The Takeaway

Tariff War

The U.S. has imposed reciprocal tariffs on multiple countries, including a 29% tariff on Pakistani goods. President Trump has defended the decision by claiming it will “correct” trade imbalances, noting Pakistan charges a 58% tariff on American goods. Trump has said the U.S. cannot subsidize foreign economies, adding countries should become self-reliant.

No Bar on Jurisdiction

The Lahore High Court has ruled that if a person commits an offense in a foreign country that is also an offense under the Pakistan Penal Code, then they can be tried and convicted in Pakistan for the same offense. The order has noted that just because an individual has been charged in a crime abroad, it does not mean they cannot be charged with the same crime in Pakistan.

Ongoing Infighting

Infighting within the PTI has come to the fore once more, with senior leader Azam Khan Swati alleging corruption on the part of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa speaker and raising questions over recent appointments announced by KP President Junaid Akbar. He has further alleged that Punjab President Alia Hamza is being denied a chance to fulfill her duties.

D-Day for Afghans

Amidst ongoing repatriations, 886,242 undocumented Afghan nationals have voluntarily left Pakistan as of April 1, with Islamabad maintaining there will be no further extension to the March 31 deadline for voluntary departures. With the end of Eid holidays, officials say the government will start to deport undocumented migrants, warning this will hamper their chances of returning to Pakistan later.

Cheap Power

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to unveil a reduction in electricity prices today (Thursday) following approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This is the second time the premier is expected to announce a tariff cut, as he had earlier backtracked from an anticipated announcement of the same on March 23. It remains unclear how minimal or significant the tariff cut will be.

Path to Connectivity

Pakistan’s major telecommunication operators say they do not expect significant competition from Starlink’s satellite-based internet services, as the company’s prices are expected to be beyond the ability of most average Pakistani consumers. However, the companies are demanding a “level playing field,” noting Starlink should not be immune to network shutdowns and restrictions.

Seeking a Deal

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has directed KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and his adviser Barrister Saif to negotiate with the establishment to secure his release. While Gandapur has not spoken to media about the meeting, reports suggest Khan has expressed willingness to find a “middle ground” that will allow him to and his wife to go free in exchange for concessions.

Long March

Balochistan National Party chief Akhtar Mengal has announced his party will commence a long march toward Quetta following the “expiry” of a deadline set for the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders. Mengal has been leading a sit-in against the detentions at Lakpass since March 28 and multiple rounds of negotiation between his party and the government have failed to achieve any resolution.

Defending Crackdown

The Balochistan government has defended its ongoing crackdown against Baloch Yakjehti Committee protests, noting that while peaceful protests are a fundamental right, they cannot supersede public safety and law and order. A spokesperson has lamented that the BYC has consistently refused to adhere to designated venues for demonstrations, hampering authorities’ ability to maintain order.

Confused Narrative

Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani has claimed his party, the Pakistan Peoples Party, has no objections to the Cholistan canals project, in stark contrast to statements from other party leaders in recent weeks. The Sindh Assembly has also passed a resolution condemning the canals project, raising questions about the PPP’s duplicity in tackling the issue that has attracted the ire of Sindhi nationalists.