Justice Umar Ata Bandial sworn in as the 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan

Daily Briefs

Photo : Dawn

2 February 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No. 28

Justice Umar Ata Bandial sworn in as the 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan

Militant attacks declined slightly in January says PICSS report, IATA reveals five-year business plan for PIA, Supreme Court restricts Sindh from undertaking projects within LG domain

PR Daily Brief | PR Team

In Brief
JUDICIARY
Justice Umar Ata Bandial sworn in as the 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan
On 1 February, Justice Umar Ata Bandial took oath as the 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan. He was administered the oath of office by President Arif Alvi. Justice Bandial will serve as the CJP until 16 September 2023. Before taking the oath, Justice Bandial spoke about his plan on how the apex court will function during his term. He said, “The differences in judges’ opinions in matters of law arise from our individual perceptions and this diversity brings richness to our understanding.” (“Justice Umar Ata Bandial sworn in as 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan,” Dawn, 2 February 2022) ("Profile: Who is the new chief justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial?," Dawn, 2 February 2022)

Supreme Court restricts Sindh from undertaking projects within LG domain
On 1 February, the Supreme Court restricted the Sindh government from undertaking new projects in the province that would fall within the domain of the elected local government, without prior consultation and consent of the local government. Former CJP Gulzar Ahmed, while heading a three-judge bench, announced the judgement in the open court emphasising that Article 140A of the Constitution casts a mandatory obligation on the provinces to establish a local government (LG) possessing meaningful authority and responsibility in the political arena, and administrative and financial matters. (“Supreme Court stops Sindh from undertaking projects within LG domain,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: PHC orders local body polls in Hazara after Eidul Fitr
On 1 February, the Peshawar High Court’s Abbottabad Circuit Bench ordered the rescheduling of the second phase of local body elections in five snow-bound districts of Hazara division. The court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold polls in Torghar, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Kohistan after Eidul Fitr instead of March 27. (Muhammad Sadaqat, “Peshawar High Court orders local body polls in Hazara after Eidul Fitr,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

INTERNAL
Militant attacks declined slightly in January, says PICSS report
On 2 February, Dawn reported that according to statistics released by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the number of violent attacks decreased from 28 to 24 during the month of January 2022. The report stated that there was no improvement in the security situation of the country as the number of causalities increased despite a slight decrease in the attacks. The report cited that in January, militants carried out 24 attacks in which 42 people were killed which included 22 security forces personnel, 16 civilians and four militants and 79 others were injured, including 62 civilians. (Ikram Junaidi, “Militant attacks declined slightly in January: report,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

IATA reveals five-year business plan for PIA
On 1 February, IATA Consultancy proposed a five-year business plan for Pakistan International Airline (PIA) to the Minister of Finance Shaukat Tarin and Federal Minister of Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan. The proposed plan suggests financial restructuring, independent decision making, re-organisation of company structure, restrictions to core business, financial discipline and human resource (HR) rationalisation cost controls. Additionally, it proposed reviewing destinations, fleet planning exercises and network expansion to increase PIA’s network spread and passenger uplift. Further, the implementation of the plan would push the PIA assets from the current USD 1.196 billion to USD 2.183 billion by 2026. (“Business plan for PIA unveiled,” Dawn, 2 February 2022) (Bilal Hussain, “IATA’s business plan sees PIA making profit by 2026,” The News International, 2 February 2022)

Foreign funding cased adjourned after PTI’s request
On 1 February the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) adjourned the hearing of PTI foreign funding case to Feb 9 after PTI lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan sought an adjournment on his health grounds. The development comes after the ECP had allowed sharing of the scrutiny committee’s report which had been kept confidential so far. (“Foreign funding case adjourned on PTI’s request,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

PROVINCES
Sindh: MQM, PTI to continue to fight against local government law
On 2 February, following the Supreme Court verdict on local government, the MQM-P said, “Now the burden falls on the provincial government to follow the SC orders and implement it and make a fresh law in consultation with political forces of the provinces,” adding, “The MQM has definitely led this fight but it’s the success of every single person living in Sindh. From Karachi to Kashmore and from Hyderabad to Ghotki, this SC verdict empowers the oppressed people of Sindh and explains true definition of democracy. But let me make it very clear. It’s just a milestone and not a destination. You will find MQM on the ground to continue this struggle till the achievement of the desired results.”

Similarly, the PTI minister Asad Umar said, “Supreme Court rules elements of Sindh Local Government 2013 Act in conflict with the constitution,” adding, “PTI and MQM view that Sindh local govt act is not in line with constitution vindicated. Our struggle for the rights of Sindh citizens to have empowered local governments will continue.”

Meanwhile, the JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said, “I welcome the SC orders on a case pertaining to empowerment of local government,” adding, “But I can only hope that Justice Gulzar Ahmed should have come up with more clarity about the decision. He should have directed the federal and provincial governments to incorporate the chapter regarding power and authority of local government in the Constitution.”

The PPP has not yet made a statement on the verdict as it would discuss the issue in the cabinet meeting on 2 February. (Imran Ayub, “Call for consensus Sindh local govt law gets louder after landmark SC order,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

Balochistan: Government approves launch of health card scheme among others
On 1 February, the cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo approved registration of peasants for Kissan card, starting recruitment on vacant posts on merit. The cabinet approved amendments to the Land Review Act, 1967; e-Stamp Roll, 2021; and Balochistan Fisheries Rules, 1971. Draft on Balochistan Forest Act, 2021, aimed at ensuring protection of forests and wildlife, was also approved along with the draft on industrial development and Balochistan Archaeology Rules, 2021. (Saleem Shahid, “Balochistan approves health card scheme,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

ECONOMY
Government receives its targeted USD 1 billion sukuk proceeds
On 1 February, the Ministry of Finance announced that it had received the raised USD 1 billion proceeds against participants offering up to USD 2.7 billion. In the first seven months of current FY, the forex holding had shrank by USD 3.88 billion while during the first 21 days of January the forex holding shrank by USD 1.4 billion. (Shahid Iqbal, “Pakistan receives $1bn sukuk proceeds,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

PBS monthly price indices show inflation at 2 years high
On 1 February, PBS released its Monthly Price Indices for January 2022 with the new base year 2015-16. As per the report the consumer price index rose to 13 per cent in January, the highest level in two years. The inflation in January was the fifth straight month when inflation constantly increased. After the recently passed SBP amendment act the price stability responsibility has passed on to SBP from the government. The Wholesale Price Index jumped to 24 per cent in January, indicating that prices would remain very high in the coming months. The Sensitive Price Index, comprising goods largely used by the poor and lower-middle-income groups, also remained at 20.9 per cent, according to the PBS. (Shahbaz Rana, “Inflation skyrockets to two-year high,” The Express Tribune, 2 February 2022)

POLITICS
Long march aimed at demanding the establishment should be neutral, says Bilawal
On 1 February, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari demanded the establishment should remain impartial in the active politics, adding that if the establishment was neutralised, they could achieve their objective successfully. He also denied claims that the PPP has any link with the establishment. Further, he said, “We don’t want to lay a siege to the parliament, nor the Prime Minister House. We want to go for the option of a no-confidence [motion against the government]…[for] any extreme step by the [opposition] political parties may lead to a crisis in the country.” (Amjad Mahmood, “Long march objective is neutrality of establishment: Bilawal,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

FM Qureshi warns the opposition not to rely on the ‘compromised leader’ like Gilani
On 1 February, FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi while speaking in the Senate criticised Yousuf Raza Gilani stating that the opposition should not to rely on the ‘compromised leader.’ Additionally, he rejected Gilani’s announcement that he would resign, stating that it was just a drama and that Gilani would continue to hold on to the position. Further, he questioned how Gilani could have become leader of the opposition when the PML-N had more seats in the Senate. (Muhammad Sadaqat, “Peshawar High Court orders local body polls in Hazara after Eidul Fitr,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

EXTERNAL
Interior minister of Saudi Arabia to visit Pakistan
On 1 February, the interior ministry of Pakistan informed that Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif is set to arrive in Pakistan on February 7 at the special invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. Saudi official will meet key government and security officials. (“Saudi interior minister to arrive on February 7,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

Pakistan optimistic over US approval for new envoy Masood Khan
On 1 February, the Pakistan Embassy in Washington told a national daily that “Mr Khan’s “agrément is under process and the State Department will approve and send it back soon, perhaps in the next two to three weeks,”. Recently there was misinformation campaign against Mr Masood Khan which caused anxiety among one of the republican lawmaker in USA, who wrote to state department to reject the nomination. (Anwar Iqbal, “Pakistan hopes US will soon approve new envoy Masood Khan’s nomination,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

ON INDUS WATERS
Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters to visit Pakistan to attend the annual meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission
On 2 February, Dawn reported that the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters is scheduled to visit Pakistan in March to attend the annual meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission. Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Muhammad Mehr Ali Shah announced, “The annual meetings, under the Indus Water Treaty, are always liable to be held before March 31 each year, alternatively in Pakistan and India. Last year, we had attended the annual meeting in India and this time it is their (Indian delegation) turn to attend the same in Pakistan,” adding, “They had earlier informed us about the visit on Jan 17 after we wrote to them about the meeting schedule. But later they requested us to postpone it owing to the Covid-related restrictions. Now, they have informed us that they will visit in March. The date has not been decided yet but the meeting will be held before March 31.” (Khalid Hasnain, “Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters to visit Pakistan in March,” Dawn, 2 February 2022)

Pakistan on Twitter

“There are a string of articles appearing on govt borrowing from SBP n inflation. All similar. Clearly sponsored. The issue is not technical, it is political. Govt of Pakistan is now subservient to SBP n private banks. SBP Enslavement Act must be repealed”
-Dr. Kaiser Bengali, Economist

“The Supreme Court's order to the Sindh government to set up empowered local bodies is a question mark on the democratic thinking of the ruling PPP for decades. If the party claiming to make democracy the best system does not reflect democratic thinking, then democracy will be the best revenge.”
-Hassan Khawar, Official Spokesperson of the Government of Punjab

“Despite the country's inflation rate reaching a two-year high, the government is claiming no inflation. With an increase of 0.39%, the inflation rate is now 13%. On an annual basis, cooking oil prices rose by 54.33 per cent, pulses by 41.3 per cent, and electricity tariffs by 56 per cent”
-Senator Sherry Rehman, PPP Parliamentary leader

Daily Briefs

Justice Umar Ata Bandial sworn in as the 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan

Militant attacks declined slightly in January says PICSS report, IATA reveals five-year business plan for PIA, Supreme Court restricts Sindh from undertaking projects within LG domain

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