In Focus
By D. Suba Chandran
The government and the opposition parties stand divided over the electoral reforms bill. In between the two, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has also made important observations, and according to Dawn has raised objections on 45 changes (out of the total 72) that the bill has proposed.
According to the ECP, as reported by Dawn, 15 amendments were seen as “repugnant to the Constitution and five inconsistent with the Act itself. A total of 17 amendments have been opposed by the commission on administrative grounds.” Some of the objections from the ECP include the following: voting rights to overseas Pakistanis without proper legislation; technical use and viability of depending on electronic voting machines; methodology used (total number of population as against the number of voters) to delimitation of electoral constituencies; who should prepare the electoral rolls (the new bill propose the responsibility to be entrusted with NADRA, instead of being done by the ECP); the number determined by the bill to recognize a party (two thousand, instead of ten thousand as required by the bill); and on disqualification.
Some of the objections made by the ECP are legal, technical, and others fall under procedural categories. They are valid observations. The government needs to address them. While one may agree in principle to many of the new ideas introduced by the bill, the objections are also valid. For example, the idea of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Many across the world would agree with the idea of using the EVMs; but, the ECP’s observations in Pakistan’s context are also valid. Will the EVMs be able to function in the hotweather and loadshedding? Are there adequate tests done to introduce the EVMs?
Another set of questions on procedural issues are also pertinent. Should NADRA prepare the electoral rolls, or should it be the function of the ECP? While there is an element of merit with the use of NADRA, as it has the necessary data, the political question is equally important. The NADRA is under the control of the federal government. Similarly, the observation on delimitation; should it based on the total population, or on the basis of valid voters in the constituency? Also, the use of id for actual voting; should it be an id issued by the ECP, or by the NADRA?
The above observations by the ECP are valid. The government has to address them.
While the ECP has made observations on technical grounds, the opposition has also raised their objections. While the protests from the opposition is more on the political grounds, some of them are also valid.
Electoral reforms and updating election rules should be part of a democratic process. Elections, electoral rules, and an independent institution to conduct and observe based on constitutional and administrative rules – all three cannot be set in concrete. In principle, all political parties in Pakistan should agree to reforms. And in fact, they do.
Earlier, in 2017, then under the PML-N, the federal government introduced electoral reforms, that made crucial changes. The previous act gave more space to the ECP, gave financial autonomy, and at the same time also increased its accountability. The act also aimed at increasing transparency to the electoral process. 2021 is not 2017; there are more demands/requirements to elections and electoral procedure. For example, the controversy over the Senate elections highlighted the need for better regulations. Delimitation has been a long pending question. So is the registration and the preparation of electoral rolls.
So, the government’s idea of introducing electoral reforms should be a welcome one. The idea is a good one; but, the strategy to adopt that is bad. Instead of a building a political consensus, through a bipartisan process, it has decided to bulldoze the reforms through an ordinance.
Electoral reforms should be adopted by the Parliament, after the necessary consultation in the lower and upper houses, and cannot be implemented through Presidential ordinances. If that is the case, then Pakistan should require a legislation to reform Presidential ordinances as well.
Shehbaz Sharif’s latest call – formation of an All Parties Conference to discussion the electoral reforms is a welcome one. The PTI government should yield to the request, and get the reforms discussed not only in the Parliament, but also in the provincial legislatures.
In Brief
INTERNAL
Centre calls for third-party monitoring of Sindh funds
On 20 June, Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry advocated for monitoring the use of public funds in Sindh given by the federal government through a ‘third party.’ Fawad also accused the PPP leadership of misusing public funds to launder money abroad and stealing water from the poor farmers while blaming the federal government for the water crisis. Further, he said that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the PPP were against ‘democratic thinking’ and had imposed dictatorship in Sindh, therefore, the people were not getting their rights, adding, “but their [the PPP’s] days are numbered ... and the PTI will win the next election in Sindh.” (Imtiaz Ali, “Centre for third-party monitoring of Sindh funds,” Dawn, 21 June 2021)
PML-N and PPP accuse government of committing “criminal negligence,” call for an audit of Covid funds
On 20 June, the PML-N and PPP accused the federal government of committing a “criminal negligence” when it came to the shortage of vaccines and called for an audit of the coronavirus funds. Shehbaz Sharif stated that the government must stop playing with the lives of people and make arrangements for immediate supply of vaccines, adding, “the government must change its shallow-minded approach of ordering a few million doses and working with the vaccine supplies given to Pakistan as charity. The unavailability of the vaccine is another proof of the government’s criminal negligence and incompetence.” Further, PPP’s information stated, “The people all over the country are not getting vaccines due to the incompetence of this illegitimate and selected government.” (Amir Wasim, “PML-N, PPP call for audit of Covid funds,” Dawn, 21 June 2021)
Army and intelligence agencies should stay away from the election process, Fazl
On 20 June, Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that the army and intelligence agencies should stay away from the election process, arguing that the police are enough to provide security during the polls. He said, “The main point is that the army and intelligence agencies should not be involved in the entire election process. I think deployment of troops at the polling station is also an insult to the army, as our police can fulfil this task.” Meanwhile, he announced that the PDM has not disintegrated by the exit of a few parties and that the alliance was going to hold a rally in Karachi on 29 July 29 to carry forward its agenda of dislodging the PTI government, adding, “The PDM has not changed its stance and the movement against the government will continue with popular support.” (“Army should stay away from polls, says Fazl,” Dawn, 21 June 2021) (“PDM holding rally in Karachi on July 29,” The News International, 21 June 2021)
Government, opposition blame each other for violation of rapprochement in NA
On 21 June, Dawn reported that the decision to stop needless personal attacks between the government and the opposition in the National Assembly, had gone in vain. Previously, the Information Minister had confirmed that both sides had decided not to speak against the party heads at least. The Minister said that the PML-N had presented the proposal on the same. However, the PML-N spokesperson said the party had not committed to any such measure and claimed that it was the government who framed the proposal. Further, the Minister alleged that the opposition violated the decision; on the other hand, the opposition claimed that “the treasury benchers were continuing with their provoking speeches and gestures.” (Syed Irfan Raza, “Govt-opposition rapprochement turns out to be vain effort,” Dawn, 21 June 2021)
PROVINCES
Two TTP members killed in IBO in North Waziristan
On 20 June, two terrorists along with one soldier were killed in an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan district. The two were said to be active members Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and were involved in terrorist activities against the security forces. According to the military's spokesperson Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in its statement said, “Security Forces conducted an IBO in Spinwam, North Waziristan District, on the reported presence of terrorists.” (“Soldier martyred, two terrorists killed in N Waziristan,” The News International, 21 June 2021)
World Bank approves USD 442 million for water, sanitation services for rural communities in Punjab
On 21 June, Dawn reported that the World Bank has approved USD 442 million to help improve access to water and sanitation services for the most vulnerable rural communities in Punjab. According to a statement released by the World Bank, the ‘Punjab Rural Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Project’ is set to help upgrade water supply and sanitation infrastructure and services that ensure equitable and sustainable access to drinking water and safe wastewater management. The project prioritises rural settlements where water contamination and poor sanitation practices are more prevalent, causing high levels of illness and child stunting. Further, the project covers over 16 districts, benefiting 2,000 villages and more than six million people in rural areas. (Amin Ahmed, “WB approves over $440m for water, sanitation services in Punjab,” Dawn, 21 June 2021)
Sindh governor returns media protection bill to provincial assembly
On 20 June, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail refused to give his assent to the Sindh Protection of Journalists and other Media Practitioners bill and returned it to the legislature for reconsideration because it lacked a “mechanism for monitoring funds of the commission concerned.” The governor also noted that there was a “perceived contradiction” in the bill. Further, he also said that the bill proposed the formation of a government-funded commission, but envisaged “neither any finance committee to supervise income/spending nor any mechanism for third party audit of government funding,” suggesting that the bill include “an appropriate mechanism for the purpose.” (“Governor returns media protection bill to Sindh PA,” Dawn, 21 June 2021)
Opposition MPAs booked for reportedly attacking police personnel
On 20 June, the Quetta police registered an FIR against several opposition leaders, including the Assembly Leader of the Opposition " for attacking police personnel and issuing threats to them." The development comes after opposition members staged a sit-in outside the provincial Assembly to protest against the budget on 18 June; this later led to clashes with the police and three MPAs were injured. ("Quetta police book MPAs for rioting," The Express Tribune, 21 June 2021)
Groundwater depletion stops for the first time in decades in Lahore
On 21 June, The News International reported that underground water depletion in Lahore had stopped for the first time since 1960. Since the 1960s, the water level has reportedly depleted by one metre per year. The Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) said that the achievement was a result of various steps; licensing system and imposition of aquifer charges, recycling of car washing water, and so on. On 20 June, PM Imran Khan appreciated the development and tweeted, “[The] Usman Buzdar-led Punjab government has stopped fall in Lahore’s groundwater for first time since 1980.” (Ali Raza, “Lahore water level stops declining first time in history,” The News International, 21 June 2021) (“Water conservation steps paying off: PM,” The Express Tribune, 21 June 2021)
EXTERNAL
"Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is simply a deterrent, to protect ourselves," says PM Khan
On 21 June, Dawn reported that PM Imran Khan in an interview with to Axios on HBO, said, "Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is simply a deterrent, to protect ourselves," adding, "as far as I know, it's not an offensive thing. Any country which has a neighbour seven times its size would be worried." On the Kashmir issue he said, "The moment there is a settlement on Kashmir, the two neighbours would live as civilised people. We will not need to have nuclear deterrents." Further, on the Uighur issue, he said, "China has been one of the greatest friends to us in our most difficult times. When we were really struggling, China came to our rescue. We respect the way they are and whatever issues we have, we speak behind closed doors." On the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, he said, "Happy in one way because there was never gonna be a military solution in Afghanistan," adding, "Without a political settlement there is possibility of a civil war." Further, he said, “There is no way we are going to allow any bases, any sort of action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Absolutely not.” Meanwhile, when asked about his remarks linking rape to obscenity, he said, "It is such nonsense. I never said that [...] I said the concept of purdah which is to avoid temptation in society," adding, "This is not about me. It's about my society. My priority is how my society behaves [...] so when I see sex crime going through the roof we sit down and discuss how to tackle it. It is having an impact in my society." (“No need for nuclear deterrents once Kashmir issue is resolved, says PM Imran,” Dawn, 21 June 2021)
ON AFGHANISTAN
Pakistan assures assistance to US to recover hostages
On 20 June, Islamabad assured Washington that it would assist the US and other countries to recover hostages from Afghanistan on moral grounds. The Pakistan Embassy released a statement on the same, “This assistance has always been extended in good faith, and not driven by incentives or pressure.” Dawn outlines that the development comes after a news report in the US called on the Biden administration “to ‘pressurise or offer incentives’ to Islamabad to secure the release of an American hostage, Mark Frerichs.” (Anwar Iqbal, “US assured of help in recovering hostages from Afghanistan,” Dawn, 21 June 2021)
Qureshi tells Afghanistan to not blame Pakistan for stalemate in peace talks
On 20 June, Foreign Minister Qureshi’s interview with Tolonews was released wherein he called on Afghan leaders to be flexible in moving the peace process forward and stop blaming Pakistan for any stalemate. The Express Tribune quoted him, “When there’s failure within [Afghanistan] you blame Pakistan for that. Pakistan is not responsible for the failure within, for the squabbling going on in Afghanistan, if the Afghan leadership can’t sit and work out a peace deal...We are only engaging with them [Taliban] to facilitate the peace process and try to be helpful and constructive.” Dawn reports that when asked if Pakistan would not support a takeover by Taliban, Qureshi said, “We have never said, we have never supported or advocated a takeover of Kabul by force…See, what I have said is it is for you, the people of Afghanistan, to decide what you want.” The interviewer asked Qureshi why Imran Khan had called Osama bin Laden a "martyr" to which he said the PM was quoted out of context; Qureshi was then asked if Osama is a terrorist and he answered, "I will let it pass." He also accused India of training and funding terrorists in Afghanistan. He further reiterated that Afghanistan cannot afford another civil war, outlining that Pakistan would also suffer in such a scenario. (“Kabul told to stop ‘scapegoating’ Islamabad,” The Express Tribune, 21 June 2021) ("India using Afghan soil for terrorism: Qureshi," The News International, 21 June 2021) (“FM refrains from calling Osama bin Laden martyr or terrorist,” Dawn, 21 June 2021)
|