In Brief
INTERNAL
Terror attacks have risen since the government changed, says Fawad
On 1 December, Fawad Chaudhary while expressing grief over the suicide attack near Quetta said terrorism had increased by 52 per cent since the oustering of the PTI government in April. He claimed that in the current government’s period, 270 people had lost their lives in terrorism-related incidents and hundreds of others had suffered injuries. He added that the main reason for the rise in terror acts was the non-existence of a serious and competent government in the Federal. Fawad said the Afghan policy was also in a shambles as no one was paying attention to counter-terrorism, fearing they might lose the hard-earned achievements after 2018. Contrary to Fawad’s statement, an Islamabad-based think tank, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), claimed that the number of militant attacks had gone down by 12pc in November compared to October of this year. (Ikram Junaidi, “52pc rise in terror attacks since the regime change, claims Fawad,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
FBR officials suspended for alleged tax information leaking
On 2 December, The Express Tribune reported that the federal government has initiated formal proceedings against the FBR officers for their involvement in leaking the tax return information of former COAS‘s family members. FBR has issued a notification saying two officers of grade 18, Atif Warraich and Zahoor Ahmed, have been suspended for 120 days. The investigation around the officials had started and two officers were suspended earlier. The investigation team has been widened with the inclusion of three officials in the income tax. (Irshad Ansari, “FBR suspends officials for leaking Bajwa family tax record,” The Express Tribune, 2 December 2022)
Record losses for PIA in PTI rule, says Aviation Minister
On 2 December, The Express Tribune reported that in the National Assembly meeting, Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Rafique said Pakistan International Airlines had met with record losses during the PTI regime. He said PIA suffered due to the former minister’s “stupid statements.” Rafique said, “The former federal minister exaggerated the issue of fake degrees and licenses of pilots, due to which the flights of Pakistan were banned in the whole of Europe.” In 2020, PKR 346 million was lost and in 2021, PIA suffered a loss of PKR 501 million. The total loss of PIA increased to PKR 1,667 million. (Saqib Virk, “PIA suffered major losses during PTI regime, NA told,” The Express Tribune, 2 December 2022)
EXTERNAL
Pakistani prisoners in American jail to be released by 2023, says the Foreign Affairs Ministry of America
On 1 December, the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights was informed that the remaining two Pakistani prisoners from Guantanamo Bay will be released by January 2023. The Foreign Affairs Ministry of America stated that a complex inter-agency process had been completed to enable their repatriation to Pakistan. Arrangements were being made and the two detainees would be repatriated. The committee also discussed the targeted killing in North Waziristan and worsening law and order situation in Swat in fake encounters. (Jamal Shahid, “Two Pakistanis to be freed from Guantanamo soon, Senate body told,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
USD eight million for flood assistance delivered to flood-hit hit farmers from the US
On 1 December, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome in an event at the NARC said that Washington, along with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, has delivered USD eight million in assistance to Pakistani farmers affected by the recent floods. The assistance was part of the USD 97 million assistance offered the US on the flood situation. Blome said, “The United States remains firmly committed to partnering with the people of Pakistan to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and agricultural sector and to support the people of Pakistan in recovering from the 2022 flooding.”(“ US has given $8m aid to flood-hit farmers: envoy Donald Blome,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
PROVINCES
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Unknown assailants kill one man in the attack on a girl’s school
On 1 December, according to the police, one man was killed and a security official was injured in an attack on a girls’ school in the South Waziristan district. Unknown militants opened fire from a nearby mountain during Parents’ Day celebrations at the Army Public School for Girls. The students, parents, staff and security personnel, who were present inside the school at the time of the attack, remained unhurt. As security forces retaliated, the attackers fled to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area. This was the first attack targeting a girls’ school in the area since the TTP ended the ceasefire with the state. (Dilawar Wazir, “One killed in attack on South Waziristan girls school,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
Balochistan: Grenade attack leaves two people seriously injured
On 1 December, in a grenade attack, two people were seriously injured after unidentified assailants threw a hand grenade close to a security check post in Khuzdar. Soon after the explosion, police rushed to the site and shifted the injured to the district’s hospital. Security forces launched a search operation in the area to arrest the culprits behind the attack. (Abdul Wahid Shahwani, “Two injured in Khuzdar grenade attack,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
Balochistan: Government gets praised for the due process of reaching a settlement by the Supreme Court
On 29 November, the Supreme Court closed the proceedings in a presidential reference on the Reko Diq project. The court also praised the government for following due process to reach a settlement agreement and describing as encouraging the assurance that international standards would be met in dealing with labor rights and protection of the environment at the exploration site. The CJP said that a short order would be announced next week after conferring with other members of the five-judge SC bench. The Amicus Curiae said the court should suggest that profits should also be distributed among the employees working on the exploration site to inculcate a feeling amongst them that they were also stakeholders in the project. (Nasir Iqbal, “Short order in Reko Diq case next week,” Dawn, 30 November 2022)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Fire attack in the police station limits kills a constable
On 1 December, a police constable was killed in a fire incident made by unknown assailants in the Tangi police station limit. The attackers opened fire at the constable while he returned from the excise and taxation office. The police personnel reached the site, cordoned off the area and started a search operation. The DIG announced that the perpetrators of the attack would be arrested soon. (“Police constable martyred in Charsadda attack,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
Punjab: Committee formed to create the south Punjab province
On 2 December, The Express Tribune reported that the National Assembly has created a special committee for the creation of a new province and the necessary constitutional amendments. The proposed new province, South Punjab comprises the areas of Bahawalpur, Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions. The area has a majority of Saraikis and Saraikistan forms about 52 per cent of the total area and 32 per cent of the population of Punjab province. The committee will review the amendment bill in articles 25B, 51, 63B, 92 and 106 of Pakistan's constitution. The committee will submit a report within 30 days on the matter. (“ Body formed for creation of South Punjab province,” The Express Tribune, 2 December 2022)
MILITARY
COAS appoints new ISPR lead from engineering corps.
On 1 December, COAS General Asim Munir appointed the corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) to lead the ISPR. According to the sources of Dawn, Major General Ahmed Sharif has been appointed as the ISPR General replacing General Babar Ifthikar. ISPR has not confirmed the appointment officially. The appointment of an engineer as ISPR chief is not unprecedented, although Major General Sharif will be the first officer from the EME Corps to take up the seat. The appointment of the new ISPR DG is being viewed with great interest as many took it as a signal that the new army chief could bring major changes in the functioning of ISPR. (Baqir Sajjad Syed, “New COAS Asim Munir to appoint engineer as ISPR head,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
The Ambassador and envoy of Saudi Arabia and UAE held talks with General Asim Munir
On 1 December, Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates called on COAS General Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters. The Ambassadors and the COAS in two different meetings talked about matters of bilateral interest. According to the ISPR, Saudi Arabia envoy Nawaf Saeed A. Al Milkiy and UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Alzaabi felicitated the new COAS on his appointment as the Army chief.(“ Saudi Arabia, UAE envoys call on COAS Gen Asim,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
ECONOMY
Reforms and Resource Mobilization Commission formed to review existing revenue policies
On 1 December according to a statement released by FBR, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar formed an 11- member committee of the Reforms and Resource Mobilization Commission to review existing revenue policies and submit its first report by mid-April 2023. The chairman of the commission will report directly to the finance minister and can co-opt any other person and also constitute sub-groups. The terms of reference of the commission are to review existing revenue policies, evaluate FBR data at a macro level, and identify initiatives, measures, and policies for resource mobilization, ease of doing business, and pro-economic growth. It will also review the proposed amendments in Finance Bill and make recommendations to the finance minister on the implications of proposed amendments on businesses, review the complexities of tax legislation and recommend simplification(“11-member commission set up to advise on resource mobilisation,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
Forex reserves dropped 4.2 per cent to USD 7.498 billion
On 1 December, the SBP’s forex reserves dropped 4.2 per cent to USD 7.498 billion during the week, linking to the fall of external debt payments. According to Dawn, low reserves are the main hurdle to improving the country’s image in the international market, where Pakistani bonds are being traded at less than half the actual price, making it impossible for the country to return to the international market for launching bonds, even at higher rates. Bankers say the main reason for the drop is the low official exchange rate, while the price in the grey market is much higher than the official banking rates. Despite the falls in the State Bank’s reserves, the rupee appreciated by 26 paise in the interbank market to close at PKR 223.69. (Shahid Iqbal, “Reserves down 4.2pc; rupee gains,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
Shrinks in Exports reported for the third time over the consecutive months
On 1 December, according to official data, the country’s exports shrink for the third time on a monthly basis dropping from 0.63 per cent to USD 2.37 billion in November. On the other hand, imports rose to 11.3 per cent to USD 5.25 billion in November. Exporters believe that one of the main reasons behind falling exports was the exchange rate instability. No official statement was issued from the commerce ministry to explain the reasons for the decline in export proceeds. (Mubarak Zeb Khan, “Exports shrink for third month in a row,” Dawn, 2 December 2022)
"Today we lauded the efforts of various ministries, experts & unsung heroes who contributed immensely to realising the 30-year-old dream of the loss & damage fund. Pakistan ably led the Global South in crafting a consensus towards climate justice. The journey has only begun.”
-Shehbaz Sharif
"The transfer of Azam Swati to Quetta is another stain on the human rights record of Pakistan's courts, the 75-year-old senator and lawyer is being disrespected and the courts are taking the lead in further tarnishing Pakistan's history. What great responsibilities have been bestowedr.”
-Ch Fawad Hussain
"The only reason why we are not developing is political instability."
-Ahsan Iqbal
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Riaz Riazuddin, Our Dutch disease
Dawn, 2 December 2022
While it is difficult to disentangle the strength of Dutch disease-induced appreciations from the folly of policy-driven appreciations, it is important to counter the disease as well as the folly by policy depreciations. The cure for both is the same and simple. It is not a strong rupee which makes the country stronger. An undervalued rupee consistently over several years will gradually make our economy stronger, which can then make the home currency stronger.
Editorial, Wayward ideology
Dawn, 2 December 2022
One hopes it is the latter, but Mr Khan’s recent words and actions say he desires the former more strongly. Mr Khan cannot have his cake and eat it as well. The Quaid was always clear about his vision for Pakistan. Anyone who claims his legacy for themselves should not treat his words so whimsically.
Editorial, Progressive stance
Dawn, 2 December 2022
This lackadaisical approach is also often cited in the investigation of honour killings which then makes it easier for the perpetrators to walk free. Parliament, judiciary and media all have a role to play in changing mindsets, and the verdicts mentioned above illustrate that a shift in approach is indeed possible — if one assigns due importance to women’s safety in the home.
Shahzad Chaudhry, The morning after
The Express Tribune, 2 December 2022
Instead, when civil-military imbalance is the staple of most discourse targeting institutional overreach, such excursions make ridicule rife for military. Verbal abuse is now common. The military has a task which must remain its only task. The morning after resonates the same call and same set of challenges. It is time to rise up to.
Editorial, TTP’s lethal return
The Express Tribune, 2 December 2022
Beyond the broader security situation, such attacks are bound to have an impact on the government’s earnest efforts to eradicate polio — cases have already gone up from a record low of one in 2021 to 20 this year, and experts believe interruptions to vaccination programmes due to security concerns are among the factors behind the increase.
Editorial, TTP threat
The News International, 2 December 2022
Tackling their hateful ideology should have been a priority for the Pakistani state -- as spelt out by the National Action Plan. After every major attack there are promises that we will not tolerate militancy any longer. Those vows are quickly forgotten and the cowardly status quo is maintained. This all must change if Pakistan is to avoid going back to the days of terror.
Editorial, DCB confusion
The News International, 2 December 2022
Central banks always work in the background, tackling the thorniest issues of the economy discreetly, with the media or the markets at large never getting a whiff of them. Here's hoping the SBP as well as the ministries of finance and IT have learnt their lessons from this unseemly episode and can get their act together in short order.
Riaz Riazuddin, Our Dutch disease
Dawn, 2 December 2022
While it is difficult to disentangle the strength of Dutch disease-induced appreciations from the folly of policy-driven appreciations, it is important to counter the disease as well as the folly by policy depreciations. The cure for both is the same and simple. It is not a strong rupee which makes the country stronger. An undervalued rupee consistently over several years will gradually make our economy stronger, which can then make the home currency stronger.
Editorial, Wayward ideology
Dawn, 2 December 2022
One hopes it is the latter, but Mr Khan’s recent words and actions say he desires the former more strongly. Mr Khan cannot have his cake and eat it as well. The Quaid was always clear about his vision for Pakistan. Anyone who claims his legacy for themselves should not treat his words so whimsically.
Editorial, Progressive stance
Dawn, 2 December 2022
This lackadaisical approach is also often cited in the investigation of honour killings which then makes it easier for the perpetrators to walk free. Parliament, judiciary and media all have a role to play in changing mindsets, and the verdicts mentioned above illustrate that a shift in approach is indeed possible — if one assigns due importance to women’s safety in the home.
Shahzad Chaudhry, The morning after
The Express Tribune, 2 December 2022
Instead, when civil-military imbalance is the staple of most discourse targeting institutional overreach, such excursions make ridicule rife for military. Verbal abuse is now common. The military has a task which must remain its only task. The morning after resonates the same call and same set of challenges. It is time to rise up to.
Editorial, TTP’s lethal return
The Express Tribune, 2 December 2022
Beyond the broader security situation, such attacks are bound to have an impact on the government’s earnest efforts to eradicate polio — cases have already gone up from a record low of one in 2021 to 20 this year, and experts believe interruptions to vaccination programmes due to security concerns are among the factors behind the increase.
Editorial, TTP threat
The News International, 2 December 2022
Tackling their hateful ideology should have been a priority for the Pakistani state -- as spelt out by the National Action Plan. After every major attack there are promises that we will not tolerate militancy any longer. Those vows are quickly forgotten and the cowardly status quo is maintained. This all must change if Pakistan is to avoid going back to the days of terror.
Editorial, DCB confusion
The News International, 2 December 2022
Central banks always work in the background, tackling the thorniest issues of the economy discreetly, with the media or the markets at large never getting a whiff of them. Here's hoping the SBP as well as the ministries of finance and IT have learnt their lessons from this unseemly episode and can get their act together in short order.
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“A lot of spadework has been done for improving governance but what is needed is the political consensus to carry it forward as the beneficiaries at some point of time or the other will be the political parties themselves as they will be able to meet the expectations of their electorate and the country would move forward.”
-An opinion in The News International ‘The future of our economy - Part II’
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