Imran Khan vilifying the Chief Election Commissioner

Daily Briefs

Photo : Dawn

16 November 2022, Wednesday I Vol 3, No.250

Imran Khan vilifying the Chief Election Commissioner

Dubai businessman claiming that Toshakana gifts were â€˜soldâ€™ to him, life expectancy in Pakistan dropping to 65 years, Chaman border staying shut,and the rise in circular debt despite 50 per cent hike in power tariff

PR Daily Brief | PR Team

In Brief
INTERNAL
Imran Khan vilifies the Chief Election Commissioner, asks the Chief Justice of Pakistan to intervene
On 15 November, Imran Khan criticised the role of the Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja and pushed the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to intercede. In a video message addressing the long march rallies, Imran Khan said that the election commissioner was working against the PTI and that he was “working for the handlers”. He pushed the CJP to hear the case of the PTI against the commissioner and said that he is “targetting” him with the Toshakhana and foreign funding cases. Imran Khan said that the commissioner was “indicating” his bias against the PTI, while also criticising other leaders, including PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and PPP leader Yousuf Raza Gillani. (Ahmad Fraz Khan, “Railing against election czar, Imran seeks CJP’s intervention,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

Reko Diq litigation case was to be decided on international arbitration, says counsel
On 15 November, Additional Attorney General Chaudhary Aamir Rehman informed the Supreme Court (SC) that a previous Reko Diq litigation instructed the Balochistan court to “stay out of the matter” and await an outcome of international arbitration. The counsel explained to the SC that the previous chief justice had agreed to the hearing of a petition, but saw a sudden cease to the hearing, leading to a “null and void” Changhai hills exploration joint venture agreement for exploring gold and copper in the Reko Diq region. The attorney argued that a decision taken in the present should not lead to a “carte blanche” on the investors, and emphasised that the current references of the case are of sufficient value to the public and asked the government to indulge carefully. (“Cancellation of Reko Diq mining lease behind arbitration, SC told,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

Pakistan Information Commission receives the highest number of queries against the Defence and Finance ministries
On 15 November, Dawn reported that the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) collected the highest amount of appeals against the Defence Ministry where 2,474 complaints were filed by citizens. The Ministry of Finance joined the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), where the number of complaints filed against the FIA and the CDA remained the same. Dawn said that in nearly 50 per cent of the cases, information was not cohesive from the public sector bodies, or was in the process of being collected. It said that the PIC has “become dysfunctional” and that citizens are finding it challenging to retrieve information from federal public bodies. Out of the 2,474 complaints, 1,030 were resolved. Among public entities that “refused” to share information, the ministries of information, foreign affairs, and interior and human rights were some of them. (Ikram Junaidi, “Defence, finance most queried ministries, PIC report reveals,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

Election Commission of Pakistan ‘accuses’ Sindh for postponement of local government elections
On 15 November, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) came down on the Sindh government in a hearing of pleas against the adjournment of the local government elections and said that the provincial government is “taking away” the Election Commission’s responsibility to hold the elections. The ECP’s Joint Secretary criticised the government for the delay and stressed that the elections should be “held at the earliest” under the Supreme Court’s orders. The ECP also questioned the government on its ability to provide security for the elections and asked them to announce a date for the same. (Iftikhar A Khan, “ECP accuses Sindh of ‘usurping’ its power to hold LG polls,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

Dubai businessman says Toshakana gifts were ‘sold’ to him, claims he bought ‘state gifts’
On 16 November, Dubai-based businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor says he bought expensive items gifted to Imran Khan by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, for USD 2 million. He claimed that he bought “an expensive Graff wristwatch”, and said that the adviser to Imran Khan had “contacted” him in 2019 to “sell watches, rings, and other gifts” and held that he had evidence to support his claims. Zahoor mentioned that he was “blackmailed” under “fake cases of money laundering” as well. This statement comes as Imran Khan is facing controversy for his “charges of misuse” of the Toshakhana. (“Dubai-based businessman claims Toshakhana gifts sold to him,” The Express Tribune, 16 November 2022)

Life expectancy in Pakistan drops to 65 years
On 15 November, the Pakistan Demographic Survey (PDS) released indicators of the demographic position of the country and said that the life expectancy of Pakistan dipped to 65 years from 65.4 years two years ago. This comes as the PDS conducted the 20th round of surveys, 13 years since the last one. The results of the survey were compared with indicators of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PHDS) and the Pakistan Standard of Living Standards and indicated that the current results are nearly similar to the ones conducted in the previous years. Other indicators saw a slight increase, with general mortality rates ranging higher in rural areas than urban areas, and the population reaching 220.42 million today. (“Life expectancy in Pakistan edges lower to 65 years,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

PM Shehbaz forms a committee to look into complaints against the film Joyland
On 16 November, Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a special committee to evaluate complaints filed against film Joyland which was banned almost a week before its release in Pakistan. According to the notice, the committee will “consider the complaints against the said film being against the social and moral norms, and recommend follow-up action.” (Tahir Sherani, “PM Shehbaz Sharif forms committee to evaluate complaints against Joyland,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

PROVINCES
Balochistan: Chaman border stays shut for a third consecutive day, authorities allow people to enter through ‘emergency route’
On 15 November, Dawn reported that the Chaman border remained closed for a continuous third day, where the authorities of the region allowed Pakistani and Afghan nationals to go to their countries through an “emergency route”. A senior official told Dawn that negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were underway, and said that the route would only be opened once “security personnel is handed over to Pakistan”. Pakistan’s border security allowed several Pakistanis to cross into Chaman but were stranded in Kandahar, Spin Boldak and other areas of Afghanistan after the border was closed. The authorities said that they are allowing “only those who were producing documentary proof of Pakistani nationality”. (Saleem Shahid, “Chaman border remains closed for third day,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Two police officers on polio duty killed in Tank
On 15 November, two police officers who were on polio duty were killed by “unknown terrorists” in Tank. According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, the attack took place within the precincts of Gomal police station in Kachagraha. Following the attack, President Dr Arif Alvi strongly condemned the attack and said that the sacrifices of security personnel and health workers during the national polio drive would not go in vain. (“2 police officers on polio security martyred by firing in KP’s Tank,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Four TTP members killed in a clash with security forces in Dera Ismail Khan
On 15 November, four alleged terrorists belonging to the TTP, Gandapur group, were killed in a clash with members of security forces in the Maddi area of Kulachi tehsil. According to the police, the terrorists were planning to carry out terror activities in the area and they were killed in a joint operation of the police’s Counter-Terrorism Department and security forces. The police said that when security personnel encircled the area, the TTP terrorists opened fire, triggering a clash. During the clash, an improvised explosive device exploded, killing the four terrorists on the spot. The security forces also destroyed several hideouts of the militants. (Muhammad Irfan Mughal, “Four TTP men killed in D.I. Khan,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

EXTERNAL
China lauds Pakistan’s verdicts on the terrorist attacks in Dasu
On 15 November, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that China “appreciates” Pakistan’s concerted efforts to “get to the bottom” of the previous year’s terrorist attacks in Dasu, in Khyber Pakhtunkwa. The spokesperson said that Pakistan had carried out the investigations of the attack with “utmost seriousness” and remarked that China would be supportive of the country’s counter-terrorism efforts. The verdict mentioned that the accused would be “awarded capital punishment” over the attacks. Additionally, the spokesperson said that China was in close communication to support the safety and security of Chinese nationals, and emphasised that the Chinese would enhance the security measures of those living in Pakistan. (“China welcomes verdict in Dasu attack case,” The Express Tribune, 16 November 2022)

ECONOMY
Pakistan Government requests the IMF to issue waivers on ‘performance criteria’, asks for ‘structural adjustments’
On 15 November, Pakistan’s formal discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the quarterly review of the Extended Fund Facility (EEF) experienced a “delay” in the midst of the government’s request for waivers, owing to flood losses and the Fund asking the government to “stick” to tax-to- GDP ratio of 11 per cent. Officials said that the government was talking to the IMF mission for “sharing data” on the country’s performance in July-September, and said that the data “was not firmed up” as of yet. They said that the revenue performance of the country was “slightly better” than the target, and said that the government had requested “several waivers” on the performance. The IMF is yet to take a stance. (Khaleeq Kiani, “Govt seeks IMF waivers amid flood-driven slippages,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

Rise in circular debt despite 50 per cent hike in power tariff
On 16 November, the Power Division told the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) that the circular debt amounted to nearly three trillion PKR, and said that there is an increase of PKR 185 billion as compared to the previous year, despite a 50 per cent hike in the power tariff. NEPRA’s chairman said that the quarterly tariff adjustment for the first quarter of the year would be PKR 2.18 as an additional charge, and said that this will be issued for the months of January to March. The power division said that the consumers would face “price shock” because of the additional charge, and said that circular debt keeps increasing because of lower recoveries and “higher than allowed system losses”. (“Circular debt keeps rising despite massive power tariff hike,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

CLIMATE CHANGE
Pakistan and China decide to jointly increase calamity preparedness and response to climate change
On 16 November, a team of experts from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) conducted a post-disaster assessment of Pakistan and decided to strengthen cooperation with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) for “technical exchanges”. CMA said that there has been consistent monitoring of the floods in Pakistan since June along with the PMD. The experts went to the most affected region of Sindh and collected data on the disaster preparedness of the province. The CMA also emphasised that the PMD has been working with them to collaborate on joint data on the weather forecast, flood conditions and monitoring of the country. (Amin Ahmed, “Pakistan, China agree to work together for disaster preparedness,” Dawn, 16 November 2022)

Special Notes

DAY 20 of PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March'

Where is the march?
The PTI’s march is scheduled to make stops in Jehlum, Sargodha, Mardan and Timergara in Lower Dir.
PTI leader Musarrat Cheema shared the schedule for the long march convoys stating that Shah Mehmood Qureshi will leave from Gujrat with his convoy to reach Jhelum in the evening to address the gathering.
Meanwhile, Asad Umar, will reach Sargodha as he resumes the march from Kot Momin Interchange and later move towards Khayam Chowk and head towards Sargodha where he will address the gathering.

Fawad Chaudhry announced that the tentative date for the march towards Rawalpindi could be announced within the next 72 hours.

Who said what?
During the video address, Imran Khan claimed that the Election Commission of Pakistan has trapped the PTI in two cases; foreign funding and the Toshakhana reference. He criticised the verdicts claiming that he could “guarantee that it will be proven that I have not done anything unlawful.”

Other developments
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has asked the Intelligence Bureau (IB) director general (DG), Motorway IG and additional home secretary for a report during the hearing of a plea seeking immediate orders to stop PTI’s long march.

Imran Khan submits a response to the Supreme Court’s order of 25 May where the PTI’s long march was restricted from entering Islamabad’s D-Chowk, was "not knowingly violated." Imran Khan stated that he assures the court that he was not informed about the court order on the evening of 25 May. He added the written order of 25 May did not specifically mention D-Chowk.

Follow-Up: Imran Khan’s assassination probe
Status of the probe
The Punjab Home Department once again reconstituted the joint investigation team (JIT) probing the attack on Imran Khan in Wazirabad. The Punjab government has appointed Lahore CCPO Ghulam Mehmood Dogar as the head of the JIT. This was the third time that the Punjab government was reconstituting the JIT.

Pakistan on Twitter

"Umar Farooq said that the owner of my jewelery shop told me that the price of this watch is 5 million dollars, but I bought it for 20 dollars :) . For the watch, he gave me a hug on the phone and at night I sat on Khanzada's program.”
-Ch Fawad Hussain

"Enough is enough. Yesterday Geo & Khanzada supported by Handlers slandered me through a baseless story cooked up by a known fraudster & internationally wanted criminal. I have spoken to my lawyers & I plan to sue Geo, Khanzada & the fraudster not only in Pak but also in UK & UAE.”
-Imran Khan

"Let us make no mistake. Terrorism continues to be one of Pakistan's foremost problems. Our armed forces & police have valiently fought the scourge. No words are enough to condemn terrorists' attack on a police van in Lakki Marwat. My thoughts & prayers are with bereaved families.."
-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Daily Briefs

Imran Khan vilifying the Chief Election Commissioner

Dubai businessman claiming that Toshakana gifts were â€˜soldâ€™ to him, life expectancy in Pakistan dropping to 65 years, Chaman border staying shut,and the rise in circular debt despite 50 per cent hike in power tariff

Other Daily Briefs