PTI-Government Talks
The PTI and the government are set commence dialogue to resolve political tensions under the mediation of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. Despite the talks, the opposition party has yet to withdraw its call for a civil disobedience movement it launched on Dec. 22. The threat has drawn backlash from government officials, who note negotiations cannot come with preconditions.
Kurram Unrest
Prolonged road closures in Kurram have resulted in severe shortages of essential commodities, including food and medicine. The Edhi Foundation has claimed 50 children have died over the past month due to a shortage of medical facilities. The provincial government denies such reports, maintaining citizens have access to all essential commodities, particularly medicine.
Balochistan Population
The Balochistan government has dedicated December to family planning and reproductive health. An official of the Population Welfare Department has said the government aims to provide information to the public about the negative aspects of rapid population growth. He has noted that last year’s census showed the highest population growth in Balochistan of all of Pakistan’s provinces.
PSX Stabilizes
After several days of bearish sentiment, the Pakistan Stock Exchange has returned to the bullish market that dominated much of this year. The benchmark KSE-100 index soared to more than 112,000 points at opening on Monday, up from the previous session’s close of 109,000 points. Experts attribute the ‘correction’ to political calm, as the PTI and the government proceed toward talks.
FBR Sets Sights on Under-filing
The chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue has denied reports the government plans to further increase tax rates to make up a revenue shortfall. Rashid Langrial has noted a revenue shortfall of Rs. 1,200 billion in income tax alone, blaming the top 1% of earners for under-filing. He warned the government will undertake stringent measures to ensure tax compliance, including sealing businesses.
Tackling Polio
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has announced it will not issue birth, death and marriage certificates to families who refuse polio vaccinations for children in their household. The new policy aims to enhance vaccine acceptance rates, as the country witnesses a new surge in poliovirus cases. The province has reported 18 new cases of the disease this year out of 64 nationwide.
Verdict Delayed
An Accountability Court set to announce the verdict in the £190 million reference against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra has notified the PTI of a delay. Last week, the court completed the trial and said it will announce the verdict on Dec. 23. The PTI has alleged the delay is an attempt by the state to manipulate the judiciary and secure a favorable verdict.
Army vs. Terrorism
Chief of Army Staff Gen. Asim Munir has reiterated a vow to eradicate terrorism, its enablers and financiers from Pakistan. In an address to troops in South Waziristan, he stressed on national unity to tackle prevailing challenges. He also described martyrs as a source of pride for the country, noting Pakistan and its citizens will not forget their sacrifices.
E.U. Concerns on Military Trials
The European Union has expressed concern over the sentencing of 25 civilians by military courts. In a statement, it has said the verdicts are ‘inconsistent’ with Pakistan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It has noted that to continue availing the E.U.’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, Pakistan must implement 27 international core conventions.
Champions Trophy Neutral Venue
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the U.A.E. as a ‘neutral’ venue for India’s matches during the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. The successful conduct of the tournament was previously uncertain, as India had refused to tour Pakistan. Under a new hybrid model, India and Pakistan will both play matches at neutral venues through 2027 for tournaments hosted on each other’s soils.