Photo : Dawn
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Dawn
POLITICS
Political stalemate continues as JUI-F chief refuses to support government’s constitutional reform
On 18 September, Dawn reported that the incumbent government has failed to secure Jamiat-Ulema-Islam (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman crucial support for its proposed constitutional package. A Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation was set to meet Rehman on 16 September to discuss the issue but the latter snubbed the meeting. JUI-F’s support is crucial for securing it’s two-third majority in the parliament but the party has cited concerns over the secrecy in which the amendments are being carried out as reason for its refusal to support the package. Additionally, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza revealed that he is against amendments to Article 8 and Article 199. He stated that his party would review the draft and then decide upon whether or not they support the restrictions, which they strongly oppose. Later, after a meeting with the PPP delegation, an inside source said: “There was no discussion on over any other topic and the JUI-F remained strictly over the subject of the constitutional amendment.” On the same day Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and Senator Anwaarul Haq also visited the JUI-F chief. Interestingly, instead of responding to their offers on joining the Balochistan government, Rehman sought Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to share his views on the constitutional package. Eventually, “the topic of offering any slot to JUI-F in the government fizzled out,” said sources. (Kalbe Ali, “Govt unsuccessful in winning over Fazl ,” Dawn, 17 September 2024)
PTI not opposed to the proposed constitutional package, claims government spokesperson
On 17 September, in a statement, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) understands the government’s point of view in connection to its constitutional amendment proposal. Referring to the PTI, he said “they too understand that these changes will lead to improvements.” Referring to the lack of legislative support in the parliament when the amendment bill was put forward, he commented that it was not a government failure. He stated the need for a political consensus, where “all political parties are on board.” Even the Defence Minister, Khwaja Asif spoke in a similar tune. He claimed that the PTI did not object to the bill which bids for major reforms in the judicial reforms, however they sought for the process to be delayed until December.
On the same day, PTI leader Arif Alvi attended a meeting with Jamiat-Ulema-Islam (JUI-F) chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Maulana Attaul Haq Darvesh, Maulana Asad Mahmood, Akhunzada Hussain, and Abdul Jalil Jan at his residence. Their discussions were surrounded around the reviewing the constitutional amendments. According to The Express Tribune, sources revealed the jailed PTI founder, Imran Khan had directed Alvi to a special task, which may imply that the party is observing the current situation and also have impact the outcome. On the other hand, PTI member Asad Qaiser was of the opinion that the government was working to get the amendment approved “by hook or by crook,” in an absence of transparency. He also accused the government for pressuring other PTI legislative members to support the bill. He alleged that they were being “abducted” and held at the provincial legislature of Punjab to achieve the required majority. (M Waqar Bhatti, “Govt engages PTI in informal talks on constitutional amendments ,” The Express Tribune, 17 September 2024; “PTI’s Arif Alvi meets Fazlur Rehman to discuss proposed constitutional amendments ,” The Express Tribune, 17 September 2024)
JUDICIARY
PPP Chairman claims Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will be the next CJP
On 18 September, The News International reported on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s remarks pertaining to the appointment of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah as the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). Speaking to a news channel he said: “On October 26, Justice Mansoor will become the next chief justice — no doubt.” He also lamented how neither the parliament nor the judiciary are functioning as they should, as the Supreme Court deals with 15 per cent of cases which are political in nature and this takes up 90 per cent of their time. This statement comes after the ruling government’s constitutional package, including an amendment seeking the extension of the current CJP’s term did not receive parliamentary consensus. The “controversial” amendment is dependent on the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s support to acquire a two-third majority. However, the latter has expressed a lack of support to the amendment bill because of its secretive nature. (“Justice Mansoor Ali Shah to be country's next chief justice: PPP chief ,” The News International, 18 September 2024)
SPORTS
Pakistan wins bronze in hockey tournament against South Korea
On 17 September, Pakistan secured the third position winning in a hockey tournament against South Korea at the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy. Pakistan won the bronze by defeating South Korea by 5-2. Earlier the country’s team had lost to China in a semi-final match of the tournament due to a penalty shootout. China and India are set to compete in the final match of the tournament and if the latter wins then it would be its fifth Asian Champions Trophy.(“Pakistan win bronze after defeating South Korea in Asian Champions Trophy ,” The News International, 17 September 2024)
PROVINCES
Balochistan: Incumbent Agriculture Minister unseated by tribunal
On September, Dawn reported that the election tribunal which had reserved its decision on a petition submitted by a Jamiat Ulema Islami-F (JUI-F) member Mir Usman Pirkani challenging Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmaker, Ali Madad Jattak’s victory has revealed its decision. After scrutinizing statements and records, the tribunal declared Jattak’s victory null and void. The election court ordered a re-election in PB-45 Quetta in 15 polling stations. Jattak who is also the Minister for Agriculture will be stripped of his titleas the Balochistan Minister for Agriculture, including his assembly membership. A similar incident played out when Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove’s win was questioned by his rival candidate in PB-36. The election tribunal eventually, declared his position null and void and announced re-polling in seven stations. ( Saleem Shahid, “Tribunal nullifies Balochistan minister’s victory ,” Dawn, 17 September 2024)
PAKISTAN OCCUPIED KASHMIR
Gilgit Baltistan: Pakistan Customs intercepts smuggling of mobile phones worth PKR 446 million from China
On 17 September, Dawn reported that the Pakistan Customs thwarted an attempt at smuggling PKR 446 million worth of mobile phones from China into Pakistan via the Khunjerab Pass. A report submitted to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)by the customs on Sost Dry Port revealed that a truck stocked with valuable goods and mobile phones had arrived on the Karakoram Highway near Delhi area, waiting to be offloaded. A Customs team was sent to inspect the truck parked at Barkhoon, with no individual in sight to claim the truck’s ownership. After inquiring with people in the area, the team learned that it was parked by an unidentified individual as the truck had a mechanical fault. Since there was no claim of ownership the team took the truck to the Sost Dry Port and issued a notice to the importer to submit documents of the vehicle to the Customs Office in 15 days. However, upon the expiry of the notice period, another team was constituted to carry out a physical examination where a total of 15,465 phones were intercepted. (“Rs446m smuggled mobile phones, other goods seized at Sost Port by Customs ,” Dawn, 17 September 2024)
EXTERNAL
Major Chinese companies express plans to establish plants in China under SIFC agreement
On 17 September, The Express Tribune reported that two Chinese companies have expressed their interest in establishing plants in Pakistan which will produce raw materials for the textile industry. This is a joint collaboration between Rainbow Industries Ltd. and the Shaoxing Chemical Industry to boost Pakistan’s textilesector. The initiative will be supported by China’s Special Investment Facilitation Council which is expected to bring advanced technology into Pakistan. This development comes as the government has introduced schemes relating to duty-free imports for 10 years and also allows investors to set up units in its Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It also comes as good news for the government asthe textile sector forms the backbone of the economy, contributing 55 per cent to the country’s exports. However, one of the major obstacles to the industry is high electricity tariffs and external investment which the government is working to overcome. (“Two Chinese companies to establish textile plants in Pakistan under SIFC agreement ,” The Express Tribune, 17 September 2024)
Russian Deputy PM to make a two-day visit to Islamabad
On 17 September, a press release from the Foreign Office revealed that Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Alexei Overchuk is set to arrive in Pakistan on 18 September for a two day visit with a high-level delegation in tow. The visting deputy prime minister is likely to meet PM Sharif, President Zardari and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. A month ago, the News International had reported on probable Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) transactions between the two countries in the near future. A senior official at the Ministry of Energy had indicated that LNG export terminals would be set up by 2026 to commence gas trade with Pakistan. Also, during a meeting with President Zardari in July, Russian officials had extended support in establishing a new Pakistan Steel Mills. In this regard, the Ministry of Industries and Production had submitted a document to the National Assembly earlier this month, highlighting Moscow’s assistance in establishing steel mills. Additionally, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Vladimir Putin had communicated their interests in strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors. (“Russian Deputy PM Alexei Overchuk to visit Islamabad on Sept 18 ,” The News International, 17 September 2024)
AF-PAK
Foreign Office spokesperson deplores Afghan Consul General’s disrespect towards Pakistan’s national anthem
On 17 September, the Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan deplored the Afghan Consulate Acting Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir for remaining seated while the national anthem of Pakistan was being recited at a conference held in observance of Eid-Miladun Nabi in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “The disrespect of host country’s national anthem is against diplomatic norms. This act of acting consul general of Afghanistan is reprehensible.” She further added that the FO was lodging a “strong protest” to concerned Afghan authorities in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Responding to this incident, Afghan Consulate Peshawar spokesperson Shahid Ullah clarified that the consul general did not intend to “disgrace” or “disrespect” the host country’s anthem. He further added: “Consul General did not stand due to the music in the anthem. We have even banned our own national anthem for the same reason,” he added. “(Abdullah Momand, “FO slams ‘reprehensible disrespect’ of national anthem by Afghan official in KP govt event ,” Dawn, 17 September 2024; Aziz Syed, Daniyal Aziz & Maham Qureshi, “Pakistan decries Afghan diplomat's disrespect for national anthem ,” The News International, 17 September 2024)
Pakistan needs to “revisit” its Afghanistan policy, argues an editorial in Dawn
On 17 September, an editorial in Dawn titled “Afghan policy flux” argued that the country needs to “revisit” its policy on Afghanistan. The editorial referenced the recent resignation of Pakistan’s special representative on Afghanistan, Asif Durrani as indicative of the fact that “things are awry where the Afghan file is concerned.” Despite the fact that Durrani was reporting directly to the military, there were some points of contention between the two: the latter was upset that his advice was not being considered while the former was “unhappy” with the latter’s performance. Durrani had also opposed Pakistan’s treatment of Afghan refugees, especially their “mass expulsion.” He was also of the opinion that Pakistan needed to tackle terrorism “domestically” as it was unlikely that the Afghan Taliban would sever ties with the TTP. Further, the editorial also referenced recent calls by KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur for direct talks with Afghanistan at the provincial level. The editorial stressed that this was the domain of the centre and the states must stick to their advisory role on foreign policy matters. In the light of these events, the editorial lamented that Pakistan has failed to “come up with a coherent Afghan policy” after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. The editorial pointed out that the government has struggled to come up with an Afghan policy that deals issues related to cross-border terrorism while also aiming at “improving ties” between neighbors. The editorial suggested that a “wider debate” and a “fresh approach” in consultation with all stakeholders, including the “parliament, the Foreign Office and area experts” is the need of the hour. A lot will also depend on Afghanistan’s response. (“Afghan policy flux,” Dawn, 17 September 2024)