Pakistan and Turkmenistan to fund TAPI pipeline project

Daily Briefs

Photo : Dawn

23 May 2024, Thursday| Vol 5, No.105

Pakistan and Turkmenistan to fund TAPI pipeline project

ISPR reports the killing of 29 terrorists along the Af-Pak border ; IMF will approve the next bailout package after an aligned budget receives go ahead from Parliament

PR Daily Brief | PR Team

In Brief
EXTERNAL
Pakistan and Turkmenistan to fund TAPI pipeline project
On 22 May, Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Dr Musadik Malik disclosed that both Pakistan and Turkmenistan would provide funding for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project due to the unavailability of foreign funding. The lack of foreign funding is due to the refusal to recognize the government in Afghanistan. Through this project, the gas from Turkmenistan will be transported to Europe via LNG train. Malik stated: “Turkmenistan is a landlocked country with substantial gas reserves, but currently China is its only buyer,” and “the gas will flow through the pipeline to Pakistan, and it will be transported to Europe by train.” He highlighted the plan to purchase gas from Iran and said that there were hindrances like international sanctions. When speaking about the country’s renewable energy, he mentioned the 2018 strategy and stated: “Pakistan can produce energy using a hybrid system. Battery technology is improving, and we can generate electricity from the sun, wind, and water.” (Zafar Bhutta, “TAPI pipeline project will be funded bilaterally,” The Express Tribune, 23 May 2024)

PM Shehbaz Shariff arrives in UAE for a one day visit
On 23 May, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached the United Arab Emirates for his first one-day-long visit to UAE since his re-election. During the visit, he is expected to discuss issues related to trade and investment with the Gulf nation’s president. UAE Vice President and Deputy PM Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed the premier. PM Sharif described the visit on X as “short but important” and stated: “Looking forward to a fruitful exchange of views with the UAE leadership to deepen the historic and brotherly PAK-UAE ties.” Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi have accompanied the PM on this visit. The Foreign Office in its statement said that the PM is likely to meet the UAE President, Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and other Emirati dignitaries. It also stated that both countries have “long-standing fraternal relations deep-rooted in religio-cultural affinity.” This development has come after a high-level exchange between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. (“PM Shehbaz arrives in UAE on day-long visit to talk trade and investment,” Dawn, 23 May 2024)

SECURITY
ISPR reports the killing of 29 terrorists along the Af-Pak border
On 22 May, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement revealing that over the past month, in a series of operations conducted along the Af-Pak border, almost 29 terrorists have been killed. The operations conducted were part of a widened effort to curb the terrorist infiltrations targeting both civilians and the military. ISPR stated: “In addition to other areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, security forces have been conducting operations in the general area Sambaza in Zhob district of Balochistan, since April 21, 2024. As a result of effective engagements, 29 terrorists have been successfully neutralized by the security forces in the past month.” Further, it highlighted the increasing infiltration attempts by Afghanistan-based terrorists in order to carry out attacks on Pakistani territory ISPR in its statement reiterated that Pakistan has urged the Taliban to manage its border, saying: “Interim Afghan government is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.” (“29 terrorists killed along Afghan border: ISPR,” Dawn, 23 May 2024)

POLITICS
Special Investigation Team (SIT) commissioned to look into the attack on PTI leader Raoof Hasan
On 22 May, a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was commissioned to investigate the attack on PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the police department revealed that IGP Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi notified the team. The police gathered seven to eight video clips of the attack from different sources which were sent to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Additionally, the police informed that the faces of the attackers were not clear in the footage. This was the second such incident over the past few days and the FIR stated that two to three transgenders tried to attack Hasan outside a news channel in the Blue area two days ago. The FIR underscored that besides protection, legal action should be taken. However, PTI Secretary General and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub rejected the FIR and demanded the formation of a judicial commission to bring the actual perpetrators to justice. He claimed that the attackers were not transgender but well-trained assassins. He also claimed that the police rejected Mr. Hasan’s statement. He mentioned: “We categorically reject and condemn the forged FIR that was lodged by the Islamabad police. It is an attempt to sabotage the integrity of the case.” (Ikram Junaidi and Munawer Azeem, “Special team to probe attempt on PTI leader Raoof Hasan’s life,” Dawn, 23 May 2024)

ECONOMY
IMF will approve the next bailout package after an aligned budget receives go ahead from Parliament
On 23 May, the visiting IMF team told the Pakistan authorities that only after “an aligned upcoming budget” is agreed to by the parliament the next bailout package under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) will be approved. The team’s visit led by Nathan Porter could pave the way for further discussions leading to the signing of a staff-level agreement for afresh bailout package. There is also a possibility of upgrading the amount from USD 6 to USD 8 billion through climate finance Some of the requirements posed by the IMF are increasing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) revenue, attaining primary surplus through reducing expenditures, and undertaking structural reforms to limit the losses of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). The IMF has also demanded that the country increase electricity and gas tariffs to clinch a deal. The IMF team has gathered all the data related to major economic indicators and conveyed the kind of budget they would like to see in 2024-25. A carbon tax is also under consideration.as the non-tax revenue target is likely to go up. (Mehtab Haider, “Pakistan authorities told: Bailout deal to come after approval of IMF-dictated budget,” Dawn, 23 May 2024)

Pakistan’s investment ratio falls despite SIFC efforts, reveals NAC estimation
On 23 May, The Express Tribune reported on the National Accounts Committee (NAC) approved figures which shows that Pakistan’s investment ratio has declined to just 13.1 per cent in the outgoing fiscal year. This ratio is lower than the stated target of a 15.1per cent investment-to-GDP ratio and is also the lowest recorded in 50 years despite efforts taken by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The country’s fixed investment-to-GDP ratio also declined to 11.4 per cent from the previous year’s 12.4 per cent. This low GDP investment ratio signifies that the SIFC alone cannot boost investments and improve Pakistan’s economy, political stability is also crucial. The committee also pointed out a discrepancy in the population figure used by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) which was used to calculate per capita income. As per the 2023 population census results, the population stands at241.5 million. However, the PBS used an outdated population figure of 236 million which has led to inflated per capita income figures. The committee’s estimation highlights the investments and savings percentage falls below the targets due to the external sector crisis. The SIFC was established by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to boost the country’s low investment. However, it has only succeeded in addressing coordination issues and no foreign or domestic investments. Additionally, the country is expected to receive a USD five billion investment from Saudi Arabia. The government’s inability to increase its investment demonstrates significant economic failure. (Shahbaz Rana, “Investment plummets to 50-year low,” The Express Tribune, 23 May 2024)

SOCIETY
KP reports one case of Congo fever, NIH’s Centre for Diseases Control (CDC) notifies advisories for several others
On 22 May, the National Institute of Health (NIH)’s Centre for Diseases Control (CDC) notified advisories for the prevention and control of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), heatstroke, sunstroke, and typhoid fever following a case of CCHF reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. NIH’s CDC revealed that 101 CCHF cases were reported in 2023. The disease CCHF is caused by tick-borne Nairo virus. The carriers of this virus are animals like cattle, goats, sheep, and hares. It is transmitted to people by tick bites or when in contact with infected blood. It is also a contagious disease that can spread from infected person to another person through contact with blood, secretions, or body fluids. Separately, due to the severe climatic changes, the vulnerability and impact of heat waves are also heightening with the possibility of morbidity and mortality due to heat stroke, says Pakistan’s advisory for prevention of heatstroke and sunstroke cases. It advised people to avoid direct exposure to sunlight, increase water intake, consumption of salty foods, wearing hats and light-colored and loose clothes. (“NIH issues advisories for Congo fever, typhoid and heatstroke prevention,” Dawn, 23 May 2024)

Pakistan on Twitter

What is the simple and clearest ruling of the Book and Sunnah on this matter, the essential explanation has been given by these credible personalities in their brief package.
- Sibghatullah Virk

Satellite rescue stations were handed over to the provincial government to provide immediate and better medical aid in case of road accidents under the reconstruction program of USAID.
- Tehreek-e-Insaf

Child protection program will be started soon under the legislation and positive policy of the government of Sindh, which will be effective in stopping the traditional exploitation of children and will provide a better and safer environment for children.
- PPP

Daily Briefs

Pakistan and Turkmenistan to fund TAPI pipeline project

ISPR reports the killing of 29 terrorists along the Af-Pak border ; IMF will approve the next bailout package after an aligned budget receives go ahead from Parliament

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