Photo : Dawn
In Brief
ECONOMY
IMF loan may be delayed to October, Finance Minister calls upon private sector to take lead in economic progress
On 9 September, official sources confirmed the delay in approval of International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) USD 7 billion bailout for Pakistan till October. This delay is likely to extend until Islamabad secures external financing of USD 3 billion from bilateral and commercial creditors. On the other hand, Pakistan is expected to forward a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the IMF’s Executive Board, requesting it to approve the Externded Fund Facility (EEF) valued at USD 7 billion for 37 months. The Government of Pakistan must also share a written commitment, promising to uphold all the conditions put forth by the Fund. In the backdrop, Pakistan does not figure in the IMF’s Executive Board calendar upto 18 September. Though Islamabad has been making efforts to secure funds from bilateral lenders to close the financing gap worth USD 2 billion, it has not been successful. Another factor leading to pressure on the government is a time crunch. As the IMF programme is being delayed till October, the first quarter (July-September) is coming to an end. This implies that data of the first quarter will come to surface. If the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is unable to fulfil its tax collection target within this period, then the IMF might ask the government to formulate a contingent or mini-budget. Currently, the FBR is projecting a decline in revenue collection ranging from PKR 200 to PKR 220 billion in the first quarter and in case of a significant revenue shortfall expenditures on other sectors will be hugely impacted. On the other hand, the Finance Ministry is expecting the Monetary Policy Committee for reducing the policy rate from 19.5 per cent to 18 or 17.5 per cent on government loans, thereby giving the ministry some breathing space to allocate funds in other key areas of the economy.
Separately, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed on the need to restore public confidence in his speech at a Senate session. He expressed importance of the private sector in accelerating the country’s progress. Responding to a question posed by Senator Shibli Faraz about the decline in tax collection, the minister said: “We are Rs98 billion behind in tax collection. However, private sector credit has risen by half a trillion. The government needs to maintain fiscal discipline. As the prime minister has said, the government's job is not to run businesses but to empower the private sector.”
In other news, the IMF appointed Mahir Binici as the Resident Representative for Pakistan. The new country head will begin office in December. An article in The Express Tribune discussed a list of challenges that Binici will have to face once shejoins office. The first is the smooth implementation of the EEF, the second is bridgingthe gap between the IMF’s office in Pakistan and the headquarters in Washington. Experts believe that the IMF has been experiencing a declining trust towards the incumbent government. (Mehtab Haider, “IMF nod for Pakistan’s loan may get delayed till October ,” Dawn, 10 September; “Finance minister urges private sector to lead as public confidence key to economic progress,” The Express Tribune, 9 September; “IMF names new country head,” The Express Tribune, 10 September 2024)
JUDICIARY
PM Sharif hints at significant changes in the judiciary
On 9 September, during his address at a dinner held for members of the Pakistan Muslim League-N and other allied parties at the PM’s House, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced judicial reforms.. He stated that elements involved in hindering the government’s progress will become powerless once changes are made in the judicial system. This change is one of the many measures taken up by the government to ensure economic stability and recovery for public welfare. Referring to Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf’s grand rally held on 8 Septmeber, he stated that they were impairing existing institutions by using derogatory language about them, thereby misguiding the people of the country. He accused the PTI of misleading the youth and a party leader for insulting the government. He spoke about terrorism being under control during Nawaz Sharif’s administration and blamed the previous PTI government was for bringin it back. He, however, promised to “crush the terrorist elements.”(Muhammad Salih Zafar, “Significant change to judicial system planned: PM ,” The News International, 10 September 2024)
CJP Isa dispels claims of tenure extension
On 9 September, an informal conversation took place between Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa and reporters after the completion of the new judicial year. At the meeting, he was asked about the extension of his tenure and all other chief justices of the Supreme Court via a legislative amendment. He said that the Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan informed him about this matter and that he had asked them both to make the extension for others and to leave him out of it. The CJP said: “Even, I don’t know whether I will be alive tomorrow or not.” When asked about why the hearing of a case where six judges of the Islamabad High Court had written a letter to the Supreme Court was not fixed yet, CJP responded that the Supreme Court’s (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 committee was yet to fix the case hearing. He added that Justice Muskrat Hilali was unwell, hence, the case had not been scheduled yet. (Sohail Khan, “Won’t accept extension, says CJP ,” The News International, 10 September 2024)
NAB transfers Toshakhana case to FIA after amendments
On 9 September, the National Accountability Bureau directed the Islamabad court to transfer the new Toshakhana reference against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). This development comes in light of the amendments made to the NAB laws which removes the above referenced case from its jurisdiction. A hearing was held by the Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Ali Waraich, where he heard bail application of Khan and his spouse. However, the written judgment said that the case :“[does] not fall within the jurisdiction of this court in the light of amended section 5(0) of NAO, 1999, therefore, this court lacks jurisdiction to proceed with [the] case in hand.” It further stated that the case be “referred” “to the appropriate court.” Interestingly, Khan’s counsel, Salman Sardar, argued that since the NAB’s laws have been amended, the case against Khan is “no longer a crime.” He added: “Right now, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and Bushra Bibi are in custody of the accountability court.” The PTI chief has been convicted in four cases, two include the Toshakhana case, the others are the cipher and Iddat case in which even Bushra Bibi is convicted. After he was cleared off charges in the Iddat case by the Islamabad High Court, he and his spouse were re-arrested by the NAB in the fresh Toshakhana reference. (Umer Mehtab, “Accountability court bars NAB from handling Toshakhana case, hands it over to FIA,” Dawn, 10 September 2024)
POLITICS
Senate Standing Committee approves first ever bill on Cannabis control
On 9 September, the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology gave a go-ahead to Pakistan’s very first Cannabis Authority Bill after four years of disputes between ministries. This dispute emerged as the ministries were unable to decide the jurisdiction of this matter. At the committee meeting, the participants deliberated on every clause and removed all faults in the draft. Pakistan Muslim League-N’s senators discussed how this bill could be passed in a single sitting. On the other hand, the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf senators and the committee inquired as to why Cannabis Development Authority was under the Ministry of Defence’s supervision. The committee was informed that due to the cultivation of cannabis in Fata, the involvement of military and other agencies is imperative to monitor such a sensitive matter, in tune with the UN protocols. The Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority will consist of a 13-member administrative panel. It will include the cabinet division with representatives from various state and non-state agencieswhich will be chaired by the defence secretary. (Kabe Ali, “Senate panel approves first-ever Cannabis Authority Bill ,” Dawn, 10 September 2024)
SECURITY
13 injured by an IED attack in Waziristan, university head attacked in Dera Ismail Khan
On 10 September, about six police constables and seven people sustained injuries from an explosion in Wana tehsil of South Waziristan. This incident occurred when two police vans were headed to provide security to polio teams, after the government launched a week-long polio drive. They were ambushed on the Kari Kot road and an improvised explosive device was detonated in the attack. Separately, the Vice Chancellor of Lakki Marwat University and Gomal University, Dr Shakibullah was targeted by a group of armed men while he was leaving in a car from the University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan.
Earlier, two terrorists on a motorcycle abandoned a suicide vest weighing seven kilos after noticing excise police searching passersby on the outskirts of Peshawar, at the Jamil chowk area.(Adam Khan Wazir, “Six policemen among 13 hurt in Wana blast; varsity head attacked ,” Dawn, 10 September 2024)
World Risk Index reveals Pakistan among countries with highest exposure to conflict
On 9 September, Dawn reported on Pakistan’s performance in the World Risk Index 2024, published at the Ruhr University Bochum-Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV). Pakistan is said to be among those countries with the highest exposure to conflict and is even among the top 15 countries which have the highest disaster risk. This year’s report concentrates on multiple crises and disaster risk management. The report indicates further intensification of growing risks and crises due to climate change, population, pandemics and political polarization. The report notes that eight of the ten hotspots are housed by Asia and the Americas, however, over time these hotspots will shift to climate sensitive and high vulnerability regions. The hotspots are namely, The Philippines, Indonesia, India, Colombia, Mexico, Myanmar, Mozambique, Russia, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Natural disasters in conflict prone zones or in areas where poverty, ethnic marginalization and weak state institutions can either amplify or trigger armed conflicts. The report also makes reference to the growing decline in food security around the world as heavy rain falls, storms, droughts and floods have an impact on agriculture, humans and nature. (Amin Ahmed, “Pakistan among countries with highest exposure to conflict: report,” Dawn, 10 September 2024)
PROVINCES
Balochistan: Government lists dozens of persons under the Fourth Schedule of ATA
On 10 September, a Dawn report reveals that the Balochistan government has listed a large number of civilians on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Though the home department has not issued any notification, many people listed in the Fourth Schedule have been directed to visit the Counter Terrorism Department and the police. Sources say that these individuals have been named based on the district intelligence committee’s recommendations.
The restrictions that prevail on such people are freezing of bank accounts, ban on financial support, credit, arms license, and passport and even employment clearance restrictions. Some prominent figures named under Schedule Four are Baloch Student Organisation (BSO) chief Balaach Qadir Baloch, Secretary General Samand Baloch and Information Secretary Shakoor Baloch. The chairman of a BSO faction which is affiliated with National Party (NP), Bohir Salih Baloch, an author of many books, Abid Mir and social activist who has been calling for the recovery of missing persons, Akram Dost were also found on the list. An anonymous source from the home department said that about 300 people have been added to the list. On the other hand, National Party’s Dr Malik Baloch claimed of 3,000 names in the list. He inquired: “I know many people who are patriots. Why is the government pushing these innocent people towards BLA?” (Saleem Shahid, “Dozens put on Fourth Schedule in Balochistan,” Dawn, 10 September 2024)
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-An opinion in Dawn, ‘The PTI in Islamabad'
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