Federal government to tax agriculture, wholesale and real estate sectors I Fazlur Rehman accuses the government of working in the Establishment’s interest
In Brief
POLITICS
Election tribunals have resolved only 17 per cent of the petitions
On 18 November, Dawn reported that a mere 17 per cent of the appeals related to discrepancies in elections have been resolved yet by the election tribunals. Seven election tribunals have not resolved even a single petition. Among provinces, Balochistan performed the best with its election tribunals disposing of 30 petitions out of 51. It is to be noted that Balochistan has only three tribunals whereas KP which has six tribunals that have resolved only eight petitions out of a total of 42. Sindh has five election tribunals which have resolved 12 out of 83 appeals. The worst performing province is Punjab whose eight election tribunals have decided upon 10 cases out of a total of 155 petitions. Out of 60 cases which have been disposed of, just 9 of them were related toNational assembly seats while the rest pertained to the provincial assembly. 56 out of the 60 disposed cases were dismissed while just three were accepted. Out of the total petitions received for National assembly seats a mere nine per cent of cases have been disposed of whereas for provincial assembly seats, this number is 21 per cent. (Ifthikar A.Khan, “Election tribunals yet to decide 83 pc of disputes” Dawn, 18 November 2024)
CM Gandapur to raise issues surrounding PTI and Imran Khan in the apex committee meeting
On 18 November, Dawn reported that an apex committee meeting is set to be held on 19 November which will be attended by the Chief of Army Staff, the prime minister, ministers at the federal level, chief ministers of all the provinces, DG-ISI, DG-MI and DG-IB. Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed that he is not likely to deliberate on politics during the meeting. Nevertheless, he stated that the circumstances surrounding PTI and Imran Khan have to be deliberated upon. He conveyed the difficulties incurred by his party and the leaders and stated that the rigidities between PTI and the establishment are not helping anyone. (Ansar Abbasi, “Gandapur to discuss tensions between Imran and establishment in apex body,” The News International, 18 November 2024)
Fazlur Rehman accuses the government of working in the Establishment’s interest
On 18 November, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman pointed out the federal government’s intention to pass a law that would give power to the army for detaining any individual for a period of “three months” just on “suspicion”. He stated that “Human rights are being violated in the country. Under the new amendments, anyone can be detained for up to 90 days.” He further accused the federal government of working in the interest of the “establishment” and not the public by wanting to pass a law that would disregard their rights. He also blamed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of working in its own interest and politics while failing to improve the “security situation” in the province. (“Fazl says detention laws violate basic rights,” The News International, 18 November 2024)
PTI experiences incongruities with the party before 24 November protest
On 18 November, The Express Tribune reported that Rahman Jalal and Naik Muhammad have been appointed as General Secretary and Vice President of PTI in Peshawar, respectively. The development was preceded by the earlier officeholders resigning due to dissatisfaction with the allotment of positions. PTI’s Bushra Bibi stated that it was not the correct time to raise the issues that lead to fight within the party. She further stated that this might have a grave impact on PTI’s “movement” and Imran Khan’s chances to come out of imprisonment. PTI leaders are planning to march towards Islamabad on 24 November in spite of the anticipated harsh response that might come from the federal government. It has been reported that Imran Khan will take into account the participation in 24 November as a criterion for who can t remain in the PTI and who must quit. (“Internal rifts emerge ahead of PTI march,” The Express Tribune, 18 November 2024; “PTI says Nov 24 will decide who stays in party,” The Express Tribune, 18 November 2024)
“If the PML-N government is serious about reform, it must learn from the shortcomings of past efforts,” suggests an editorial in Dawn
On 18 November, an editorial in The News International titled “Bureaucracy 2.0” highlighted that the bureaucratic structure in Pakistan is “long overdue for a systemic overhaul.” It termed the government’s proposed reforms, which had earlier been put forth by the PTI, in the civil services as “promising, albeit cautious, development.” The editorial lamented that the reforms proposed in September 2018 by the Dr Ishrat Husain-led Task Force remain “unimplemented.” The aforementioned task force had consulted around 3000 stakeholders and the reforms proposed were aimed at transforming how civil servants are “recruited, trained, and promoted.” One of the most important recommendations had been the streamlining of ministries according to specialization. This was meant to tackle the problem of “arbitrary postings” as bureaucrats would be assigned to posts according to their specialization. The editorial emphasized that this would also ensure effective service delivery to the public. It also highlighted that the shelving of such reforms by successive governments reflects their bias towards “political expediency over institutional improvement.” It further urged the incumbent government to avoid this pitfall. (“Bureaucracy 2.0,” The News International, 18 November 2024)
ECONOMY
Federal government to tax agriculture, wholesale and real estate sector
On 18 November, Dawn reported that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has conveyed the federal government’s decision to bring within the tax bracket the “real estate, wholesale, and agriculture” sectors. These three sectors have not been contributing equally to their share of tax. He further warned that the government will have to use “compliance and enforcement” to ensure that no sector evades payment of tax. He stated that other sectors would also have to mandatorily share the burden of tax which untill now had been put upon people who receive salaries and the “manufacturing sector.”
On another note, the Finance Minister during COP-29 had expressed concern for the problem of stunted growth which is faced by two out of every five children in Pakistan and the massive increase in population which would create roadblocks for the country to become “USD 3 trillion economy” by the year 2047. On the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team’s unannounced visit, the finance minister expressed optimism and stated that the same would aid in creating trust between the two. He confirmed that the targets for September which were set by the IMF have been achieved and the government is working towards reducing the size of the bureaucracy and the same will be conveyed to the IMF. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Finance czar vows no more tax breaks for traders, farmers,” Dawn, 18 November 2024)
Circular Debt Management Plan: Government’s new attempt to reduce circular debt
On 18 November, Dawn reported that the federal government initiated a Circular Debt Management Plan (CMDB) to reduce the rate of increase in the debt incurred by the “power sector” which stands at PKR 2.393 trillion. It is however anticipated that in spite of the CMDB, the debt would likely increase by another PKR 36 billion by the end of 2024. However, this debt would have increased by another PKR 1.0777 trillion for FY 2024-25 in the absence of CMDB. CMDB aims to obtain a 90 per cent recovery rate. This needs massive modifications in infrastructure and conducting drives against theft. CMDB might lead to temporary gains but without making substantial changes the objective to reduce “circular debt” might not be achieved. (Israr Khan, “Comprehensive energy pricing, distribution overhaul to help tame circular debt,” Dawn, 18 November 2024)
SOCIETY
“Access to a free and open internet is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for a thriving modern economy,” argues an editorial in The Nation
On 18 November, an editorial in The Nation titled “Digital Disconnect” referred to the recent controversial remarks of the Council of Islamic Ideology on use of VPNs and termed the “discourse” around the same as absurd. Though the CII backtracked on its remarks due to criticism, the editorial pointed out that “the damage has been done.” The editorial argued that technology is “neutral” and it should not be morally categorized as “unethical.” The editorial termed these incidents as reflective of Pakistan’s inability to “embrace the digital age meaningfully.” Additionally, these remarks are also in sharp contrast to Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s “call for a digital revolution.” Iqbal’s continuous emphasis on the transformative capacity of digital development should be a “wake-up call” for the country. Intermittent disruptions in internet usage under the garb of security will only impact adversely Pakistan’s competitiveness in a highly “competitive digital landscape.” Referencing the country’s earlier ban on YouTube, the editorial highlighted how it “hampered the nation’s digital growth for years.” Terming access to unimpeded internet as “a necessity for a thriving modern economy,” the editorial urged policymakers to create and maintain an environment that is conducive to innovation. (“Digital Disconnect,” The Nation, 18 November 2024)
ENVIRONMENT
ADB report cites requirement of USD 390 billion for emission cuts target
On 18 November, Dawn reported that a report an Asian Development Bank (ADB) report revealed that the country requires USD 390 billion to fulfill its international obligations regarding cutting down emissions by 2050. Reducing the dependence upon carbon would require the infusing of funds worth USD 103 billion in nuclear power, USD 62 billion in “wind power, and USD 51 billion in solar power. USD 22 billion is needed for “transmission and distribution.” Adding to that, the transport and domestic sectors also need funding so that they can adopt systems that will consume less energy. The report by ADB mentioned that the country will have to depend upon foreign sources and the country’s own “private sectors” for channeling the required funds, however, before that, initiating reforms are a must without which large amounts of investment would not be possible. The report from ADB has been drafted keeping in mind the government’s objective of attaining the status of “upper middle-income country” by the year 2047. The report mentioned that the policymakers of Pakistan have to manage a justifiable rate of “economic growth,” satisfy the energy requirements by not spiking the costs to an unbearable level, and reduce the harm caused by the emissions so that the country does not deviate from its “international commitment” regarding emission cuts. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Pakistan needs $390 bn for low-carbon transition by 2050: ADB,” Dawn, 18 November 2024)
SECURITY
JUI-F leader killed in South Waziristan
On 18 November, Dawn reported that a remote-controlled bomb exploded in the Lower South Waziristan’s Azam Warsak marketkilling a local JUI-F leader, Mufti Ejazul Haq. The attack also resulted in injuries to five others. Police confirmed that unidentified people had placed the bomb near a mosque which had aimed to kill the “prayer leader” of the mosque. Previously, on 14 November, Jamaat-i-Islami’s Mohammad Hamid Sufi was shot dead by unidentified men in Bajaur. On 17 November, militants killed a soldier in Tirah valley during the exchange of fire. Six militants were also neutralized in the same incident. As per some sources, militants belonged to the banned Lashkar-i-Islam. (Adam Khan Wazir, “Local JUI-F leader killed in South Waziristan explosion,” Dawn, 18 November 2024)
INDIA VIEW
“Nawaz Sharif’s hopes of better ties with India can only be realised when New Delhi responds to Pakistan positively,” suggests an editorial in Dawn
On 18 November, an editorial in Dawn titled “Nawaz on India” highlighted the numerous overtures made by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif towards a better bilateral relationship with India. The editorial also pointed out that the PML-N chief has been “privy privy to minute details of the Pakistan-India relationship.”
It noted Sharif’s recent comments to a paper in London where he expressed hope that “a time will come” when both countries will engage in a meaningful dialogue. The editorial agreed with Sharif that confidence-building measures like cricket diplomacy can prove to be an entry point into a more fruitful engagement “towards better ties.” Referencing the bus diplomacy during Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Sharif’s premiership, the editorial pointed out that the latter has made several such overtures over time. However, his government was overthrown just months later by Gen Musharraf and that impeded any further development. The second such step came when “Nawaz Sharif also tried mending ties with Narendra Modi.” The editorial also lamented that India has generally ignored/failed to respond positively to such overtures and pointed out India’s rigid position on the Kashmir issues and disinterest in confidence-building measures. The editorial argued that this reflects India’s lack of interest in “reopening the channels of dialogue.” (“Nawaz on India,” Dawn, 18 November 2024)
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PTI is a party born of lies.
Syed Kausar Kazmi
- PMLN Digital
Video evidence available, top PTI leaders involved in May 9 tragedy. ~ Senior Analyst Muneeb Farooq
- PMLN Digital
On November 24, Pakistani people will decide their freedom
Imran Khan
- PTI
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"Recent developments are not encouraging for India-Pakistan diplomatic re-engagement."
- An opinion in Dawn, ‘The impasse persists.’
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