PDM announces no-trust move against PTI regimes in centre and provinces

Daily Briefs

Photo : Dawn

12 February 2022, Saturday I Vol 3, No. 37

PDM announces no-trust move against PTI regimes in centre and provinces

Smart lockdown and SOP in Pakistan saved precious live says WHO, auto sector sales on a positive trend in year-on-year comparison for first seven months and remittance inflows reach another record of USD 18 billion for 7MFY22

PR Daily Brief | PR Team

In Brief
EXTERNAL
Biden administration frees frozen Afghanistan assets for relief and 9/11 victims
On 11 February, the US president signed an executive order to release assets belonging to Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) after the same had been blocked in August 2021. The assets would be split into half; the first half will be used by DAB and the other half for compensation to 9/11 victims. The statement said: “Even if funds are transferred for the benefit of the Afghan people, more than $3.5 billion in DAB assets would remain in the United States and are subject to ongoing litigation by US victims of terrorism.” (Anwar Iqbal, “Biden releases frozen Afghan assets,” Dawn, 12 February 2022)

Export of 14 commodities to Kabul to be allowed in local currency
On 11 February, Commerce Advisor Abdul Razak Dawood tweeted the list of 14 commodities that will be exported to Afghanistan in local currency terms. While launching State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan’s digital portal and a mobile application on the eve of its golden jubilee golden, he said: “We are depending more on textiles. We should be forward-looking and focus on the services sector and other non-traditional sectors,”. (“Export of 14 items to Kabul allowed in rupee,” Dawn, 12 February 2022)

INTERNAL
Qureshi questions performance criteria for ministries, as the Foreign Ministry gets the eleventh spot
On 11 February, Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote to Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Establishment Arbab Shahzad and questioned the manner of rewarding and ranking the top 10 ministries by PM Khan. Other than foreign ministry, IT, Finance, Housing, Information and environment ministry were dropped from the top ten list. The PTI allies also criticized the reward openly; MQM which holds the IT ministry said: “We [MQM] have increased IT exports of the country by 50pc, but we were nowhere on the top ten list,”. Advisor on establishment Mr Shehzad in his response to Qureshi’s letter said “If Mr Qureshi thinks that his ministry should have come on the top position, it is his right [to think that way]. But what we have mentioned in the report, it was based on the data we received,”. (Syed Irfan Raza, “Qureshi turns dissenter, scorns reward criteria,” Dawn, 12 February 2022)

The medical board constituted by the Punjab government finds medical reports of Nawaz Sharif incomplete and unacceptable
On 11 February, it was reported that the medical board was not satisfied with the lack of clarity and information available in the medical report of former PM Nawaz Sharif. The former PM had submitted the same report to LHC for seeking more time to return as the report had advised to not travel due to Nawaz suffering from heart and kidney ailments and diabetes, and the doctors have barred him from visiting public spaces, i.e., airports, planes, and other crowded places, due to coronavirus. (“Medical board terms Nawaz Sharif's reports 'incomplete',” Business Recorder, 12 February 2022)

Smart lockdown and SOP in Pakistan saved precious lives: WHO Representative of Pakistan
On 11 February, while speaking at a news conference in Islamabad WHO Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala appreciated government efforts and commitment to fight the Covid pandemic. Referring to the global average positivity rate, the country president said the positivity rate was less than 10 per cent and better than the global average. PM Khan took the news to a top-level meeting convened to review the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) plan of action ahead to deal with the pandemic. (Amin Ahmed, “Smart lockdowns ensured protection of downtrodden people: PM,” Dawn, 12 February 2022)

PDM announces no-trust move against PTI regimes in centre and provinces
On 11 February, after a closed-door meeting in Model Town Lahore, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders announced their agreement on bringing a no-trust move against PTI. Speaking to the press PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said: “We will first complete the homework, prepare the ground, complete the numbers and then announce the date. We will sit again if the numbers are not complete.” Shehbaz Sharif in response to a question said: “Who will move forward to get rid of the government since the people are suffering? We will try our best to dislodge the government in view of the desires of the people”. (“PDM agrees to no-trust move against PTI in centre, provinces,” The Nation, 12 February 2022)

ECONOMY
Auto sector sales on a positive trend in year-on-year comparison for first seven months
On 11 February, a national daily reported that overall sales for 7MFY22 stood at 131,459 units compared to 81,569 units in the first seven months of the previous financial year of 2021. The car sales jumped by 61.5 per cent, truck sales by 80 per cent, jeeps/pickup vehicle sales were up by 56 per cent and 16 per cent rise in demand for tractors. However, the two-wheeler, three-wheeler and buses did not perform well. Among the car companies, Suzuki sold the highest number of units followed by Toyota, Honda and Hyundai. (Aamir Shafat Khan, “Auto sector posts robust sales in seven months,” Dawn, 12 February 2022)

Remittance inflows reach another record of USD 18 billion for 7MFY22
On 11 February, the State Bank of Pakistan shared data related to remittances and home remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis were USD 1.6 billion more compared to what Pakistan received in the first seven months of the previous financial year of 2021. The highest inflows came from Saudi Arabia (USD 4.574 billion) followed by UAE (USD 3.38 billion), the UK (USD 2.467 billion) and the USA (USD 1.7 billion). However, January usually receives less compared to other months due to seasonality but the remittance has been on a robust growth trend. (Rizwan Bhatti, “Jul-Jan FY22L: Record $18bn remittance inflows received by the country,” Business Recorder, 12 February 2022)

PROVINCES
Sindh government passes Student Union Bill 2021
On 11 February, the Sindh Assembly unanimously passed the Sindh Student Union Bill to revive the student unions so as to promote an environment for social interaction and exchange of ideas and with restriction on violence and gun culture in educational institutions. Sindh Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mukesh Kumar Chawla read the objectives of the bill as “The student unions and their activities will promote students success by offering a variety of programmes, activities, services and facilities that, when taken together, represent a plan for the development of community at university/college level,". (Hafeez Tunio, “Sindh Student Union Bill passed,” The Express Tribune, 12 February 2022)

List of constituencies released by ECP for local elections in Punjab
On 11 February, ECP has issued a preliminary list of constituencies for holding local government (LG) polls in Punjab. At least 2,544 neighbourhood councils and 3,128 village councils have been formed under Election Act 2017 and the Punjab Local Government Ordinance 2021. Voters may challenge the demarcation of their respective constituencies till 25 February said the press release by ECP. (Amjad Mehmood, “ECP issues lists of constituencies for local polls in Punjab,” Dawn, 12 February 2022)

Pakistan on Twitter

“The use of very nonsensical and responsible talk by anchors and participants on a news channel yesterday is highly reprehensible. What kind of journalism is this? Criticism is your legitimate right, but it is very sad to fall under the guise of criticism.”
-Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Pakistan

“The opposition must fulfill its passion - the no-confidence motion was not brought yesterday but today - it is not mistrust - but confidence will be plus - many votes of the opposition will also go in confidence - Better a poor horse than no horse at all.”
- Faisal Javed Khan, Senator

“A significance of the passage of students unions revival bill by Sindh Assembly today is that yet another pernicious legacy of Gen Zia has been buried. Congratulations to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari & all those who made it possible; a dream come true.”
- Farhatullah Babar, Ex-Senator

Daily Briefs

PDM announces no-trust move against PTI regimes in centre and provinces

Smart lockdown and SOP in Pakistan saved precious live says WHO, auto sector sales on a positive trend in year-on-year comparison for first seven months and remittance inflows reach another record of USD 18 billion for 7MFY22

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