Government set to privatize more federal bodies I Pakistani business delegates in Russia to discuss BtB trade deals
In Brief
POLITICS
Maulana Fazlur Rahman elected president of JUI-F for another term
On 29 September, Maulana Fazlur Rahman was elected as the president of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) “unopposed” in the intra-party elections. He will serve another five year term. Additionally, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri was chosen as general secretary of the party. Rahman emphasized that the party has always held its intra-party polls in a timely manner. He also addressed a press conference after the election and commented on the constitutional package. He said “The amendment should not be person-specific and for political gains. It should be meant for reforms in the judiciary in line with the recommendations of Charter of Democracy that was inked in 2006.” He also informed that the JUI-F, the PPP and the PTI were all working on their respective drafts of the proposed constitutional package. Further, he alleged that the 8 February polls were tampered especially to keep JUI-F out of power and stressed that conducting fresh elections was the only solution whether it was at the centre or in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. (Yousaf Ali, “Fazl sees fresh polls as only panacea for all ills,” The News International, 30 September 2024)
Imran Khan and KP CM Gandapur booked under anti-terror law
On 30 September, The News International reported that FIR has been filed against PTI founder Imran Khan and KP CM Amin Ali Gandapur under Section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other relevant clauses of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Local authorities revealed that they have been booked for “violent protests and vandalism in Rawalpindi.” Cases have been registered against them in the New Town police station. Additionally, cases have been lodged against at least 100 leaders and activists who belong to or support the PTI, including Simabiah Tahir, MPA Asad Abbas, Ijaz Khan and Amir Mughal. The charges leveled against them include “interference in government operations, rioting and an attack on a government vehicle with a petrol bomb, along with provisions related to conspiracy to commit vandalism.” The FIR also claimed that these leaders and activists had raised anti-government slogans, pelted stones at the police and attacked them by other means. (Shakeel Anjum, “‘Vandalism’ in Rawalpindi: Imran, KP CM booked under anti-terror law,” The News International, 30 September 2024)
JUDICIARY
Supreme Court rules in favor of the ECP in election tribunal case
On 30 September, The News International reported that a five judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC) headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has ruled in favor of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a case related to formation of election tribunals in Punjab. Other members of the bench included, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi. The judgement was delivered by a 5-0 majority. In its order, the bench declared the 12 June judgment of the Lahore High Court (LHC) which had formed election tribunals in Punjab to look into election petitions filed in the aftermath of the 8 February polls as “null and void.” The matter had emerged as a point of contention between the ECP and LHC and the former had petitioned the SC and argued that the authority to constitute election tribunals lay with it rather than the high court. Apparently, the LHC had also rejected ECP’s request to appointing four additional judges to the Punjab election tribunals. The SC also pointed out that when dealing with constitutional bodies, the court needed to be “cautious.” (Arfa Feroz Zake, “Election tribunals: Supreme Court nullifies LHC order,” The News International, 30 September 2024; “Supreme Court overturns LHC verdict, upholds ECP's appeal on Punjab election tribunals,” The Express Tribune, 30 September 2024)
ECONOMY
Government set to privatize more federal bodies
On 30 September, The News International revealed that the government is set to privatize more federal bodies as part of its downsizing policy. It reported that the prime minister has directed the Ministry of Privatization and Ministry of Industries and Production to implement the new plan. Some entities under consideration for privatization are Pakistan Stone Development Company, Pakistan Automobile Corporation, Pakistan Institute of Management, Khadi Crafts Development Company, Agro Food Processing Facilities, Leather Crafts Development Company, Morafco Industries, Southern Punjab Embroidery Industry and Gujranwala Business Centre, Pakistan Chemical and Energy Sector Skill Development Company and Spin Yarn Research and Development Company. Additionally, liquidation of some of these entities is also being considered as another option. In order to cut costs and reduce federal expenditure, the government has been on the path of right-sizing. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also constituted “a high-powered” Right-Sizing Committee under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to see the effective implementation of these policies. (Rana Ghulam Qadir, “New plan prepared to privatise more entities,” The News International, 30 September 2024)
Shares at PSX drop 700 points
On 29 September, shares at Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) tanked and dropped 700 points in intraday trade. Awais Ashraf, director research at AKD Securities attributed the dip to two shares: Hub Power and Mari Petroleum. The decline in the Hub’s share is linked to probable revision of power plant contracts and the decline in Mari’s share is due to “the distribution of bonus shares to investors.” He, however, expressed confidence that the IMF bailout is expected to have a positive impact on the situation. Separately, Shahab Farooq, research director at Next Capital Limited blamed the dip on the nervousness of the investors following the volatile situation in the Middle East. (Mahira Sarfraz, “Shares at PSX shed more than 700 points on geopolitical tensions,” Dawn, 30 September 2024)
SECURITY
Slain laborers from Multan laid to rest
On 30 September, The News International reported that bodies of slain laborers in Balochistan were handed over to their families in Punjab. All gunned down laborers were from the Multan Tehsil. The family members of those killed staged a protest against terrorism and blocked the motorway M-5. Earlier, on 28 September, in a targeted attack, terrorists had entered an under-construction house in the Khuda-i-Abadan area of Panjgur town and shot seven laborers in indiscriminate firing. The attack had attracted universal condemnation, including from PM Sharif and President Zardari. The former had also sought a report from the provincial Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti. (Mohammad Zafar Baloch & Nadeem Shah, “Seven labourers gunned down in Panjgur laid to rest in Multan,” The News International, 30 September 2024; Saleem Shahid & Behram Baloch, “Panjgur attack leaves seven labourers dead,” Dawn, 29 September 2024)
Private construction company torched in Balochistan
On 30 September, Dawn reported that terrorists attacked a privately owned construction company in Musakhail district of Balochistan between the night of 28 and 29 September. The terrorists captured the laborers and set fire to the machinery. Loralai Commissioner Saadat Hussain informed that the assailants “burnt seven bulldozers and a pickup.” He also informed that the company had built a road connecting to the gas company of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL). Hussain, however, countered claims regarding the abduction of laborers. Security has been boosted in the area following the attack. (Saleem Shahid, “Construction camp torched in midnight attack in Musakhail,” Dawn, 30 September 2024)
INDIA VIEW
India-Pakistan exchange barbs at the UNGA
On 30 September, Dawn reported that Pakistani diplomat Muhammad Faheem countered Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s earlier remarks at the UN General Assembly. Mr Jaishankar had called Pakistan “a promoter of terrorism.” He had also objected to PM Sharif’s inclusion of the Kashmir dispute in the speech at the General Assembly. In response, Mr Faheem blasted India for being hypocritical and said “It is most ironic that India, which is committing the worst form of state terrorism in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir while also actively engaging in sponsoring terrorism abroad, is portraying itself as the victim.” Referring to the “Kashmiri resistance,” he argued that it is a “familiar ploy” by countries like India to label genuine legitimate struggles for freedom and liberation as terrorism.” Reiterating Pakistan’s earlier positions on the issue, Mr Faheem urged India to take into cognizance the Security Council resolutions. Further, he accused India of sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan, of targeting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through support to terrorist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army and the Majeed Brigade and of carrying out assassinations on foreign soil. (“Pakistan dismisses Indian bid to portray itself as terror victim,” Dawn, 30 September 2024)
EXTERNAL
Pakistani business delegates in Russia to discuss BtB trade deals
On 30 September, The News International reported that a delegation of 50-55 Pakistani businessmen from various sectors of the economy are set to arrive in Russia today to discuss ways of fostering business-to-business (BtB) trade deals. This delegation will be led by Federal Minister for Petroleum Division Musadik Malik who is there to attend the Russian Energy Week. Revealing the details of the proposed meeting, officials told The News “The interactions between Pakistan and Russian businessmen would continue for three days, starting from Sept 30 and ending on Oct 2, 2024. The commerce ministry, with the help of Board of Investment and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan is organizing a business forum for BtB in Russia on October 1, 2024.” Other points of discussion are: facilitating business despite SWIFT sanctions on some Russian companies, and opening a direct sea route between St. Petersburg and Karachi. It was also reported that Pakistan’s exports to Russia have decreased over the past five years at an annual rate of 20.5 per cent, from USD 239 million in 2017 to USD 75.8 million in 2022. (Khalid Mustafa, “55 delegates from Pakistan reach Moscow for BtB trade deals,” The News International, 30 September 2024)
|
In defense of a new court - The establishment of a Constitutional Court is not at odds with the concept of separation of powers or the independence of the judiciary. By creating such a court in Pakistan, there would be no compromise on.. fundamental rights
- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Wealth Free Heartless !!!
Fake Form 47 Punjab government has once again approved the purchase of luxury vehicles worth Rs 617 million for VVIPs with poor people's tax money. The fancy dress chief minister who pretends to be a great sympathizer of the people gives some approval every other month which wastes the people's money.
- PTI
We have to make houses for the flood victims of Balochistan, in the same way as the house is being built in Sindh province along with providing ownership rights to the female head of the house, there is no reason why the flood victims should not be helped in Balochistan like Sindh.
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
- PPP
|
|
|
|
"Accustomed to being a handmaiden of the executive, parliament now appears enslaved."
-An opinion in Dawn, ‘Life of Constitution?'
|
|
|
