Imran Khan approves Omar Ayub’s resignation as PTI’s Secretary General; ECC approves pension funds and grants to several ministries
In Brief
POLITICS
Imran Khan approves Omar Ayub’s resignation as PTI’s Secretary General
On 28 June, Dawn reported that PTI founder Imran Khan has approved Omar Ayub Khan’s resignation from the PTI Secretary General post. Ayub had submitted his resignation on 22 June. He had also indicated that he would be stepping down as chairman of the PTI’s Central Finance Board but confirmed that he would continue as a party worker. In a statement on X, Ayub stated: “I tried to perform to the best of my abilities during very tumultuous times and learned a tremendous amount under your dynamic leadership… PTI family members have endured tremendous hardships in the last 2 years but have not flinched.” He had noted in a statement on X that he had tendered his resignation “to focus on my role as Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of Pakistan.” Earlier, he was re-elected as secretary-general of the PTI and quit before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) declared the intra-party elections ‘legitimate.’ The recent developments highlight the grievances against the party’s leadership particularly, their inability to secure the release of Imran Khan. Former PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry claimed a lack of “political stature” like Imran Khan in the party and their failure to ally with other opposition parties like JUI, PkMAP, GDA, or Jamaat-i-Islami. (Ikram Junaidi, “Omar Ayub resigns as PTI’s secretary general,” Dawn, 28 June 2024)
Defence Minister signals the possibility of cross-border strikes into Afghanistan to deal with the TTP
On 27 June, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif signaled the possibility of cross-border strikes into Afghanistan to eradicate militant hideouts amid a hike in terrorism by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). During an interview with Voice of America, Khawaja Asif hinted that these cross-border attacks will not flout international law since Afghanistan has been a safe haven for terrorists and “exporting” terrorism to Pakistan. He also blamed the PTI government for bringing the TTP back to the country. He negated the possibility of dialogue with the banned TTP outfit. In addition, he spoke about the ‘Azm-i-Istehkam,’ and assured that the concerns of political parties will be addressed. He underlined that the counter-terrorism plan will “thwart the infiltration of terrorists.”
On the same day, Maulana Fazlur Rehman warned about the grave situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where the situation has gone out of hand even from the police. He also mentioned that Islamabad is making decisions about Kabul based on “anger and emotions” and claimed: “When people questioned establishment over the law-and-order situation, they simply shift the blame to Afghanistan.” He compared this with Iran’s case and noted that the issues with Iran were resolved within a week of both countries after the air strikes. He also accused the government for not doing the same with Afghanistan. (Zaki Abbas and Manzoor Ali, “Pakistan can cross border to hunt TTP: Defence Minister Asif,” Dawn, 28 June 2024)
JUDICIARY
District and Sessions court dismisses Imran Khan and his wife’s plea in the Iddat case
On 27 June, the district and sessions court declined the pleas of Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to suspend their seven-year sentences in the Iddat case. Additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ) Afzal Majoka announced the verdict reserved on 25 June. Both were convicted before the general elections based on a complaint filed by Khawar Fareed Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband. Following this, Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah sentenced them to seven years with a fine of PKR 500,000. The case details that if they failed to pay the fine, they would be further imprisoned for four months. The case was criticized by various women activists, civil society, and lawyers for intruding on “women’s right to dignity and privacy.” Activists protested against the verdict and the Karachi demonstration denounced against “state’s intrusion into people’s private lives.” A petition filed by Bushra Bibi’s counsel seeking her release on bail and suspension is also pending before the IHC. The notice for the petition stated, “It can be said that as convict cannot claim bail as a matter of right even in the bailable offense under section 426 [of] CrPC,” and added that both the petitions under section 426 of CRPC were dismissed. Following the verdict of the district and sessions court, NA opposition leader Omar Ayub disclosed that the party would challenge the order in the IHC. He termed the verdict as “absolutely ridiculous” and stressed no governments would happen until the release of PTI leaders. In X, PTI mentioned: “unprecedentedly despicable in both our country’s as well as Islamic history.” (Umer Burney, “Iddat case: Islamabad court rejects pleas seeking suspension of Imran, Bushra Bibi’s sentences,” Dawn, 27 June 2024)
Supreme Court seeks clear list of PTI candidates” for 8 February election
On 27 June, Justice Yahya Afridi, a member of the full court asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to provide information about the list of PTI candidateswho had furnished both the declaration, party affiliation certificates, and their nomination papers for the 8 February polls. He asked for the details to clear the anomalies that had arisen during the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) hearing the Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) appeal against the 14 March Peshawar High Court’s denial of reserved seats to the party. CJP observed that the punishment was given to PTI for denying the “bat” symbol provided by the ECP. It also changed the PTI’s position for which the CJP questioned: “Why should we not treat these candidates as PTI candidates.” He also referred to former president Arif Alvi and wondered about his use of discretion to announce the election date. He also highlighted that ECP cannot seek the president for guidance on individual candidates. ECP representative, Sikandar Bashir Mohmand contented that the declaration of candidate of a particular party must match the party affiliation certificate. If not, it will be considered as an independent candidate, he added. In addition, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan observed that if the ECP denied the PTI symbol, then the PTI should have gone to the president to seek clarification instead of eliminating a major political party from the election. Further, he mentioned that the ECP should have declared the candidates as PTI though the candidates with different symbols. (Nasir Iqbal, “SC seeks clear list of ‘PTI candidates’ for Feb 8 polls,” Dawn, 28 June 2024)
ECONOMY
ECC approves pension funds and grants to several ministries
On 27 June, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved the establishment of the pension fund. It did not increase the retirement age under the new policy due to opposition from all-powerful quarters. In addition, it also approved a grant for a Defined Contributory pension for new entrants during the cabinet committee chaired by Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. The committee also approved the Technical Supplementary Grants (TSGs) for different ministries. The Ministry of Aviation got PKR 607.03 million, Communications Division secured PKR 10.477 million, the Defence division (PKR 803.025 million) for PSDP project on “Establishment of National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP), Military Accountant General and AGPR (PKR 8.625 billion) for the payment of pensions, and PKR1.3 billion to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet the requirements of missions abroad. Several other sectors also secured grants. The committee, in addition, approved the Finance Division summary to utilize the funds of PKR 355.640 million and allocate it to the National Disaster Management Authority for flood relief assistance. Another summary on launching the “Risk Coverage Scheme for SMEs” was also approved. The Finance Division also secured the approval for the establishment of a Pension Fund. The summary of Information Technology & Telecommunication on returning PKR 11.13 billion to Universal Service Fund (USF) to meet the budget shortfall. The cabinet committee approved the Ministry of Railways’ request for additional funds and provided PKR 2 billion. (Mehtab Haider, “ECC forms pension fund, doesn’t raise retirement age,” The News International, 28 June 2024)
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The goals of this immoral and absurd case are purely political and this decision will continue the ongoing vendetta against Imran Khan and his wife. We will immediately approach the High Court against this unacceptable decision.
- Barrister Gohar Khan
There have been 12 operations inside Pakistan, the mothers, sisters, daughters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa FATA are still IDPs, you don't give them one rupee, you want to humiliate our mothers and sisters again by doing another operation? You don't trust us, who are you, who make unilateral decisions? This state is not only yours; it is the state of the whole of Pakistan.
- Tehreek-e-Insaf
Barrister Gauhar and I led a rally of thousands of ILF lawyers on Mall Road Lahore today - the rally was a big event after many months for the release of their leader - lawyers broke the idols of fear - IL Long live F
- Sheikh Waqqas Akram
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Farid Panjwani, ‘Educating the privileged’
Dawn, 28 June 2024
“As a conversation starter, I propose the following: To begin with, there should be no compromise on the quality of scientific, mathematical, artistic and literary education. However, this academically rigorous education should happen in the crucible of equity and emancipation. For example, economics education should question the highly skewed distribution of wealth and control over resources, the causes of poverty, and the link between wealth and politics. Integrated in the teaching of technology must be the moral questions it raises, its social consequences, and its link with economics. Literature should go beyond canon and include writers who bring to the forefront the lives of the dispossessed and exploited. All this and more to help the young grasp the historical and contemporary structures and power relations shaping the visible state of the world.”
Shahzad Chaudhry, ‘How high is the Sino-Pak friendship?’
The Express Tribune, 28 June 2024
“The reasons mostly pertain to capacities within Pakistan to give these projects the right attention and spare finances required to put in place the necessary infrastructure. From political disharmony to a decaying ability to transmit power, to producing lesser and lesser electricity — power consumption in Pakistan is reducing at the rate of 12 per cent per annum — to an international and IMF concern of Pakistan being drowned in debt, mostly Chinese, have literally paralysed decision making which could have moved the needle forward. China calls CPEC its flagship programme in the Silk Road project aimed at expanding its reach and influence as well as resource its critical needs from the Middle East and adjoining Eurasian region. A suspended or a slowed CPEC threatens the entire edifice of China’s future strategy. China should be genuinely concerned.”
Abdul Sattar, ‘To all victims of oppression’
The News International, 28 June 2024
“The conference discussed the necessity of a revolutionary philosophy; the war in Palestine; the history of the Russian Revolution; the building of the Bolshevik Party; historical materialism; the history of communist international and imperialism; and other important topics. Left-wing parties often face paucity of funds and constraints of financial resources, but the conference managed to collect 488,930 euros, which organizers say will be used to further the cause of the party. Addressing the conference, Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the RCI, pointed out that “there is nothing like the RCI anywhere in the world. No other organization has taken a serious approach to the genuine ideas of Marxism and the real traditions of revolutionary communism.””
Editorial, ‘Chinese industries’
Dawn, 28 June 2024
“That said, it is Pakistan’s internal security challenges that will continue to dictate the investment decisions of Chinese companies, notwithstanding better business policies. Safety of their workers in Pakistan was perhaps the most critical issue raised by Chinese investors during their meetings with Mr Sharif. This concern was more forcefully raised by a senior minister of China’s Communist Party recently; while addressing the representatives of Pakistan’s political parties in Islamabad, he identified internal security defects as a major factor responsible for the erosion of investor confidence. While the safety of its workers has always been a matter of concern for Beijing, the recent targeted attacks, especially the one in Bisham, near the project site of the Dasu dam, on its engineers has significantly dented China’s confidence in our ability to protect its interests from militant groups. Security conditions will have to be improved in tandem with the business environment to make Pakistan a destination of choice for Chinese investors.”
Editorial, ‘Resolution 901’
The News International, 28 June 2024
“As was inevitable, the PTI is hardly upset at the resolution. In fact, former President Arif Alvi has lauded the resolution and said that it is “a positive push in the right direction, along the lines of our own constitution”. Many other PTI leaders have also lauded the House of Representatives resolution. By most analysis, while the resolution is being applauded by the PTI leadership and criticized by the government representatives, it does not mean anything more than the lawmakers obliging their voters due to this being an election year where campaign funding plays a major role for different lobbies and voters. It would be quite fair to deduce that this does not count as official US policy and that this will not have any adverse effect on Pak-US ties. On the other hand, there are some political commentators who are sounding an alarm. Khawaja Asif is not wrong when he says that the US is facilitating a genocide. He is also not wrong in saying that the superpower has been engaged in overthrowing democratically elected governments around the world in the past. Such obvious contradictions should be highlighted when it comes to the so-called supporter of human rights and democratic values when the same country is involved in turning a blind eye to a genocide and has supported dictatorships around the globe for its own vested interests.”
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“It can take several years to determine compensation.
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Death-worth rule’
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