Faiz Hamid’s Indictment
The military’s media wing has announced former spymaster Faiz Hamid has been indicted for misusing his authority, engaging in politics and violating the Official Secret Act. The press release has also pointed to a “separate” investigation over Hamid’s alleged role in the May 9, 2023 riots “at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests,” in an apparent reference to the PTI.
Government, PTI Clash over Islamabad Protest
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub has accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of “ordering” security officials to open fire on PTI supporters during a demonstration in Islamabad last month. Rebutting the allegations, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said the PTI has yet to provide any evidence to substantiate its claims of a “massacre” in the federal capital.
JUIF vs. Government
Efforts to resolve differences over the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024 have yet to yield results, with Maulana Fazlur Rehman consistently accusing the government of deceiving his party. The JUIF has warned it can stage a long march on Islamabad if the bill doesn’t become law, questioning the reasons for the ongoing delay after both houses of Parliament approved the legislation.
HRCP Expresses Concern
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed concern over a “rapid” deterioration in people’s right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the country. The watchdog has urged the state to prioritize people’s right to “decent work” and ensure the protection of fundamental rights of vulnerable groups, including women, religious minorities and persons living with disabilities.
May 9, 2023 Riots Probe
The constitutional bench of the Supreme Court has accepted for hearing a plea moved by PTI founder Imran Khan seeking a judicial commission to probe alleged “state suppression” of his party after the May 9, 2023 riots. The court has directed the PTI’s counsel to justify its plea and cautioned it against seeking to politicize future proceedings.
Pak-U.S. Ties
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed a Senate panel that Pakistan has asked the United States to focus on strengthening bilateral ties and support democratic reforms rather than adopting “unconstructive” resolutions. The ministry further said it has undertaken efforts to engage the U.S. Congress in a more balanced and informed discussion on Pakistan’s development.
Civil Disobedience Movement
The JUIF has announced it ‘disagrees’ with the PTI’s plans to launch a civil disobedience movement if the government does not accept Imran Khan’s demands for release of all political prisoners and judicial inquiries into the May 9 riots and the November protest. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the civil disobedience call “anti-national” and accused the PTI of acting against Pakistan.
More IPPs ‘Settled’
The federal cabinet has approved settlement agreements with another eight Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to reduce the tariff of electricity generated by them. In recent months, several IPPs have alleged harassment and pressure to accept the government’s demands, including through threats of illegal arrests. The government claims all deals are achieved through compromise.
FBR Withdraws Notification
The Federal Board of Revenue has withdrawn a notification barring travelers from possessing more than one mobile phone and restricting the value of items in their luggage to less than $1,200. The notification elicited massive backlash, with critics questioning how officials would determine value of items. They also accused the tax body of seeking to harass travelers through the policy.
Seeking Faster Internet
Journalist moves Lahore High Court, seeking ruling against persistent slow internet speeds and ongoing restrictions to various social media platforms. In his petition, the journalist has argued the executive is violating the public’s fundamental rights by curbing freedom of expression and right to basic needs. Despite ongoing disruptions to internet services, the government maintains it is not throttling services.