In Brief
POLITICS
PM forms task force to investigate anti-Pakistan social media propaganda
On 2 December, The News International outlined that the Prime Minister has approved the formation of a 10-member joint task force which will be responsible for identifying entities who are involved in spreading disinformation against Pakistan. A notification from the Prime Minister’s office stated that this initiative has been started in light of the recent incidents of “terrorism and vandalism” as well as “baseless” allegations “implicating State apparatus for committing serious human rights violations.” In this regard, the joint task force has been assigned the task of providing a report on those involved in spreading disinformation pertaining to the alleged killing of PTI protestors between 24-27 November, tracking and tracing said entities and suggesting measures for policy action. This development comes as the opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreeek-e-Insaaf (PTI) held a three-day countrywide protest which resulted in the federal capital being sealed off as a red zone and clashes between security forces and the protesters. (“PM forms panel to crack down on anti-state propaganda,” The News International, 2 December 2024)
Federal government mulling over decreasing superannuation age
On 2 December, Dawn reported that the federal government is mulling over a proposition to decrease the age of “superannuation” to 55 years. The idea behind this proposition is to decrease the burden caused by “long-term pension bills.” On the other hand, the Ministry of Finance in 2023 had come with a proposition for making the age of superannuation to 62, however, the same had been not approved by the ‘established division.” Currently, the pension which the retired government officials get per month amounts to their last received salary at 60 years of age. Pension bills are likely to decrease by approximately PKR 50 billion per year if the retirement age is decreased to 55 years. Currently, federal pension expenses have surpassed PKR 1 trillion. This also entails army’s pension expenses which amounts to PKR 750 billion while civilian forces pension bills come at PKR 260 billion. Lowering the age of retirement would obligate the federal government to pay for pensions for a reduced time period and which would eventually decrease the burden on the government in the coming future. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Govt considers lowering retirement age to 55,” Dawn, 2 December 2024)
Interior Ministry reveals comprehensive description of PTI protestors
On 1 December, The Express Tribune reported that the Interior Ministry has denied reports of clashes between the Army and violent demonstrators during PTI’s 24 November protestors. The Ministry of Interior has revealed a comprehensive description of the PTI protests. As per the statement, outlawed Afghan citizens and trained offenders were also present in the PTI protests. The Interior Ministry claimed that roughly 1500 criminals who work under wanted PTI leader Murad Saeed were indulged in committing assaults during the protests. They are alleged to have utilized supplies from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government which were used to assault the Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) officials. Ministry also applauded the bravery of LEA officials who despite facing assaults from protesters and being wounded, firmly resisted the violent demonstrators. Ministry also blamed KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur for inciting the protesters through his false allegations against the state institutions. Further, they accused the PTI and its social media wing for propagating rumors of LEA killing some of the protesters and alleged that the social media wing has been using AI to create fake videos. The Ministry has dismissed reports of protesters being fired upon by the LEA officials.
(Rizwan Shehzad, “Interior ministry denies use of live ammunition on PTI protesters,” The Express Tribune, 1 December 2024)
Protest at D-Chowk was not backed by Imran Khan: Leaked audio clip
On 2 December, The News International reported that an audio was leaked where it could be heard PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan asserting that Imran Khan has directed party leadership to demonstrate in Sangjani area instead of D-Chowk in Islamabad. He could be heard saying “The PTI founder had not asked to come to D-Chowk, but to Islamabad. Khan Sahin had said the final sit-in location would be confirmed after the party members reached Islamabad.” The leaked audio has spread speculations of an internal fault line in the PTI leadership. The PTI parliamentary leadership is examining why the protesters were directed to go to D-Chowk when the PTI founder had asked them to come to Sangjani. In the audio clip, Ali Muhammad Khan could be heard questioning Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan superseding Imran Khan’s order and instead asking the protesters to go to D-Chowk. He further could be heard questioning Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi's role in the protests. He said in the audio clip that protesters should have stopped in Sangjani and Bushra Bibi should not have countermanded Imran Khan’s orders. (“Imran’s orders were for sit-in at Sangjani, says PTI leader in leaked audio,” The News International, 2 December 2024)
ECONOMY
PSX creates record, crosses 103,000
On 2 December, The News International reported that the KSE-100 index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange had reached 103,217.44. 1860.12 points were added to achieve this new record. There has been a surge of 1.44 percent from the preceding number at which it got closed (101357.32). Sana Tawfik who leads the research in Arib Habib limited stated that enhancing “macroeconomic factors” have led to this new high. She predicted that inflation would decrease to 4.7 per cent which in combination with enhancement observed in “market liquidity” would uplift performance of the market. Another factor which led to this positive development was the grant of USD 500 million confirmed by Asian Development Bank for Pakistan’s Climate Change and Disaster Resilience Enhancement Program. This has given a further boost to Pakistan’s foreign reserves which now amount to roughly USD 12 billion. Sectors such as “Technology and Communication, oil and gas exploration” and real estate incurred profits as well. It is anticipated by experts that continuous “policy support,” equilibrated “external accounts” and decreasing the finances required to do business will boost the market.(“PSX surpasses 103,000 points, extends record streak with renewed momentum,” The News International, 2 December 2024)
SOCIETY
Government dismisses internet disruption claims
On 1 December, internet users across Pakistan reported difficulty in accessing social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram and TikTok. On the other hand, the Information Technology minister claimed that internet services were fully functional. While there hasn’t been an official statement from the IT and Telecommunication Authority on this issue, a source from the ministry said that the government saw “political attacks through social media as cyber-attacks” as a threat to Pakistan’s integrity.
Contrastingly, reports from Downdetector claimed that major cities reported a spike in internet outage, causing economic losses between PKR 2 billion to PKR 2.3 billion. Even the Internet Outage Detection Analysis, which detects internet connectivity and outages, claimed that internet disruption carried on for hours. Separately, in a televised interview, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khwaja dismissed internet disruption claims. With regard to the government’s tests of its internet firewall, she added that the talks surrounding the deployment of a firewall had been “blown out of proportion.” She said: “There is nothing controversial about a country working on its cyber security.” Additionally, a statement from the government revealed that it was not planning to block Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). She said that the country’s web management system has been operational for the last 10 years and that “the government is fully cognizant of the need for secure communications, and is working towards further improving the process of activation and usage of VPN.” (Kalbe Ali, “Govt unmoved as slow internet frustrates all,” Dawn, 2 December 2024; Abubakar Saddiq & Aima Khosa, “Internet disruptions hit major cities in Pakistan,” The News International, 2 December 2024; Abdul Moiz Malik, “Online monitoring tools negate govt claims of ‘uninterrupted internet’,” Dawn, 2 December 2024)
“This 5G charade is nothing but an attempt to deflect attention from its own draconian policies,” argued an editorial in Dawn
On 2 December, an editorial titled “5g charade,” in Dawn highlighted the irony in the government’s policies towards the digital landscape. While it aims to auction the 5g spectrum, it also seeks to “police every byte of data its citizens consume.” Similarly, on one hand, the government aspires to be a leading digital economy and develop “innovative applications,” and on the other, it deploys a firewall and calls for Virtual Private Network registrations. In this regard, the editorial opined that the government’s priorities are aligned with establishing control instead of progress. The editorial emphasized/suggested that the government should focus on creating an environment where 5g technology is beneficial to the people. It also called for the restoration of internet freedom and transparency. Instead of “illusory control,” the state needs to provide digital rights to its people as this is the only path to development. (“5G charade,” Dawn, 2 December 2024)
“Government’s claims dismissing widespread internet disruptions is as disconnected as the networks themselves” argues an editorial in The Nation
On 2 December an editorial in The Nation titled “Disconnected Reality” discussed how government’s denial of it restricting internet use is completely untrue. The editorial pointed out that in current times when people have access to “monitoring tools,” reducing the speed of the internet by the government does not go unheeded. The editorial argued that there can be deliberation on the necessity/requirement of restricting internet use for security reasons. However, if the government completely denies the fact that it has induced internet disruptions, it will not lead to resolution of the issue. The editorial further argued that the government not finding alternate solutions for solving the problem of security and instead going for the easy option to restrict internet use displays its lack of governance and ignorance of the crucial role played by the “digital economy” in today’s society. The editorial suggestedthat the government must accept that it has induced internet disruptions and work towards finding a better solution as restricting the internet does not only disrupt communication, it also leads to decrease in “public trust.” Internet disruptions estrange people working in IT and present Pakistan as an undesirable location in front of the whole world. (“Disconnected Reality,” The Nation, 2 December 2024)
HEALTH
“Poliovirus continues to persist entirely due to self-imposed shortcomings” argues an editorial in The News International
On 2 December, an editorial in The News International titled “Polio debacle” highlighted the issues which serve as roadblocks in elimination of polio from the country. The editorial mentioned that in 2024 so far, 56 cases have been recorded. The editorial pointed out how parents who come from disadvantaged circumstances are reluctant to give consent for inoculating their children. The editorial mentioned the case of Sindh which has witnessed 43,000 vaccine refusals in the month of November alone . As per a report issued by Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), in 2024, around four million children were not vaccinated during inoculation programs. The editorial noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are the two worst affected provinces by polio due to security reasons. The editorial also highlighted how the government fails to give proper remuneration to polio workers and security officials protecting the polio workers. The editorial stressed that it is the government's inefficiency because of which it is not able to counter the “unscientific anti-vaccine” narrative in society. (“Polio debacle,” The News International, 2 December 2024)
SECURITY
Increase in Terror attack, says a think tank report
On 1 December, Dawn reported that a think tank in Islamabad called Pakistan Institute of Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) has published a report which entails casualties caused by terror attacks all over the country. In the month of November, 245 people lost their lives due to terror attacks. Among those killed, 68were security personnel , 50 were civilians and 127 were terrorists. The month of November is the second worst month in terms of casualties caused by terror attacks. August, which has been the worst month in terms of casualties caused, 254 people were killed. Among the 254 people, 92 were civilians, 108 were terrorists and 54 were security personnel. In November, a maximum number of security officials lost their lives. In terms of number of injuries, 104 security officials and 119 civilians were wounded in violent attacks. There also has been a surge in terror attacks in the month of November. In November, 71 terror attacks were reported compared to in October where 68 attacks took place. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the worst affected province by terror activities. KP witnessed a total of 50 terror attacks which led to the killing of 71 people and injuries to 85 others. Balochistan witnessed 20 militant attacks which led to killing of 60 people. Among the 60 who were killed, 26 were security personnel, 25 were civilians and nine were militants. Also, in November the number of militants killed was the second highest in 2024. In February 148 militants were killed followed by 127 in November. There also has been an overall increase in terror attacks in 2024 which totaled to 856. In 2023, this number was at 645. (“November proves deadliest for Pakistani security forces with 68 casualties: report,” Dawn, 1 December 2024)
16 Terrorists killed in separate operations launched in provinces
On 2 December, Dawn reported that an intelligence operation launched in Baka Khel area, Bannu resulted in the killing of five militants while nine others reported injuries. Separately, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) revealed that about that three terrorists were neutralized while two others were arrested in a different operation in Shagai area, Khyber. The ISPR also stated that a security force was also killed during a gun battle.
In a separate incident, an attack on a Lakki Marwat police station was carried out by a group of terrorists. The miscreants carried out these attacks for two days straight, eventually leading to the death of a police official. On the same day, an attack on the Paharpur polices’ van led to the death of one law enforcement worker while two other constables sustained injuries. (“Sixteen terrorists killed in action across three provinces,” Dawn, 2 December 2024; Kalbe Ali, “Govt unmoved as slow internet frustrates all,” Dawn, 2 December 2024)
Punjab Police thwart terrorist attack, four terrorists killed
On 1 December, an official spokesperson highlighted that four terrorists or khwarij were neutralized by Punjab Police after an attack was launched by the former on the Chapri Police Station, in Isa Khel, Mianwali, at the border between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The spokesperson stated that more than 20 terrorists launched an assault on the police station with heavy weapons including rocket launchers and hand grenades. However, only two security personnel sustained injuries. The spokesperson further added that the Punjab police is on high alert and “is committed to crushing the vile ambitions of the terrorists of Fitna al Khawarij.” (Imran Gabol, “Four terrorists killed as police thwart attack in Mianwali: Punjab Police,” Dawn, 1 December 2024)
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PTI is responsible for the martyrdom of security forces during the protest.
~ Senior Analyst Hasan Ayub
- PMLN Digital
In the guise of the final call of movement
There was a plan to kill and loot.
~ Federal Minister of Information Ataullah Tarr
- PMLN Digital
"A boy was shot by a sniper a few steps away from me. He was picked up and taken to the polyclinic. When I got there, 10...12 people were injured. The snipers were shooting from above and the boy who When he fell, other boys would pick him up and run to the hospital, no one knew that snipers were shooting from above"
AhmadFarhadReal
- PTI
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