NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Reuters
In Brief
AF-PAK
Clashes at Afghan-Pakistan border lead to death of eight Afghan troops
On 7 September, Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces clashed at the Pakistani check post in Palosin which led to the death of eight soldiers from the Afghan side. Sources said: “We have reports about heavy losses on the other [Afghan] side. So far, eight Afghan Taliban have been killed and 16 others have sustained injuries in retaliatory firing by the Pakistani forces,” including two key commanders. According to local officials, both sides used “heavy weapons.” They also said that these confrontations started after the Taliban started constructing a check point near the border, despite Pakistan’s pleas to not do so. It led to an exchange of heavy and light exchange of fire from both countries which became a cause of death and injury of many on the Afghan side. This does not mark the first time where both sides posted at the border have exchanged blows. Sources claim that besides the Afghan Taliban promoting militant activities within Pakistan, they have started attacking the country along international borders. On the following day, on 8 September, a frontier corps official was killed and three other personnel sustained injuries from an attacked by militants on the Tall Scouts Checkpost in the Marghan area. (“Eight Afghan troops killed in border clash,” Dawn, 9 September; “Afghan Taliban, Pak forces trade fire ,” The News International, 9 September)
SOCIETY
“Polio will never be seen again on the territory of Pakistan,” says PM Sharif
On 8 September, Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the anti-polio drive at a ceremony. He expressed hope by saying: “I am hopeful that the federal government will work with the provinces to rid Pakistan of this disease and not allow it to return.” He added: “Polio will never be seen again on the territory of Pakistan.” The PM was confident that close collaboration between provincial chief ministers, health ministers and bureaucrats will help pave a way for a polio-free future. He assured that this matter is being dealt by expert teams and was optimistic that the federation and provincial government’s efforts will help eradicate the virus. Radio Pakistan reported that a country wide and week-long polio-drive will be launched on the following day. About 286,000 teams have been constituted to vaccinate children across 115 districts of Pakistan. (“Nationwide polio drive set to begin on Sept 9 ,” Dawn, 8 September; “Pakistan to be made polio-free: PM,” The News International, 9 September)
PM Sharif announces “Emergency in Education” on International Literacy Day
On 8 September, speaking on the occasion of World Literacy Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared “an educational emergency” across the state. It is a campaign which aims at student enrolment and provides mid-day meals to school going children. The PM said: “Today, with iron conviction, and the support of provinces, we will handle the challenge of 26 million out-of-school children. We will bring them back to school…I declare from this moment an Emergency in Education all over Pakistan…The way we did it in Punjab, we will do it in Pakistan.” Separately, areport titled “The Missing Third of Pakistan” published by the Pak Alliance for Maths and Science (PAMS) revealed that 25.3 million children aged between 5 to 16 were out of school, of them 74 per cent of the children reside in rural areas. With an objective to reduce the dropout rate and even create “employment and self-employment opportunities” in Pakistan, the PM announced that the government will collaborate with the private sector and the civil society for policy implementation. He promised: “I will personally supervise the programme and meet all the chief ministers, irrespective of their political affiliations, with a vision to march in unison, expressing the hope that the provinces too would extend their support” as “education is the backbone of our society.”(“PM Shehbaz declares education emergency across country on Int'l Literarcy Day,” Dawn, 8 September; “World Literacy Day: PM Shehbaz Sharif calls education backbone of society,” The Express Tribune, 9 September)
POLITICS
President gives assent to bill on peaceful assembly within hours of go ahead by the parliament
On 8 September, Dawn reported that President Asif Ali Zardari has given his assent to the bill passed both in the Senate and the National Assembly (NA) on regulation of public assemblies. The bill titled “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill 2024” was introduced in the Senate on 2 September. It reads: “Whoever having been convicted by a court in Pakistan of an offence punishable under this Act with imprisonment for a term of three years or more shall for every subsequent offence be liable to imprisonment for a term that may extend to ten years.” It received approval from the Senate Standing Committee on 3 September, was passed in the Senate two days later. On 6 September it was pushed through the NA and even received president’s assent within hours. The opposition protested the bill in the house and even called this a “tyranny of fake majority.” They argued that these were “PTI-specific laws.” They had claimed that this was an attempt to obstruct their 8 September rally plans. As per the constitutional provisions, the President is allowed 10 days to either sign a bill or send it back to the parliament for reconsideration. (Ifthikhar A Khan, “President signs public order bill into law in ‘haste’ ,” Dawn, 8 September)
Activist group of former under-trial prisoners submits letter to LHC regarding NAB power abuse
On 9 September, according to The News International, a letter was submitted to the Lahore High Court’s Chief Justice, Aalia Neelum by an activist group named “Injustice alert.” The letter said: “We write today with great hope, as your honor is well known for being upright and passionate about judicial reforms.” It calls for reforms in the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) judicial processes. The group highlights the NAB inefficiencies in handling cases and abusing its authority by turning corporate and commercial disputes into criminal cases. The letter makes reference to the times when superior courts had recognized the NAB’s power abuse to the point that the “parliament had to amend the law in June 2022, clarifying that NAB is barred from taking cognizance of commercial disputes unless criminal intent is evident at the start of the transaction.” The group has put forward a set of reforms, namely: entrusting NAB cases to single judges with an expertise in corporate law, having many high court benches hear NAB cases as is practiced in the Supreme Court instead of a single designated bench. The group notes that though the NAB is required to present its final decision to a division bench, however, all NAB matters are being presented to the division bench. This practice furthers unwarranted burden on the judiciary. (Ansar Abbasi, “Reforms sought in judicial process of NAB cases ,” The News International, 9 September)
JUDICIARY
Report in The Express Tribune reviews judicial year 2023-2024 under CJP Isa
On 8 September, an article in The Express Tribune discussed the role of Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa role in shaping the political landscape of Pakistan in the judicial year of 2023-2024. The article highlighted an exceptional relationship between the CJP, superior bars and the executive. Though the Supreme Court (SC) was instrumental in conducting the general elections in 8 February 2024, CJP Isa was faced with criticism for the 13 January order. The order deemed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s election illegal, thereby leading to the Election Commission depriving it of an election symbol. This led to speculations over the fairness of the 2024 general elections. Additionally, the PTI founder, Imran Khan was incarcerated in three cases, without following protocol and the SC did not intervene in the rulings of subordinate courts. Interestingly, Punjab’s election tribunal has been suspended and the PTI has filed a petition on election-rigging however, the case is still pending. The article claimed that the ruling government is “at ease with CJP Isa’s leadership” and are concerned of the risk they have to face after the CJP’s retirement. Hence, the federation has advanced a reform in the retirement ages of judges through a legislative amendment. This change ought to maintain the current system and even extend CJP Isa’s tenure by three years. The article also makes mention of judicial politics which has been dominating the SC through the judicial year. During the tenure of CJP Isa, two judges were removed from office, while one was dismissed for misconduct, another resigned without specifying any reasons. After judges from the various high courts called upon the SC to review its judgments, the apex body initiated suo moto proceedings. However, the court has failed to address enforced disappearances taking place in Balochistan. Other cases relating to trial of PTI activists in military courts are yet to be contested by the SC. The article says that though the PTI remains wary of the Supreme Court, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) which is the ruling government hails CJP Isa. (Hasnaat Malik, “Inside CJP Qazi Faez Isa’s Supreme Court: A year of judicial challenges and political turbulence ,” Dawn, 9 September)
ECONOMY
Dar raises suspicion over IMF’s intentions towards Pakistan
On 9 September, Dawn reported on a few statements regarding Pakistan and International Monetary Fund’s relationship which were made by the Foreign Minister at a Defence Day event, organized by the Overseas Pakistani Foundation at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington. At the event Dar said: “I was in the last government for 11 months and reviews kept going on… my assessment is they wanted Pakistan to default. Our politicians should be wary of this — we are a nuclear state. Every time we go in that direction [of economic success], our legs are pulled. Conventional wars are over. [The disbursement] was delayed for eight months and that, in the economic life of a country, is a big crime.” The disbursement refers to the IMF’s Extended Facility Fund of USD 7 billion which requires the final executive board’s approval. The previous date of approval had been set in August, however it was postponed as Pakistan was unable to overcome its financing gap and rollover its debts. Additionally, in the IMF’s executive board’s calendar posted on its website, Pakistan does not figure anywhere up to 18 September though the Finance Minister is of the claim that the loan will be approved in September. According to Dar, this is “geopolitics at play when Pakistan was close to default.” He questioned, “Why shouldn’t I raise a finger when our technical review is complete … [why are they] wasting our time?” (Atika Rehamn, “Dar questions IMF’s intentions towards Pakistan,” Dawn, 9 September)
PROVINCES
Punjab: CM Maryam Nawaz launches environmental surveillance campaign
On 9 September, The News International reported that an environmental surveillance campaign has been launched by Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif. With the help of drone and satellite technology, those identified for violating environmental and releasing smoke emissions have been singled out. The Environment Protection Department team and the district magistrate launched a raid on two factories on Sheikhpura road, Gujranwala. Later, the authorities demolished the kilns and even sealed off the factories. Separately, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb appreciated the department team’s efforts. She said: “On the direction of CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif, we will further take forward preemptive saving environment campaign briskly.” She called upon the residents of Punjab province to support the government’s efforts in getting rid of smog. She said: “We will have to eliminate the factors causing smog, which takes away lives of 2.5 lakh people every year.” (Ali Raza, “On direction of Maryam Nawaz: Environmental surveillance launched in Punjab ,” Dawn, 8 September)
Balochistan: Internment centres to be set up due to deteriorating security situation
On 8 September, sources informed The Express Tribune of the creation of “internment centres” against the backdrop of deteriorating security situation within the province. The 26 August attack was the the most significant one in recent years and about 50 people lost their lives. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) took responsibility for attacks across 10 districts. In the aftermath, the government discussed the issue with various stakeholders and even decided to give special powers to security forces in the province. Similar amendments were made to the Anti Terrorism Act 1997 after a terrorist attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, about ten years ago in KP. Under the amendment bill to the Anti Terrorism Act, personnel are allowed to detain those suspected of terrorism for three months without an FIR. Other proposals involve the establishment of special internment centres to detain terror suspects, those involved in terrorism insurgency or militancy without court orders. A source said: “The centre may have different name but it would be at the pattern of the internment centres established in K-P.” (Kamran Yousaf, “Balochistan to get 'internment centres',” The Express Tribune, 9 September)