IPP accused of plagiarizing their party name

Daily Briefs

Photo : Dawn

15 June 2023, Thursday I Vol 4, No.119

IPP accused of plagiarizing their party name

9 May violence suspects except the women to face military court and Shell Petroleum Company Limited announces its disinvestment from Pakistan

PR Daily Brief | PR Team

POLITICS
IPP accused of plagiarizing their party name
On 15 June, The Express Tribune reported that the newly formed Istehkam-i-Pakistam Party (IPP) has received a legal notice that accuses them of copying the name of the 17 May registered Istehkam-e-Pakistan Tehreek party. The notice has been sent to IPP’s patron-in-chief Jahangir Khan Tareen and President Aleem Khan (“Tareen served notice for 'stealing' party’s name,” The Express Tribune, 15 June 2023)

9 May violence suspects except the women to face military court
On 14 June, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tara stated that cases registered against women as part of the 9 May violence have not been forwarded to military courts. He also said that almost 74 cases have reached the military courts for trials. The possible infringing of fundamental rights of prisoners has raised concerns from rights groups, both within and outside the country. However, the minister assured that all proceedings will be according to the law and the rights of the accused will be respected. Furthermore, Amnesty International reported that prosecuting civilians in military courts will be a violation of the right to a fair trial under Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which Pakistan ratified in 2010. (Nasir Iqbal, “‘No cases against women sent to military courts’,” Dawn, 15 June 2023)

PPP expresses concerns over unequal treatment
On June 15, the Express Tribune reported that Aslam Gill, President of the Lahore chapter of the PPP, expressed dissatisfaction with the party's treatment in the government, emphasizing that they were not considered equal partners. He highlighted instances where PML-N leaders received favourable treatment and authority, while PPP leaders were ignored even in basic requests like a light bulb for a streetlamp. These concerns were conveyed to Chairman Bilawal, who was expected to address the issue. Additionally, the PPP welcomed former PTI MPA Sania Kamran into its party despite previously expressing opposition to accommodating PTI defectors. (“PPP leaders allege discrimination in Punjab,” The Express Tribune, 15 June 2023)

EXTERNAL
Shehbaz Sharif visits Azerbaijan to strengthen bilateral ties
On 14 June, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a two-day official visit to Azerbaijan to enhance bilateral relations in the energy, banking, finance, and information technology sectors. During the visit, he planned to visit the mausoleum of national hero Heydar Aliyev and hold meetings with President Ilham Aliyev to discuss cooperation opportunities. Sharif tweeted: “Translating excellent bilateral political ties into a solid relationship of trade and investment remains a fundamental goal for us. Central Asia is central to our energy security policy and we are committed to stepping up the cooperation with CARs [Central Asian Republics] to make Pakistan energy-secure.” The delegation included ministers and officials from various sectors. The visit aimed to strengthen trade, investment, and energy cooperation between the two nations. (Syed Irfan Raza, “PM’s Azerbaijan visit to boost bilateral ties,” Dawn, 15 June 2023)

US treasury secretary Janet Yellen supported IMF's efforts in Pakistan
On 15 June, Dawn reported that US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has pledged continued support for the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) efforts to assist Pakistan in addressing its fiscal and monetary challenges. During a hearing, Congressman Al Green raised concerns about Pakistan's risk of default and requested Yellen's assistance. Yellen acknowledged the IMF's work in Pakistan, particularly in dealing with the impact of floods and existing economic problems. Pakistan faces significant external debt payments, and the IMF's $1.1 billion funding has been delayed due to objections over the country's budgetary framework. (Anwar Iqbal “US supports Pakistan-IMF engagement as June 30 draws near,” Dawn, 15 June 2023)

Seventy eight Pakistanis drowned in Greece’s deadliest shipwreck
On 14 June, The Express Tribune reported that around 78 Pakistani migrants drowned along with the overloaded boat that sunk in Greece. The Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation of Greece reported that the boat started from the Libyan town of Tobruk to Italy via Greece, and the majority were young men in their 20s. Previously, a Greek coast guard spotted the ship and tried to provide help, but people refused the assistance and continued the voyage. Further, this incident was considered European's deadliest shipwreck. (“Pakistanis among 78 drown off Greece,” The Express Tribune, 14 June 2023)

ECONOMY
Analysts weary of the celebrations in light of the discounted Russian crude oil arrival
On 15 June, Dawn reported that Karachi people started celebrating the advent of “discounted” Russia’s crude oil, while energy sector analysts cautioned it as premature. The energy sector experts with little information believe that the deal would bring an immediate impact on retail prices of petroleum products. Notably, energy sector analyst Yousuf M. Farooq said that Russian crude oil benefits the few takers in Pakistan and constitutes a negligible fraction of the country’s fuel consumption. (Kazim Alam, “Experts pour cold water on hopes Russian oil will bring prices down,” Dawn, 15 June 2023)

Shell Petroleum Company Limited announces its disinvestment from Pakistan
On 14 June, Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) announced that foreign sponsor Shell Petroleum Company Limited (SPCo) intended to disinvest its entire 77.42 per cent in the Oil Marketing Company (OMC) as a move to “simplifying” its global portfolio. In response, SPL said: “This announcement does not impact SPL’s business operations, which continue. The SPL remains committed to continuing to deliver safe and reliable operations for our customers and partners.” Further, Business Recorder reported that this announcement was made due to SPL’s tremendous financial loss in 2022 and ongoing economic crises in the country. (Ahmed Malik, “Shell decides to exit Pakistan market,” Business Recorder, 15 June 2023; Kazim Alam, “Foreign sponsor plans exit from Shell Pakistan,” Dawn, 15 June 2023)

IMF stated its discontent with the budget proposal for the year 2023-24
On 15 June, The IMF Resident Representative for Pakistan told Business Recorder how the budge FY24 missed its opportunity to expand its tax base. The IMF seemed ready to refine the budget and add the necessary policies to maintain stability. She also explained how the policy on enhancing the monetary limit of foreign remittances runs against the IMF programmes, which will create further damage. IMF has further suggested that the nation, address the issue on energy sectors to the budget. Investors have warned the countries of the upcoming risks and failures. (Bilal Memon, “IMF comes down hard on Pakistan’s budget proposals,” Business Recorder, 15 June 2023)

State Finance Minister assured to convince IMF
On 14 June, the State Finance Minister Aisha Ghaus has expressed the issue of fund concern on sectors such as resource mobilization, power sector and spendings. She mentioned that the technical team will soon hold a virtual meeting with the IMF and will convince the IMF on the above budget numbers. She stated that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) handles the policy rates and assured that the government would take any measures to revive back its economy. (Zaheer Abbasi, “What is IMF’s demand in relation to Budget” Clarity of vision, precise steps, clear outcomes,” Business Recorder, 15 June 2023)

SOCIETY
UNOCHA: Pakistan witnesses extreme malnutrition
On 14 June, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), one in five children, under the age of five, suffer from severe malnutrition, with rates at 9.7 per cent. Around 84 districts including Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh were severely affected of the monsoon floods. Reasons contributing to the issue includes poor sanitation and hygiene, limited access to essential nutrition and feeding practises and especially poor maternal nutrition. UNOCHA has blamed the prevailing economic and political crisis to be the reason behind the cause. Over 160 houses were damaged resulting in the chain of deaths. Further, the humanitarian agencies have blamed the government for not providing sufficient care for the vulnerable. (Amin Ahmed, “Pakistan currently facing imminent nutrition crisis, says UN report,” Dawn, 15 June 2023)

SECURITY
A fire exchange in the Gohri Kaul area killed four suspected terrorists
On 14 June, four suspected terrorists were killed during a fire exchange in the Gohri Kaul area near the Afghan-Pakistan border. The report stated that the suspects were associated with the TJP group in Muslim Bagh. According to the CTD, the arms and ammunition held includes 170 live cartridges, one suicide waist, hand grenades, a motorcycle and a car. An investigation will soon be held on the above incident. (Saleem Shahid, “Four ‘terrorists’ killed near Afghan border,” Dawn, 15 June 2023)

Pakistan on Twitter

“36 crore rupees is not an expensive deal for the mayor of Karachi. Defeat is not among the people, but Jamaat-e-Islami now has to decide how to deal with the conscience sellers and elected representatives.”
-Sheikh Rashid Ahmed

“The Pakistani military is trying to silence even Pakistani journalists outside the country by charging them regarding the May 9 violence. If the military cannot justify its efforts to sideline Imran Khan, censoring journalists isn't going to help it.”
- Kenneth Roth

“Leaving for Azerbaijan today at the invitation of H.E. President Ilham Aliyev. The visit is part of our government's policy to strengthen bilateral cooperation & build win-win partnerships. Other than expediting early finalisation of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), I will hold important talks with Azerbaijani leadership to open up avenues of cooperation in energy, banking, financial services & IT sectors. Translating excellent bilateral political ties into a solid relationship of trade and investment remains a fundamental goal for us. Central Asia is central to our energy security policy & we are committed to stepping up the cooperation with CARs to make Pakistan energy-secure.”
-Shehbaz Sharif

Also read...

Dr Noman Ahmed, Running Karachi’s affairs,
Dawn, 15 June 2023
“Karachi’s local politics has seen a lot of bickering and petty politics. It is hoped that the new mayor will break with this undesirable trend. Instead of locking horns with the provincial and federal governments and other agencies that control a sizable spread of Karachi, the mayor and his affiliates must outline attainable tasks. By building political bridges, many tasks can be done collaboratively, rather than competitively. The city’s affairs are being influenced by trade associations and stakeholder bodies of various scale and profile.”

F.S. Aijazuddin, Juggling budgets,
Dawn, 15 June 2023
“ To the government, they clearly do not matter because the future is not a constituency. The government will argue that with this budget, it has tried to fill a half-empty glass. Sceptics see only a glass whose half contents are draining dry. We are a nation that has enough foreign exchange to cover only one month of imports, yet we posture like Dickens’s perpetually insolvent Mr Micawber, confident that ‘something will turn up’ to thwart the spectre of default.”

Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Barometer of change,
Dawn, 15 June 2023
“The chapter on ‘Climate Change’, presents a long list of 20-plus initiatives, but only three mentioning actual allocations. All other projects, even if important, are only ideas in the pipeline. Instead of reporting progress on the National Climate Change Policy or NDC, both approved by the cabinet, more than two-thirds of the chapter has listed a long list of planned initiatives without always linking them with NCCP or the NDC.…. They all beg for space in other chapters of the Economic Survey. Is this beyond the climate ministry’s mandate or beyond its ability to leverage?”

Editorial, Further delay?
Dawn, 15 June 2023
“How long must the people of this country be made to suffer in silence? How much more ink needs to be spilt before the powerful see reason and understand that the country cannot move forward till its people have the power to decide their fate themselves? The state must fulfil its obligation to hold free and fair elections on time. Refusal to do so only spells more disaster for the months and years ahead.”

Daily Briefs

IPP accused of plagiarizing their party name

9 May violence suspects except the women to face military court and Shell Petroleum Company Limited announces its disinvestment from Pakistan

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