PTI-JUI-F talks I Honour killings in Mardan
In Focus
“Make decisions of national importance with consensus,” says President Zardari
Abhiruchi Chowdhury
On 10 March, President Asif Ali Zardari delivered an address to the “joint session of Parliament.” In his address, he warned the parliament that few of the policy stands taken by the federal government are causing problems for the provincial governments. Specifically, he was pointing out the government’s decision to “divert canals” out of the Indus River. He clearly stated that as President, he would not be backing the government’s proposal on diverting canals. He said: “I urge this government to abandon this current proposal and come up with viable, sustainable solutions based on unanimous consensus among the federating units.” The joint session was presided over by the speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and the Chairman of Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani. It saw the presence of PM Sharif and members of the senate and national assemblies. Chief Ministers of three provinces were also present, however, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur decided to skip the session.
From economy to regional connectivity, issues addressed by President Zardari
The president recognized federal government’s efforts to fix the country’s economy. He pointed out how the country has witnessed a surge in foreign direct investment and the stock market reaching new heights. The president emphasized on the need to work towards “inclusive and uniform development.” He further stressed the need to improvise the “taxation system” in the country. He stated that the burden to increase tax collection must not be put upon existing taxpayers but instead, the government must work towards increasing the “tax net.” He advised the government to back Small and Medium Enterprises and inspire the youth to pursue entrepreneurship. He called upon the house to work towards enhancing the “ease in business doing.” He asked the government to increase the representation of women in jobs and businesses. He also highlighted the need for increased “domestic and regional connectivity” for Pakistan to economically thrive. He mentioned the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and urged the government to make the Gwadar port fully operational.
PTI’s sloganeering creates chaos in the Parliament
PTI members of the parliament chanted slogans in support of their incarcerated leader Imran Khan, during Zardari’s address. Zardari, nevertheless, went on with his address, wearing headphones. PPP Chairman stated that the actions of PTI are a testimony to the party’s disinterest in addressing “public issues.” He claimed that PTI’s only agenda is to do “politics.” PTI leader Omar Ayub stated that they could not accept an “installed government.” Further, he claimed that Bilawal Bhutto and President Zardari wanted to sell off Sindh’s proportion of water. In addition to that, he targeted Zardari for not giving a “meaningful” address. Targeting the President, he said “Zardari could not prove that there is democracy in Pakistan.”
PML-N puts efforts to mend ties with PPP
PML-N, in order to mend its ties with PPP, invited the party members for an iftar party. The iftar was “hosted” by PM Sharif. PPP members who attended the iftar party included Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, Governor of Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider, Governor of KP Faisal Karum Kundi, and CM of Sindh Murad Ali Shah, among several others. Bilawal Bhutto voiced the party’s concern over the federal government’s proposal to divert more canals from the Indus River. PPP also raised its concerns regarding the worsening of “law and order” situation in KP, especially in the violence-stricken Kurram. The party also pointed out the inadequate relief measures for the people impacted by floods in Balochistan. PM Sharif expressed his commitment to address the three concerns of the PPP. He praised the PPP leaders for working towards addressing public grievances. He asked all the political parties to collectively work for a “better future of federation and provinces.”
References
“Zardari cautions govt against canals project,” The News International, 11 March 2025
“Talk of canals, terror in KP dominates coalition Iftar,” Dawn, 11 March 2025
Muhammad Anis, “PPP’s concerns about canals, Kurram crisis to be addressed: PM,” The News International, 11 March 2025
On the meaningfulness of Zardari’s address:
“Roadmap proposed by President would have made sense had it called for embracing the opposition by releasing political prisoners and taking them along for a dialogue in nation re-building” argues an editorial in The Express Tribune
On 11 March, an editorial in Dawn titled “President’s speech” discussed the chaos during President Zardari’s address to the joint session of parliament. The editorial mentions how the President’s speech covered a wide range of areas such as health, youth, increasing population, surge in terrorist attacks, need for “good governance” among several other issues. The editorial claims that it was a routine speech. However, the editorial appreciated the President for calling out the government on not consulting all the stakeholders when deciding upon the proposition to divert canals out of Indus River. The editorial pointed out PTI attempting to impede the President’s speech with its constant “sloganeering.” The editorial further highlights how all other important issues are dwarfed by the continuing “political dispute” between the ruling coalition and PTI. The editorial demands “action and commitment” and not just empty speeches. On 11 March, an editorial in The Express Tribune titled “Address to joint session” mentioned how President Zardari’s words do not match the actions of the federal government. The editorial highlighted how the government passed numerous legislations that did not conform to “egalitarian principles.” The editorial claims that President Zardari’s call for creating consensus before arriving on a decision would have made more “sense” if he also backed the freeing of “political prisoners.” (“President’s speech,” Dawn, 11 March 2025; “Address to joint session,” The Express Tribune, 11 March 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
On seminaries:
Dawn congratulates Maulana Fazlur for his message
On 11 March, an editorial titled “Maulana’s message” in Dawn underscored the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islami founder, Fazlur Rehman’s call to denounce militancy and violence at the condolence meeting of Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani and others who died in a suicide bomb attack. In his message, he remarked how killing muslims was not jihad but terrorism and went on to describe the perpetrators as murderers and criminals. His statements come as Pakistan witnesses new bouts of militant violence where religious clerics rarely speak against “fanatical forces” that result in “bloodshed.” In this regard, the editorial congratulates Fazlur Rehman. However, much work is required as delivering fatwas and making “overzealous” speeches is not enough to prevent religion-inspired militancy. The editorial suggests that Pakistan should acknowledge its mistake of enabling terrorism and allowing it to grow in “lethality and reach” as was the case in Afghanistan and Kashmir. Today, militant entities come to be as they have been involved or gained inspiration from these conflicts. Times have also changed as many ideological advocates and jihadi fighters will decline advice from the state or clerics to reject their “struggle.” While Fazl’s speech may impact young students of madrassahs, it will have little impact on hardline fighters. Hence, it becomes imperative that influential clerics adopt a unanimous message against terrorism. Other efforts include overcoming radicalization as “little to no oversight by the state — also aids extremism and contributes to militancy.” (“Maulana’s message,” Dawn, 11 March 2025)
PTI and JUI-F in talks to identify areas of collaboration
On 10 March, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) held talks aimed at strengthening the platform for opposition parties. Representing PTI, Secretary General Salman Akram Raja shared Imran Khan’s growing concerns over the government, the rule of law, and the constitution with the JUI-F. From the JUI-F side, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and Senator Kamran Murtaza highlighted Fazlur Rehman’s perspective over the grand opposition alliance. They also discussed the need to collectively work on Parliamentary decisions critical to Pakistan’s growth. (“PTI, JUI-F discuss ways to strengthen opposition,” The News International, 11 March 2025)
SOCIETY
Three killed in Mardan in honour
On 10 March, a woman, a child, and her father-in-law, Sher Aman, were shot dead in Mardan. According to the FIR lodged by complainant Naseem Bibi, Aman’s widow, in Rustam police station, two men, namely Abuzar and Bakhtiyar, entered their house and fired bullets at the trio while they were asleep. The accused escaped the scene, and the police have launched a probe. She claimed that it was a case of honor killing as her daughter-in-law had married her son Shahi Mulk in a court marriage without receiving consent from her parents. (“Child among three killed for honour in Mardan,” Dawn, 11 March 2025)
ECONOMY
Federal government confident to privatize PIA by July 2025
On 11 March, The Express Tribune reported on the government’s reassurance to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for privatizing the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) by July. Previous government efforts in selling off PIA did not reap any fruitful results. It had only one bidder whose offer was PKR 10 million, less than the “minimum asked price” of PKR 85 billion. As per the sources of The Express Tribune, the government has conveyed to the IMF that it would analyze “market sentiment” before rolling out the “expression of interest” notification. The government has also received the IMF’s go-ahead on discounting the sales tax and removing PKR 45 billion “liabilities” for the buyer. The decision on the Roosevelt Hotel in New York is, however, impacted as the US has suspended a USD 228 million lease before the expiry date. It will later inform the IMF about its decision on the hotel, whether it would go for complete privatization or for a “joint lease agreement.” Federal government would be selling off close to seven firms, three “financial institutions" and three “power distribution” firms. The government is hoping that it will be able to sell off Zarai Tarqiati Bank Limited by November 2025. (Shahbaz Rana, “PIA sell-off set for July, IMF told,” The Express Tribune, 11 March 2025)
Sugar cartels and government in a tug of war
On 11 March, according to sources reported by The News International, tax collection from the sugar sector has grown by 54 per cent. Official figures project a PKR 24 billion in taxes upon the sale of sugar between January and February 2025, compared to PKR 15 billion in the same period as a new monitoring and enforcement system was in place. Furthermore, political figures, including the Sharifs, influence the sugar industry significantly, especially in the Sindh and Punjab provinces. This crackdown was ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is said to review its progress every week. Responding to the FBR’s actions, the sugar cartel managed to mark up sugar prices in the open market. This, in turn, led PM Sharif to order ministers to consider importing sugar if the sugar millers did not cooperate. In a latest move, the FBR’s Inland Revenue Enforcement Network (IREN) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) launched an operation that resulted in the seizure of 52,410 bags of sugar. Later, they were released after penalties above PKR 125 million along with sales tax on sugar were secured. Furthermore, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been tasked with monitoring the operations. A source added: “To prevent collusion, FBR officers stationed at mills are rotated every ten days.” Additionally, surprise investigations and CCTV surveillance have been initiated to tighten oversight. (“Shehbaz vs sugar cartel: who will win?,” The News International, 11 March 2025)
Remittances jump to nearly 40 per cent in the first eight months of 2025
On 10 March, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data revealed a near 40 per cent jump in remittances between July and February of the 2025 fiscal year, amounting to USD 23.97 billion. February alone saw a USD 3.12 billion inflow, marking a 32.5 per cent rise in the annual collection of remittances. Furthermore, the government had forecasted an inflow of USD 35 billion for the fiscal year 2025, USD 5 billion more than last year. However, remittance inflows exceeded the projections as USD 5.9 billion inflows in the first eight months of 2025 were recorded. This rise has been attributed to the increase in deposits from the UAE as they rose to USD 4.857 billion in the July-February period. A 34.6 per cent increase in flows from the previous year, at USD 5.896 billion in remittances, was also received from Saudi Arabia. This comes as the Pakistani government has been promoting overseas employment for Pakistani nationals. Furthermore, a crackdown on illicit foreign exchange trade and the economic stability achieved by the International Monetary Fund’s loan programme have also helped increase inflows. However, it brings to light two conclusions, the first one being the government’s growing dependence on remittances instead of exports for its foreign exchange. The second one is the stabilization of the rupee and the economy. (“Remittances jump 40pc in February, total $3.12bn,” Dawn, 11 March 2025; “Remittances increase 32.5% to $24bn in July-February FY25,” The News International, 11 March 2025)
On economic growth:
“Until the country's policymakers find a workaround to this problem, growth will continue to suffer,” argues an editorial in The News International
On 11 March, an editorial titled “Stagnant rate,” in The News International highlighted Pakistan’s sluggish economic growth as the State Bank of Pakistan sought to stop its six consecutive monetary rate cuts. A Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on 10 March decided to maintain the interest rate at 12 per cent while businesses demanded a 500 basis points cut. The MPC justified its decision by drawing attention to “core inflation, external account and global uncertainties.” The core inflation rates have become difficult to control. Its elevated levels could risk a surge in food and energy prices and eventually result in a surge of inflation. Additionally, external account pressures have increased as imports rise while export inflows continue to weaken. This is highlighted by the USD 0.4 billion deficit in the current account in January 2025. Furthermore, the international uncertainties caused by a rise in tariffs have driven central banks of developed and developing economies to slow down on their monetary easing policies.
On a positive note, the editorial indicated that the monetary policy has not increased yet and is 1000 points lower than the rate in June 2024. The effects of policy cuts have materialized by a surge in economic activity and the sales of “of automobiles, POL products and cement, import volumes, credit to the private sector, and the purchasing managers' index.” It also hints at ease in doing business and ready access to finances. In contrast, despite the rise in economic activity, the International Monetary Fund has forecasted a 3.0 per cent, close to the recessionary territory. The editorial acknowledged the MPC’s reasoning for maintaining its policy rate as a “cautious approach.” Challenges linked to the failure of an import-led growth model and promotion of local industries or secure foreign investment, leading to a recurring balance of payments issue, which is not new to Pakistan. Hence, “until the country's policymakers find a workaround to this problem, growth will continue to suffer.” (“Stagnant rate,” The News International, 11 March 2025)
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The opposition has laid the foundation for rudeness and incivility itself, and now they are facing it themselves. Rudeness and incivility have not given the people anything. People have become aware. They want progress and solutions to their problems.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif
- PMLN
Indeed, Allah does not change what is in a nation until they change what is in themselves.
- PTI Islamabad
Look, look who came. A thief came. A thief came. Massive sloganeering by PTI during the speech of Mr. 10 Percent Asif Zardari, the fake president of Form 47!
- PTI
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"If even opinion is unacceptable, where does this leave us as a people?"
An opinion in Dawn, 'Comment in chains'
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