PTI-Government Talks
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has convened an in-camera meeting of committees representing the government and the PTI for Jan. 2. The PTI is set to formally submit its list of demands for the release of all political prisoners and judicial inquiries in the May 9 riots and Nov. 26 crackdown. Both sides have expressed willingness to conclude the process by Jan. 31.
‘No Deal’
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has said he will not strike any “deal” to secure his release from jail. According to his sister, Aleema, the PTI founder has claimed the cases against him are nearing conclusion and he will go free only after courts clear him of all charges. An accountability court is due to announce its ruling in the £190 million reference next week.
Shutting Down Karachi
The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat has announced it will stage sit-ins at 60 locations across Karachi to protest ongoing sit-ins of the Majlis-e-Wahdate Muslimeen (MWM). The MWM maintains it will not end its protests until the government accepts demands of Parachinar residents for the reopening of roads connecting the region to the rest of Pakistan.
Trying for Peace in Kurram
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has said it hopes to finalize an agreement to end weeks-long unrest in Kurram district. A grand Jirga negotiating peace between warring tribes is due to meet today (Tuesday), with authorities claiming to have already achieved consensus on a majority of issues. The government has demanded the tribes demolish private bunkers and relinquish their weapons.
Saudi Stake in Reko Diq
The federal cabinet has approved the sale of a 15% stake in the Reko Diq project to Saudi Arabia. Valued at $540 million, the deal will proceed in two phases, with Saudi Arabia depositing $330 million for a 10% stake as a first step. The Saudi Fund for Development has also pledged $150 million to support the development of mineral resources in Balochistan.
A Deadly Year
A new report has found that 2024 was the deadliest year for security forces in a decade with 685 fatalities and 444 terror attacks. The report has found that 934 terrorists were killed in various operations. It says that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan accounted for 94% of all fatalities and 89% of all incidents nationwide.
Evading Taxes
The Pakistan Business Forum has opposed restrictions the government wants to impose on citizens who don’t file tax returns, claiming the proposed law appears to be against fundamental rights. Rather than penalizing non-filers, the organization has suggested simplifying the tax returns process and restructuring the Federal Board of Revenue.
Privatizing DISCOs
The government has decided to privatize the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company by the end of 2025. Authorities have directed expediting the hiring of a financial adviser for the first phase of the privatization. Timelines based on milestones are to be presented to the SIFC by Jan. 15, 2025.
Polio Resurgence
The total number of polio cases this year has climbed to 68, after the reporting of the 10th polio case from Dera Ismail Khan. Overall, according to the National Institute for Health, 27 cases have been reported from Balochistan; 20 from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; 19 from Sindh; and one each from Punjab and Islamabad. P.M. Shehbaz Sharif has urged authorities to utilize technology to eliminate the disease.
Bridal ‘Gift’
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a welfare program to provide deserving brides with Rs. 200,000 in cash grants to alleviate the financial burdens of marriage. The funds will be distributed during mass wedding events organized by the government. The government is also launching an ‘Orphan Card’ seeking to provided Rs. 5,000/monthly to school-going orphans.