In Brief
POLITICS
PPP and JUI-F reach consensus on constitutional amendment bill, NA and Senate expected to meet this week
On 15 October, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) arrived at a consensus on the constitutional amendment package. proposed by the ruling coalition. Speaking with the media at end of the meeting between the two parties, JUI-F Chief, Maulana Fazlur Rahman who was against the government’s proposition said: “Let me be very clear that we rejected the first draft and we would reject it again even today.” He stated that they deliberated keeping the larger interest in mind, and hence, they have overcome their differences and agreed upon points “which do not compromise parliamentary supremacy or the essence of the Constitution.”. Rahman has agreed to support the proposal if the establishment of a federal constitutional court is replaced by a bench which would function within the Supreme Court’sjurisdiction. The Chairman of PPP and the JUI-F chief both announced that they would present their draft to the PakistanMuslim League (N) President, Nawaz Sharif on 16 October. Rahman is hopeful that the the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf will also agree. Additionally, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told the media that the JUI-F and the PPP would continue to have a working relationship and even recalled how the JUI-F emir worked with President Asif Ali Zardari and Benazir Bhutto. He said: “Our focus isn’t person-specific; rather our emphasis is on resolution of issues. Given the present political scenario.”
Separately, Dawn revealed that a special parliamentary committee meeting to review the amendment draft will be held on 16 October and the National Assembly and Senate are scheduled to meet this week. On the other hand, in a post on X, a PML-N Senator expressed how the amendments were being viewed from a “narrow lens of factional politics.” He added that the opposition is unable to justify whether the constitutional amendments do infringe human rights, the judiciary autonomy and the essence of the Constitution. (Imran Ayub, “PPP, JUI-F reach consensus on constitutional package ,” Dawn, 16 October 2024; Asim Yasin & Akeem Samar, “PPP, JUIF concur on constitutional draft ,” The News International, 16 October 2024; Ifthikar A Khan, “NA, Senate expected to convene this week," Dawn, 16 October 2024)
JUDICIARY
Pakistan’s lawyers express dissent against judicial reforms, warn of a countrywide movement
On 15 October, the All Pakistan Lawyers Convention, legal community expressed their dissent against the ruling coalition led government’s proposed constitutional amendment draft. The former claimed that they would carry out a movement across Pakistan if the government is able to secure votes on the constitutional package. Two groups of lawyers were seen debating over the proposed law. The former Lahore High Court Bar Association vice president, Rabbiya Bajwa was met with criticism for opposing the PPP’s role in the amendment. On the contrary, in his speech the Secretary General of the People’s Lawyers Forum expressed that the lawyers’ forum was being utilized to fulfill political goals. During the event, members across bar associations and councils warned that the bill would weaken Pakistan’s trichotomy and stated that it would impact people’s lives in a negative manner. They also criticized the establishment’s role in drafting the bill and referred to the judges of the aspired constitutional court as “contractors.” Addressing the event, President Munir A Malik observed that the current situation was more dangerous than in 2007. The Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president and senior lawyer, Hamid Khan acknowledged the need to initiate reforms within the judiciary and even expressed dissatisfaction over the high court and the Supreme Court’s role. However, he added that this package should not be utilized to destroy the institutional as a whole. Another former SCBA President, Abid S Zuberi stated that the government is not revealing the draft of their bill, thereby giving rise to the suspicion over the government’s intentions. He also noted the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Faez Isa’s statement, who held in his judgement that the basic structure of the constitution could not be altered. (Sumair Abdullah, “Lawyers vow to fight constitutional tweaks ‘tooth and nail’,” Dawn, 16 October 2024; (Jamal Khurshid, “Lawyers’ bodies reject amendments for judicial reforms, constitutional court ,” The News International, 16 October 2024)
ECONOMY
Diesel prices go up by PKR 5 to PKR 251.29 per litre
On 16 October, Dawn reported that the government has announced increase in price of diesel by PKR 5 per litre. However, the prices of petrol would remain the same for the next 14 days. This is reportedly the first increase in price of petroleum products in the last three months amid trends of a constant decrease in the prices in the nternational market. The prices of diesel have, however, now gone up by an average of USD 1.5 per barrel in the international market. Currently, the government charges PKR 76 per litre tax on both Petrol and High Speed Diesel (HSD). There is no sales general tax on both the products. An additional PKR 17 per litre goes towards oil companies and dealers as distribution and sales margins. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Disel price goes up for the first time in three months,” Dawn, 16 October 2024)
LCCI accuses FBR of unsettling business environment with their raids
On 16 October, The Nation reported that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has blamed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for destroying the business environment in the country with their raids. LCCI has requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to intervene and put an end to the ongoing raids. The President of LCCI, Mian Abuzar Shad, has claimed that the raids carried out by the FBR are without any advance notice and that FIRs have been lodged without providing any show cause notices. He has further accused that the FBR has been demanding unrealistic affidavits from Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) where they have to formally declare that their buyers, suppliers and extended networks are following the law. shad further demanded that the FBR must follow a streamlined and transparent process in which a show cause notice must be issued before taking action against the tax evaders. He further added that legal action must only be taken when FBR finds evidence of malpractice. (“LCCI condemns FBR raids, urges PM and finance to take immediate notice,” The Nation, 16 October, 2024)
Import increase from China, Russia and India lead to a spike in trade deficit with SCO countries
On 16 October, Dawn reported that Pakistan’s trade deficit with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries have gone up to USD 11.703 billion in FY 24 from USD 8.298 billion in FY 23, an increase of 41 per cent. This comes as a result of an increase in the imports mainly from China, Russia and India. Pakistan’s exports to SCO countries have increased by 32.4 per cent which brings the total to USD 3.076 billion in FY 24 from USD 2.32 billion in FY 23. However, its imports have also seen an increase of 39.78 per cent which brings the total to USD 13.5 billion in FY 24 from USD 9.6 billion in FY 23. Majority of the imports to Pakistan are from the three countries of SCO namely Russia, China and India. Imports from China have seen an increase of 39.7 per cent amounting to USD 2.7 billion in FY 24 in comparison to USD 2.02 billion in FY 23. The imports from India have gone up by 8.8 per cent amounting to USD 206 million in FY 24 which was USD 190 million in FY 23 while Russian imports to Pakistan have increased by 36.58 per cent totaling to USD 1.01 billion in FY 24 which was previously USD 740 million in FY 23.(Mubarak Zeb Khan, “Trade deficit with nine SCO states widens 41 pc,” Dawn, 16 October 2024)
HEALTH
“Pakistan’s polio crisis is more than the failure to vaccinate,” suggests an editorial in Dawn
On 16 October, an editorial in Dawn titled “Two steps back,” warned against the recent rise in polio cases across the country. It discussed how children and their caretakers are not only victims to the virus but also the government’s poor governance and absence of healthcare infrastructure. The editorial also criticized the government’s “high coverage” claims as the ground realities reveal a different story. It observed how an inconsistency between the official data and the ground realities have “eroded trust.” The editorial suggested four steps to counter the healthcare emergency through a holistic approach. It called for a change in the practice of healthcare delivery, instead of treating the polio crisis as an isolated case it calls for polio workers to promote other measures, such as sanitation, maternal health, nutrition and so on. It called upon the government to give precedence to improving basic healthcare centers in rural areas, such as employing trained staff and carry out routine immunization. The editorial also called upon local officials to maintain transparency and non-manipulative practices in data collection. Lastly, it stated that communities ought to adopt a help one-self attitude as this is vital for the vaccination drive to be successful. (Jamal Khurshid, “Two steps back” Dawn, 16 October 2024)
EDUCATION
“While public universities must become competitive, efficient, and streamlined, funding for non-profitable but essential areas such as research and scholarships must remain intact,” suggests an editorial in The Nation
On 16 October, an editorial in The Nation titled “Education Economics,” highlighted the need for the government to treat education as an essential service as it has “limited financial freedom.” It discussed the government’s intention to bring about structural reforms in the education sector, for instance, the restructuring of public universities into leaner and efficient bodies. But this may not to be possible as the government also aims at reducing funding for the same. The editorial suggested that a distinction must be made between cutting funds and improving efficiency. Though Pakistan’s institutions may suffer from bureaucratic inefficiency and patronage, “reducing administrative bloat, trimming unnecessary staff, and freeing research and academic departments from the influence of entrenched interests” are all important for reforming the education sector. It, however, observed that cutting corners may not prove to be beneficial for students from low-income backgrounds and willespecially hinder their access to benefits such as affordable fees, scholarships and support. (Jamal Khurshid, ““Education Economics” The Nation, 16 October 2024)
EXTERNAL
Li Qiang's Pakistan Visit - Day 02: Meeting with President Zardari
On 16 October, The News International reported that the Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari have agreed to increasing cooperation between the two countries in areas of economy, investment and regional connectivity. Zardari emphasized on the need for exploring other areas of cooperation between the two countries. He also cited the need to build all weather roads linking Pakistan with China to boost trade and people to people contact. He also alleged that the enemies of Pakistanand China were attempting to disrupt ties between the two friendly countries by attacking Chinese nationals and creating hindrances in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. However, he claimed that such efforts were in vain He assured that Pakistanwould take all necessary measures to provide security to the Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Zardari also praised Chinese support to Pakistan in matters of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and assured China of Pakistan’s unwavering backing towards One China policy. Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed on the need to further intensify the pace of progress of CPEC projects. He assured that his government would continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan. A 30-point joint vision statement was also released post the meeting between two leaders. The statement saw China restating that the dispute in Jammu and Kashmir must be solved as per UN charter and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Both the countries have demanded that the interim Government in Afghanistan must act against terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan. Both sides also have voiced their concern over conflict in Gaza and condemned Israel’s recent attack on Lebanon. (Mariana Baabar and Mumtaz Alvi, “Bid to undermine ties bound to fail: Pakistan, China,” The News International, 16 October, 2024)
Pakistan-Russia conduct Joint Exercise Druzhba-VII in Pakistan
On 16 October, The Express Tribune reported that Druzhba-VII, a joint military exercise between Pakistan and Russia had started on 13 October at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Pabbi, KP. It is 7th bilateral joint exercise in the counter-terrorism domain between the two countries and lasted for two weeks. It saw participation from the Light Commando Troops of the Pakistan Army and Russian military contingent. Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR) reported that the Commandant of the National Counter Terrorism Centre was called upon as the Chief Guest and that the exercises were aimed at further improving the professional skills of the two armies. (“Pak-Russia counter-terror drill kicks off,” The News International, 16 October, 2024) (“Pakistan-Russia exercise Druzhba-VII kicks off to boost counter-terrorism expertise,” The Express Tribune, 15 October, 2024)
INDIA VIEW
Bilawal puts condition of restoring the status of Jammu and Kashmir before any talks with India
On 16 October, The News International reported that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has reiterated Pakistan’s stand of not having talks on any issue with India unless the status of Jammu and Kashmir is restored. When he was asked to comment on diplomatic tussles between India and Canada, he replied that the same were very serious as Canada has alleged direct involvement of Indian government officials in the incident. Nevertheless, he stated that since Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) regulations do not allow bilateral issues to be discussed and India was participating in the same, he refused to discuss the issue at length. (“No talks with India until IIOJ&K status restored: Bilawal,” The News International, 16 October, 2024)
India’s diplomatic disputes have escalated due to its exclusionary ideology, suggests an editorial in The Nation
On 16 October an editorial in The Nation titled “Indian Isolation” discussed India’s diplomatic tensions with its friendly countries. It referenced the tensions which have arisen between Canada and India after a Sikh activist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was reportedly assassinated. While the former has alleged of the government’s involvement, the latter has made further claims of reserving its right to act and accused the Canadian government for “supporting extremism, violence, and separatism against India.” The editorial declared that India’s response is akin to Israel’s stance on similar grounds. Further, India’s ties with Bangladesh have also soured, thereby causing a loss of its two closest allies. The editorial also linked this with India’s growing alliance with Israel and it being viewed as India’s ideological stance. The editotial also criticized India for discrediting legitimate movements and projecting activists as terrorists. (“Indian Isolation,” The Nation, 16 October 2024)
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Imran Khan is not currently a convicted prisoner, he is an undertrial prisoner, even if he had been convicted, he would have had those rights, all of which have been taken away
Naeem Haider Panjuta
- PTI
Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expresses optimism that a consensus will be reached on constitutional amendment, which he believes will be in the best interest of the country.
- PPP
Imran Khan stood with the Taliban’s “holy war” over Malala’s right to education. Oxford made the right call in rejecting someone who sides with oppression over progress
- PMLN Digital
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"The SCO provides an opportunity for cross-border discussions on pollution."
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Clearing the air'
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