|
In Brief
POLITICS
“Time will tell whether the ECP has been hostile towards the PTI under compulsion or for some other reason,” says an editorial in Dawn
On 27 July, an editorial in Dawn titled ‘Back in parliament’ explained how PTI MNAs returned to the National Assembly after more than two years of “fateful resignation.” It detailed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) acknowledgement of 39 MNAs’ out of 80 candidates as “PTI lawmakers.” The editorial recollected these 39 MNAs’ affiliations with the party before the 8 February elections in “one way or another.” It also noted that for the rest of the 41 candidates who could not submit their affiliation, the court had provided “another opportunity.” However, it pointed out that despite their submission, the ECP mentioned that it was “confused” on how to verify their allegiance. The editorial stated: “Time will tell whether the ECP has been hostile towards the PTI under compulsion or for some other reason.” Further, the article accused the ECP of not prioritizing “facilitating the democratic process.” It also blamed the ECP for “dragging the clear-cut Supreme Court in the reserved seats case” and finding reasons to “frustrate the smooth implementation of the verdict.” The ECP was called on to “set right all the wrongs it committed in the process” of the PTI not being able to participate in the elections. It said due to the “flawed 8 February election,” faith in Pakistan's democracy diminished to “dangerously low levels.” Thus, it called for the enforcement of the Supreme Court order in the PTI’s reserved seats’ case, as it could help settle the political situation. (“Back in parliament,” Dawn, 7 July 2024)
Punjab opposition leader “de-seated” as SIC loses parliamentary status
On 26 July, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan announced the vacancy of the office of the opposition leader in the provincial house. His announcement was made following the Supreme Court’s verdict on the reserved seats’ issue. He detailed that since the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) members who “proposed the name for the slot of the opposition leader” have gone to the PTI, the position has now fallen vacant. Opposition leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar had been given the office on the strength of the SIC, “and this platform no longer exists after the Supreme Court verdict, which robbed the Sunni Ittehad Council of its parliamentary status.” (“Punjab opposition leader ‘de-seated’ after SC verdict,” Dawn, 27 July 2024)
SECURITY
17 arrested in Bugti tribe shootout
On 26 July, following a shootout between two Bugti tribe groups in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority, police raids led to the arrest of 17 people. According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South, Syed Asad Raza, the police recovered weapons from three suspects. He further added that both groups used “heavy weapons.” The groups, led by Fahad Bugti and Ali Haider Bugti, had gathered for a meeting; however, the situation turned “sour” when “their vehicles came face to face and both groups opened fire” on 25 July. The hospital administration said Fahad Bugti was among the dead, while Haider Bugti and Qaim Ali sustained bullet injuries. (Kashif Mushtaq, “Police arrest over a dozen after DHA Bugti groups' shooting,” The News International, 26 July 2024)
INDIA VIEW
Foreign Office regards PM Modi’s remarks as “belligerent”
On 26 July, the Foreign Office (FO) refuted the “belligerent remarks” made by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. A day earlier, on 25 July, Modi said during an event in Ladakh that Pakistan has “not learned anything from its history.” He addressed Pakistan as a patron of "terrorism,” saying that the Indian forces would “give a befitting reply” to its “unholy plans.” In response, the FO issued a statement, declaring India’s “bravado and jingoism” was “totally counterproductive” in arriving at a resolution over the Kashmir dispute. The FO added that these “rhetorical statements cannot deflect international attention” from the disputed Jammu and Kashmir. It urged India to “reflect on its campaign” of carrying out “targeted assassinations, subversion and terrorism” in the land beyond the territory. It warned Pakistan is determined to protect its sovereignty with a “robust response” to any “reckless” Indian “incursion.” (“Islamabad denounces Modi’s jingoism on Kargil anniversary,” The News International, 27 July 2024)
PROVINCES
Sindh: Forbes Advisor ranks Karachi second in a list of riskiest cities globally
On 26 July, The News International reported that in a list compiled by Forbes Advisor based on a study comparing 60 international cities across seven key metrics, Karachi was declared as the world’s second-riskiest city. The city has the highest personal security risk, brought about by risks from crime, violence, terrorist threats, natural disasters, and economic vulnerabilities. Similarly, the US State Department rated it second in terms of worst-travel safety, and fourth in terms of highest infrastructure security risk. Earlier in June 2023, the US State Department in a travel advisory labelled Pakistan as a “Level 3” advisory and warned travellers to “rethink” before travelling there. It further said: “Terrorism and ongoing violence by extremist elements have led to indiscriminate attacks on civilian, as well as local military and police, targets” (“Karachi ranked second in Forbes' list of world's riskiest cities,” The News International, 26 July 2024)
Punjab: CM Maryam inaugurates country’s first Virtual Child Safety Centre
On 26 July, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif unveiled Pakistan’s first Virtual Child Safety Centre. Further, the province upgraded the 15 Emergency centres with 28 new features. As a safety initiative, they added a WhatsApp number to the helpline and a Pink Button Safety Zone was launched for police assistance. Further, communication facilities in Urdu, English and regional languages have been introduced to obtain feedback through “robocall.” In addition, Maryam announced that such “Safe Cities Authority” will be extended to 18 more cities in the next few months. She detailed that almost 15,000 vehicles were linked with the “Safe City system.” Additionally, Maryam also inaugurated a School of Police Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, along with the Alberoni Institute of Research and Innovation (“CM inaugurates Virtual Child Safety Centre,” The Express Tribune, 27 July 2024)
Balochistan: CM Bugti reiterates his decision to hold negotiations with BYC protestors to resolve issues peacefully
On 26 July, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti restated his government’s stance on being willing to hold negotiations with the Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) protestors to resolve issues through “peaceful and political means.” During the provincial assembly session, he said: “While people have the right to protest, it is the government's mandate to organise these events. We can provide water and facilitate, but we will not allow anyone to disrupt mega projects.” The session discussed the “law and order issues” and pointed out recommendations. This comes following the protestors’ decision to hold demonstrations in Gwadar on 28 July. Bugti alleged that this protest was aimed at disrupting major Chinese investments in the city. (“Balochistan govt ready to negotiate with Gwadar protesters,” The Express Tribune, 27 July 2024)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: CM assures no military operation in the province
On 26 July, while addressing a public rally, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said there would be no military operation in the province. He said: “From past experiences, we have learnt that the operations were of no benefit and added to people's sufferings by vacating their homes.” He added that KP residents have sacrificed more in the war on terror. Additionally, Bugti thanked the Bannu people for holding talks with the local administration, which resulted in the “charter of demands.” This received criticism from the centre. The PML-N-led federal government slammed Bugti for “misguiding” the public against Azm-i-Istehkam campaign. The Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Safron, Amir Muqam, said: “Gandapur was saying the same what the military and civil leadership had already clarified about the Azm-i-Istehkam. Why he is making the campaign controversial and misguiding the people.” The minister alleged that Gandapur is turning a local jirga into a political gathering. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar questioned “what plan CM Gandapur had to eradicate terrorism, which resurfaced during his tenure.” (Syed Irfan Raza and Ghulam Mursalin Marwat, “No military operation in KP, Gandapur tells Bannu rally,” Dawn, 27 July 2024)
WORLDVIEW
“Joe Biden’s presidency was marked by significant foreign policy blunders and miscalculations,” argues an opinion in The Express Tribune
On 27 July, an opinion by Majid Burfat in The Express Tribune titled ‘A tenure marred by diplomatic blunders, miscalculations’ argued that the unprecedented announcement from US President JoeBiden, where he announced that he would-be dropping out of the presidential race, has changed the “global political landscape” and shown a change in “perceptions and strategies among foreign leaders and diplomats.” The author argued that this development has given a “strategic opportunity” for the Democratic Party to regroup, although Biden’s withdrawal from the race is a reflection of the inability to contain the multitude of crises which took place during his administration. Burfat argued that Biden’s foreign policy resulted in worsening global disputes rather than resolving them, referring to the NATO management and the Ukraine-Russia war as examples. He also claimed that the situation in the Middle East is “Biden’s foreign policy failure,” blaming Biden for being noble in vocal support of a ceasefire but not being effective in action on the ground. The author opined that the response from the international community to Biden's withdrawal from the race will be crucial, as global leaders must adapt to the shifting dynamics of the US policy. He explained that Biden’s decision has introduced a “new layer of uncertainty,” and European leaders will need to balance their engagements with both Democratic and Republican stakeholders to ensure continued collaboration on critical issues like climate change, security, and trade. (Majid Burfat, “A tenure marred by diplomatic blunders, miscalculations,” The Express Tribune, 27 July 2024) |
|
