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In Brief
POLITICS
Opposition and MQM-P accuse the government of “bulldozing” the Election Act (Amendment Bill), 2024
On 6 August, the government “bulldozed” the Election Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 through both houses of the parliament. The bill is allegedly aimed at “circumventing” the Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats and eliminating any possibility of extended legislative strength of the PTI. The bill was first passed hastily in the National Assembly despite uproar and opposition and later in the Senate. There was no debate as is customary and the bill was not even referred to a senate committee in line with rules and the parliamentary traditions. Interestingly, the PML (N)’s ally, Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan’s Dr Farooq Sattar also criticized the hasty passage of the bill as his party was not “consulted.” Further, he argued that the bill pits the judiciary against the Parliament. While the rhetoric among the opposition is that the bill is “unconstitutional” and a “direct attack on the judiciary,” Law Minister Azam Naseer Tarar opined that the ruling was as per Article 51 and Article 106. He added that the parliament did have the right to legislate on this subject and the decision-making cannot be handed over only to 17 individuals i.e. judges of the Supreme Court. In a contradicting statement, PTI Chairman Barrister Johar Ali Khan said the assembly may legislate but cannot “interpret the Constitution, or set aside” the SC’s verdict. According to PTI’s Sibghatullah, the government was able to pass the bill through the standing committee and numerical strength. (“Law to 'sap' PTI strength bulldozed through parliament,” Dawn, 7 August 2024; “Bill passed to take reserved seats from PTI,” The News International, 7 August 2024)
Senate panel holds discussion on journalist protection bill
On 7 August, The News International reported that the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting held preliminary discussions on “The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill, 2022.” The meeting was convened by Chairman Senator Syed Ali Zafar. The participants discussed the definition of journalist where many representatives of journalist organizations highlighted their views and put forth proposals. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) representatives alleged that journalism organizations and stakeholders were not aware of the bill provisions and urged for the standardization of the definition of journalism. The committee decided to amend the definition after inputs from Federal Minister, Attallah Tarar and Senior journalist Hamid Mir. In addition, Senator Ali Zafar mentioned that a new amendment bill has asked for the qualifications of the Chairperson of the Commission for the Rights of Journalists. In this regard, he noted that the tenure of three years can be extended by one year. However, press representatives disagreed with the decision and suggested the removal of the clause. Similarly, the committee asked for the removal of the clause on imprisonment. The federal minister underlined the available funds for journalists’ protection and for appointing the chairperson of the commission. The Private Member Bill, ‘The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill, 2022’ moved by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla was proposed mainly to protect journalists, their families and their properties. The bill also proposed the constitution of a commission to provide “immediate relief against torture and other calamities.” Further, the bill includes clauses aimed at protecting the “sources of journalists.” (Mumtaz Alvi, “Senate panel reviews journalist protection bill,” The News International, 7 August 2024)
National Assembly passes resolution on Kashmir against India’ policies
On 6 August, the National Assembly unanimously agreed upon a resolution against India’s one-sided invalidation of Kashmir’s special status. However, one lawmaker opposed to this. Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai summoned a point of order in the resolution. He did not accept the resolution because his suggestion was not considered for amending the draft. Through a “hard-hitting speech,” he argued that Pakistan has always supported freedom movements. He argued that in this case, the Kashmiris must be asked what they want. Parts of his speech were censored and he called out the speaker for not giving him a chance to speak on the matter and calling him a “havaldar.” Earlier, the Youm-i-Istehsaal-i-Kashmir Day Resolution was proposed by the Safron and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam. He expressed that India should extend humanitarian aid, emancipate Kashmiri politicians from prison, put an end to human rights violations and “implement the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.” (“Resolution on Kashmir supported by all but one lawmaker,” Dawn, 7 August 2024)
PTI member Raoof Hasan released on bail
On 7 August, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Information Secretary, Raoof Hasan was released from the Adiala Jail after securing bail. The anti-terrorism court (ATC) issued a mandamus which approved Hasan’s request for bail. The court’s Judge Tahir Abbas approved the petition “against surety bonds” valued at PKR 200,000. International Media Coordinator for the PTI Ahmed Waqas Januja, who is also a co-accused in the case, had alleged that Hasan was involved in terror financing. This had led to Hasan’s arrest. (“PTI's Raoof Hasan released from Adiala after ATC approves bail,” The News International, 7 August 2024)
The government and the Jamaat-i-Islami are yet to reach a consensus even after the third round of talks
On 6 August, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) in its third round of talks with the government announced that the latter would respond to the protestors’ demands in writing. At the meeting, JI’s Vice President Liaquat Baloch expressed that his party wanted the people relieved of heavy tax burdens and expensive electricity bills. He commented that if the government is unable to meet the people’s expectations, then they have no other choice but to take to the streets. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar was positive about the meeting outcomes and said another round would be held today. Earlier, JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman at a public address during a sit-in informed that a series of protests would be carried out between 8 -12 August from Liaquat Bagh Punjab to Rehmanabad. Demonstrations will take place outside the Punjab Chief Minister’s House in Lahore and Peshawar. In a statement, he asserted that though “Many people are involved in spreading anarchy,” they resolve to conduct a “peaceful march.” He added that it was their “right to rally” for their demands. (Aamir Yasin, “JI to decide sit-in's fate after government reply,” Dawn, 7 August 2024)
“The legislature has been used to impose the will of the powerful on the country,” claims an editorial in Dawn
On 7 August, an editorial in Dawn, titled “Tailored laws,” discussed the amendments to the Elections Act, 2017 and highlighted how the legislature has been misused to “ impose the will of the powerful on the country” yet gain. It detailed the Supreme Court’s verdict on the case of the reserved seat and reminded that various government representatives had vowed to oppose the implementation. It observed that the government decided to introduce the new legislation after knowing that an immediate review of a judgement is not possible. The editorial wondered about the fate of the Supreme Court verdict as the deadline for the implementation by the ECP is ending soon. The editorial underlined that the SC judgement had agreed that the ECP had committed numerous “illegalities” in the election and that is a deliberate attempt to make the judgement “controversial.” The editorial suggested that the detailed verdict should have come sooner to clear controversies and clarify the reasons behind the majority verdict. The editorial suggested that a detailed verdict would have clarified SC’s position to the public as well. While the government has criticized the Supreme Court's provision of giving another chance for the PTI to submit their party affiliation, as akin to rewriting the Constitution, many in the legal fraternity believe that the SC was just rendering “complete justice.” The editorial also suggested that the judges should provide an explanation and “end the controversy for good.” (“Tailored laws,” Dawn, 7 August 2024)
JUDICIARY
FPCCI challenges Power Generation Policy 1994 in the Supreme Court
On 7 August, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers and Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) challenged the government’s Power Generation Policy 1994 in the Supreme Court demanding that it be declared unconstitutional. Earlier, the same was challenged in the Lahore High Court Bar Association. The case was filed by advocate Feisal Hussain Naqvi under Article 184(3) by making “Federation of Pakistan through the Secretary Ministry of Energy, Power Division, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA)” as respondents. The petitioner urged the Supreme Court to order the Power Generation Policy 1994, 2002 and 20015 as “null and void.” He further rested his argument claiming that it is the responsibility of the government to provide electricity at a low cost under Article 9. He further asked the government and its instrumentalists to refrain from benefitting from essential needs of the public such as electricity. The petitioner additionally blamed the government for failing to provide electricity and for allowing private parties to benefit. He was angered that the burden of both has fallen on the citizens. (“SC moved to declare power generation policies null and void,” The News International, 7 August 2024)
ECONOMY
China, Saudi Arabia and UAE accept Pakistan’s request for debt roll-over
On 6 August, Dawn quoted a Bloomberg report which reavealed that China, Saudi Arabia and UAE have agreed to “roll-over” debt owed by Pakistan for one year. This will help the Pakistani government to meet the International Monetary Fund’s condition for a USD 7 billion bailout. Pakistan’s financial arrangement is characterized by commercial loans and SAFE deposits which are rolled over every year so Pakistan can meet its immediate payment obligations. Pakistan has requested the maturity period for a USD 5 billion loan from China, USD 4 billion from Saudi Arabia and USD 3 billion from UAE to be prolonged to around 3 years. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb revealed that the “volume of rollovers” will remain the same as the previous years. He added that Pakistan has to identify a source to secure USD 5 billion to fulfil the obligations of the fund’s 3-year programme and overcome the financing gap. Meanwhile, a statement issued by the IMF, says that though the Extended Fund Facility has reached a preliminary agreement at the staff level, it is yet to be approved by the executive board. In a statement after the staff-level agreement with Pakistan, the IMF stated that the new Extended Fund Facility programme was subject to approval from its executive board and obtaining “timely confirmation of necessary financing assurances from Pakistan’s development and bilateral partners.”(“Pakistan has 1-year debt rollover commitments from key lenders: Bloomberg report,” Dawn, 6 August 2024)
Reemergence of grey currency market due to surge in dollars smuggling
On 7 August, according to Dawn, experts noted the reemergence of grey currency market due to the surge in dollars smuggling to neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and Iran. Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan General Secretary, Zafar Paracha said that the grey currency market, working outside the regular remittances’ domain, currently attracts USD 500 million monthly. This provides an exchange rate of USD 4 per dollar which is higher than the official rate. Paracha said, “The grey market is offering about PKR 284 per US dollar. The rate is higher by PKR 4 per dollar compared to the open market rate of PKR 280.” He observed that this monthly outflow of USD 500 million would result in a loss of USD 6 billion at the end of the current fiscal year. This harms remittances which would decline. Based on the currency dealers, the rise of the grey market refers to the pause in dollars in foreign countries, with remittances continuing to be sent in rupees. This was proved by decline in the quantum of dollars sold by the exchange companies to banks in July concerning June. Paracha noted, “Exchange companies sold about USD 335million to banks in July against USD 445million in June.” (Shahid Iqbal, “Reemergence of grey market brings back memories of 2023,” Dawn, 7 August 2024)
PROVINCES
Balochistan: BYC rejects “proxy” label by the military; demands a neutral investigation on the allegation
On 6 August, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) rejected its labelling by the military as a “proxy of terrorist organizations and criminal mafias.” The committee also urged the military to establish an investigation committee by a neutral party or a human rights organization to probe the allegations against the group. BYC reaffirmed its stance on public struggle and said: “Being an external proxy or being externally funded is not part of our political traditions. Our struggle is and will continue to be based on principle and ideology, and our strength is only the Baloch people.” This development comes after a military spokesperson condemned the protest movements. The Military spokesperson referred to the movement as a “proxy” to “defame and spread propaganda against the law enforcement agencies.” The spokesperson had also stated that “The method of action is through gathering a mob through foreign funding and a foreign stance, persuade innocent citizens around that mob, challenge the state’s writ … and feign innocence when the state responds.” (“Baloch rights group BYC rejects ‘proxy’ label, calls for independent inquiry over allegations,” Dawn, 6 August 2024)
ENERGY
“Successive governments have promised to focus on and tackle the issues, but none has ever made a concerted effort at wide-ranging reform,” argues an editorial in Dawn
On 7 August, an editorial in Dawn, titled “Power sector talk,” discussed how the energy sector is in a “deep mess” and further hampering the country’s economy. The editorial pointed out factors responsible for the electricity crisis such as the “mismanagement of the power sector, rampant corruption, theft, bad policies and lack of investment in the distribution network.” It blamed the government for removing the subsidy regime for the industry due to the IMF deal as it has affected the “inefficient and energy-dependent businesses.” It further argued that despite promises, the successive governments failed to address the electricity crisis. It explained that the Shehbaz Sharif administration is moving towards a new direction to “assuage” the urban middle-class consumers of electricity as well as industry as the government is discussing several solutions to reduce the electricity price instead of “forming a task force on power sector reforms and co-opting technocrats.” It asserted that if the government is serious about resolving this, it “would do well to engage IPP owners and experts rather than hiring charlatans” who will exacerbate the tension. (“Power sector talk,” Dawn, 7 August 2024)
PAK-CHINA
Protests at Khunjerab Pass halt trade with and travel to China
On 7 August, Dawn reported that protests at the Sost Dry Port had “intensified” and entered the 13th day. Those affiliated with the trade between Pakistan and China through the Khunjerab Pass have demanded the Customs authorities and Federal Board of Revenue to implement the court decision of not collecting taxes on goods imported from China. These taxes include income tax, sales tax and additional sales tax. The protestors have accused the Gilgit Baltistan customs collector, chief collector and customs member of “conspiracy” against the friendship between the two countries. Karakoram Highway (KKH) has been blocked and about 50 foreign tourists have been unable to travel to the neighbouring territory. Some also face problems with an expired visa. The protest sit-in first started by blocking the entry and exit points of the KKH and continued to the Dry Port, halting trade and travel across the border. The sit-ins were attended by traders, labourers, transporters, custom clearing agents, and people working in political, religious and social organisations. (Jamie Nagri, “Pak-China trade, travel suspended as GB traders’ protest intensifies,” Dawn, 7 August 2024)
INDIA VIEW
India and Pakistan should break the “perpetual cycle of blame and retribution” and India should accept “Islamabad’s dialogue offer,” suggests an editorial in Dawn
On 7 August, an editorial in Dawn titled “Another overture” highlighted that despite levelling criticism against India on the occasion of Youm-i-Istehsal for its “flawed approach in held Kashmir”, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also made a “fresh peace overture to New Delhi.” Further, PM Sharif also emphasized the necessity of “a peaceful solution” to settle the dispute over Kashmir and stressed that the settlement of this “77-year-old dispute” was crucial for “durable peace in South Asia.” The editorial argued that “the process of normalization in the subcontinent” can begin only “if New Delhi is interested in pursuing peace.” The editorial lamented that there is very “little indication” that India is interested in normalizing relations with Pakistan. On the contrary, India has “increasingly” relied on the “overplayed terrorism card” to impede dialogue with Pakistan. Referring to PM Narendra Modi’s earlier speech accusing Pakistan of “fomenting unrest in the region through proxy groups,” the editorial argued that the use of “such language” will hamper the possibility of peace in the region. The editorial lauded PM Sharif’s peace overture as a step in the right direction and urged India to accept the offer for “an improved geopolitical atmosphere in the subcontinent.” Further, the editorial suggested that in the absence of “direct peace talks” both countries should engage in confidence-building measures. For instance, full diplomatic relations should be restored by exchanging respective high commissioners, backchannel dialogues should be started and India should send a high-level delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Heads of Government meeting in Pakistan scheduled for later this year. The editorial also alleged that India is similarly engaged in “malign activities” on Pakistani soil. The editorial thus concluded that both countries should aim to break this “perpetual cycle of blame and retribution,” and Indian leaders should “rise above parochialism,” and accept Pakistan’s offer for dialogue. (“Another overture,” Dawn, 7 August 2024)
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