Turkiye offers support to Pakistan for combating “all forms of terrorism†I Foreign Office offers “condolences and sympathy†for the Pahalgam terrorist attack victims
In Focus
Decrease in food inflation to bring down inflation to six decade low
On 23 April, The Express Tribune reported that inflation in the country would come down to a 60 year “low” in the month of April. The “Year-on Year” Consumer Price Index, which was 0.7 per cent in the month of March is likely to slash to 0.3 per cent in the month of April. The reason behind this decrease is likely due to “food inflation” coming down. “Food inflation” contributes roughly 35 per cent of the Consumer Price Index. It is anticipated that the inflation in food would fall to 5.7 per cent in April. In April 2024, the number was at 9.7 per cent. This decrease in food inflation is because the costs of necessary food products like “rice, potatoes, tomatoes, wheat and onions” have come down drastically. Also, the “headline inflation” was very “high” in the same time "period,” in previous financial year. The mean inflation for July 2024 – April 2025 is anticipated to be hovering around 4.6 per cent. This number for the previous financial year and same months was 26.2 per cent. The core inflation which does not include “food and energy” is anticipated to be at “7.7 per cent Year on Year” in the month of April. In March, the same number was at 10 per cent. (Usman Hanif, “Inflation to hit 60-year low in April 2025,” The Express Tribune, 23 April 2025)
Turkiye offers support to Pakistan for combating “all forms of terrorism”
On 22 April, PM Sharif had embarked on a two-day visit to Turkey. Turkey has vowed to back Pakistan in combating the threat of terrorism. PM Sharif and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan have yet again expressed their commitment to enhance and “diversify” bilateral “strategic cooperation.” PM Shairf stated that the visit provided the two countries an opportunity to examine the headway made towards achieving the objectives which were decided during “7th Pakistan-Turkiye high level strategic council meeting.” The meeting took place in Islamabad in 2025. PM Sharif is looking to attract investments in “energy, IT, infrastructure, mines and minerals.” The two countries are looking towards increasing “bilateral trade” amounting to USD 5 billion. PM Sharif also stated that “defence and security cooperation” continues to be an important part of the bilateral cooperation. PM Sharif expressed gratitude towards Ankara for backing Islamabad in “counter-terror efforts.” As per PM Sharif, both him and President Erdogan agree on “need for unity among Muslim Ummah.” President Erdogan stated that the two sides delved into discussions on “regional and global issues.” He offered his sympathy towards the people of Pakistan who lost their lives in militant attacks. Further, he informed that the two sides deliberated on “peace and stability in the region.”
(“Turkiye backs Pakistan in fight against terror,” The News International, 23 April 2025)
Foreign Office offers “condolences and sympathy” for the Pahalgam terrorist attack victims
On 23 April, The News International reported on Islamabad’s response to the terrorist attack which took place in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April. Militants had fired upon innocent tourists which resulted in 26 of them losing their lives. Jammu and Kashmir has not witnessed a serious attack like this in the last 20 years. The spokesman of the Foreign Office Shafqat Ali Khan stated that Pakistan was unhappy with the attack and offered “sympathy and condolences” for the people who have lost their loved ones. Khan said “we are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.” Among the people who lost their lives in the attack, 25 were Indian nationals where one was a citizen of Nepal. The responsibility for the attack was assumed by a militant group called “Kashmir Resistance.” As per the militant group, around 85,000 non-natives have settled in Jammu and Kashmir. US President Donald Trump spoke to PM Modi after the terrorist attack and vowed his “full support.” EU President Ursula Von der Leyen had also denounced the terrorist attack. (Azaz Syed, “IIOJK attack: Pakistan expresses concern, extends condolences to victims' families,” The News International, 23 April 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE
PPP reassured by PM’s involvement in the Cholistan canals issue
On 22 April, Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon indicated faster resolution to the problems surrounding Cholistan canals project. While speaking with media, he divulged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s involvement in the matter. This was relayed to him in the third call from PM’s political adviser Rana Sanaullah. Memon reiterated Pakistan People’s Party’s opposition to the project. He claimed that the Council of Common Interests has not convened a meeting to address the canal issue despite several requests submitted by the provincial Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah. In the backdrop, besides contacting the Sindh Minister, Sanaullah also contacted Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islami head, Rashid Soomro, in Sindh. According to the JUI-F, the centre has invited his party to participate in a dialogue linked to a canal and arrive at a resolution. In response, Soomro demanded the inclusion of Sindhi nationalist parties and lawyers. The PM’s aide contacted the Sindh United Party (SUP), inviting the party to participate in the dialogue. However, the SUP leader, Syed Zain Shah, stated that he would “consult with parties involved in the Save River Indus Movement, the Lawyers’ Action Committee, growers, and their allies” before issuing a response. The aide also tried approaching Qaumi Awamu Tehreek to engage in the dialogue. In response, the party said: “If a delegation is formed comprising representatives of different parties,” along with the PM, then discussions can be held. (Tahir Siddiqui & Imran Ayub, “PPP feels ‘reassured after PM’s aide offers talks on canals,” Dawn, 23 April 2025)
JUI-F announces non-participation in opposition alliance
On 23 April, The News International reported on the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islami (F) (JUI-F)’s decision to not join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) in a grand political opposition alliance. This comes after the former failed to receive clarification from the PTI regarding its contact with the establishment. In a media statement, JUI-F senators Kamran Murtaza and Hafiz Hamdullah stated that the PTI will be officially informed. The gulf between both parties widened after PTI’s Azam Swati announced that Imran Khan had instructed him to hold discussions with the establishment. Referring to this, Murtaza criticized the PTI for creating an alliance while “maintaining undisclosed contacts with the establishment,” adding that the JUI-F had specifically opposed contact with the establishment during meetings with the PTI. (“PTI will be told alliance not possible: JUI-F senator,” The News International, 23 April 2025)
On threat to provincial resources:
“The centre should stop encroaching on provincial jurisdictions in its misplaced eagerness to control minerals,” argues an editorial in Dawn
On 23 April, an editorial titled “Centre’s shadow,” in Dawn commented on the fading sense of federalism in Pakistan, regarding a mining legislation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The legislation is being opposed as it transfers provincial control of its mineral resources to the centre under the guise of national interest. A similar move was tried in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly, but it was blocked by those who opposed it. The editorial noted emerging reports pertaining to the country’s mineral wealth that could alleviate strains on the national economy. Hence, it is not new to see the “leadership to clutch at straws whenever they find themselves in a bind and unable to reform the failing economy.” However, it was the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the Pakistan People’s Party who pushed for the 18th Amendment which mandated devolution of power among the provinces. (“Centre’s shadow,” Dawn, 23 April 2025)
On threat to provincial autonomy: “The increasingly centralized decision-making and the growing shadow of the establishment over all aspects of the power spectrum threatens the unity of the federation,”
On 23 April, Dawn reported that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb promised to fix the trade imbalance at USD three billion with the US through Pakistan’s mineral resources. He said the mineral sector will “create a win-win situation for both the US and Pakistan” while alluding to a recent mineral conference hosted in Islamabad. He further remarked on Pakistan's ability to meet the US’ rare earth mineral demand due to its vast resources. Hence, bilateral talks should look “beyond tariff discussions,” he added.
On 21 April, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) objected to the government’s proposal to hold multi-party consultation on the Cholistan canals project during a senate session. Law Minister Azam Nazeer expressed the Pakistan Muslim League (N) government’s commitment to resolve the matter democratically while consulting with the Sindh government. This followed a series of statements made by the PPP and the PTI during and after the session. Senator Shibli Faraz criticized the PPP for adopting a contradictory stance over the issue, as the PPP didn’t support lawmakers who raised concerns on the canal project. Later, PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman demanded the immediate convening of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to address the water crises in Sindh. She urged the government to stop its plans on the canal projects as it could enhance inter-provincial tensions. She said: “No province’s share can be diverted unilaterally. That’s not cooperative federalism; that’s injustice.”
On 23 April, in an opinion titled “Federation under strain,” in Dawn, Zahid Hussain discussed the lack of realization within Pakistan’s power corridors of how the Cholistan canals project could threaten “federation unity.” The PML-N could have referred the matter to the CCI, however, it was all done under wraps. The main issue emerges from the sourcing of surplus water in the already depleting reserves of the Indus. Besides, structural issues regarding the Indus River System Authority’s composition has further exacerbated inter-provincial conflict. The controversy behind the project surfaced again after the establishment became a part of the Green Pakistan Initiative, under which the canal is a part. It has been portrayed as an issue that goes beyond the civil government’s ability to resolve, as it is a national security issue. This, the author argued, has “exposed the fault lines within an establishment-dominated political system that has led to the centralisation of power weakening the federal structure.” The author also references the PPP, an important actor in the issue. Some federal ministers suggest that President Asif Ali Zardari approved the project while the PPP and the President have claimed otherwise. Furthermore, the PPP has been criticized for not addressing the matter with the PML-N until it was pressured by nationalist parties in Sindh. However, if the issue continues to persist, the PPP will have no choice but to leave the coalition. “Given the widening divide it seems increasingly difficult now to reach a consensus on an initiative that should not have been undertaken at all,” the author remarked.
On the same day, an editorial titled “Contentious canals,” in The News International highlighted the need to protect national unity. The issue of water between Sindh and Punjab is historic, though it has surfaced through the canals project. The issue is not a simple Sindh-versus-Punjab issue as the latter deals with water shortages too. Currently, opposition voiced against the canal comes from Sindh. Hence, the project may risk being viewed as “as an act of majoritarianism by the centre.” It further fuels perceptions of smaller provinces “against federal overreach and inequitable resource distribution.” As a country that stumbles between political and economic instability and climate vulnerability, the federation ought to adopt a transparent, inclusive, and informed strategy to overcome the issue. The centre must strive to dispose of notions of unilateralism and function as a mediator between provinces to protect Pakistan’s “fragile national unity.” (Anwar Iqbal, “Pakistan’s minerals could help fix trade imbalance with US: Aurangzeb,” Dawn, 23 April 2025; Ifthikar A Khan, “Govt proposes multiparty consultation on new canals,” Dawn, 23 April 2025; Zahid Hussain, “Federation under strain,” Dawn, 23 April 2025)
JUDICIARY
IHC judge rules against petition seeking case transfer
On 23 April, according to Dawn, an Islamabad High Court judge issued a verdict reaffirming the Chief Justice’s (CJ) administrative authority by citing Article 202, authorizing high courts to formulate their governing practices and procedures. Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas ruled against a petition seeking to declare transfer of cases between benches as “inherently non-maintainable” under the procedural and constitutional mandate. In contrast, Justice Minhas asserted that the litigant may approach a court but pick the judge. “The latter is a privilege reserved to the Master of the Roster” or the CJ only. He further warned that such petitions question the presiding judge’s competence. He observed: “This undermines judicial discipline and the sanctity of bench assignments.” This matter came to light after Mudassir Malik filed a petition for the transfer of his case to Justice Babar Sattar, as a similar case regarding alleged inconsistencies in the government appointment process was pending. (Malik Asad, “IHC’s Justice Minhas reaffirms CJ’s authority over case assignments,” Dawn, 23 April 2025)
ECONOMY
Finance Minister expresses eagerness to execute World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework
On 23 April, The News International reported on the reforms introduced by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in “taxation, energy, privatization, pensions, debt management and State owned Enterprises.” Addressing the Atlantic Council, he informed that at the present there is cash flow of PKR 9 trillion in the country. He, however, stated that many of the areas such as “wholesale, retail, real estate and agriculture” are yet to be brought under the “tax net.” While discussing the state of economy in the country with Robert Kaproth who is Secretary of the Treasury Department in the US, the former informed about the reforms being introduced. The finance minister also met the President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga. He expressed gratitude towards the World Bank for continually backing Pakistan over the years. He also expressed his content towards the Country Partnership Framework which would stress upon “impacts and outcomes.” The finance minister had a discussion with the Vice President of World Bank, South Asia, Martin Raiser. He stressed on the need for speedy execution of the Country Partnership Framework. Both Islamabad and the World Bank are on the same page regarding the need to surge investments from “private sector” which would boost job growth in the country. (“Reforms being undertaken in taxation, energy, SOEs: Aurangzeb,” The News International, 23 April 2025)
IMF decreases projected economic growth rate from 3 to 2.6 per cent for FY 2024-25
On 22 April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decreased Pakistan’s economic growth prediction to 2.6 per cent for the present financial year. As per the World Economic Outlook report, put forward by the IMF in April, Pakistan’s economy is projected to grow by 2.6 per cent. Earlier, this number was reported to be 3 per cent. The predicted growth rate is well below the “target” set by the federal government which is 3.6 per cent. For the coming financial year, as per IMF, Pakistan’s economy is expected to increase by 3.6 per cent. The IMF has also decreased the inflation rate which it had earlier predicted for Pakistan. It is predicted to hover around 7.7 per cent for the coming financial year. For the current account deficit, IMF has forecasted that it would fall to 0.1 per cent of the total GDP of the country. Previously, this number was expected to hover around 1 per cent. The IMF had earlier forecasted that the current account deficit would stand at USD 3.7 billion. However, as per the latest report, it is expected to hover around USD 400 million for the present financial year. (Shahbaz Rana, “IMF cuts Pak growth forecast to 2.6%,” The Express Tribune, 23 April 2025)
HEALTH
On the decrease in polio cases:
“it is not due to the improvement of polio campaigns, but the fact is that polio has a seasonal effect,” points out an opinion in The Express Tribune
On 23 April, an opinion in The Express Tribune titled “The grand illusion of polio eradication” discussed the state of polio cases in the country. Rana Jawad Asghar points out how the media is highlighting the decrease in the number of polio cases from January to March in comparison to October 2024 to December 2024. The media reports have expressed content over how the cases have come down by 80 per cent in the January-March period in comparison to the last three months of 2024. Asghar also points out how PM Sharif is boasting his government for bringing down polio cases. Asghar however contends that the decrease in the polio cases in the first three months of 2025 has no relation with the efficacy of polio campaigns. He points out the “seasonal nature” of polio virus, stating that in winter months the cases of polio come down due to decrease in people movement. Further, he expresses discontent towards unavailability of correct data regarding polio cases. According to him, this prevents unbiased inspection. (Dr Rana Jawad Asghar, “The grand illusion of polio eradication,” The Express Tribune, 23 April 2025)
PAKISTAN OCCUPIED KASHMIR
Landslides severely impact multiple regions in Gilgit-Baltistan
On 23 April, Dawn reported on the landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan which has severely impacted the life of residents. There were reports regarding Chichala, Diamer witnessing landslides on 22 April. The landslide wrecked a house and caused devastation to a number of properties. The roads which link faraway places in Gilgit Baltistan were also impacted due to the landslides. There were reports of Chipurson road which falls in upper Hunza region being choked because of the landslides, thereby the residents losing “access” to other areas of Gilgit Baltistan. As per the police, “Karakoram highway, Baltistan Road” and various other roads have reopened. Cellphone network, “internet, and electricity” in Gilgit Baltistan continue to be “suspended.” Landslides have also wrecked the power supply lines in Astore. The locals of Ghanche and Astore have been moved to safe areas, since it is anticipated that more landslides would occur in the regions. On 21 April, a foreign national who came to Gilgit Baltistan for tourism purpose, lost her life due to landslides. (Jamil Nagri, “Landslides continue in GB even as rains subside,” Dawn, 23 April 2025)
|
It is a good thing that the Chief Minister of Balochistan apologized for the baseless accusation against Sami Din Baloch of burning the Pakistani flag. Sami Din Baloch says that he did not call the Chief Minister, but the Chief Minister himself called him. If the lies in the name of national interest end, hatred can be reduced.
- Hamid Mir
I express sorrow at the loss of lives in Pahalgam, IOK. In the event of any misadventure against Pakistan, the PTI, as the voice of the people, stands ready to lead the nation in the defence of the motherland, in complete support of our valiant armed forces.
Salman Akram Raja
- PTI
We have agreed to launch joint projects in various fields. We strongly condemn the loss of fifty thousand innocent lives in Gaza and call for an immediate ceasefire.
~ Joint press conference of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
- PMLN
|
|
|
|
"The canal controversy has exposed the fault lines within the establishment-dominated system."
- An opinion in Dawn, 'Federation under strain.’
|
|
|
