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IMF BOARD TO DISCUSS PAKISTAN’S $7B LOAN REQUEST ON SEPTEMBER 25 Friday, 13 September, 2024 I | 8 Rabi ul Awwal, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 67 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
COUNTRY HAS OBTAINED REQUIRED FINANCING ASSURANCES FROM DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, SAYS SPOKESPERSON PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed on Thursday that its executive board will meet on September 25 to discuss Pakistan’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). This follows Pakistan’s efforts to meet the lender’s conditions, including raising tax revenue by 40% and increasing energy prices. The country initially expected to secure the deal in August after the IMF approved the 37-month programme in July. During a press briefing, IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack confirmed the board’s upcoming meeting and praised Pakistan’s progress. “We are happy to announce that the board meet-
ing is scheduled for September 25,” she said, adding that Pakistan had obtained
IHC seeks govt’s clarification on whether Imran’s military trial is under consideration ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday sought clarity from the Attorney General of Pakistan regarding the possibility of the potential military trial of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the May 9 cases. Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb made the inquiry while hearing Imran’s petition filed to pre-empt his possible military custody and trial. The petition had been filed last week under Article 199 of the Constitution, according to which a high court may take up a matter when “no other adequate remedy is provided by law”. Advocate Ali Uzair Bhandari appeared as Imran’s counsel, while Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Azmat Bashir Tarrar attended the proceedings as the state counsel on behalf of Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan. Justice Aurangzeb sought clarification from the federal government on whether Imran’s military trial was under consideration and adjourned the hearing till September 16. During the hearing, Justice Aurangzeb questioned the Attorney General’s Office about the possibility of military custody and trial of Khan in cases related to the May 9 riots. The court also summoned Assistant Attorney General Azmat Bashir Tarar to the rostrum. As proceedings began, Bhandari informed the court that top government officials — referring to government spokesperson for legal affairs Barrister Aqeel Malik — stated that Imran would be taken into military custody. “All those are just political statements, nothing else,” Justice Aurangzeb remarked, to which the lawyer replied that if they were political, then formulating his arguments was “easier”. Bhandari highlighted that a “top military official [Gen Sharif] has also given this statement”. To this as well, Justice Aurangzeb replied: “What he said, too, was a political statement.” Imran’s counsel asked the judge to include it in the court order if it was a political statement. Justice Aurangzeb then ordered AAG Tarrar to seek clarification from AGP Awan on the government’s stance on whether or not Imran would be tried under military laws. When the hearing resumed after a short break, the judge reiterated that the government should submit its response to the query by September 16 (Monday). “Ministers have given threats to the PTI founder of a military trial. A civilian’s military trial is a cause of concern for the petitioner and the court,” Justice Aurangzeb observed. In October 2023, a five-member Supreme Court (SC) bench had declared the military trials of civilians arrested in the wake of the May 9 protests to be null and void. However, the widely praised ruling was later suspended by in a 5-1 majority verdict.
the required financing assurances from development partners.
Kozack said that consistent policy measures have helped stabilize Pakistan’s economy, leading to resumed growth, disinflation, and an increase in international reserves. When asked if Pakistan had secured the necessary financing, she confirmed, “Yes.” Earlier, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad stated that over $2 billion in external financing had been arranged from lenders other than the IMF, clearing the “final hurdle” for the loan. He made these remarks during an analyst briefing after the SBP’s decision to cut the policy rate. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also spoke about the progress of IMF negotiations during a federal cabinet meeting, thanking friendly nations for their support and expressing a desire to reduce the country’s reliance on loans.
Federal Cabinet approves plan to boost Gwadar Port’s operations ISLAMABAD
WASHINGTON AGENCIES
The US State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies it said have been involved in supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme. Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry had worked with Pakistan to procure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems and potentially for larger systems. Washington had similarly targeted three China-based companies with sanctions in October 2023 for supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan. “The sanctions also targeted China-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co, alongside Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese national, for knowingly transferring equipment under missile technology restrictions,” Miller said. “As todays actions demonstrate, the United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern, wherever they occur,” Miller said. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington, said: “China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council.” China will “firmly protect” Chinese companies’ and individuals’ rights and interests, he added.
‘Federal subject’: FO rebuffs KP CM’s Afghan talks statement ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Federal Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs directing all the government departments to route 50% of their imports, such as wheat, sugar, and fertilizer, through the Gwadar Port. The prime minister had earlier issued the directives to increase the Gwadar Port operations to ensure development and prosperity of the Balochistan province. He also directed that 50% of all public sector imports should be ensured through the Port. The cabinet, which met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair, also instructed to increase the volume of exports from the Gwadar Port in the future. A sub-committee of the cabinet would be formed to submit a quarterly report on imports and exports through the Port to the cabinet. The cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Communications, approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
US imposes sanctions on suppliers to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme
STAFF REPORT
between Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the issuance of a commemorative postal stamp to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Ministry of Industries and Production presented a report from the Cabinet Committee on Sugar Exports. The cabinet expressed satisfaction that, due to a well-timed decision on sugar exports, the country not only earned valuable foreign exchange, but sugar prices remained stable, and sugarcane farmers were adequately rewarded
for their efforts. The cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, also approved the reconstitution of the Board of Directors of the Korangi Fish Harbour Authority, Karachi. The cabinet instructed that all provinces should be given representation on such government boards. Additionally, the cabinet directed that incomplete boards of government-owned corporations be fully constituted as soon as possible.
The Foreign Office emphasized on Thursday that foreign policy is strictly a federal domain, following comments from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur about initiating a provincial delegation to Afghanistan to discuss security issues. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch reinforced during a weekly briefing that, “Foreign policy is a federal subject, and it is the prerogative of the Government of Pakistan to pursue it.” This clarification came in response to Gandapur’s proposal, which had sparked a rebuke from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in the National Assembly, asserting that provincial governments lack authority in matters of foreign policy. Baloch clarified further that while individuals, including public officials, are free to visit foreign nations in a personal capacity, such travels should not be misconstrued as government-sanctioned missions. “Decisions will be taken in Pakistan’s national interest,” she added, implying that any formal proposal for such a delegation would need federal approval. Additionally, Baloch addressed recent tensions at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, confirming an incident on September 7 where Pakistani forces responded to what she described as “an unprovoked attack” by Taliban forces, resulting in the death of 16 insurgents.
Arrested PTI MNAs share sufferings after arrest from Parliament House ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The ten arrested MNAs of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who were arrested from the Parliament House’s premises in a late-night raid earlier this week were presented in the National Assembly on Thursday after the speaker issued their production orders. A heavy contingent of Islamabad police escorted the members to Parliament House, where they were handed over to the acting Sergeant-at-Arms. A day ago, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq issued production orders for the MNAs in police custody — namely Sher Afzal Marwat (NA-41), Malik Amir Dogar (NA-49), Ahmed Chattha (NA-66), Zain
Qureshi (NA-50), Sheikh Waqas Akram (NA-109), Zubair Khan Wazir (NA-42), Awais Haider Jakhar (NA-182), Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah (NA-33), Nasim Ali Shah (NA-39) and Yousuf Khan Khattak (NA-36). These members are currently in police custody under physical remand. Just after 3 am on Tuesday, plainclothesmen had stormed the Parliament House — disconnecting the power supply and barging into the building’s Services Branch — to whisk away at least 10 PTI legislators. In light of the subsequent outcry by the PTI in the NA, Sadiq suspended five security staff for four months and transferred five officials of the Capital Development Authority — serving in the assembly on deputation — for discon-
necting the building’s power during the ‘raid’. A four-member committee headed by Additional Secretary Iftikhar Ahmad has been constituted to probe security arrangements and the “unauthorised movements” in the parliament. Videos shared by the PTI on social media platform X showed MNA Ali Muhammad Khan — who gave a fiery speech in the NA on Tuesday — receiving his party colleagues. Chants of “Imran Khan” could be heard as the detained lawmakers — including Dogar, Marwat and Qureshi — appeared out of a vehicle. Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah is presiding over the session. Federal Minister Awais Laghari arrived in the House wearing a
mask and revealed during the question period that he was experiencing Covid symptoms but attended out of respect for parliament, although he has not yet undergone testing. Some parliamentarians called for his return, upon which the deputy speaker suggested Leghari to get tested for Covid, and subsequently sent him from the National Assembly session. ‘They booked a dead man with me in FIR,” says Omar Ayub “They are so incompetent that a dead man was booked along with me in a case,” PTI leader Omar Ayub said on Thursday. Talking with media, Omar Ayub, the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, said that after my tweet they altered the FIR.
Imran defends ‘embattled’ Gandapur, disapproves of remarks about journalists Aleema sounds alarm over Imran’s RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Founder on Thursday expressed his disapproval of Gandapur’s comments about the media while defending his speech at Sangjani rally, saying that the KP chief minister’s controversial remarks were made in the heat of the moment. During an informal interaction with journalists in Adiala Jail on Thursday, Khan expressed his disapproval of Gandapur’s comments about the media, acknowledging that Gandapur should not have made such statements. “To me, Gandapur’s comments appeared to be overly zealous and not reflective of his usual stance”, Imran Khan pointed out.
Khan reiterated his support for the media, describing their reporting under the prevailing pressure as a form of jihad. He criticized those calling for Gandapur’s apology, labeling them as cowards unfit for the party, and suggested they should leave if they cannot support Gandapur. “Ali Amin should not have made such remarks”, Khan emphasized. He reiterated that journalists are working under immense pressure, calling their reporting efforts a form of “jihad.” Two days ago, Khan had publicly backed Gandapur, asserting that anyone demanding an apology from him was unworthy of being in the party and should resign. Speaking informally to journalists in Adiala Jail, Khan reaffirmed Gandapur’s representation of national sentiments and
criticized the dissenting voices within the party. Earlier on Sunday, K-P CM while addressing the rally at Islamabad’s Sangjani made severe allegations, labelling journalists as ‘sellouts’ and ‘brokers’. These statements were strongly condemned by reporters. The next day, during a Senate session on Monday, journalists boycotted proceedings in protest against Gandapur’s speech. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar personally approached the journalists to offer an apology. Simultaneously, in the National Assembly, parliamentary reporters also boycotted the session. Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub, accompanied by Barrister Gohar, visited the media gallery to apologise. Journalists however had demanded a direct apology from Ali Amin Gandapur.
safety behind bars LAHORE
MARIAM ZERMINA
Aleema Khan, sister of Imran Khan—former Prime Minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)—has voiced concerns about a potential assassination plot against her brother while he remains incarcerated. She compared the alleged plot to the circumstances surrounding the death of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in 2019. In a recent statement on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Aleema disclosed that the family has been alerted to credible threats aimed at Imran
Khan, mirroring the fate of Morsi, who died under controversial conditions in prison. She highlighted previous attempts on her brother’s life, citing incidents during the tenures of Generals Bajwa and Asim Munir, the latter involving undue control over judicial premises by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Aleema’s revelations extended to claims of ISI’s current dominance at Adiala Jail, where Imran is held. She posed a poignant question to her brother’s supporters and detractors alike: why would such plots be conceived if not to silence him as was done with Morsi?