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ZARDARI ORDERS ‘ELIMINATION’ OF CRIMES IN SINDH TO BOLSTER PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
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Thursday, 2 May, 2024 I |23 Shawwal, 1445
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CHAIRS HIGH-LEVEL MEETING, DIRECTS VIGOROUS CRACKDOWN ON STREET CRIMINALS, KACHA DACOITS, AND DRUG TRAFFICKERS ACROSS PROVINCE
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KARACHI
CM SHAH JUXTAPOSED KARACHI’S CRIME INDEX OF 56.5 WITH OTHER MAJOR CITIES, EMPHASISING CITY’S COMPARATIVELY ‘LOWER CRIME RATE’
STAFF REPORT
RESIDENT Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday directed the Sindh Chief Minister to initiate a vigorous operation against street criminals in Karachi and dacoits in Kacha area, asking provincial government to check drug traffickers across the province, in coordination with other regions. Chairing a high-level law and order meeting at CM House in Karachi on Wednesday, the President expressed zero tolerance for illegal land occupation, ordering its immediate cessation. He urged for the implementation of posting tenures for police officers, with strict performance monitoring and removal protocols for underperforming officers. The meeting, attended by key officials including Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal IT Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, focused on enhancing security measures. Notable attendees also included Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, Minister of Energy Nasir Hussain Shah, and other provincial and federal officials. Additionally, President Zardari instructed the chief minister to ensure foolproof security for foreign nationals residing and working in Sindh, with particular emphasis on safeguarding Chinese nationals involved in CPEC-related projects. CM Murad apprised the president of the ‘improving’ law and order situation, highlighting recent peaceful events such as the visit of the Iranian president and the smooth conduct of PSL and interna-
tional cricket matches. He assured the president of daily monitoring and proactive measures to maintain law and order in the province. During the meeting, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) provided a comprehensive briefing on the current state of law and order. President Zardari was informed that while crimes against persons had slightly decreased compared to the previous year, there was a concerning rise in property crimes. Efforts to address these issues were discussed, including strategies to reduce crime rates across various categories. In response to inquiries, Zardari was briefed on the fluctuating trends in street crime cases, revealing a slight decrease in March and April compared to January and February. Regarding crime resolution, it was reported that out of 48 street crime cases resulting in 49 fatalities, 27 cases have
Pakistan strongly condemns deadly mosque attack in Herat ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned heinous terrorist attack on a mosque in Afghanistan’s Herat city that resulted in loss of precious lives and injuries. At least six people including imam of the mosque and a three-year-old child were killed in the attack, with local residents, claiming the minority Shia community had been targeted. “The people and government of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to the people of Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families in this hour of grief,” a Foreign Office statement said on Wednesday. “Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including despicable attacks on places of worship,” it added. While no group claimed the attack, the regional chapter of Da’ish is the largest security threat in Afghanistan and has frequently targeted Shia communities. The Taliban government has pledged to protect religious and ethnic minorities since returning to power in August 2021, but rights monitors say they’ve done little to make good on that promise. The most notorious attack linked to Da’ish since the Taliban takeover was in 2022, when at least 53 people – including 46 girls and young women – were slain in the suicide bombing of an education centre. Taliban officials blamed Da’ish for the attack, which happened in a Shia neighbourhood of the capital Kabul. Afghanistan’s new rulers claim to have ousted Da’ish from the country and are highly sensitive to suggestions the group has found safe haven there since the withdrawal of foreign forces. Taliban authorities have frequently given death tolls lower than other sources after bombings and gun attacks, or otherwise downplayed them, in an apparent attempt to minimise security threats.
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been resolved with 43 arrests and 13 fatalities in encounters. Similarly, out of 136 cases involving 174 injuries, 49 cases have been resolved with 114 arrests and nine fatalities in encounters. The Sindh CM highlighted Karachi’s remarkable improvement in the global crime index, dropping from sixth place in 2014 to 82nd in 2024. He juxtaposed Karachi’s crime index of 56.5 with other major cities, emphasising the city’s comparatively ‘lower crime rate’. President Zardari expressed concern over Karachi’s persistent high crime rate despite lacking discernible reasons. Efforts to combat street crime include the revitalisation of the Shaheen Force with 386 deployed motorcycles, bolstering Madadgar-15 with 168 additional vehicles and 120 motorcycles, and proposals for E-Tagging of repeat offenders and the Sindh Smart Surveillance System (S4) project.
President Zardari directed CM Murad to ensure effective execution of the operation against street crime to bolster public confidence. He questioned why police were not targeting markets and individuals involved in the sale of stolen goods, emphasising the need for action and progress reporting. MQM-P leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui praised President Zardari’s focus on Karachi’s law and order, suggesting monthly meetings to enhance citizen trust in the government. Concerning the Kacha area, measures such as the establishment of 107 police pickets along the left bank of the River Indus and efforts to combat kidnapping were discussed. President Zardari instructed the establishment of police pickets on the right bank to cover Shikarpur and Kashmore districts. Regarding dacoit operations, it was reported that 63 dacoits were killed, 120 injured, and 418 arrested, with 469 weapons recovered. President Zardari urged intensified operations against dacoits and severe measures against kidnappers. He instructed the completion of the Karachi Safe City project, fencing/dualisation of the Northern bypass, and development along the River Indus. He directed community engagement to resolve tribal feuds in the Kacha areas. President Zardari directed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to facilitate Sindh Police in acquiring sensitive equipment. Regarding narcotics, coordinated efforts between police, Rangers, and the ET&NC department were emphasised.
COAS, UK counterpart discuss measures to elevate bilateral defence ties further
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GEN ASIM MUNIR THANKS GEN SANDERS FOR HIS SERVICES IN ENHANCING BILATERAL MILITARY TIES RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir met his British counterpart General Sir Patrick Sanders, where the two discussed measures to further elevate bilateral defence relations, the military’s media affairs wing said on Wednesday. In the meeting, which was also attended by CGS-designate of the UK Army General Sir Roland Walker, both sides “discussed matters of professional interest and measures to further elevate bilateral defence relations”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The army chief thanked Gen Sanders, the chief of general staff (CGS) of the UK Army, for his services in enhancing bilateral military ties and felicitated Gen Walker on his nomination as the UK Army’s next CGS, the statement added. COAS Munir and Gen Sanders addressed the opening session of the sixth Pakistan-UK Regional Stabilisation Conference at Islamabad’s National Defence University on Tuesday, the ISPR
said. The UK Army’s CGS-designate also attended the event. The conference is a flagship defence and security dialogue between Pakistan and the UK, held alternately in the two countries, the statement noted. It brings together a “formidable corpus of subject matter experts in diverse domains, including diplomats, defence officials, intellectuals and civil society representatives”. In connection with the conference, a 30-member UK delegation led by Standing Joint Force Commander Major General Tom Bateman was visiting Pakistan from April 29 to May 3, the ISPR said. “During the conference, dele-
gations from both sides will exchange perspectives on global and regional environment and its impact on national security, and regional peace and stability,” it added. The ISPR highlighted that this year, the scope of discussion had been expanded from bilateral to regional issues and that defence officials of both countries were also participating in the conference. In a meeting with COAS Munir last year during his Pakistan visit, the UK CGS had acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He had also called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.
Pakistan faces fiscal pressures after concluding $3b IMF programme g
KEY ISSUE IS COUNTRY’S HISTORIC HIGH INTEREST RATE OF 22%, WHICH HAS CONSUMED AROUND 60% OF BUDGET PROFIT
NEWS DESK
The conclusion of Pakistan’s $3 billion standby arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has coincided with a steep increase in the nation’s budget deficit, reaching Rs4.33 trillion for the current fiscal year’s July-March period. This spike raises concerns over the efficacy of IMF-prescribed policies intended to bolster Pakistan’s economic stability. The Ministry of Finance revealed on Tuesday that despite a primary surplus reaching 1.8% of GDP in the first half of fiscal year 2024—a figure praised by IMF Deputy Managing Director Antoinette Sayeh—the broader economic scenario remains challenging. A key issue is the country’s historic high interest rate of 22%, which has consumed around 60% of the budget. Interest payments alone during this period amounted to Rs5.52 trillion, surpassing the government’s net income by Rs205 billion. This indicates reliance on new borrowing to manage these payments, showing a 54% increase over the previous fiscal year. The high interest rates, which are part of IMF’s strategy to control inflation, have not been as effective as hoped. Inflation rates have been revised to an anticipated 24.8%, and the cost of domestic debt servicing has risen to Rs4.8 trillion in the nine months. However, Pakistan did achieve a primary budget surplus of Rs1.2 trillion, meeting the IMF’s conditions but excluding the large interest payments that exceed total net income, contributing to the country’s escalating debt. Including interest costs, the federal budget deficit climbed to 4.1% of GDP, a 23% increase amounting to Rs803 billion compared to the previous year. Total federal spending also surged by 38% to Rs9.6 trillion, with current expenditures up by 40% to Rs9.3 trillion. Significant rises were also noted in defense spending, which increased by 22% to Rs1.22 trillion. The cumulative burden of debt servicing and defense obligations totaled Rs6.74 trillion, surpassing the government’s net income. The government allocated Rs473 billion for subsidies and slightly reduced development expenditures to Rs322 billion. In a positive turn, non-tax revenues saw a dramatic 95% increase to Rs2.4 trillion, primarily driven by revenue from the petroleum levy which totaled Rs719 billion. Profits from the central bank also remained robust at Rs972 billion. The Federal Board of Revenue reported a 30% increase in tax collection, bringing in Rs6.7 trillion over nine months and raising gross federal revenue receipts to Rs9.1 trillion. Yet, after distributing provincial shares, the net income of the federal government stood at only Rs5.3 trillion, insufficient to cover the soaring interest payments. Sayeh emphasized the importance of continuing reforms, particularly in the energy sector, where Pakistan has made strides in stabilizing circular debt through better tariff management and collection improvements. However, further reforms are deemed crucial for addressing deeper systemic issues and ensuring sustainable economic health.
PTI demands full court minus CJP to hear meddling case ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expressed dismay over the conduct of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) during the Supreme Court’s (SC) proceedings on the issue of meddling by intelligence agencies in judicial affairs and demanded a full court except CJP to hear the matter on a daily basis. Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday along with Gilgit-Baltistan former chief minister Khalid Khursheed and PTI Core Committee member Advocate Abuzar Salman Niazi, PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan said that the meddling in the judicial affairs was a very serious issue but unfortunately a spectacle was staged in the apex court the other day. He demanded that the matter should be heard by full court consisting of the existing judges of the top court to decide the issue as per the constitution and law of the land but
the CJP should disassociate himself from the bench because he could not do justice. Raoof said that the six judges of Islamabad High Court (IHC) penned letter to chief justice to take up the matter of spy agencies’ meddling in judicial affairs in the Supreme Judicial Council but he referred the matter to the executive and prime minister was asked to form a commission to investigate the matter. However, he said that they should not forget that two persons who were implicated one of them was prime minister and other was operatives of intelligence agencies, adding that giving responsibility to an implicated person to constitute commission and appoint its head to look into the matter was in itself a crime in our view, which was committed by CJP. He made it clear that if punitive actions were not taken against the meddling of judicial affairs by operators of spy agencies, the practice could be not reined in come what may. PTI CIS stated that the entire judiciary
was standing on one side about the interfering in judicial affairs, while the CJP on the other side, who always kept on saying that there was meddling in judiciary during his tenure despite the fact that even a common man knew that even today there was a judiciary was infringed upon. Raoof went on to say that the IHC judges’ letter and the high courts’ responses were the indictment and the chief justice should have proceeded the matter as per the constitution; however, he adopted a entirely a different view on the matter, adding that this person was fighting against the entire judiciary. He noted that all the judges were on same page that they should take tangible and practical measures to erect firewall against meddling in judicial affairs in future, but no one could judge as to which side the incumbent Chief Justice was standing at present despite the fact that PHC and LHC also submitted responses regarding meddling in judicial affairs.
About Labor Day, he said that Imran Khan-led government had taken a number of initiatives to make Pakistan a welfare state;
however, unfortunately his dream could not be materialized due to the conspiracy to oust his government.