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Rs 50.00 | Vol XIV No 334 I 36 Pages I Islamabad Edition
PAKISTAN’S ATTENDANCE UNCERTAIN TO MAINTAIN ‘NEUTRALITY’ ‘UKRAINE PEACE SUMMIT’
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DELEGATIONS FROM 50 COUNTRIES EXPECTED TO ATTEND SUMMIT TO BE HELD ON JUNE 15/16
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
AKISTAN is likely to skip the Ukraine Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland on June 15 and 16 as part of its efforts to maintain “neutrality.” Countries from the so-called Global South, including Pakistan have been invited to the summit while Russia, a key player in the conflict has not been extended an invitation. Delegations from as many as 50 countries are expected to attend the upcoming Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland, with the neutral Swiss government aiming for a broad-based turnout, including from the
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SUMMIT AIMS TO PAVE WAY FOR PEACE PROCESS, ITS EFFECTIVENESS REMAINS UNCLEAR WITHOUT RUSSIA’S PARTICIPATION
Global South. It is the first time Islamabad has been extended an invitation to such an international conference on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. At the weekly briefing last week, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch had confirmed that Pakistan was invited to the summit, saying the invitation was under consideration. According to diplomatic source, the summit faces a significant hurdle: the absence of Russia, a key player in the conflict. This absence, along with ongoing diplomatic pressure from Western powers, has put Pakistan in a delicate position, leaving its attendance uncertain, he added.
Legal action against PTI over social media hinges on FIA probe: Tarar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday that the government will decide whether or not to take legal action against the PTI founder once the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) completes its inquiry into the controversial post on social media. Speaking to a private news channel on Sunday, Tarar said, “The FIA inquiry is a serious one and If we need to pursue legal action then we will do it once it is complete.” Tarar added that legal action against the PTI has not been discussed in cabinet, but said, “In my understanding, legal action can happen in cases like this. We will act according to the outcome of the inquiry.” Asked whether the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 had provisions against incitement to mutiny, Tarar said, “I believe there are legal grounds [to prosecute the PTI]. Statements encouraging an attack on our country’s integrity and sovereignty should not
be allowed.” “There is a big difference between statements and actions,” Tarar continued. “When Nawaz Sharif was removed from office, he made a comparison to 1971 only once […] it was a one-off. “Imran Khan’s followers have created this narrative of Khan Nahi tou Pakistan Nahi (No Pakistan without Imran Khan) after a pattern of statements and actions. On Saturday, the FIA summoned PTI leaders – Barrister Gohar and Omar Ayub and party spokesperson Raoof Hasan regarding the “misuse” of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan’s X account for disseminating incendiary content against state institutions. On May 26, Imran’s official account shared a video along with a quote attributed to him: “Every Pakistani should study the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report and get to know who was the true traitor, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.” The video argued that the former military dictator was the one re-
sponsible for the country’s breakup, referring to alleged atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during the civil war. The video also interspersed images of the current civilian and military leadership, alleging they stole the party’s mandate in the general elections. The federal information asserted that the PTI created political instability and they had staged sitins in the past, claiming that messages to burn Jinnah House or the statues of our martyrs are not a oneoff thing. “This is the culimination of years of harmful statements and messages. This is a full-blown campaign,” he added. Asked whether the federal government would entertain former president Arif Alvi’s offer to negotiate a truce, the information minister accused the PTI of “saying one thing then doing another”. “Raoof (Hassan) disowned the PTI’s social media team, but Imran praised them,” Tarar said. “They say one thing and do another. They have not made up their minds about negotiation.
scrutiny in closing findings based on proposed corrective actions rather than actual evidence, deviations from established procedures, and a severe understaffing in the Flight Standards Directorate. Despite these issues, no major safety concerns were identified in the airworthiness or personnel licensing and training organizations, which were found to be appropriately staffed. Fly Jinnah, one of the air carriers assessed, was noted for needing improvement in record keeping and management of findings. The PCAA presented a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) on May 6, 2024, and elaborated on the steps taken to address the identified issues during a hearing before the EU Air Safety Committee on May 14, 2024. Notably, the PCAA increased the number of qualified inspectors from one to nineteen in the Flight Standards Directorate, established a Quality Control section in each department, and created a central Quality Assurance department. Fly Jinnah detailed its current
operations and the measures taken to address quality management system flaws, including the use of software tools for various operational functions and outsourcing key activities to Air Arabia. The EU Air Safety Committee in its report stated that continuous monitoring of the safety situation in Pakistan is essential. “Regular technical meetings in Brussels and progress reports from the PCAA will be part of this ongoing oversight,” the EU report said. The Committee also emphasized the need for the Pakistani government’s continued support and leadership stability within the PCAA. For now, the EU has decided not to lift the ban on Pakistani air carriers, urging Member States to continue verifying compliance through ramp inspections. The Commission warned that any revelation of imminent safety risks could prompt further action, underscoring the critical nature of maintaining international safety standards.
EU refuses to lift ban on Pakistani air carriers including PIA KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
The European Union (EU) refused to lift the ban on Pakistani International Airlines (PIA), elaborating on that no grounds found for amending the current list of air carriers banned from operating within the Union, including Pakistani airlines. This decision comes after a comprehensive review meeting of the EU Air Safety Committee, which involved an on-site evaluation of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and sample assessments of Pakistani air carriers Fly Jinnah and Airblue Ltd. The on-site assessment, conducted between November 27 and 30, 2023, focused on the PCAA’s role and responsibility in safety oversight. Although the PCAA demonstrated adherence to international safety standards and was staffed by technically skilled professionals. However, the on-site assessment team identified several shortcomings, including insufficient
He, however, said that Pakistan was likely to skip the peace summit as part of its efforts to maintain “neutrality.” Pakistan’s Balancing Act: Pakistan has adopted a carefully crafted policy of neutrality throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict, refusing to condemn the Russian invasion while also offering humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. This stance reflects Pakistan’s desire to maintain good relations with both Russia and the West, particularly in light of its strategic partnership with China, a close ally of Russia. However, the West has reportedly pressured Pakistan to take a more pro-Ukraine stance, and the absence of Russia at the summit further complicates matters. China’s decision to skip the summit, citing Russia’s absence, adds another layer of complexity, as Pakistan often takes cues from Beijing on key international issues. A History of Diplomatic Tightrope Walking: Pakistan’s dilemma is rooted in its long-standing balancing act between the East and West. The former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow during the invasion, which contributed to his ouster, underscored the sensitivity surrounding Pakistan’s ties with Russia. Global South Participation Key: The summit organizers, led by the Swiss government, are actively seeking participation from the Global South to foster a wider dialogue on peace in Ukraine. Countries from South America, Africa, and the Middle East have confirmed their attendance, but the final list of attendees is likely to be fluid until the last minute. The Uncertain Future: While the summit aims to pave the way for a peace process, its effectiveness remains unclear without Russia’s participation. Pakistan’s decision on whether to attend will likely be influenced by a combination of factors: its commitment to neutrality, pressure from Western powers, and China’s stance. The outcome of the summit and its potential impact on the conflict will be closely watched by the international community.
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IMF expresses concern as govt fails to make portal for displaying MPs, officials’ assets ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The IMF has reportedly expressed its grave concern over the federal government’s failure to create a portal as it was bound by an agreement to display the assets of ministers, lawmakers, and bureaucrats through it. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in an attempt to eliminate corruption in Pakistan, has proposed taking stern anti-graft measures in the next budget and strictly demanded yet again that the assets of public office-holders should be made public. According to sources, the government had prepared a pro forma for its officers on the instructions of the global lender. Banks are obliged to take information about assets from government officials while opening their new accounts. Earlier, the Federal Board of Revenue had started publishing a directory of taxpayers including lawmakers but the step was later discontinued. A day earlier, the government approved the next fiscal year’s economic growth target at 3.6% and an overambitious inflation target of 12% — meaning Pakistan will witness the third consecutive year of stagflation. IMF Pressure for Anti-Corruption Measures: The Washington-based lender has made clear that taking serious anti-graft measures is essential for the next budget. This includes the long-overdue public asset disclosure, which the fund considers crucial for restoring public trust and attracting foreign investment. The IMF’s concern stems from Pakistan’s long history of corruption, which has undermined economic development and deterred investors.
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