POLITICS
PTI and JUI-F to join forces against the government
On 23 August, after a meeting between leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (JUI-F) Pakistan, both parties had agreed to cooperate on an “issue to issue and agenda to agenda” basis. After the meeting concluded, PTI leader, Asad Qaiser said their joint strategy consisted of blocking all “controversial” bills proposed by the government in the coming week. He informed that both parties had selected their representatives in the National Assembly and the Senate to carry out their plan. On 20 August, JUI-F chief, Maulana Fazl said that the JUI-F would single handedly go against the government and even cooperate with opposition parties on common concerns. (Ikram Junaidi, “Issue-based cooperation between PTI, JUI-F likely,” The Express Tribune, 24 August 2024)
Imran Khan calls off Islamabad rally to avoid the repeat of 9 May violence
On 22 August, at the Adiala jail, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader, Imran Khan said that rally planned with other parties, scheduled for 22 August was postponed, because they were afraid it would turn into the 9 May violence. Hence, the PTI would bring rallies to the capital on 8 September. He said: “I have told the party leaders not to tolerate any hurdle in the way of holding a power show.” Commenting on the cancellation of the no-objection certificate to carry out the rally, Khan was skeptical of the judiciary’s credibility. He wondered how the district administration issued an NOC with the court’s permission. He added that party leaders were instructed to meet and decide upon a date for protests over the Supreme Court’s delay in issuing a verdict on the reservation seats case. (Malik Asad, “Islamabad rally cancelled to avert May 9-like violence, claims Imran,” Dawn, 24 August 2024)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan seeks additional loan worth USD 1.5 billion from Saudi Arabia
On 24 August, according to Dawn Pakistan has sought for a new loan from Saudi Arabia, worth USD 1.5 billion. The Saudi Foreign Minister has assured that the additional support will be extended. It aims to bridge the external financing gap of two to three billion USD tw to . Pakistan’s has been unable to fulfil its incremental requirements as demanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Hence, there has been a delay in the IMF’s approval of the USD 7 billion Extended Fund Facility. From August to September. Additionally, China, UAE and Saudi Arabia need to approve a rollover of USD 12 billion loan to meet the IMF’s demands. Top official sources said: “We are now in the process of securing confirmation from bilateral partners and resumption of commercial loans from Middle East-based banks.” (Khaled Kiani, “Pakistan seeks $1.5bn increase in Saudi lending ,” Dawn, 24 August 2024; Mehta Haider, “ Pakistan seeks incremental funding from S Arabia, loans from UAE banks ,” The News International, 24 August 2024)
Pakistan forms committee to negotiate with Chinese IPPs
On 24 August, The News International revealed that the federal government has constituted the Power Sector Financing Steering Committee for negotiating a the extension of a three-year loan to five years. Initially, the country requested Chinese Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to allow the repayment of USD 15.4 billion debt till 2036. The committee consists of Minister for Power, Awais Leghari, the secretary Finance and the secretary Power. They are required to provide updates on a weekly basis. The government is also looking to hire a consultant based in China, to track the matter on a daily basis. The negotiation process is a lengthy and complex one. Once it comes through, existing agreements signed with IPPs will have to be reworked and both the Pakistani and Chinese side will have to sign the new agreements. In the backdrop, the centre has been working to meet the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions, to realise the External Funding Facility package worth USD 7 billion. However, a top official said: “It should be crystal clear there are no linkages between the Chinese IPPs debt and the IMF loan package. These are different standalone issues and Islamabad will deal with them separately.” He added that the debt restructuring to IPPs is not a condition of the IMF. (“Chinese IPPs debt: Panel formed to negotiate repayment over the three years,” The News International, 24 August 2024)
ECONOMY
Petrol and diesel prices levied on the higher side, though international market rates have fallen
On 24 August, Dawn reported that petroleum and high-speed diesel (HSD) rates are estimated to fall by PKR 5-6 per litre. Officials have stated that the average price of petrol fell from USD 82.50 per barrel to USD 82.50 per barrel. In Pakistan, the transport sector mostly consumes HSD. However, the price is considered a product of inflation as it is mostly consumed by heavy transport vehicles, trains and agricultural engines which eventually impact the price of consumable goods. Petrol is consumed by private transport, mostly the middle and lower classes. Despite a drop in petroleum prices, it is rarely reflected in commodity prices and fares. It is also worth noting that the government has set the maximum price limit at PKR 70 per litre in the fiscal bill. It aims to collect PKR 1.28 trillion in the next financial year, against the previous year’s collection of PKR 1.019 trillion. Presently, the government charges around PKR 78 tax for every litre of petrol and HSD, though the general sales tax on all petroleum products is zero. (Khaled Kiani, “Petrol, diesel set for third straight fortnightly cut,” Dawn, 24 August 2024)
HEALTH
Third mpox case detected in Peshawar
On 23 August, another individual returning from the Middle East to Peshawar was tested positive for mpox. This is the third case this year, after the first one was detected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The health ministry spokesperson said that the patient with mpox symptoms was rushed to a hospital for further treatment and testing. According to officials in the National Institute of Health ISlamabad, Pakistan has reported 12 cases in the past two years. Health coordinator, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bhurt, that surveillance systems have been set up at major entry points of airports. He said: “We are committed to safeguarding the public from outbreaks through serious and sustained measures.” Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health of Pakistan has started engaging with international agencies to acquire mpox vaccines. (M. Waqar Bhatti, “Country's third mpox case reported in Peshawar,” The News International, 24 August 2024)
SOCIETY
Education performance report reveals poor performance in all districts
On 23 August, UK High's Commissioner to Pakistan, and the Planning Minister launched the Planning Commission's District Education Performance Index Report . All districts were reported to struggle with significant gaps in education delivery system and student performance. None of the 134 districts received a high performance rating in education. Though KP has performed better than Punjab in its governance and management in education, it ranked poorly in learning. Sindh was the best in public financing. Balochistan ranked lowest in almost all domains. Islamabad fell in the high performance category, while 32 districts in Punjab, 16 districts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and 8 districts in Sindh landed in the medium category. A member of Social Sector of the Planning Commission, said that the education index “paints a very sorry state of affairs as the whole map is red” and that the current education budget is “inadequate.” “Up to 90% of the current budget for the education sector goes to paying salaries,” he said. According to the District Education Performance report, Pakistan has scored a national average of 53.46, pushing it to the low performance category. (Shahbaz Rana, “Report lifts lid on education failure ,” The Express Tribune, 24 August 2024)
SECURITY
Dacoits behind rocket attacks and death of 12 police constables eliminated
On 23 August, the gang of dacoits behind the rocket attack in the Machka area have been found. The attack killed 12 police constables when they were returning in two vehicles from a police camp in the Katcha area. A post on social media platform X said: “The main suspect who attacked policemen yesterday, Bashir Shar, has reached his logical end.” Shar was the main culprit behind the attack and his five accomplices were injured by the police’s swift action. In response to the attack, a joint operation of about 320 personnel was launched by the Punjab and Sindh police. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her condolences over the death of the personnel and announced a bounty of PKR 10 million for capturing criminals in the Katch area. (Ameen Aabbasi, Arshad Dogar, Nadeem Shah & Sher Ali Khalti, “Main culprit behind attack on police killed,” The News International, 24 August 2024)
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The Sindh government is active in controlling the use of drugs among the youth.
A crackdown on drug paraphernalia has been launched to root out the filth spread in the society.
- PPP
Founder Chairman Imran Khan has said that give a warning on my behalf that today was the last meeting which was cancelled. After today, we will not cancel any of our meetings, no matter what happens, the meetings will be on time.
- PTI Peshawar
If the sit-in was successful, they would resist more strongly if the government did not implement the agreement.
- Jamaat e Islami Pakistan
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"For the same supporters, the judicial heroes later became villains. This reflects an unfortunate tendency."
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘The final umpire.’
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