|
In Brief
POLITICS
Punjab Information Minister says the government may lift the ban on X if “rules and regulations” on social media are framed
On 2 August, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari revealed that the government may lift the ban on X given that rules and regulations are framed for social media. She also assured that the government was not opposed to social media. She also pointed out that most countries have has laws that regulate social media. Referring to the abuse of laws, she noted that “In every country laws are made to solve the problems and freedom of expression is abused. There are distorted traditions in our society.” She also highlighted that social media accounts are misused for “digital terrorism” and argued that “all accounts must be governed by the rules and regulations.”
Separately, the Bokhari also commented on Imran Khan and called him “mentally disturbed.” She demanded that “Imran Khan should apologise first [over May 9 incidents]. Let him first admit that they have done all this and he has made a mistake.” (Zulqernain Tahir, “X ban may be lifted if social media rules framed: Azma Bukhari,” Dawn, 3 August 2024)
PTI founding member killed in Lahore
On 2 August, PTI founding member Dr Shahid Siddique was killed by an unknown man in Valencia Town, Lahore. Dr Shahid was shot while leaving a mosque in Valencia after offering Friday prayers. He suffered four bullet injuries and was shifted to the hospital but did not survive. The suspect managed to escape and is at large. Dr Shahid’s son informed police that he was unable to identify the motive behind the attack and dismissed enmity with anyone. Punjab police chief Usman Anwar directed an immediate inquiry into the incident and SSP Investigations Dr Anoosh Masood visited the crime scene. Separately, PTI leaders condemned the murder. PTI senior leader Zulfi Bukhari tweeted: “Getting shot in cold blood after Friday prayers has left us all in absolute shock.” Additionally, Lahore PTI President Chaudhry Asghar Gujjar shared a video message to share his condolences and expressed his support for the family of the deceased. (Mansoor Malik and Imran Gabol, “PTI founding member shot dead in Lahore,” Dawn, 3 August 2024)
PTI seeks permission to hold a public meeting on 13 August
On 3 August, The News International reported that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has sought permission to hold a public meeting in Islamabad on 13 August. He revealed that the party has submitted a formal request to the Islamabad district administration regarding the meeting. The party had petitioned that it be allowed to hold the protest in line with court orders. The party intends to hold a rally on 13 August at Tarnol, F-9 Park or G-9 Peshawar Mor. Earlier, the party had also sought permission to hold a protest on 5 August. Khan stressed that the “symbolic hunger strike camp” taking place outside the Parliament House would continue until the release of Imran Khan and the other party members. (Mumtaz Alvi, “PTI seeks permission to hold rally in Islamabad on 13th,” The News International, 3 August 2024)
JUDICIARY
Three judges escape unharmed in militant attack
On 2 August, a militant gun attack targeted three judges in a convoy travelling from Tank district to Dera Ismail Khan. The militants attacked the convoy in the Bhagwal area of Tank in which two policemen, Constable Abdullah and Constable Abdus Samad lost their lives. The three judges, however, managed a narrow escape. The three judges were the acting district and sessions judge of Tank Malik Hasnain, the acting district and sessions judge of South Waziristan Malik Asghar and the senior civil judge of South Waziristan Tahira Zainab. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi denounced the attack and shared his condolence. KP Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan also Gandapur condemned the attack. Earlier in April, the district and sessions judge of South Waziristan had been kidnapped and released later.
Separately, an attack by an unidentified assailant in Lakki Marwat killed a traffic constable Anwar Sher. The assailants came on a motorcycle and shot the constable. (“Three judges survive militant attack in Tank,” Dawn, 3 August 2024)
PM and the federal cabinet are responsible for “enforced disappearances,” says Islamabad High Court
On 2 August, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) stated that the Prime Minister and the federal cabinet are “ultimately responsible” for the enforced disappearances and the missing persons. IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb issued an order in a case related to Ghulam Shabbirs, disappearance. Earlier, Shabbir went missing while on his way to Islamabad from Lahore. Following this, a case was registered in the Lahore High Court (LHC). However, it was later withdrawn on information that he was in Islamabad. Later, a similar case was filed again for his recovery. The order given by the IHC underlined the government’s lack of knowledge of Shabbir’s whereabouts by pointing to submissions from the assistant attorney-general along with representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and others. The justice highlighted that such instances were “detrimental” to democracy and contradictions to the “injunction of Islam.”
Similarly, the Missing Persons Inquiry Commission in its report mentioned that 3,485 cases of missing persons were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is the highest number reported in the country. Likewise, in Balochistan, 2752 cases related to enforced disappearance were recorded. The report noted that drone attacks, the spike in militancy, and fleeing abroad without informing the families were the major reasons. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar underlined that the cabinet has approved the establishment of a special committee to investigate these missing cases. He further claimed that “only 23 per cent of missing persons” are pending. (Awais Yousafzai, “IHC holds PM, cabinet responsible for enforced disappearances,” The News International, 3 August 2024)
ECONOMY
24 state-owned enterprises to be privatized following CCOP meeting
On 2 August, the Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCOP) gathered to discuss a phased privatization programme proposed by the Ministry of Privatization for 2024-29. About 24 public sector enterprises were approved for privatization. CCOP will determine which State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) will be added under the “strategic” or “essential” category. The entities that don’t fit either classification will be included in the privatization programme. The CCOP suggested that the state should prioritize “reducing” government intervention in the “commercial space.” It further stated that SOEs should be limited only to “strategic and essential” areas. The committee also discussed the privatization policy guidelines, reviewing 84 organizations listed under the ‘Federal Footprint’ State-Owned Enterprises Consolidated Report of the financial year 2020-22. (Amin Ahmed, “Another 24 state-owned enterprises to be sold off under new plan,” Dawn, 3 August 2024)
SECURITY
14 BYC protestors booked under the Pakistan Penal Code
On 2 August, the members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) who assembled around the Arts Council to demonstrate a protest reported being “manhandled” by police. About 50 workers, including women, were protesting against claims of torture and detention in Gwadar. The BYC statement further stated that it was to showcase the “high-handedness” of police in Gwadar. However, District Inspector General South, Syed Azad Raza, dismissed allegations of baton charge and torture. He said the local police and administration had warned the organizers to not “violate the ban on holding any unlawful assembly in Red Zone.” Other personnel communicated that about a dozen protestors are being held at the Aram Bagh police station. While female protestors were immediately released, about 14 male activists have been booked and arrested under the Pakistan Penal Code. (Imtiaz Ali, “14 held as police break up BYC rally in Karachi,” Dawn, 3 August 2024)
PROVINCES
Balochistan: BYC protests resume on account of ‘missing persons’
On 3 August, according to The News International, the roads of Balochistan continued to be blocked despite an agreement between the local administration and the Balochistan Yakjheti Committee representative, Dr Mahrang Baloch. On 1 August, they had reached a consensus to discontinue the sit-in. The government was to remove all road blockades and release arrested persons once the protestors dispersed peacefully. However, protests continue in Gwadar, Mastung and other locations. A fresh sit-in started when protestors demanded the “recovery of missing persons” who were dispersed on their way to a meeting by BYC in Gwadar from Matsung. As a result, 14 people were injured and an army soldier was killed. Addressing the issue, Federal Law Minister Azam Naseer Tarar has proposed compensation of PKR 5 million to every family with a “missing person.” (Sadaqat Baloch, “BYC protests continue despite govt deal,” The News International, 3 August 2024)
EXTERNAL
Overseas Pakistanis enhance inflows through RDA
On 2 August, the central bank briefed that inflows to the Roshan Digital Account had improved in the fiscal year of 2023-2024. Excluding withdrawals and domestic utilization of funds, the net inflows increased by USD 311 million to USD 1.43 billion. This has stabilized the country’s foreign exchange reserves at around USD 9.10 billion, a significant increase from USD 4 billion in the previous fiscal. The net deposit and investment stood at USD 1.43 billion, including USD 592 million in the Naya Pakistan Certificate (NPC), USD 348 million by non-residents in the same certificate and about USD 38 million in the Pakistan Stock Exchange. (Salman Siddiqui, “Overseas Pakistanis invest USD 1.9 billion through RDA,” The Express Tribune, 3 August 2024)
ENVIRONMENT
Medium to high-level flash floods to hit Sindh and Balochistan, says NDMA
On 3 August, The Express Tribune reported that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had issued a flood alert for Sindh and Balochistan. The NDMA warned that medium to high-level flash floods are expected to hit the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan Division and the Nullahs of Zhob, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Kalat, Larkana, and Hyderabad divisions. The NDMA has instructed relevant authorizes to prepare for the situation. The warning states that the flash floods may persist till 5 August and those residing in risk areas are instructed to evacuate to safe zones. Additionally, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has signaled severe weather conditions between 2 August and 6 August in Sindh, particularly Karachi and neighbouring areas. Meteorologist Habib Jamal attributed the intensification of the monsoon to the winds from the Arabian Sea. (“NDMA issues hill torrent flood warning for Sindh and Balochistan,” The Express Tribune, 3 August 2024)
|
