Afghanistan Airstrike
The Foreign Office has confirmed Pakistani forces conduct operations in border areas with Afghanistan to protect citizens from terrorist groups. A day earlier, Pakistani fighter jets bombed four suspected terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. Kabul has conveyed a formal protest to Islamabad over the strikes, claiming they were an attempt to create distrust between the two countries.
Civil Disobedience Movement
The PTI has said a civil disobedience call issued by Imran Khan will remain in place despite ongoing talks with the government. In the first phase, Khan has urged overseas Pakistanis to stop sending remittances. He has warned of expanding the movement if the government fails to implement the PTI’s demands for release of all political prisoners and judicial probes into the May 9 riots and Nov. 26 protest.
PTI to Challenge Military Court Rulings
The PTI has announced it will challenge the military court convictions of over 100 people linked to the May 9, 2023 riots and reiterated its call for a judicial probe into the events of May 9. Party Chairman Gohar Ali Khan has also urged the Supreme Court to expedite appeals against a judgment declaring military trials of civilians ultra vires of the Constitution.
Deadline for Talks
The PTI has set Jan. 31 as the deadline for achieving a ‘logical conclusion’ to talks with the government. They have also rejected the impression that Imran Khan wants his freedom through a “deal,” saying he will leave prison once he has proven his innocence. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said talks should not come with deadlines, as they should be all-encompassing and aimed at sustainable solutions.
Tax Shortfall
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has admitted a need to increase tax revenue, as the Federal Board of Revenue requires an additional Rs. 1 trillion by the end of the month to meet IMF requirements. The minister said the government is striving to widen the tax base, adding authorities will now target under-filers who are paying far less than their due share of taxes.
Amending Tax Laws
A Senate panel has unanimously approved the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, paving the way for restrictions on certain economic transactions, including cash withdrawals from banks, to push more people toward becoming filers. During his briefing, the FBR chairman said the tax body is working on an algorithm with banks to set banking transaction thresholds based on declared turnover, income.
Starting the New Year without a Bang
Authorities have enforced Section 144 in Karachi, banning the carrying of firearms, aerial firing and using firecrackers on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. In a statement, the Karachi commissioner said the decision was aimed at preventing injuries and deaths that occur annually on New Year’s Eve, adding the restriction was imposed on the request of the deputy inspector general of police.
Anti-Terror Operations
The military’s media wing has announced that troops have killed 15 terrorists, including a militant commander, in various operations across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. In a statement, the ISPR said a Pakistan Army officer had embraced martyrdom during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan, adding sanitization operations are underway to eliminate any remaining terrorists in the area.
Benazir’s Death Anniversary
The PPP is observing the 17th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, who was slain in a terrorist attack on Dec. 27, 2007. In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described Benazir as a “champion of democracy” and hailed her legacy, particularly the Charter of Democracy inked between her and Nawaz Sharif. He has also offered his respects to her family and her followers for carrying forward her vision.
State Funeral
India has announced seven days of national mourning over the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The government has also announced a state funeral for Singh, adding the national flag will be flown at half-mast. In a mark of respect for Singh, the Indian cricket team took to the ground on Friday with black arm bands.