Judges divided over proposed constitutional package aimed at judiciary I Special envoy removed over discord on Afghanistan policy
In Brief
POLITICS
Imran Khan booked for instigating masses against government institutions
On 13 September, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) filed a case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) ChiefImran Khan for inciting mutiny., Though the FIA team visited Adiala Jail, they were not successful in obtaining any information from the PTI leader as he refused to be interrogated in the absence of his counsel. A statement by Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar revealed that the agency would investigate the management of the ex-prime minister’s social media accounts. The investigation will ascertain whether posts on his accounts were being published on his behest or someone else’s orders. Tarar claimed that posts on Khan’s posts social media accounts were being used to “create chaos and anarchy” and undermine “national security.” In his opinion, the jailed leader has conspired to mobilize the masses against heads of two major governmental institutions. The minister expressed that social media posts from Khan’s account were “tantamount to sedition and creating anarchy” within Pakistan. (“Imran booked for allegedly inciting official to mutiny ,” Dawn, 14 September 2024)
Constitutional amendment on judges’ tenure to be introduced in the Parliament
On 14 September, the constitutional reform amendment to the judiciary system is set to be put under review at the parliament in both the Senate and the National Assembly. The ruling party is set to introduce the bill, but is short of about a dozen votes for the amendment to be passed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, however, appeared confident of being able to secure sufficient votes to pass the bill. Legal adviser to the PM, Barrister Aqeel Malik said: “The bill will be introduced on Saturday and I think it will be tabled first in the Senate and then in the National Assembly.” When asked about whether the bill would also affect the current Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, he clarified that it would apply to all judges who come within the purview of the law. On the contrary, in recent developments, the CJP has made statements of having no interest in the person-specific amendment and the extension of his tenure. Additionally , despite strict action imposed against the opposition, Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaaf leaders, it is believed that the ruling coalition has been able to secure some votes from PTI supporters. (Syed Irfan Raza, “‘Constitutional Package’ set to see light of day ,” Dawn, 14 September 2024)
Lower house passes bill on cannabis regulation and control
On 13 September, the National Assembly (NA) approved The Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Bill 2024. The bill is set to “regulate the cultivation of cannabis plant, extraction, refining, manufacturing and sale of derivatives of the plant for medicinal and industrial use.” The bill will be put into effect once it receives the presidential assent. Once the act is enforced, an authority called the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority will be established to implement the act. The act aims at ensuring “public health and safety by regulating the cultivation, extraction, refining, manufacturing, and sale of cannabis and its derivatives in accordance with international obligations and best practices.” To reduce trafficking of drugs, cultivation and production of cannabis has been limited to specific areas, to mitigate social harm and support farmers. Another objective of the bill is to generate income for the government and help develop the supply of industrial and medicinal cannabis. (Irfan Sadozai, “NA passes cannabis control and regulatory authority bill ,” Dawn, 13 September 2024)
Imran Khan supports CM Gandapur’s calls for dialogue with Afghanistan at the provincial level
On 13 September, Imran Khan backed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur’s calls for a dialogue with Kabul to address the terrorism situation and discuss peace alternatives in the bordering regions. Speaking with journalists at Adiala Jail, Khan said: “Ali Amin is absolutely right,” “They should be beseeching him to go and talk to Afghanistan for the sake of God.” He expressed that terrorism could not be resolved without dialogue. Khan’s comments come a day after Defence Minister Khwaja Asif denounced Gandapur’s proposal at the National Assembly as an “assault” on Pakistan’s federation. When he was asked about the possibility of a province engaging with another country when a federal government and foreign office already existed, he stated that it was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which was greatly affected by terrorism and as a result, many policemen have also died in the attacks. He opined: “If someone is trying to end terrorism, cooperate with them.” He expressed concern over the gravity of the situation as the country has been fighting terrorism for the past 24 years, and it has not been controlled yet. He declared counter terrorism should be one of the top prioriorites of the government or else the economy may “come to a standstill.” (Shabbir Dar, “Imran backs Gandapur’s call for KP-Kabul talks ,” The News International, 14 September 2024)
JUDICIARY
Judges divided over proposed constitutional package aimed at judiciary
On 13 September, at the Judicial Commission of Pakistan meeting, judges appeared divided over the recently proposed constitutional package by the government. At the beginning of the proceeding, Justice Justice Munib Akhtar noted the absence of Law Minister Azam Nazeer who was supposed to provide an explanation of the package and even inquired about the constitutional package. To this the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Mansoor Usman Awan responded that discussions on the package were in process. He maintained that it was beyond the commission’s authority to request constitutional amendments and the meeting’s objective was to discuss the commission’s recommendations. The AGP asserted that as all participants at the meeting were equal, nobody could raise issues outside the agenda. The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Faez Isa spoke along the same lines of Awan. He stated that the commission was not authorized to inquire about the package. This led Justice Akhtar to walk out of the meeting stating that he would not engage in the meeting until his inquiry as cleared. (Nasir Iqbal, “Judicial Commission of Pakistan huddle ends in disarray amid row over amendment,” Dawn, 14 September 2024)
SECURITY
Chief of Army pledges military support to law enforcement personnel in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
On 13 September, the military’s media wing released a statement pertaining to Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir’s visit to the newly merged Orakzai district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). His visit comes in the backdrop of police protests in the southern region of the district, over a police official being shot to death by unidentified assailants duringa polio drive. He said: “Pak Army will continue to provide all-out support to K-P Police and other LEAs in enabling them to perform their duties in the newly merged districts.” He met with the troops who were a part of the recent counter-terrorism operation in the Torah valley. In August, about 25 militants were eliminated by the intelligence-based operations in the valley. At the same time, four soldiers were killed, while 11 other militants sustained injuries. While paying his respects to the deceased who were a part of the army and law enforcement agencies, he stated that the Army willcontinue to assist the KP security forces in maintaining security across the province. He said: “The hard-earned peace achieved with nation’s great sacrifice would be maintained at all costs. Thesacrifice of our martyrs strengthen our resolve to fight with utmost dedication and spirit of sacrifice.”(“Army chief reiterates resolve to comprehensively defeat hostile terrorist nexus: ISPR,” Dawn, 13 September 2024; “COAS pledges full support to K-P Police as protests over polio killings continue ,” The Express Tribune, 13 September 2024)
Information Technology and Telecommunication spokesperson express satisfaction over Pakistan’s position on the Global Cybersecurity Index
On 13 September, State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khwaja expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s ranking in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) within the top tiers. At a press conference in Islamabad, she compared Pakistan’s ranking back in 2019 when it stood at 79 to the current ranking where it stands among Top 46 countries. The report reveals “significant improvements by countries that are implementing essential legal measures, plans, capacity building initiatives, and cooperation frameworks, especially in strengthening incident response capabilities.” The Minister referred to Pakistan’s legal, technical capacity, and skill development and organizational progress as role models. She stated that Pakistan has performed well as it “has been placed in Tier 1, alongside countries like the United States, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia.” (“Pakistan ranked in top tiers of Global Cybersecurity Index: minister ,” The News International, 14 September 2024)
Two security personnel shot dead in Mastung, IED attack in Kalat
On 13 September, a group of tribesman shot two security men of Levies Forces dead and three others sustained injuries in the Mastung district. The violence was carried out when the tribesmen blocked the Quetta-Noshki Highway to protest the arrest of a tribal elder’s brother and others. Separately, a roadside blast injured eight security forces in Takhat area, Kalat district. According to the District Deputy Commissioner, Bilal Shabbir, unidentified culprits had fixed an improvised explosive device (IED) on the roadside and it was detonated via a remote control. All injured personnel were transferred to a local hospital and security forces have sealed off the area and have launched an investigation to identify the attackers. (“Two security men martyred in Mastung, Kalat attacks ,” Dawn, 14 September 2024)
EXTERNAL
Special envoy removed over discord on Afghanistan policy
On 13 September, a news report in Dawn, referring to sources, commented that Special Representative on Afghanistan to Pakistan, Ambassador Asif Durrani was relieved of his duties on 3 September over disagreement in Afghanistan policy. Durrani was appointed to assist in resolving the Islamabad-Kabul stalemate, especially the Taliban Tehreek-e-Pakistan (TTP) pockets in Afghanistan. However, Pakistan has seen a surge in TTP attacks since the Taliban came to power in 2021. In July, during a meeting with a Taliban delegation in Doha, Durrani called for a “one document” regime and was against the massdeportation of illegal asylum seekers from Afghanistan as it would reflect badly on Afghanistan and even reflect badly on Pakistan’s border controls. He suggested that the issue of illegal migrants be dealt with discreetly and was of the opinion that Pakistan had to cope with its terrorism issue domestically as Taliban would not be ready to change its dealings with the TTP.
There were rumours of a mutual discontent between the military and Durrani. The former was unhappy with his performance while the latter grew increasingly frustrated over his policy advice often being overlooked. Due to strict military control, it limited his diplomatic flexibility and even gave him less autonomy to negotiate with the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The Ambassador was assigned to report to and take directions from the military and was excluded in Afghanistan-related discussions in the Foreign Ministry as he was seen as an outsider within the Foreign Ministry. (Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Govt removes special envoy over ‘clash’ on Afghan policy ,” Dawn, 14 September 2024)
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"PTI MNAs and their families are being picked up so that Qazi Faiz Isa can get an extension, so Imran Khan has said that I am fine in jail and will serve the jail but you who stand for real freedom. It will have to be."
Alimah Khan
- PTI
If I were the Prime Minister, I would definitely allow the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to talk to Afghanistan. Pervez Khattak was sent to Afghanistan during the regime of Nawaz Sharif. Ashraf Ghani's government was against Pakistan, yet I went to Afghanistan and invited Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan. If there is no peace and justice, how will investment come?
- Imran Khan
For Pakistan, pink salt is like a treasure.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif
- PMLN
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"Why are we incapable of carrying out economic reforms?"
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Reforms & the IMF'
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