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Amid ruckus, delays, new MPs take oath in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan assemblies

Members of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and show a portrait of Khan during their oath taking ceremony following their election at the provincial legislature of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly in Peshawar on February 28, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 29 February 2024
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Amid ruckus, delays, new MPs take oath in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan assemblies

  • Ex-PM Khan’s PTI party is in a comfortable position to form KP government for third consecutive terms after sweeping the poll
  • Nationalist parties protest against alleged rigging outside Balochistan Assembly, vow to continue agitation in days ahead 
Updated 29 February 2024
WASIM SAJJAD & SAADULLAH AKHTER

PESHAWAR/QUETTA: Newly elected lawmakers in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces were sworn in on Wednesday after the inaugural session of the legislative assemblies were held in the provincial capitals of Peshawar and Quetta amid ruckus, protests.

Local media footage showed some elected legislators in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could not enter the assembly hall on time since former prime minister Imran Khan’s party workers had clogged the area in celebration of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election performance.

Independent candidates backed by Khan’s PTI party swept the provincial elections in KP by securing more than 90 seats and are expected to form a government for a third consecutive term.

The election in the province was held on 111 general seats after the contest was postponed in two constituencies due to the death of two candidates in them. Khan has already nominated Ali Amin Gandapur to be his party’s candidate to be the province’s new chief minister.

“PTI’s nominated Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur reached Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and welcomed all the members and workers by holding the photo of Imran Khan,” the party said in a social media post while sharing the footage.

Khan has been in prison since last August after being convicted on charges of corruption and divulging state secrets. Speaker of the outgoing KP assembly Mushtaq Ghani administered the oath to the newly elected lawmakers. The assembly session will be followed by protests by Awami National Party (ANP) that only managed to secure one seat in the house and has leveled rigging allegations.

In Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, 57 newly elected members took oath during Wednesday’s session. Five important members of the assembly, including former interior minister Sarfraz Bugti, ex-Balochistan chief minister Jam Kamal Khan and former Senate chairman Sadiq Sanjrani did not come to the assembly to take oath.

Veteran parliamentarian Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai administered oath to the new members as former speaker Jan Muhammad Jamali was absent.

“Voting to elect the speaker and deputy speaker of the house will be held on Feb. 29, 2024, and all members will use their secret ballot of voting for the custodian of the house,” Achakzai said after the swearing-in had taken place.

Pakistan’s election regulator has so far not announced the final results of three provincial constituencies, PB-21 Hub, PB-07 Ziarat and PB-14 Naseerabad.

In Balochistan, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) succeeded in securing a majority of seats in the provincial house of 65 members. Both are engaged in talks to form the next coalition government in Pakistan’s largest province by land, which has been wracked by a low-lying insurgency for the past two decades.

Meanwhile, dozens of protesters from Baloch nationalist parties such as the Hazara Democratic Party, the Awami National Party and the Pashtoonkhwa National Awami Party protested outside the assembly against alleged rigging in the Feb. 8 polls, calling the new assembly “illegitimate.”

“We do not accept this assembly as a legitimate forum and the proceedings of this assembly won’t be considered legitimate,” Asmat Yari, a central council member of the Hazara Democratic Party, told Arab News.

“We have been protesting for the last 20 days and will continue our struggle against election’s mandate theft.”

Topics: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Balochistan PTI Arab News Pakistan

Pakistan attends China’s Indian Ocean forum, seeking blue economy opportunities, regional integration

Updated 11 sec ago
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Pakistan attends China’s Indian Ocean forum, seeking blue economy opportunities, regional integration

  • China has significantly expanded Indian Ocean engagements over past three decades, raising concern in US and India 
  • Over 200 delegates from 20 countries and international organizations participating in 3rd China-Indian Ocean Region Forum
Updated 11 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari virtually attended the 3rd China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Monday, a dialogue Beijing says is aimed at connecting governments, financial institutions and businesses to promote regional integration in the development of the blue economy.

Over 200 delegates from 20 countries and international organizations are participating in the event, which is themed: “Future of the Blue Indian Ocean Development, Practices of the Global South” and taking place from Dec. 15-17.

China says the forum represents its concrete actions in supporting development cooperation for the Global South, with the aim of advancing the Global Development Initiative and driving development for countries in the Global South, particularly nations in the Indian Ocean and small island developing countries. The forum is also meant to be a key driver for the sustainable development of the blue economy.

However, as China has significantly expanded its engagements in the Indian Ocean region over the past three decades, concern has risen among American and Indian strategists that its growing naval presence, together with its use of so-called “debt-trap diplomacy,” might provide it with meaningful military advantages far from its shores.

“Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promote regional marine cooperation and ensuring peace, progress and sustainability in the Indian Ocean region,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said after the president addressed the forum virtually. 

“President stressed the need for collective action to harness the ocean’s potential while addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, pollution, and ecosystem degradation.”

Zardari said Pakistan was ready to partner with all stakeholders to promote marine cooperation and ensure that the Indian Ocean region remained a “bastion of peace, progress, and sustainability.”

Pointing to Pakistan’s efforts to enhance its blue economy, Zardari said it had formulated the National Maritime Policy, launched The Living Indus Initiative, a program by the government of Pakistan and the United Nations to restore the ecological health of the Indus River, and started other initiatives focusing on sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.

The development of the southwestern Gwadar Port under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would transform the port city into a regional connectivity hub to drive trade and maritime economic growth, Zardari added. 

“He praised Pakistan’s partnership with China, under the Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing its role in knowledge exchange, technological advancement and marine conservation,” Radio Pakistan said. 

“The President commended China’s Global Development Initiative and CIDCA’s efforts to embed sustainability in the Forum’s goals. He expressed appreciation for the inclusion of capacity building and island nations in the Forum’s agenda, saying that it aligned with Pakistan’s vision of transnational collaboration and environmental stewardship.”

China has an extensive network of military satellites but just one dedicated military base, and no air cover from land or sea, for Indian Ocean naval deployments.

In its October annual report on China’s military, the Pentagon lists 11 potential Chinese bases on the ocean’s fringes, including Pakistan, Tanzania and Sri Lanka. Those locations reflect Chinese diplomatic and commercial outreach under Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative.

But these have not emerged as hard military assets, with neither a permanent Chinese army presence nor publicly known guarantees of access in a conflict. The Pentagon report notes, in language used for the first time this year, that China still “has little power projection capability” in the Indian Ocean.

Topics: Pakistan China Ties Indian Ocean forum 3rd China-Indian Ocean Region Forum China-Indian Ocean Region Forum

Pakistan stocks cross 116,000 mark as interest rate cut expected today

Updated 38 min 49 sec ago
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Pakistan stocks cross 116,000 mark as interest rate cut expected today

  • Central bank has already slashed interest rates by 700 basis points in four consecutive meetings since June
  • Poll by Topline Securities shows 71 percent participants expect central bank to announce minimum rate cut of 200bps 
Updated 38 min 49 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) smashed past the 116,000 mark during intraday trading on Monday on anticipation that the central bank will slash the interest rate at the monetary policy meeting today, analysts said.

The central bank has already slashed interest rates by 700 basis points (bps) in four consecutive meetings since June, bringing it to 15 percent.

According to a poll by Topline Securities published earlier this month, 71 percent of participants expect the central bank to announce a minimum rate cut of 200bps.

The benchmark KSE-100 index climbed 1,932.63 or 1.69 percent to reach an intraday high of 116,234.43 points at 2:58 p.m. from the previous close of 114,301.80. 

“Anticipation of a sharp interest rate cut together with strong liquidity with mutual funds is driving the market up,” Head of Equities at Intermarket Securities, Raza Jafri, told Arab News. “It is a broad-based increase, with only banks in the red today on fears of higher taxation.”

The upward surge was driven by the anticipation of a “sharp interest rate cut” by the State Bank, boosting economic growth, corporate profitability and strong liquidity in mutual funds fueled by increased investor confidence and higher savings rates.

Pakistani stocks have been performing significantly well this month, closing at record highs multiple times. 

“KSE 100 Index gained 4.83 percent on week-on-week basis making it eight consecutive positive closing, as expectation of interest rate cut in the upcoming monetary policy meeting kept the investor interest robust and continuous buying by mutual funds provided further stimulus to the market,” Topline said in a weekly market review on Friday.

Trade data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics also supports positive investor sentiment as the trade deficit narrowed by 7.39 percent during the first five months (July-November) of the current fiscal year, standing at $8.651 billion, compared to $9.341 billion during the same period last year.

Exports rose by 12.57 percent to hit $13.69 billion, while imports increased by 3.90 percent to $22.342 billion during this period. November’s trade deficit narrowed even further, dropping by 18.60 percent year-on-year to $1.589 billion compared to $1.952 billion in November 2023.

Topics: Pakistan Pakistan Stock Exchange

‘Zero communication’: Gillespie opens up on Pakistan exit

Updated 16 December 2024
AFP
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‘Zero communication’: Gillespie opens up on Pakistan exit

  • Jason Gillespie was appointed Pakistan’s Test coach in April for two years but differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board took their toll
  • The 49-year-old former Australian pacer said he was not informed of decision to remove performance coach Tim Nielsen, also an Australian
Updated 16 December 2024
AFP

BRISBANE: Jason Gillespie said Monday he felt no longer wanted as Pakistan’s Test coach and was left out of major decisions, having quit the post last week.

The 49-year-old Australian former fast bowler was appointed in April for two years but differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took their toll.

Gillespie said he was not informed of the decision to remove performance coach Tim Nielsen, also an Australian.

“Nielsen was told his services were no longer required and I had zero communication from anyone and that was the moment I thought: well, I’m not really sure they actually want me to do this job,” Gillespie told Australian broadcaster ABC in Brisbane.

He added: “For a decision to then be made (about Nielsen) and the head coach doesn’t get a text message, phone call or email about a decision that’s a pretty big decision.

“It just left me thinking well I’m really not sure if the PCB wants me.”

The PCB accepted Gillespie’s resignation, the second in two months after former South Africa opener Gary Kirsten quit as white-ball coach over differences with selectors.

Gillespie had the worst possible start to his coaching stint when Pakistan were whitewashed 2-0 by Bangladesh.

That was followed by an innings defeat against England in the first Test in Multan.

The defeat prompted the PCB to make sweeping changes, removing Gillespie from the selection panel and dropping star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.

Pakistan won the remaining two Tests to seal the series 2-1.

Gillespie refused to join the team for the two-Test series in South Africa starting in Centurion from December 26.

Gillespie said he was upset over the reduction of his role.

“In essence I was basically hitting catches and that was about it on the morning of a game,” he told ABC.

“You want to be able to have clear communication with all stakeholders, including selectors and knowing what the team is as head coach at least a day before the game so you can help plan and prepare the players.”

The exits of Gillespie and Kirsten means Pakistan have now had seven different coaches across formats in the last three years.

Topics: Jason Gillespie Pakistan Cricket Pakistan Cricket Board

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to enhance public security, anti-narcotics cooperation

Updated 16 December 2024
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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to enhance public security, anti-narcotics cooperation

  • Development came after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with Kingdom’s Narcotics Control Director-General Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Qarni
  • Naqvi arrived in Riyadh on Sunday to discuss bilateral ties as both brotherly countries look forward to forging closer economic and defense partnership
Updated 16 December 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the domains of public security and prevention of narcotics smuggling, the Pakistani interior ministry said on Monday.

The statement came after Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Qarni, who heads Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC).

Naqvi arrived in Riyadh a day ago to discuss bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern with Saudi officials as both countries continue to forge closer economic and investment relations.

During their meeting, the interior minister and the Saudi narcotics control official held discussions on enhancing mutual cooperation in narcotics control, according to the Pakistani interior ministry.

“Both sides agreed on more effective measures under bilateral assistance for narcotics control,” it said in a statement. “The Saudi side offered cooperation to Pakistan in providing the latest equipment for drug detection.”

Naqvi visited various sections of the GDNC, where Saudi officials briefed him on the Kingdom’s narcotics control efforts.

“No country can tackle the menace of drugs alone. This has become a shared challenge for the nations of the world,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by his ministry. “Pakistan will continue cooperation with Saudi Arabia regarding anti-narcotics efforts.”

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and cultural ties, and officials from both nations regularly interact with each other in a number of domains.

On Sunday, Naqvi met with the Kingdom’s Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami. He inspected various departments of the state-of-the-art Directorate of Public Security and the Safe City Center.

“During the meeting, it was agreed to activate the joint task force [on public security] between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia soon,” the Pakistani interior ministry said.

Naqvi said that he was glad to see the “excellent” public security mechanism in Saudi Arabia, adding that both sides could benefit from the experience of each other by enhancing cooperation in the field of police training.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi

Policeman killed, anti-polio vaccinator among two injured in northwest Pakistan

Updated 34 min 6 sec ago
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Policeman killed, anti-polio vaccinator among two injured in northwest Pakistan

  • The development came as Pakistan launched a nationwide drive to vaccinate 44 million children
  • Militant groups in Pakistan groups have frequently targeted anti-polio vaccination teams in past
Updated 34 min 6 sec ago
REHMAT MEHSUD

ISLAMABAD: A policeman was killed and two persons, including an anti-polio vaccinator, were injured in separate gun attacks in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, police said on Monday, as the South Asian country launched an anti-polio drive to reach 44 million children.

Polio is a paralyzing disease that has no cure. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five is essential to provide children high immunity against this terrible disease.

The first attack took place in KP’s Karak district, when unidentified gunmen riding motorbikes opened fire on an anti-polio vaccination team, according to KP governor’s spokesman Tariq Habib. The deceased policeman, Mohammad

Irfan, was guarding the vaccinators. The body and the injured vaccinator were shifted to hospital.

“A large contingent of police reached the spot and cordoned off the area and a search operation has been launched there,” Habib said in a statement.

In the Bannu district, Hayatullah Khan, a health official associated with polio program, was shot at by unidentified gunmen as soon as he left home for duty, local police officer Muhammad Ghulam said.

“Khan, who received injuries to his leg, is in stable condition,” Ghulam told Arab News. “Police are investigating whether the attack was carried out by militants as Khan has personal enmity too.”

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the attacks and asked police officials to identify and arrest the perpetrators behind them.

“The chief minister expressed sorrow over the martyrdom of the police officer and assured full financial support to the bereaved family,” his office said in a statement.

Pakistan is responding to an intense resurgence of Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) this year, with 63 cases reported so far. Of these, 26 are from Balochistan, 18 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17 from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched the vaccination campaign, which will continue till Dec. 22. During the drive, polio vaccinators will go house to house in 143 districts to immunize children under the age of five years, according to the polio program.

“Polio is a dangerous disease which can cripple your children for life. In fact, it can be life-threatening,” Sharif said at the campaign launch. “Only two drops [of anti-polio vaccine] can save your children from being disabled forever. Come and let’s protect the future of our and the nation’s children.”

He said the federation and all provinces were jointly fighting this epidemic and God willing, they would eliminate the disease through their collective wisdom and efforts, thanking vaccinators for their efforts to eliminate the virus despite harsh weather and terrain in far-flung areas.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the last two countries in the world where polio remains endemic.

Immunization campaigns have succeeded in most countries and have come close in Pakistan, but persistent problems remain. In the early 1990s, Pakistan reported around 20,000 cases annually but in 2018 the number dropped to eight cases. Six cases were reported in 2023 and only one in 2021.

Pakistan’s chief health officer said on Nov. 10 an estimated 500,000 children had missed polio vaccination during the last countrywide inoculation drive.

Pakistan’s polio program began in 1994 but efforts to eradicate the virus have since been undermined by vaccine misinformation and opposition from some religious hard-liners who say immunization is a foreign ploy to sterilize Muslim children or a cover for Western spies. Militant groups also frequently attack and kill members of polio vaccine teams.

In July 2019, a vaccination drive in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was thwarted after mass panic was created by rumors that children were fainting or vomiting after being immunized. This month, Pakistani authorities postponed a planned anti-polio vaccination campaign in the northwestern Kurram district, citing a fragile security situation after weeks of deadly sectarian clashes in the region.

Public health studies in Pakistan have shown that a lack of knowledge about vaccines, poverty and rural residency are also factors that commonly influence whether parents vaccinate their children against polio.

Ayesha Raza Farooq, PM Sharif’s focal person on polio eradication, said on Sunday that all children up to the age of five must be given polio drops.

“Polio vaccine is completely safe, effective and provided absolutely free of cost,” she added.

Topics: Pakistan Polio Attack on polio team Karak Arab News Pakistan

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