|
In Brief
POLITICS
Special Investigation Team constituted to probe terrorism cases against PTI members
On 12 September, Dawn reported that a special investigation team (SIT) of five-members has been constituted to investigate terrorism cases registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. A case has been registered pertaining to violation of the recently passed, ‘Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024’ and other provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The PTI leaders have been accused of taking police personnel hostage, assaulting and threatening them at gunpoint. The FIR claims that during the PTI’s 8 September rally, the law enforcement forces arrived at the event to inform the PTI protestors that they had exceeded the time limit as mentioned in the Non-Objection Certificate, thereby violating the same and even the new law mentioned above. In addition to this, two other cases against the PTI have been filed at the Sangjani and Raman police stations. Members of the party have been arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), the PPC and the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act. The FIR further claimed that they beat up police constables and even shot at them. The FIR claimed that the party supporters blocked the road with batons, iron rods and stones when the police personnel brought Sheikh Waqas Akram, Sher Afzal Marwat, Shoaib Shaheen and others to the court linked to a case registered at the Noon police station. (Munawer Azeem, “Special team to probe 'violence' at PTI's September 8 rally,” Dawn, 12 September 2024)
Speaker of NA proposes parliament charter in light of 10 September parliament raid
On 11 September, National SpeakerAyaz Sadiq suspended and demoted security officials in charge of the National Assembly (NA) ‘for not resisting’ unauthorized individuals from entering the premises during the raid in the Parliament House which led to the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leaders, Zain Qureshi and Sheikh Waqqas Akram. On the contrary, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that no lawmaker was arrested as seen in the CCTV footage of the session. These statements come after PTI member, Ali Muhammad Khan sought enactment of production orders of the arrested members of the PTI. PTI Party Chairman Gohar Ali Khan declared a boycott where PTI Members of NA will not participate in the proceedings unless and until an inquiry is launched into the 10 September events at the assembly session. Speaking at the session, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardair said: “The representatives of the house must maintain a working relationship. If the government is constantly engaged in firefighting, and the opposition continues to curse, make hue and cry, and act below the belt, they cannot fulfil their duty of holding the government accountable.”Additionally, the speaker of the house proposed a charter, which entails that everyone participating in the parliamentary discussion debate and deliberate over matters related to the polity and their issues, and refrain from inflicting personal attacks on lawmakers. (Ifthikar A. Khan, “Government disputes 'arrests from National Assembly' as speaker doles out punishment,” Dawn, 12 September 2024)
JUDICIARY
Government short of three votes to pass judicial amendment, reveals anonymous source
On 12 September, The News International quoted a government source who claimed that the bill seeking an increase in the retirement age of Supreme Court (SC) judges will be passed in the legislature with a two-thirds majority. The government aims to increase the retirement age of SC judges to 68 and the retirement age of high court judges to 65.The source also mentioned that the government and treasury benches need to acquire three votes in the Senate to amend the constitution. They said: “We are expecting to get the magic number any time and as soon as it is achieved, the constitutional amendment will be introduced and passed by parliament.” In the backdrop, on 10 September, the SC issued a press release to clarify Chief Justice’s recent informal conversation with reporters. It said: “The Chief Justice informed the journalists that he told the law minister that if the proposal was individual-specific and, if enacted, it would not be something he would accept.” (Ansar Abbasi, “Increasing retirement age of judges: Govt shy of three votes in Senate to amend Constitution,” The News International, 12 September 2024)
ECONOMY
ECC rejects proposal of new EPZ plan to comply with IMF condition
On 11 September, the government retracted its proposal regarding the establishment of a new Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Balochistan. This development comes as the government has decided to comply with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) condition to acquire a USD 7 billion loan. At the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting, the Finance Ministry rejected a proposal for the creation of an EPZ to promote copper exports from Siah Diq in Balochaistan. The government has decided to stop establishing new special economic zones (SEZ) or export processing zones (EPZ) and not extend incentives and special facilities after they expire, till 2035. However, the ECC approved an additional PKR 1 billion for hosting heads of other countries attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to be held in Islamabad from October 15-16. It also granted the contract award for the Kalkatak-Chitral road project to South Korea after removing it from international competitive bidding. The ECC also instructed the finance ministry to set aside money from its current budgetary resources to clear pending claims. (Shahbaz Rana, “IMF pressure halts new EPZ plan ,” The Express Tribune, 12 September 2024)
FBR proposes measures to overcome tax collection shortfall
On 12 September, The News International revealed that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has proposed a plan to overcome shortfall in tax collection under the International Monetary Fund’s External Facility Fund programme of USD 7 billion. This development comes after the FBR failed to bring 3.2 million retailers into the tax net. On 11 September, top officials confirmed that the FBR has identified two million nil tax filers out of six million return filers. The Board has recommended the government to impose a PKR 1 million fine on incorrect or incomplete filed returns. However, this strict policy can only be implemented via a contingent or mini budget after receiving the parliament’s approval. The FBR has proposed putting these defaulters under three categories. The nil filers will have their bank accounts frozen and they will be restricted from purchasing property or a vehicle. Those who have defaulted on their payments between PKR 0.5 million to PKR 1 million will have their gas and electricity connections disconnected. For the last category, the FBR said it would propose more measures for those who have evaded taxes at the value of PKR 1 million or above. (Mehtab Haider, “FBR bid to avoid possible tax shortfall: Freezing of tax evaders’ bank accounts among steps proposed ,” The News International, 12 September 2024)
SOCIETY
Educationists emphasize the need to address substance abuse in educational institutes
On 12 September, The Express Tribune reported that the Ziauddin University had organized the 22nd Ziauddin University dialogue on “The Growing Threat of Drug Addiction in Educational Institutions.” The program was organized to raise awareness about the increase in drug use in educational institutions. It aimed at determining the root causes of the issue and inform students, teachers and parents about campus safety. Pro-Chancellor of Ziauddin University, Professor Dr Nida Hussain stated that drug addiction is a threat to the future generation. She lamented over how educational premises which were once established for the purpose of imparting knowledge are now being used to distribute illicit substances. Principal of the College of Clinical Psychology, Dr Sarah Jehangir called for open discussions on factors such as stress and peer pressure. Separately, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Karachi, Dr Salman Shahzad noted the results of the 2019 World Bank report which reveals that 43 per cent of Pakistani youth have been involved in substance abuse and emphasized the immediate need for national action. (“Campuses becoming drug dens, warns educationist ,” The Express Tribune, 12 September 2024)
HEALTH
“Mental health may have become one of Pakistan’s biggest and most overlooked public health crises,” argues an editorial in Dawn
On 12 September, an editorial in Dawn titled “Saving lives” highlighted Pakistan’s worsening mental health crisis and termed it the “most overlooked public health crises.” The editorial referenced a seminar held on World Suicide Prevention Day in Islamabad on 11 September and pointed out key issues raised by the speakers. For instance, the speakers at the event revealed that there has been a sharp spike in the country’s suicide rate: the rate has increased from 7.3 (per 100,000 population) in 2019 to 9.8 in 2022. Citing this data, the editorial emphasized that this dramatic surge is “not something that can be ignored.” A professor at the event shared another alarming trend where in rural areas the suicide ideation rate is as high as 12 per cent. In light of these statistics and the burgeoning problem, the speakers at the event called for a “national strategy.” The editorial referenced reasons provided by the WHO for failure to prevent deaths due to self harm: “stigma surrounding mental disorders and suicide.” The editorial emphasized that “timely interventions” that can help prevent these deaths are stymied due the aforementioned stigma and patient’s apprehensions and fear of ridicule. Thus, in order to deal with the crisis, it is imperative that the state intervene “to dismantle the stigma surrounding suicide, improve awareness of why people self-harm, and encourage more compassion towards those who may be struggling with mental health problems.” Further, access to “ethical” and quality mental health professionals must be ensured. The editorial stressed that providing help to those most vulnerable is a “societal obligation” and the society must not fail them. (“Saving lives,” Dawn, 12 September 2024)
Sixth mpox case eludes detection in Islamabad, traced in KP
On 12 September, health officials were shocked to learn that a laborer who arrived at the Islamabad International Airport on 7 Septemberpassed through health screening at the airport. Though the man exhibited clear symptoms of mpox, he was not examined by the Border Health Services (BHS) staff on his arrival. This incident has raised concerns regarding the BHSs’ competence. He was the first mpox patient to arrive into the country and be tested positive elsewhere. The National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed: “It was only after he travelled to Peshawar and sought medical attention at Khyber Medical University” that his infection was detected He contracted the virus during his stay in a Middle Eastern country but chose to receive treatment in Pakistan rather than be deported. So far six mpox cases have been confirmed in Pakistan. Five have been identified since the World Health Organization declared the virus a Public Health Emergency on 14 August. (M Waqar Bhatti, “Fifth mpox case slips through Islamabad airport, detected in Peshawar later ,” The News International, 12 September 2024)
SECURITY
Six killed in separate attacks in KP
On 11 September, three people, including a polio worker and two others were killed in separate attacks in Bajaur and South Waziristan districts, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. 12 others sustained injuries in these attacks. At the Salarzai tehsil, a police officer and polio worker were killed in an attack by unknown assailants on a polio vaccination team which was administering vaccines to children. The attack took place on the third day of the nationwide anti-polio campaign. As a response to the demise of their co-worker, police officials have decided to boycott the campaign. In Mamund tehsil, a roadside blast led to the death of another security personnel, while four others were injured. In Lower South Waziristan, paramilitary soldiers and two laborers were shot dead in the Angkor Adda area. The shootout down took place at a Frontier Corps checkpoint and eight other individuals were injured. This incident marks the third attack since the last remote-controlled bomb blast in Kari Kot Bazaar and the police van attack in Rustam Bazaar in four days. (Anwarullah Khan & Adam Khan Wazir, “Polio worker among six slain in KP attacks ,” Dawn, 12 September 2024)
Lakki Marwat police personnel’s “concerns are not without merit,” argues an editorial in Dawn
On 12 September, an editorial in Dawn titled “Lakki police protest” discussed the recent protest sit-in by policemen of Lakki Marwat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as it entered its third consecutive day without any “amicable resolution” in sight. The policemen are protesting against the dramatic surge in terrorist attacks in Lakki Marwat and surrounding areas. In a show of solidarity, police personnel from surrounding areas like Bannu, D.I. Khan and Tank, which have also seen a spike in terror attacks, have joined the protest. The main demand of the police personnel is that the counter-terrorism operations in the district be led by them than the military and they must be empowered to deal with terrorism. Citing data from August where KP alone witnessed 29 terrorist attacks leading to a loss of 25 lives, the editorial highlighted that the concerns raised by the police are “not without merit.” The editorial also pointed out that Lakki Marwat and surrounding areas have witnessed a spike in terrorist attacks against police, security personnel and government officials. Further, even the locals are protesting the police led sit-in. This reflects a failure of the government and security forces to eradicate terrorism from the region. The editorial cautioned that police personnel are frontrunners in our fight against terrorism and their concerns, grievances and demands cannot be overlooked. The editorial lamented the fact the administration and security forces in KP are more concerned with political matters than the security situation and suggested that the police, the counter-terrorism department, intelligence agencies and the military must work in tandem to tackle the menace of terrorism. The editorial also stressed that the administration must “lend a sympathetic ear to these demands” as the province cannot afford to have a “demoralised police force” in the wake of the deteriorating security situation. (“Lakki police protest,” Dawn, 12 September 2024)
PROVINCES
Punjab: Government retracts power subsidy
On 11 September, the Islamabad Electric Supply Company issued a statement regarding the PKR 14 per unit subsidy for consumption ranging between 201-500 units. It informed that the government of Punjab has suspended its relief package and this suspension will be effective from. 30 September. This means that consumers will continue to receive relief until then. The subsidy amounting to PKR 45 billion was announced by the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) government in mid-August. It was announced at a period when the PML-N government was being criticized for inflated electricity bills. The relief had been announced following an agreement struck between the government and the Jamaat-i-Islami, which had resulted in the conclusion of a 14 day sit-in by the latter in an attempt to pressurize the centre to reduce electricity tariffs. This had led to criticism from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP),which is a part of the ruling coalition. Additionally, the the Pakistan Tehreek-e-INsaf party had also criticized the move. Later, the International Monetary Fund had set barring provincial governments from implementing any policies that undermine Pakistan’s commitments under the USD 7 billion Extended Facility Fund programme. (Kalbe Ali, “Punjab govt takes U-turn on power subsidy for Islamabad,” Dawn, 12 September 2024)
EXTERNAL
Pakistani man accused of assassination plot in collusion with Iran charged in the US
On 11 September, a Pakistani man was charged for plotting to assassinate a US official in response to the political execution of the Iran Revolutionary Guards commander, Qassem Soleimani. Asif Raza Merchant has been accused of hiring a hitman to assassinate a government representative in the US. Attorney General Merrick Garland said: “As these terrorism and murder for hire charges against Asif Merchant demonstrate, we will continue to hold accountable those who would seek to carry out Iran’s lethal plotting against Americans.” However, the attorney mentioned that there was no link between Merchant and the murder attempt on former president Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. Federal Bureau Investigation Director, Christopher Wray, alleged that the Pakistani civilian had “close ties to Iran” and that the plot to murder was “straight out of the Iranian playbook.” The Justice Departmentelaborated: “After spending time in Iran, Merchant arrived in the US from Pakistan and contacted a person he believed could assist him with the scheme to kill a politician or government official.” Iran has contested these claims and an official statement from Iran argued that it was “clear that this method is contrary to the Iranian government’s policy of pursuing Soleimani’s killer.” (“Pakistani man with Iran ties charged over 'plot to kill US official',” Dawn, 12 September 2024)
|
