In Focus
Maulana Fazlur calls for a PDM meeting
PPP condemns Imran Khan’s remarks on the judiciary
According to Dawn, the President of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called for a meeting of heads of PDM’s constituent parties in Islamabad on 8 November to review Pakistan’s prevailing political situation. The meeting aims to devise a strategy for the upcoming public meetings to be held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab. Maulana’s call comes in the wake of the treason allegations by PM Khan against PML-N leader Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The PDM meeting will be hosted by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at the party’s secretariat. PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif would address the meeting through a video link from London. Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari would participate via a video link from Gilgit-Baltistan.(“PDM constituent parties to review political situation on 8th,” Dawn,3 November 2020)
The PDM meetings and agenda
So far, PDM has held public meetings in Gujranwala, Karachi and Quetta. It has now scheduled its fourth public meeting in Peshawar on 22 November, fifth in Multan on 30 November and the last one in Lahore on 13 December. PDM leaders say the Lahore public meeting would be Pakistans “biggest gathering” ever and that the present “set-up” between the incumbent government and the Establishment would no longer be able to obstruct the will of Pakistanis. PDM has also called for a long march in January 2021, seeking the resignation of Imran Khan.
PPP criticizes Khan’s remarks about judiciary
In a reaction to Imran Khan’s recent remarks on the judiciary, PPP’s Core Committee member Taj Haider said “The opposition is not and cannot promote a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan as there is a set procedure for promotion of judges based on their respective seniority”. PPP accused the Centre of having “mala fide intentions” behind the attempted maligning of a Supreme Court judge and Imran Khan of committing a “predetermined contempt of court”.
Government to use ‘full force’ to counter PDM’s ‘anti-state narrative’
As per Dawn’s sources, on 2 November, PM Khan stated that the PTI government would “not succumb to the pressure being exerted by the opposition through its anti-government campaign and would not offer any concessions to the opposition members facing corruption charges”. The government would strongly resist the PDM’s campaigns at every forum. (“Govt to counter PDM’s ‘anti-state narrative’ with full force,” Dawn,3 November 2020)
PML-N says PTI’s attempts to divide PDM will fail
On 2 November, PML-N senior vice president Senator Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar predicted the failure of any attempts by the PTI government to divide or cause a rift within the PDM. He said PDM was jointly striving for the “restoration of democracy and upholding of Constitution in the country”. (“Moves to divide PDM will fail, says PML-N leader,” Dawn,3 November 2020)
Pakistan’s political scenario getting “tenser by the day”, says Dawn editorial
The editorial identifies a trend in the current escalation of mutual accusations and the dangerously intensifying war of words – “The top leadership of the PTI is increasingly resorting to rhetoric that is both irresponsible and dangerous.” It says that the PTI’s attitude and moves could incite violence and crumble national interests and peace. Pointing out that there is no individual, organisation or institution that can mediate and disengage the rivals, the editorial calls for the need to maintain sanity considering the already weak and compromised nature of Pakistan’s systems. (“Escalating tension,”Dawn,3 November 2020)
Meanwhile…
The Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch cited Nawaz Sharif’s fiery speech at the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s Quetta public meeting as the sole reason for his decision to quit the PML-N. He opined that the supreme leader’s addressing crossed all red lines when he asked the army to not obey “the illegal and unconstitutional” orders of the highest echelons of the Army – the COAS and the DG ISI. (“It’s not Zehri or Ayaz, it’s Nawaz: Gen Qadir gives reason for resigning from PML-N,”The News International, 3 November 2020)
Owen Bennet Jones explains the sources of sectarianism in Pakistan
Looking beyond socioeconomic and religious factors
In his opinion piece, Owen Bennet Jones highlights that the two broad explanations behind militancy - socioeconomic factors and religious indoctrination - are only parts of the larger story. Owen says socioeconomic factors like “anti-imperialism, particularly anti-Americanism, a Robin Hood mentality, search for masculinity, and national or tribal affiliation,” are rejected by those who strongly argue that religious doctrines fuels violence. The liberal circle tends to favour the socioeconomic argument while the conservatives favour the religious argument.
Talibanisation and sectarianism
Owen says these two explanations “lie behind two main militancy-related phenomena to affect Pakistan, Talibanisation and sectarianism.” He gives the example of Punjab SSP’s reliance on urban traders to address the power held by the Shia landlords. Here, the reason behind militancy was economic. He says, Talibanisation relied on disrupting money flow from “drug trade, the explosion in remittances from the Gulf and US and Saudi funding of the anti-Soviet mujahideen.”
Owen says along with these socioeconomic factors, religiosity of ‘martyrs’ also plays a role. He says kids who end up in extremist madrasas are cut off from the outside world and indoctrinated with ideas of being rewarded for killing ‘kaafirs.’ He particularly mentions that growth of Deobandi madrasas provided such ideological basis spreading sectarian ideas. Once these children grow up and are affected by socioeconomic inequality, they feel “despised by the Westernised elite that runs Pakistan and alienated from their own village..” leaving them both rootless and angered by their lack of opportunity.
The role of state agencies
Owen highlights another reason behind radicalisation - splintering of groups when state agencies manipulate them for their own agendas. He gives the example of the Kashmir insurgency in 1980s when Pakistan “encouraged pan-Islamist groups with links to Pakistan rather than nationalist groups that were more independence-minded.” (Owen Bennett-Jones, “Sources of militancy,” Dawn, 3 November 2020)
Arzoo, a teenage Christian girl recovered after allegedly abducted before being forcefully converted
Women belonging to religious minorities expressed outrage and condemnation at forced marriages of underage girls
On 2 November, the Anti-Violent Crime Cell rescued 13-year-old Christian girl Arzoo Raja and arrested a 44-year-old man who allegedly married her after abducting her and forcibly converting her to Islam. The police claimed to have recovered Arzoo after the Sindh High Court directed the law enforcement agency to recover the Christian girl and place her at a shelter home within three days. The suspect is to be presented before a court on Tuesday (today). To show solidarity with the family of Arzoo Raja, Punjab Minister for Human Rights/Minorities Affairs and PTI’s MNA Ruth arrived in Karachi, further, the two met with Christian community leaders and senior police officers.
This came after Raja, the father of Arzoo lodged a kidnapping case against the accused at the Frere Police Station. In the FIR the complainant stated that his daughter had been kidnapped from their residence in Karachi on 13 October. (Faraz Khan, Zia Ur Rehman, “13-year-old Arzoo rescued, man ‘who forcibly married her’ arrested,” The News International, 3 November 2020) (“Underage marriage: 13-year-old Arzoo recovered after SHC orders, says Wahab,” Dawn, 3 November 2020)
Arzoo’s actual age, conversion to Islam and marriage issues to be taken up by the SHC
After Arzoo had sought a court ruling against the registration of the FIR filed by her family, further, she submitted in the petition that she converted to Islam of her free will and also asked her family members to embrace Islam but they refused as well as submitted the contracted marriage. However, the DSP expressed the fear that Arzoo was being held against her will as the free-will affidavit submitted showed her as 18 years of age, while according to her date of birth, which was 31 July 2007, she was actually 13 when the affidavit was signed and the so-called marriage contracted.
In this regard, the bench after hearing the arguments observed that the dispute includes two issues, the age of Arzoo and whether she had converted of her own free will from Christianity to Islam and that being the case she had entered into a valid marriage with Azhar. The court issued notices to all parties including Arzoo’s spouse on the application of the police and adjourned the hearing till 5 November. (“Police recover 13-year-old Arzoo on SHC order, arrest husband,” Dawn, 3 November 2020)
Women belonging to religious minorities have expressed outrage and condemnation over the issue
The Minority Women’s Forum (MWF) criticised the underage marriages of girls, especially those from religious minorities, who were abducted and made to change their religion. The MWF also demanded comprehensive legal and policy measures at national and provincial levels to end forced conversions and subsequent marriages of minority minor girls and to guarantee that any religious conversion was done without any pressure and with free will as well as comprehensive anti-discrimination measures, legislative, policy and administrative initiatives to protect and promote the human rights of religious minorities. (“Outrage at forced marriages of underage girls,” Dawn, 3 November 2020)
In Brief
INTERNAL
Judiciary should stay away from politics: SCBA Chief
On 2 November, Abdul Latif Afridi, the newly elected president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said “the judiciary should stay away from political matters and stick to its job of protecting the Constitution.” He appreciated Justice Qazi Faez Isa and said he was “known for being an independent and upright judge as his integrity was beyond a shadow of doubt.” He disapproved of labelling politicians 'traitors’ and said all democratic forces should work together to improve the human rights situation in Pakistan. (“SCBA chief wants judiciary to stay away from politics,” Dawn, 3 November 2020)
SC to take up the appeal of Jang-Geo Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman
The Supreme Court is to take up the appeal of Jang-Geo Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman against an order passed by the Lahore High Court (LHC) dismissing his post-arrest bail petition in a case relating to a property transaction that took place 34 years ago today. A two-member bench of the apex court will take up the appeal of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. Further, this comes after 235 days since Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman’s imprisonment. (“Supreme Court takes up appeal of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman today,” The News International, 3 November 2020)
EXTERNAL
44 Pakistani prisoners to be repatriated soon
On 3 November, sources in Dawn revealed that 44 Pakistani prisoners in Sri Lankan jails will soon be repatriated to complete their remaining jail term in Pakistan. A diplomatic source told Dawn the prisoners would be handed over to Pakistani prison authorities at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on Tuesday (today). On 29 October, the Interior Ministry finalised the plan; the repatriation was coordinated by the National Database and Registration Authority, FIA, PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority. (Iftikhar A Khan, “44 Pakistani prisoners in Sri Lanka to return home soon,” Dawn, 3 November 2020)
US envoy Khalilzad meets COAS
On 2 November, the US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad met COAS Qamar Bajwa to discuss ways to push the Taliban and the Afghan government to reduce violence and implement the Doha peace talks. An ISPR statement said the two sides also discussed the regional security situation, Afghan peace process with particular reference to border management. Earlier, Khalilzad told the Afghan sides that “the window to achieve a political settlement will not stay open forever.” (Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Khalilzad discusses Afghan peace with Bajwa,” Dawn, 3 November 2020)
ON COVID-19
COVID-19 lethality increases in the second wave
The lethality of COVID-19 has intensified in the second wave of the coronavirus when compared to the first surge in the country. According to a professor of medicine, a mutation of the virus has added to its gravity, which is very dangerous for people struck by it. Further, the professor said, “The Covid-19 patients we are receiving at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad have been found to be more severely ill than before.” However, the professor claimed, “It is not yet clear whether its intensity has increased, decreased or is the same. But there is no doubt that the threat is still very serious,” adding that it all depends on human behaviour and the nature and decisions of the leadership to deal with COVID-19. (“Covid-19 lethality intensifies in second wave,” The News International, 3 November 2020)
ON GILGIT-BALTISTAN
An editorial says that giving Gilgit-Baltistan provincial status is complicated, however, somebody needs to protect the region
Giving Gilgit-Baltistan provincial status is complicated by the fact that the territory is disputed says an editorial in the News. However, the people of GB have waited long enough, they deserve dignity and the right to vote in their own government. Further, the editorial stated that given that they stand nowhere someone needs to protect this region. For long the region has been left on its own, with over the year, report of heavy-handed crackdowns and constant surveillance only increasing. In this regard, the editorial states that little hope that GB’s status as Pakistan’s fifth province will empower the region and its people and help fix the neglected area so that the people and their rights can be fully protected and fully guaranteed. (“G-B’s status,” The News International, 3 November 2020)
ON INDIA
Allowing Indians to buy land in “IHK” is a recipe for disaster, says Dawn editorial
An editorial in Dawn criticises the Indian government’s move allowing Indians to buy land in Kashmir. The editorial says that while removing the Kashmiri flag and constitution was a blatant move “to smother Kashmiris’ desire for freedom and a just solution to the decades-old conflict, letting outsiders buy land in the occupied region hits the area’s people particularly hard.” The editorial says this will eventually lead to the local population becoming a minority. It calls this move a recipe for disaster and says it “will damage the demographic character of IHK beyond repair.” It suggests the BJP-government to “listen to the voices coming out of held Kashmir, demanding dignity and protection of their fundamental rights,” instead of implementing controversial moves. (“IHK land laws,” Dawn, 3 November 2020)