World Bank to lend USD 1 billion for Dasu hydropower project I PM Sharif launches week long countrywide polio vaccination campaign
In Focus
Lawyers protest the transfer of provincial judges to Islamabad High Court
On 3 February, three new judges appointed from various provinces are set to begin office after being transferred to the Islamabad High Court (IHC). However, the capital’s lawyers have rallied against the appointment of judges of other provinces and have sought all constitutional routes to fulfill their demands. This comes as the Islamabad’s Bar Council and High Court Bar Association announced protests against the district courts and the IHC after a meeting on 2 October. They issued a notice in support of five IHC judges who were also in disagreement with the transfer. The notification read that the protests were being called as the transfer of Lahore’s Justice to the Chief Justice position of IHC was a violation of “constitutional procedures and judicial norms.” In this regard, it demanded that the IHC Chief Justice (CJ) be appointed from the senior most judge of the IHC.
Separately, an All Pakistan Lawyers Convention will be held on 3 February to decide how future transfers will be dealt with. Additionally, it condemned the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s decision for calling a meeting on 10 February to appoint additional judges to the Supreme Court as the “petitions challenging the validity of 26th Amendment” have yet to be heard. The letter described it as a “blatant attempt to manipulate the court’s composition, filling it with individuals favored by the ruling parties and establishment.” This development comes as President Asif Ali Zardari assented to the transfer of Justices of the Lahore, Sindh, and Balochistan High Court, namely, Justice Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro and Justice Mohammad Asif, respectively. It has resulted in the modification of the seniority list to the IHC, under the provisions of Article 200 of the constitution. This has led to the replacement of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani by Justice Dogar as the senior most judge after the CJ and even pushed the other judges in the seniority list to go a step-down. Similarly, Justice Soomro’s transfer is at 9, pushing Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz earlier at the ninth position down to the tenth position. Even the transfer of Justice Asif has affected Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas to move three positions below from 10 to 13.
On the same day , an editorial in The Nation titled “Judiciary’s Crossroads” discussed how the transfer of the three judges via the President’s assent was a violation of the judiciary’s autonomy. Even though this may be a mere appointment, it sheds light on the underlying issues pertaining to the government’s inability to handle dissent and the issue of “institutional independence” in Pakistan. It reflected on a similar event which took place in the past where lawyers were provoked, shaking “the foundations of power.” In this regard, the editorial called upon the government to work in a manner which will help it sustain for a longer period. It said: “The lines are being drawn, and the government would be wise to act before this protest turns into a defining battle for judicial independence.” (Malik Asad, “Lawyers up in arms as new IHC judges report for duty,” Dawn, 3 February 2025; Tahir Naseer, “Islamabad lawyers announce strike tomorrow over ‘unconstitutional’ judicial appointments,” Dawn, 2 February 2025; “Judiciary’s Crossroads,” The Nation, 3 February 2025)
World Bank to lend USD 1 billion for Dasu hydropower project
On 3 February, The News International quoted an Economic Affairs Division (EAD) official stating that the World Bank is likely to sanction a USD 1 billion loan for the first stage of the Dasu hydropower project. The official further stated that the cost of the project’s Phase-I had gone up by 190.1 per cent from PKR 586 billion to PKR 1,700 billion. This rise is attributed to the growing security concerns, delay in acquisition of land and the value of the US dollar. However under the loan, Pakistan will receive USD 800 million from the International Development Association (IDA) and USD 200 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Of the USD 800 million, USD 435 million will be extended on the basis of a zero interest while USD 365 million will be loaned out at 5.83 per cent interest, while 6.13 per cent interest will be payable on the USD 200 million. (Khalid Mustafa, “World Bank to extend $1bn loan for Dasu project,” The News International, 3 February 2025)
PM Sharif launches week long countrywide polio vaccination campaign
On 2 February, PM Sharif set afloat 2025’s “first nationwide anti-polio campaign.” It is a weeklong campaign that would go on from 03 to 09 February. PM Sharif spoke about his firm intent to eliminate the disease from the country at the launching ceremony. He said “the national polio vaccination drive would target millions of children to save their future and health.” He applauded the efforts put in by international agencies such as the WHO, UNICEF, Bill Gates Foundation and Saudi Arabia in assisting Pakistan in the eradication of disease. Pakistan along with Afghanistan are the only two countries which have been unsuccessful in eliminating polio. Problems like “security issues, vaccine hesitancy and misinformation” have resulted in hampering government’s efforts to eradicate the disease from the country. In 2024, Pakistan witnessed more than 70 cases of polio disease. In 2025, the first case of polio was detected from Dera Ismail Khan in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. (“PM launches first anti-polio drive for 2025; vows to eradicate disease from country,” Dawn, 2 February 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
PTI open to talks; PM Sharif advised to dissolve negotiation committee
On 2 February, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to discuss the breakdown of negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI). A source quoted in Dawn revealed that the PM was urged to dissolve the delegation constituted to hold talks with the PTI. These discussions took place after the PTI decided to put an end to the interparty dialogue as the government has failed to meet its demands. The government committee’s spokesman, Senator Irfan Siddiqui told Dawn: “We have requested the PM to dissolve the committee, as it was formed by him. We believe the PTI will not sit for talks in the near future as it has again adopted its previous strategy to hold street protests for the fulfilment of its demands.” Contrastingly, on 2 February, The News International reported that PTI Chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had called for the resolution of political disputes via dialogue. He said: “At present, the doors of negotiations are closed and the other party has terminated them. Despite this, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has maintained the committee. However, the government has not sent us any message, not even a WhatsApp message.” (Syed Irfan Raza & Amjad Mahmood, “PM advised to dissolve PTI dialogue committee,” Dawn, 3 February 2025; Muhammad Saleh Zaafir, “Govt-opposition backchannel likely to open this week,” The News International, 3 February 2025)
PML-N government doubles allocation for parliamentarian political schemes
On 3 February, the Dawn reported that during a recent meeting of the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme’ (SAP) committee, it was learned that letters for the revalidation of the funds for parliamentarian schemes had been submitted again. This comes as a proposed allocation of PKR 91 billion by the PML-N in fiscal 2023-2024 and a disbursement of PKR 61 billion had lapsed after the caretaker government had frozen the schemes. However, in the current fiscal the PML-N government has sought to double the size of its political schemes to PKR 50 billion, earlier worth PKR 25 billion in the 2024-2025 budget. Hence, PKR 57 billion may be used by the end of the present fiscal. Furthermore, the government has rejected its coalition partner, Pakistan People’s Party’s call to take forward a surplus of PKR 30 billion in unused funds from 2023-2024. In addition the government has relaxed Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to carry out disbursements to all allied parliamentarians. This comes after a 300 per cent hike in salaries of parliamentarians was approved recently. (Khaleeq Kiani, “‘Political’ development schemes for lawmakers make a comeback,” Dawn, 3 Februrary 2025)
ECONOMY
1.448 acres land of Karachi Port Trust encroached on, reports The News
On 3 February, The News International highlighted that about a third of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) worth PKR 10 billion has been encroached on and the same has happened with 30 acres of Port Qasim Authority land. The article claimed that a considerable area of the land has been appropriated via political support. In fact, about 350 acres of the land has been encroached on by the Sindh government. The type of encroachment carried out on the land is in the form of illegal construction, lease of excess land, temporary cattle farms, illegal parking, thellas, shops, hotels, mosques, madrassahs etc.. This comes as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed the Sindh personnel and other authorities to retrieve encroached land. This land will be utilized to set up port businesses. It will be used to lease land for storage, warehousing, expansion activities or even be used to convert the coastline into a business hub. (Ansar Abbasi, “1,448 acres of KPT land worth billions of rupees encroached,” The News International, 3 Feburary 2025)
SECURITY
The unending violence in Kurram
On 3 February, The News International reported on the jirga held in Islamabad that saw the presence of tribal elders from the rival parties. Tribal elders delved upon steps that must be taken to bring back peace in the region. It was reported that the attendees emphasized upon the need to curb the “misuse of social media” and making sure that both the groups “respect each other’s beliefs.” The jirga members demanded that the government must initiate action against people who are involved in spreading misinformation on social media. As per a member who attended the jirga, it was the “first formal dialogue” which was attended by the tribal elders amidst the ongoing violence in Kurram. Former senator Sajjad Syed Mian hosted the jirga at his place of residence. The next jirga will be held in Peshawar. It will stress on measures to bring an end to closure of roads and making sure that peace is maintained in the region.
On the same day, an editorial in Dawn titled “Kurram fragility” discussed the continual attacks on peace negotiators in Kurram and how the region still remains vulnerable to violence. The editorial mentioned how the local authorities had put efforts to ensure that the gun attack which resulted in wounding two people in Kurram does not escalate tensions in the region. Nevertheless, even the government’s peace negotiators were not spared and faced attacks. Saeed Manan who is the Assistant Commissioner attempted to bring peace in the region after the assault on two men, but instead the situation culminated in him getting shot. Previously, the former deputy commissioner of Kurram also witnessed a violent attack. The editorial pointed out the “geopolitical angle” of violence in Kurram. It claimed that Sunni violent factions in the region have the backing of the Taliban government in Afghanistan whereas Shia violent groups receive patronage from the Zainabiyon brigade. The violence in the region escalated after the attack on a convoy in November 2024. The editorial opined that adherence to peace agreement could only be ensured if all the tribal factions and institutions of the state are on one page and stay committed towards maintaining peace in the region. The editorial strongly advocated for actions against those who are indulged in violent acts. It also called for reopening of roads and suggested that the security forces must ensure safety of the passengers. (Ali Afzal Afzaal, “Elders hold jirga in Islamabad to help restore peace in Kurram,” The News International, 3 February, 2025; “Kurram fragility,” Dawn, 3 February 2025)
On Afghan refugees from Pakistan: “Pakistan finds itself at a crossroads, balancing humanitarian obligations with pressing security concerns,” says an editorial in The Express Tribune
On 3 February, an editorial titled “Precarious refugees,” in The Express Tribune discussed the long-standing dilemma of security and humanitarianism pertaining to Afghan refugees. The country not only has to deal with depleting resources, but it also has to worry about hostile activities propagated by some belonging to 2.9 million Afghans population currently residing in Pakistan. Earlier, the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas Programme provided sanitation, education and healthcare to the refugees. However, the funding for this had stopped in 2024, pushing them into a state of vulnerability and “Pakistan finds itself at a crossroads, balancing humanitarian obligations with pressing security concerns.” This is further compounded by its unstable relationship with Afghanistan as it deals with cross border security issues. Additionally, the presence of 0.7 million unregistered refugees further heightens its anxieties as there is unchecked movement of malicious elements. In this regard, the editorial called on the government to adopt a balanced approach. It underscored the need to combine “strategic diplomacy, security reinforcements and international collaboration.” (“Precarious refugees,” The Express Tribune, 3 February 2025)
PROVINCES
Balochistan: Multiple attacks result in killing of security officials in Gumbaz and Chaman
On 3 February, Dawn reported on a gun attack in Gumbaz area of Balochistan. The attack resulted in one security officer losing his life while one was left wounded. There are speculations of “personal enmity” that had led to the assault. The concerned authorities have initiated a “search operation” to arrest the culprits of the attack. In another incident, a gun attack in Chaman, Balochistan resulted in the killing of a Frontier Corps soldier. The armed men who launched the attack were on a motorbike. As per the police, the attack was termed as “targeted killing.” Up until now, no terrorist group or individual has accepted responsibility for the assault. The attack was preceded by counter-terrorism operations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that had resulted in the killing of 23 militants. 22 security officers had also lost their lives during the operation. (Saleem Shahid, “Two security officials martyred in Balochistan attacks,” Dawn, 3 February, 2025)
On the recent terror attacks in Balochistan: “state must proactively engage with Baloch leadership and communities to rebuild trust” says an editorial in The News International
On 3 February, an editorial in The News International titled “Terror troubles” discussed the problem of the unending spree of violent attacks in Balochistan. The editorial referenced the recent attack which took place on 31 January in Kalat which resulted in the killing of 18 soldiers. The security forces were also able to neutralize 23 militants. The editorial called for going beyond military options and looking into “political, social and economic” demands of the people in Balochistan. The editorial claimed that militant outfits such as Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) have taken advantage of the vulnerability of the people and carried out violent attacks on pretext of fighting against ongoing injustice existing in Balochistan. The editorial opinedthat violence cannot be justified under any circumstance and that militant attacks must receive condemnation from all sections of the society. The editorial urged the government to acknowledge that the issue in Balochistan has a political dimension as well. The editorial suggestedthat the government must stress upon “inclusive governance, economic upliftment and protection of fundamental rights” in Balochistan. In addition to that, the editorial also urged that outfits like BLA must be effectively countered by the security forces. (“Terror troubles,” The News International, 3 February 2025)
Sindh: Bill to impose tax on agriculture to be tabled in the assembly
On 3 February, the “Sindh Agricultural Income Tax Law” is set to be tabled in the Sindh assembly. The bill will be introduced after receiving approval from the Sindh cabinet. As per GEO News, earnings through agriculture amounting to PKR 600,000 per year would not fall under the category of taxable income. Earnings exceeding PKR 600,000 and less than PKR 1.2 million would be liable for 15 per cent tax. Earnings which exceed PKR 1.2 million and is less than PKR 1.6 million are liable for PKR 90,000 tax. Farmers earning more than PKR 12 million per year would have to pay 20 per cent tax. The law would also introduce “super tax” which would be levied on earnings more than PKR 200 million. If the agricultural income exceeds PKR 500 million, 20 per cent super tax would be levied on it. Previously, Punjab and KP have also enacted agricultural income tax. (“Agricultural income tax bill set to be tabled in Sindh Assembly today,” The News International, 3 February 2025)
PAKISTAN OCCUPIED KASHMIR
JI leads demonstration in “AJK” urging to fight for “freedom of Jammu and Kashmir” ideologically
On 3 February, Dawn reported on the demonstration led by Jamaat-i-Islami branch of “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” (“AJK”) that has called for “Jammu and Kashmir’s freedom.” A declaration was espoused that urged people residing in Pakistan occupied Kashmir to play their part in “freeing of Jammu and Kashmir.” The demonstration saw the presence of JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and “AJK” PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and PPP’s secretary general of “AJK” Faisal Mumtaz Rathore among many others. Reportedly, the demonstration was attended by a huge number of women who were carrying JI flags and posters with “anti-India and pre-freedom slogans.” The declaration adopted during the demonstration emphasized upon fighting for “freedom of Jammu and Kashmir” ideologically apart from ensuring “military preparedness.” In addition to that, the declaration also called for restarting compulsory “National Cadet Corps training for students.” JI chief criticized the alleged “silence of international community” and claimed that the same had further encouraged India to suppress the voices of people in Jammu and Kashmir. Emphasizing upon the role of ideology in “freeing of Jammu and Kashmir” he said “this is not a battle of geography but ideology.” (Tariq Naqash, “Kashmir march calls for unity in freedom struggle,” Dawn, 3 February, 2025)
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The protests for Feb 8th Mandate Theft already started - a grand show in Italy led by Shahbaz Gill. Amazing turnout and full of enthusiasm!
Jibran Ilyas
- Tehreek-e-Insaf
May Allah Almighty bless our country and nation and bless all Pakistanis who endured suffering instead of bowing their knees to fascism.
- Imran Riaz Khan
Your mandate was stolen on February 8th, so you have to come out to celebrate that day as a black day.
Imran Khan
- Junaid Akbar
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"Seven decades and three generations removed, what good does it do to unearth the wounds of Partition on YouTube?."
- An opinion in Dawn, 'On the wounds of Partition.'
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