In Brief
INTERNAL
Imran Khan gets five-year disqualification in Toshakhana reference
On 21 October, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p) for making “false statements and incorrect declaration.” According to the verdict, Imran Khan had “intentionally and deliberately” violated the provisions contained [in] sections 137, 167 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017, as he “has made false statement (sic) and incorrect declaration before the Commission in the statement of assets and liabilities filed by him for the year 2020-21.” Hence, he attracts disqualification under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution read with sections 137 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017.
After the ECP’s verdict, Imran Khan could also cease to be the PTI chairman as per an earlier judgement by the Supreme Court which ruled that an individual disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution could not serve as head of a political party.
Meanwhile, PTI workers across Pakistan took to the streets in protests against the ECP’s decision. Although Imran Khan had called for an end to the protests, Faizabad the border between Punjab and Islamabad remained a site of clashes between the PTI workers and police who used tear gas to curb the protests.
PTI’s response
Following the verdict, the PTI stated that the verdict was beyond ECP’s jurisdiction and proved its “lopsidedness.” Meanwhile, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi stated that the ECP verdict “had no value” adding that that Imran Khan would continue to hold the office of party chairman since the commission had no jurisdiction to rule on such matters. Further, he added that the PTI would challenge this decision in the Supreme Court. Similarly, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry termed the ECP’s ruling as a “slap on the face of 220 million people,” stating, “Today is the beginning of the revolution”.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan in a per-recorded video urged people to “come out” for their rights. He said, “By the time my message reaches you, I might have been put behind the bars in an unfair case,” adding, “It is possible that I might not be able to address you again. I’ve been in the public for 50 years, I have neither flouted the law of Pakistan nor have I violated the Constitution.”
Government’s response
Following the verdict, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the ECP “has done justice in [the] Toshakhana reference” and urged the PTI members not to take law into their own hands. Meanwhile, foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, stated that this decision was “just the beginning,” predicting that “more such decisions” against Imran Khan were yet to come. Similarly, Maryam Nawaz said, “Pakistan’s first certified liar and certified thief disqualified with irrefutable evidence of theft.” (Syed Irfan Raza, “Govt says decision ‘just the beginning’, PTI puts its faith in courts,” Dawn, 22 October 2022; Fahad Chaudhry, “Imran Khan disqualified in Toshakhana reference,” Dawn, 22 October 2022)
ON FATF
Pakistan removed from the FATF’s grey list
On 21 October, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed Pakistan from a list of countries under “increased monitoring” also known as the “grey list” after a period of four year. While addressing a press conference FATF President Raja Kumar said, “It has two concurrent action plans. After a lot of work by Pakistani authorities, they have largely addressed all of the action plan item,” adding, “As a result of these action plans, Pakistan has made significant improvements to strengthen the effectiveness of this framework for combating terrorism financing.”
Further, in its handout the FATF said, “Pakistan has strengthened the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime and addressed technical deficiencies to meet the commitments of its action plans regarding strategic deficiencies that the FATF identified in June 2018 and June 2021, the latter of which was completed in advance of the deadlines, encompassing 34 action items in total. (“FATF removes Pakistan from grey list after 4 years,” Dawn, 22 October 2022)
Pakistan Democratic Movement emphasizes determination to conduct general elections in a timely manner
On 21 October, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) reiterated its purpose to oversee the timely management of the general elections, while welcoming the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to disqualify PTI chief Imran Khan’s participation in the elections for the next five years. Calling it a “blessed day” and adding that the country “got rid of a big calamity”, the PDM chief said that the coalition parties were aware of Pakistan’s issues and had objected to the former government’s policies from the get-go. Making known his contempt for the PTI’s former policies, the PDM chief also said that they got rid of a “civil strife” and that the current government had “carefully” brought Pakistan out of the grey list of the FATF. He also said that politicians “should compete with each other” in politics and that disqualifications should end. (Khalid Mahmood, “PDM reiterates resolve to hold elections on time,” The Express Tribune, 22 October 2022)
INTERNAL
National Assembly passes bill to criminalize enforced disappearance for the second time
On 21 October, the National Assembly passed a bill seeking to declare enforced disappearances a heinous crime after removing a controversial section which provided for punishment to those filing false complaints. This was the second time that the house was passing the bill. Previously, the bill was drafted by the PTI government after which it was passed in the National Assembly in November 2021. However, the government had to bring it back to the assembly as the Senate had passed it with a few amendments. (Amir Wasim, “NA again passes bill criminalising enforced disappearances,” Dawn, 22 October 2022)
Commission promised to resolve issues faced by Baloch students
On 21 October, the commission constituted to probe resentments of Baloch students promised to inquire deeper into the matter of missing Baloch students. MNA Sardar Akhtar Mengal presided over a meeting in which participants discussed in detail harassment, enforced disappearances and racial profiling of Baloch students at Quaid-i-Azam University and other educational institutions in Pakistan. (Jamal Shahid, “Commission vows to solve problems faced by Baloch students,” Dawn, 22 October 2022)
PROVINCES
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Residents of Swat hold another demonstration against the recent wave of terrorism
On 21 October, the residents of Bahrain tehsil gathered in Madyan Bazaar in protest against terrorist activities in the Sawt and called for peace in the region. This was the ninth protest by the people of Swat since the start of terrorist attacks in Swat in August this year. Additionally, the Swat Qaumi Jirga and Swat Olasi Pasoon held the event against the recent surge of terrorism in Swat. (Fazal Khaliq, “Bahrain residents protest recent terror wave in Swat,” Dawn, 22 October 2022)
Punjab: Government to contend against denial of wheat supply in the Supreme Court
On 21 October, Chief Minister Parvez Elahi made known that Punjab would be seeking justice from the Supreme Court due to the denial of wheat supply by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Mentioning the federal government’s provision of wheat supply has been negligent to Punjab, Elahi said that the Prime Minister was “misquoting” him on the rectification of the issue. Urging the government to intervene with 1 million tonnes of wheat for Punjab, Elahi also lauded Imran Khan’s flagship Ehsaas initiative, saying that his welfare agenda was the “best example of a targeted subsidy”. Chief Minister Elahi announced that the government was “obstructing” the supply of wheat and its lack of support to the flood victims as well. (“Punjab to move SC against denial of wheat supply: CM Parvez Elahi,” Dawn, 22 October 2022)
ON MILITARY
General Bajwa to offer “farewell in arms” in next five weeks, bids farewell to post
On 21 October, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa asked for “national coherence” and the prevalence of “rule of law” as he made known retirement in the coming weeks. Announcing his exit earlier this month, General Bajwa said that he would step down from his post by the end of November, and led that the army will continue to persist amid allegations of political interference and hoped that military leadership would “stay out of politics”. Remarking on the military’s “successes” against terrorist activities, he added that peace, stability, and law can only be achieved if the “rule of law and state’s writ” is established. General Bajwa’s exit leads to the speculation that his successor would be considered from the next week, amid political unrest and change in command. (Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Gen Bajwa to bid ‘farewell to arms’ in five weeks,” Dawn, 22 October 2022)
ECONOMY
Weekly inflationary prices see a rise of 0.35 per cent, despite a respite
On 21 October, the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) that measures weekly inflation rose to 0.35 per cent for the week ending on 20 October. Compared to the same period of the previous year, the inflation rate remained constant at 27 per cent, driven by necessary items like onions, tomatoes, diesel, and petrol. Even though short-term inflation has been on the downfall for a while, the prices rose at a steady pace due to the recent surge of food and fuel prices. A World Bank report analyzed that the average consumer index-based inflation in Pakistan would increase to 23 per cent in the current fiscal year, from 12.2 per cent in the previous year, because of increased domestic energy prices, interruptions by the floods, and weaker domestic currency. (Mubarak Zeb Khan, “Weekly inflation edges higher to 0.35pc,” Dawn, 22 October 2022)
Dollar inflow decreases by 30 per cent on YOY quarterly basis
On 21 October, top official sources said while talking to The News International mentioned that despite getting a USD 1.16 billion tranche from the IMF, Pakistan’s dollar inflows in the shape of loans and grants decreased by 30 per cent to USD 2.23 billion in the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year. In the first quarter of last fiscal year, Pakistan obtained USD 1.04 billion through the launch of international bonds and secured commercial loans of USD 457.5 million. However, in this fiscal year, so far, not a single penny could be obtained in these two heads. The foreign currency reserves held by the SBP stood at USD 7.5 billion on 14 October 2022 compared to USD 10.8 billion when the PDM-led government came into power in April 2022. The funding from bilateral donors has gone up as it stands at USD 385.99 million in the first quarter of the current fiscal year against USD 110.4 million disbursed in the same period of the last financial year. Saudi Arabia’s help in the shape of an oil facility on deferred payment provided oil facility worth USD 300 million, China is second as it provided USD 54.93 million in financial assistance in the first months of the current fiscal year. France disbursed USD 4.44 million, Germany USD 0.33 million, Japan USD 0.68 million and the US USD 9.95 million. (“Dollar inflows decrease despite IMF $1.16bn tranche,” The News International, 22 October 2022)
ON JUDICIARY
CJP proposes four names for elevation to SC
On 24 October, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) summoned a meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to consider the four nominees, IHC CJ Athar Minallah; Lahore High Court judge Justice Shahid Waheed; and two Sindh High Court judges Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shafi Siddiqui. Since February this year, no SC judge has been appointed. CJP Bandial had summoned a meeting of the JCP on 28 July to consider his five nominees, but a consensus could not evolve among the body’s members. Once again, three senior SHC judges have been overlooked for their elevation to the SC. This has happened for the third time in the last five years. A representative of the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) expressed serious concerns over the ignoring of the three senior SHC judges about their appointment to the SC. (Hasnaat Malik, “CJP proposes four names for elevation to SC,” The Express Tribune, 23 October 2022)
EXTERNAL
China and Pakistan to launch three new cooperative corridors, says Ambassador to China
On 21 October, in an interview with China Economic Net Pakistan's Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque told Pakistan and China have agreed to launch three new corridors, including the China-Pakistan Digital Corridor that would help enhance cooperation in different fields of I.T. He said: “We would be an important source of help for China in terms of software development. So, we are working together to set up training centres in Pakistan for developing software in different fields of IT.” The other two corridors include China-Pakistan Green Corridor (CPGC), which will focus on the agricultural environment, food security and green development, and the China-Pakistan Health Corridor (CPHC), which will help Pakistan get efficiency in the medical field. Former Additional Director General FIA and Founder of Digital Pakistan Ammar Jaffri has said that emerging technologies have now become a lifeline for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & targets. (“Pakistan, China to launch three new projects,” The News International, 22 October 2022)
Rise in TTP attacks in Pakistan a major concern: US Special Representative for Afghanistan
On 22 October, The News International reported that in a recent interview US State Department's Special Representative and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Afghanistan Thomas West thanked Pakistan on his country's behalf for hosting Afghan refugees for four decades. He also thanked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for facilitating the refugees. West said that he had a two-and-a-half day stay in Pakistan two weeks ago, during which he discussed mutual interests in Afghanistan with the Islamabad authorities. While speaking about the US ties with the Afghan Taliban, the special representative said: "I don't believe that there will be any practical partnership between the US and Taliban," West said. (“Rise in TTP attacks in Pakistan a major concern: Thomas West,” The Express Tribune, 23 October 2022)
ON ENERGY
Excess power generation capacity to aggravate costs for consumers by 2030
On 21 October, a report titled “Pakistan Electricity Outlook 2022” revealed that surplus and expansive power generation capacity would increase prices from PKR 900 billion to PKR 1.6 trillion by 2030. Saying that even though the surplus would sustain the expected time, it would cause a rise from 15 per cent to over 40 per cent over the year, amid a positive growth in projected demand. Adding that the consumers will pay for this excess capacity despite not being used, the report mentioned that the power sector is not looking for “root causes” behind the rising demand and neglecting solutions for the same. (Khalid Hasnain, “Surplus power generation capacity to cost citizens dear by 2030,” Dawn, 22 October 2022)
|