PPP emerges as largest party in Karachi city council elections

Daily Briefs

Photo : Dawn

05 June 2023, Monday I Vol 4, No.112

PPP emerges as largest party in Karachi city council elections

PTI legislators join new group as party faces exodus

PR Daily Brief | PR Team

POLITICS
PPP emerges as largest party in Karachi city council elections
On 5 June, Dawn reported that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has become the single-largest party in the City Council of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) with 155 seats out of 366 members. The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) is the second largest party with 130 seats, followed by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) with 63 seats. The PPP has garnered support from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), giving them a total of 175 members. The JI and PTI have formed an alliance with 193 members. The election for Karachi mayor is scheduled for June 15. (Azfar-ul-Ashfaque, “With 155 members, PPP maintains top position in Karachi City Council after reserved seats allocation,” Dawn, 5 June 2023)

HDT chief accuses government of backtracking on agreement with Gwadar protestors
On 4 June, Haq Do Tehreek (HDT) chief Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman accused the provincial government of reneging on an agreement it had previously signed with HDT leaders, which led to the end of a month-long protest sit-in by the people of Gwadar last year. He stated that another protest movement will be launched if the government fails to implement the agreement. Rehman criticized the government for neglecting the rights and needs of the people of Makran. (Saleem Shahid, “Haq Do Tehreek chief threatens to launch protest movement, again,” Dawn, 5 June 2023)

Parvez Elahi sent to jail in illegal recruitment case
On 4 June, an anti-corruption court remanded former chief minister Parvez Elahi to jail for 14 days in a case involving illegal recruitments in the Punjab Assembly. Elahi was re-arrested by the Anti-Corruption Establishment after being discharged in two graft cases. The court granted the remand to recover alleged bribery and forged documents related to out-of-merit appointments. Elahi expressed a lack of confidence in the presiding judge and the ACE plans to challenge the verdict. (Amjad Mahmood, “Parvez Elahi sent on judicial remand as ACE fails to get custody,” Dawn, 5 June 2023)

Punjab IG challenges ATC decision, claims evidence against PTI leaders
On 4 June, Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr. Usman Anwar announced plans to challenge the anti-terrorism court's decision to discharge PTI leader Dr. Yasmin Rashid in the case regarding the attack on the corps commander's house. The IG claimed that PTI leaders, including Dr. Rashid, were key planners of the attacks and presented evidence of their involvement, including 41 phone call records. The police chief also discussed tracing additional suspects through WhatsApp messages and criticized PTI social media influencers for spreading misleading information. Hammad Azhar, PTI leader, stated that his father had been "taken away" by the police. He said: “My father, Mian Muhammad Azhar, 82 years of age with multiple health conditions, has just been taken by police and some unknown people to an undisclosed location.” (Asif Chaudry, “Yasmin Rashid ‘key planner’ of Jinnah House attack: IG,” Dawn, 5 June 2023)

PTI legislators join new group as party faces exodus
On 5 June, Dawn reported that as the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) deals with the aftermath of the May 9 violence, more party legislators are joining a new entity or seeking refuge in established parties like PPP, PML-Q, or the group led by Jahangir Khan Tareen. Two former Punjab MPAs, Chaudhry Raza Nasrullah Ghumman and Ayesha Iqbal, have recently left the PTI. The Dogar Group, gaining from the exodus, said: “We are not forcing anyone. The PTI legislators are coming to us independently. The PML-Q and Jahangir Khan Tareen group leaders are sending messages for meetings and joining, but we are neither responding to them back nor do we want to make any commitment at the moment.” Additionally, smaller groups such as the "Democrats" led by Hashim Dogar and Murad Raas have emerged. PTI leaders accuse the police of looting a PTI leader's daughter's dowry. (Mansoor Malik, “PTI defectors set up ‘Democrats’ group under Murad Raas,” Dawn, 5 June 2023)

Political landscape shifts as PTI faces exodus and new alliances form
On 4 June, Dawn reported that, as the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) continues to experience a wave of defections, a new group led by Jahangir Khan Tareen is emerging, while other factions are being formed by former PTI leaders Hashim Dogar and Murad Raas. Amidst these developments, a senior PPP leader denies the emergence of a "king's party" and expresses confidence in the PPP's growing strength in Punjab. The Tareen group, PML-Q, and PPP are actively courting defectors to bolster their ranks ahead of the upcoming general elections. (Zulqernain Tahir, “Tareen takes ex-AJK PM on board as PTI ‘crumbles’,” Dawn, 4 June 2023)

Sheikh Rashid accuses "Elite Forces" of breaking into residence and torturing staff
On 4 June, Sheikh Rashid, leader of the Awami Muslim League (AML), accused "elite forces" of breaking into his residence in Islamabad, beating his domestic staff, and coercing them into making false statements. He said: “Forces dressed in white clothes indiscriminately tortured the domestic staff at my mother’s residence, the Lal Haveli, at 4 am.” This is the second time Rashid has made such allegations. He believes these actions are in response to a notice issued by a judge on his complaint. Rashid criticized the state of law and order in the country predicted political instability, and criticized the government's economic policies, stating that the economy is in a dire state. (“Rashid claims his Islamabad home raided again,” The Express Tribune, 5 June 2023)

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirms October general elections, rejects delay speculations
On 4 June, Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, dismissed speculation of a delay in the upcoming general elections, stating that they will be held in October as scheduled. The current National Assembly's term concludes in August, and elections must take place within 60 days thereafter. The government has opposed snap polls, citing security concerns, funding issues, and the need for fresh census results. However, the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) has emphasized the importance of free and fair elections by October 2023. Political stability is seen as vital, and experts believe timely elections are crucial for Pakistan's future.(Rizwan Shehzad “Polls will be held in Oct this year: Asif,” The Express Tribune, 5 June 2023)

IK claims that a military court will conduct the trial
On 3 June, Former Prime Minister Imran Khan stated that he has no doubt that he will be tried in a military court and thrown in jail, indicating the military's involvement in a crackdown on his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The crackdown on Pakistan's most popular leader, Pervez Musharraf, has been blamed on the military establishment. Khan has called the protests a "false flag operation" and is being tried in military court to prevent him from returning to power in elections due in November. Imran Khan said: “150 criminal cases filed against him were frivolous and would get thrown out in any civilian court. So, their only hope, and because they are determined to get me out of the way, I think they will, their whole charade of military courts is to imprison me. I have absolutely no doubt that the military courts are meant for me.” Imran Khan is facing a year-long standoff with the army and is being tried in military court to prevent him from returning to power. (“IK says will be tried in military court,” Business Recorder, 5 June 2023)

ECONOMY
The ECC is anticipated to approve TSGs worth PKR 50 billion
On 5 June, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet is scheduled to approve Technical Supplementary Grants (TSGs) of over PKR 50 billion, days before the announcement of the federal budget for the year 2023-24. Power Division has sought TSG of PKR 9.145 billion and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has sought a supplementary grant of PKR 4.898 billion. The ECC will meet with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in a chair. NDMA has requested allocation of PKR 12 billion for relief items, Petroleum Division proposed to import, Ex-Fata, Punjab, Sindh, KP approved over PKR 7bn TSGs for uplift schemes, Information and Broadcasting sought funds, Parliamentary Affairs approved over PKR 7bn TSGs, National Health Services proposed fixation of MRP, Interior proposals for financial assistance, Aviation Division sought TSG, Communications issuance of GoP guarantee, Establishment Division sought TGS, and Human Rights Division sought grant. (Mushtaq Ghumman, “ECC likely to approve Rs50bn TSGs today,” Business Recorder, 5 June 2023”)

PM: Three years to reach USD 5 billion in commerce with Turkiye
On 5 June, Business Recorder reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has claimed that the target of increasing bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Turkiye to USD 5 billion annually over the next three years is "very much achievable". This is in response to reports of economic default in the coming weeks. Recent polls have shown that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been re-elected as Turkiye's President. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated Hakan Fidan on his appointment as Foreign Minister of Turkiye. Hakan Fidan served as Director of Turkkiye's National Intelligence Organisation (NIA) for more than eight years before his elevation as Foreign Minister. This follows Sharif's visit to Turkiye, which highlighted the need for investment and trade in agriculture, energy, information technology, and construction. (Sardar Sikander Shaheen, “$5bn trade with Turkiye achievable in 3 years: PM,” Business Recorder, 5 June 2023)

Dar calls the IMF program's delay "unprecedented."
On 3 June, Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar said the delay in the resumption of the IMF program is "unprecedented" as Pakistan waits for the completion of the ninth review of the bailout since November last year. Ishaq Dar said: “There is no technical reason for the delay (in the resumption of the IMF program), which is unprecedented. We are the only one (PML-N) in Pakistan’s history that completed the IMF program of 2013-16.”Pakistan's bailout program with the IMF has been stalled due to securing financing assurances. Finance Minister Aisha Ghaus Pasha stated the delay is due to the IMF not reducing the external financing requirement to USD 3 billion. Finance Minister Dar slammed "pseudo-intellectuals" who have predicted Pakistan will default, saying the country is a sovereign country with trillions of dollars in assets and 50 percent of the debt. The IMF is continuing engagement with the Pakistani authorities to pave the way for a Board meeting before the current program expires in June-end. The finance minister also met with businessmen at the Pakistan Stock Exchange to ask for budget recommendations. He aspired to add Pakistan to the top 20 economies of the world. ( “Delay in IMF program ‘unprecedented’, says Dar,” Business Recorder, 5 June 2023)

EXTERNAL
The UK is concerned about the chaos in Pakistan
On 4 June, Two London-based properties tied to prominent Pakistani families raised questions about Britain's "awkward status as a haven for political elites and their fortunes". The Sharif family's residence in Avenfield House on Park Lane and the mansion on Hyde Park Place linked to Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz were discovered during the National Crime Agency's settlement with the property tycoon in 2019. The NCA returned the money from the settlement to Pakistan, raising serious questions about the UK's NCA and its role in obtaining funds from the settlement. The UK's National Crime Agency has agreed to a EUR 190 million settlement with Malik Riaz's family. Anti-corruption campaigners stated the stories of the two properties show how the UK has "questions to answer on its approach to investigating unexplained wealth stashed in London by the world's political elite".(”Chaos in Pakistan raises questions for the UK: report,” Dawn, 5 June 2023)

PM Shehbaz Sharif meets international leaders in Turkey
On 4 June, Prime Minister Sharif met with world leaders to discuss bilateral ties and cooperation between Pakistan and their respective countries. He met with former deputy prime minister of Turkey and Chairman MHP Devlet Bahceli, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Turkish businessmen to invest in Pakistan and establish strategic collaboration in sectors of energy, agriculture, information technology, and construction. The exchanges focused on expanding trade and investment ties to maximize mutual gains from available opportunities in Pakistan and enhance cooperation in key sectors of the economy. The PM also met with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and invited Turkish businessmen to invest in Pakistan and establish strategic collaboration in sectors of energy, agriculture, information technology, and construction. (“PM meets world leaders in Türkiye,” The Express Tribune, 5 June 2023)

JUDICIARY
SHC is upset over Civil Hospital Karachi’s refusal to provide treatment to HIV-positive transgender people
On 5 June, Dawn reported that the Sindh High Court has issued notices to the provincial health secretary and medical superintendent of the Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) on a petition filed against non-provision of treatment to HIV-positive transgender persons. A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M. Shaikh also summoned the CHK MS on 7 June. Two transgender rights activists and three HIV-positive transgender persons petitioned the SHC, claiming that they were denied medical treatment due to their HIV status. Their lawyer Sara Malkani argued that they urgently needed total hip replacement surgery, treatment for chronic kidney disease, and other issues. The petitioners sought directives for the CHK to provide immediately necessary treatment to the infected petitioners, other transgender persons, and all HIV-positive persons on a non-discriminatory basis, and asked the court to declare the refusal of the CHK to provide treatment to HIV-positive persons a violation of fundamental rights and other relevant laws. (Ishaq Tanoli, “SHC irked by denial of treatment to HIV-positive transgenders,” Dawn, 5 June 2023)

Pakistan on Twitter

"The new political arrangement of the defected members who left Qasim's Abuk will not make any difference. PDM will also hold rigged elections and their guarantees will be confiscated. More debris will fall on the PML-G. The stake it is sitting on will also be a disgrace."
-Sheikh Rashid Ahmed

"In his interviews with international media outlets, Imran Niazi is openly and deliberately disinforming local & foreign audiences by glib talk laced with fake news & plain misrepresentation. His expedient description of the post-May 9 events as 'human rights abuses' & 'stifling of the right to political protest' is not only misleading but aimed at manipulating and swaying opinion-makers outside the country . Let me put the context right: what his party did on May 9 was a brazen attack on the State of Pakistan, with malafide intent and sinister objectives. No country in the world would tolerate such an attempt at destroying its integrity. I assure everyone that the culprits are being dealt with under the law & that I will ensure that no rights violations take place. Every case will be dealt with due process under the law. Pakistan fully respects & is committed to all its constitutional and international obligations on human rights."
-Shehbaz Sharif

"Earlier, a writ of corruption was filed. Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was acquitted in one case of Lahore and in both cases of Gujranwala. Alhamdulillah, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi is getting angry with the judiciary. Cases are being registered only under the revenge agenda."
-Moonis Elahi

Daily Briefs

PPP emerges as largest party in Karachi city council elections

PTI legislators join new group as party faces exodus

Other Daily Briefs