PBS report says Pakistan’s population growth rate is the highest in the region; Pakistan hosts 97th anniversary of founding of China’s People’s Liberation Army
In Brief
POLITICS
Opposition leader Omar Ayub accuses intelligence agencies of interfering in parliamentarians’ affairs
On 18 July, during a meeting between PTI leaders and Imran Khan, the party accused intelligence agencies of interfering in the parliamentarians’ affairs and asked them to focus on counter-terrorism efforts. Opposition leader Omar Ayub expressed confidence that “no one could break and ban PTI,” and warned the powers trying to invoke Article 6 against Khan and ban the PTI. He also claimed that Article 6 should be invoked against the Chief Election Commissioner, and noted Khan’s steadfastness in continuing the PTI’s struggle for “haqeeqi azadi” (real freedom). Ayub asked the government to focus on public-related issues like high inflation, instead of working on banning PTI. In addition, he alleged that the caretaker government was responsible for the “wheat import scandal” and that the current government was making profits through privatization. He additionally accused the Special Investment Facilitation Council of planning to gain PKR 30 billion by privatizing PKR 1000 billion worth of government assets. (Ikram Junaidi, “Bid to break, ban PTI will fail, says Omar Ayub,” Dawn, 19 July 2024)
TLP protestors stay adamant in their demands; road blockades persist
On 19 July, Dawn reported that Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah held discussions with the leadership of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), in a bid to clear the roads as the residents continued suffering due to the blockade of the main intersection between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Tarar explained that the government was avoiding the use of force to prevent further chaos in other parts of the country as well, and acknowledged the protestors’ challenging the writ of the state. During the discussion, the TLP presented three demands, including the “immediate dispatch of relief goods and items of medical needs to the people of Gaza, declaring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘a terrorist’ and boycotting all Israeli products at the official level.” TLP Chief Hafiz Saad Rizvi declared that the party would not back from its demands and their struggle, including the Faizabad protest, until the demands are met. When asked about the public inconvenience, he blamed the government for ignoring their calls and stated: “But why is the government so afraid of the Israeli pressure? We need to stand on our feet and have belief in our faith.” A senior official of the interior ministry referred to the demands and stated that Pakistan does not recognize the state of Israel, and there are “no Israeli products or services available in Pakistan. (Kalbe Ali and Aamir Yasin, “TLP protesters stick to demands as residents continue to suffer road blockades,” Dawn, 19 July 2024)
ECP meeting on PTI’s reserved seats verdict remains inconclusive
On 18 July, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) held a meeting to discuss the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict on PTI’s reserved seat eligibility and its implementation. However, a decision was not reached and an official hinted at the possibility of the ECP needing directions from the SC due to a lack of clarity. The meeting witnessed presentations from several aspects of the case. A senior ECP official noted that the notifications of 39 PTI MNAs who mentioned their affiliation with the party are clear, but the documents of 41 MNAs required “detailed scrutiny.” According to the SC judgment, the 41 MNAs have to be notarized before the ECP within 15 days. Following this, the ECP will publish the list of the returned candidates. However, ECP officials have raised concerns and sought further direction from the SC over who in the PTI should be contacted for verification, blaming the party’s lack of structure. (Iftikhar A. Khan and Wajih Ahmad Sheikh, “ECP at a loss over SC reserved seats verdict,” Dawn, 19 July 2024)
ECONOMY
Pakistan Stock Exchange hits a new record reaching above 81,800 points
On 18 July, bulls dominated proceedings at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), with the KSE-100 index hitting a new record high above 81,800 points as investor optimism remained robust. Ahsan Mehanti, MD of Arif Habib Corporation stated: “Stocks closed at an all-time high as investors weighed Fitch Ratings’ projections of a cut in the SBP policy rate to 14 per cent, economic growth rising to 3.2 per cent, expansion of the agriculture sector, the slowdown in inflation and reduction in fiscal deficit to 6.7 per cent.” At the trading end, the KSE-100 index recorded a hike of 684.25 points, or 0.84 per cent, and settled at 81,839.86. Further, investors also reacted positively to Fitch Ratings’ projections of a reduction in the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) policy rate to 14 per cent and an increase in economic growth to 3.2 per cent. Investor interest was also fuelled by Pakistan’s agreement of USD seven billion with the IMF. Additionally, Topline Securities in their report mentioned that the Pakistan stock market secured a strong momentum driven by sectors like fertilizer, E&P, banking, and auto, supported by companies like Engro Corporation, United Bank, Oil and Gas Development Company, Millat Tractors, and Meezan Bank. The topline added that these sectors together added 423 points. The overall trading volumes increased to 470.3 million shares from 441.3. A total of 457 companies’ shares were traded, in which 242 stocks closed higher, 155 fell and 60 remained unchanged. (“PSX hits new record high as it crosses 81,800,” The Express Tribune, 19 July 2024)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan hosts 97th anniversary of founding of China’s People’s Liberation Army
On 18 July, Pakistan hosted an event commemorating the 97th anniversary of the founding of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), at the General Headquarters of the Pakistani Army at Rawalpindi. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, was the chief guest at the event. Major General Wang Zhong, Defence Attaché, officials from the Chinese Embassy, and officers from Pakistan’s tri-services participated in the event. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, commended the PLA’s contribution to China's defence, security, and national development. He stated: “Relations between the Pakistan Army and the People’s Liberation Army are strong and both militaries continue to engage in bilateral military cooperation, demonstrating the iron-clad brotherhood between the two countries.” Further, Zaidong expressed his gratitude for the event and stated: “We stand ready to work with our brethren to combat terrorism and firmly believe that no force can destroy the iron-clad friendship between China and Pakistan and the brotherhood between the two militaries.” (“Pakistan hosts 97th anniversary of Chinese PLA at GHQ,” The Express Tribune, 18 July 2024)
“Regional states need to maintain alertness, particularly Pakistan to prevent IS’s blood-soaked legacy” says an editorial in Dawn
On 19 July, an editorial in Dawn, titled ‘Oman terror attack’ discussed the recent sectarian terror attack that took place in the “peaceful sultanate of Oman,” where militants of the Islamic State group attacked a mosque during the Muharram ceremony. Following the attack, Omani police said that three suspects, all brothers and Omani nationals, were responsible and were killed upon resisting security forces. The article stated that Oman has avoided terrorist violence, unlike other Gulf neighbours. In Oman, the Ibadi school dominates the Sultanate with the Sunni majority and a small Shia minority. Similarly, Oman’s politics has also played a role in bridging Iran and Saudi Arabia and helped maintain diplomatic contacts. Thus, the attack was a bid to instigate “sectarian tensions in the sultanate.” The article also cautioned that the IS is next door in Yemen, and urged the Omani authorities to stay “vigilant.” The editorial further cited the previous attacks of the IS group in Russia and Iran, and claimed that the group has now turned towards “soft targets.” Regional states should thus keep their eyes open, particularly Pakistan, not only due to the history of its “sectarian violence,” but also because of fighting in “IS-Khorasan ‘province’ in the Afghanistan borders. The article warned that the remnants of decade-long IS terrorist outfit should not be allowed to “rebuild and continue its blood-soaked legacy.” (“Oman terror attack,” Dawn, 19 July 2024)
AF-PAK
“Taliban owe a response in humility,” asserts an editorial in The Express Tribune
On 19 July, an editorial in The Express Tribune titled ‘Is Kabul Listening’ detailed the deteriorating relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The editorial argued that Islamabad’s demand to Kabul to “act instantly against the dreaded elements” is nothing new. It claimed that this signalled how both countries were back at “square one,” as similar demands were made over the last two years. However, the articles observed that there was “either inaction or act instantly against the dreaded elements.” Further, it discussed the terror attack on Bannu Cantonment, where ten terrorists killed eight Pakistani soldiers. Following this attack, the foreign office issued a demarche. The “audacity” of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur militant group to “claim responsibility should have incited action from Kabul on its own, as the rogue elements are based in Afghanistan.” Consistent “excuses from Kabul against the TTP” will just push Islamabad “to the wall.” The editorial advised Kabul to see how its decision to “ignore the sensitivity of the issue is inflicting unparalleled damage not only on interstate relations but also on regionalism.” (“Is Kabul listening?,” The Express Tribune, 19 July 2024)
SOCIETY
PBS report says Pakistan’s population growth rate is the highest in the region
On 18 July, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, unveiled a report by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), titled: “First Ever Digital Census Key Findings Report,” in which Pakistan ranked as the fifth most populous country in the world. It also noted that Pakistan has the highest growth rate at 2.55 per cent in the region and added that if it continues, the country will double in 2050. The report further provided the data for the development of urban and rural areas and effective disaster response. The census data detailed that Karachi is the most populous city (20.4 million), and Lahore is the second most populous city (13 million). These are followed by Peshawar (4.76 million), and Quetta (2.59 million). In the overall population of the country, males represent 51.48 per cent and females' data stand at 48.51 per cent. The data also observed that the dominant religion is Islam, and the literacy indicators detail that 61 per cent are literate (ten years and above). The federal minister stated that the data gathered by PBS “will be instrumental in guiding our development efforts and enhancing our ability to respond to natural calamities.”(“Pakistan's population growth 'highest in region',” The News International, 18 July 2024)
ENVIRONMENT/CLIMATE CHANGE
“We are still focusing on firefighting rather than diverting our resources to better urban planning,” says editorial in Dawn
On 19 July, an editorial in Dawn titled ‘Urban flooding’ said that despite precautionary measures taken by provincial authorities to cope with monsoon-related emergencies, “millions of dwellers,” especially in Punjab and KP, will have to prepare for “urban flooding and flash floods.” Pakistani cities have experienced “extreme episodes of rain-inflicted flooding that has claimed lives and destroyed property” over the last few decades because they are not prepared to deal with “unpredictable rains.” The damage from these rains, which are increasing in frequency due to climate change, cannot be mitigated through “temporary measures.” As per the editorial, even developed cities are experiencing urban flooding, as “unplanned urbanization” has created “perfect conditions for pluvial flooding.” Thus, Pakistani authorities must concentrate on solutions such as “climate-resilient urban infrastructure” that will protect the people and the economy. However, authorities are “focusing on firefighting” instead of diverting resources to better urban planning. Since Pakistan is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, it should invest in “urban governance, storm-water drainage,” and other measures. Without a “financially empowered local government system” that takes these steps, the country will “only be putting out fires and not preventing them.” (“Urban flooding,” Dawn, 19 July 2024)
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Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed grief and sorrow over the death of Punjab's senior Jayale Naeem Akhtar Warsi
- PPP
Even the decision of the Supreme Court will not be implemented until the detailed decision
- Pervaiz Sandhila
Start a strong social media campaign to ban Tehreek-e-Insaf Because Pakistan and Tehreek-e-Insaf cannot go together.
-Imran Bilal
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"Non-viable university programmes, of which we have far too many, should be shut down."
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Bottom of the pile’
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