz Sandhila
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Afzal Ali Shigri, ‘Empowering Gilgit-Baltistan’
Dawn, 17 June 2024
“Previously perceived as a remote liability and officially referred to as the Northern Areas, it was a nameless region of Pakistan. Local Kashmiri leaders, deeming it a barren land and a financial burden, forsook its ownership. Thus, in the Karachi Agreement between Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the government of Pakistan, the region was handed over to Pakistan unconditionally. This set in motion an ad hoc governance arrangement under the control of a joint secretary of government of Pakistan. For the simple folk of the region, the presence of Pakistani officials and the fluttering Pakistani flag symbolised their merger with Pakistan; they were, oblivious to the reality that they possessed no constitutional rights, as a disputed territory governed through decrees by the government of Pakistan.”
Zamir Akram, ‘Talking to the enemy’
The Express Tribune, 17 June 2024
“Even so, there is new optimism among some in Pakistan that a post-election weakened Modi government would be chastened to pursue more conciliatory polices, towards Indian Muslims and Pakistan. This is flawed thinking. A weaker Modi will be even more reliant on the Hindutva agenda and to manipulate the Pakistan bogey, especially in times of domestic political crises. The reasons are obvious. Since the age of eight, Modi has been a RSS ‘Kar Sevak’ or voluntary worker steeped in supremacist Hindu ideology which he has incessantly promoted. As Chief Minister of Gujarat, he was responsible for the massacre of Muslims following the Godhra incident in 2002. As Prime Minister since 2014, he has promoted a fascist Hindu ideology, giving free rein to Hindu fanatics to target Indian Muslims as “infiltrators”; passed laws to discriminate against them; build a Ram Mandir on the site of the destroyed Babri Masjid; and changed the status of the so-called only Muslim-majority state of (occupied) Kashmir. Externally, Modi and his minions have relentlessly demonised Pakistan as a sponsor of terrorism, a failed state and an arch-enemy that occupies Indian territory which must be snatched by force. Such Pakistan bashing is central to Modi’s Hindutva creed since Pakistan represents the break-up of ‘Akand Bharat’ that exists in RSS mythology. Dialogue with Pakistan is, therefore, anathema to Modi. Any change in this policy will come at a huge political cost, especially now.”
Editorial, ‘Profiting off denied visas’
Dawn, 17 June 2024
“This practice of charging exorbitant visa fees, in pounds or euros, for applications that are ultimately rejected is exploitative, and unfairly burdens applicants from poorer nations. The staggering rejection rates, too, underscore systemic biases in the largely non-transparent visa approval process. The policy effectively denies countless individuals the opportunity to travel for business, education, or personal reasons, while also extracting significant financial resources from them. The comparison made by Lago Collective’s Marta Foresti illustrates this disparity: while an Italian can secure a visa on arrival in Sierra Leone for a mere £30, a Sierra Leonean must endure a lengthy, costly, and often futile application process to enter Italy. Moreover, the recent hike in visa application fees, set to rise further, exacerbates matters. With Schengen visa fees increasing from €80 to €90 and UK fees from £100 to £120, the financial burden on applicants from countries with high rejection rates will only worsen.”
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“Recent tremors in Karachi are a reminder of seismic risks.”
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Seismic perils’
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