Deadly Waters
44 Pakistanis are among 50 people who have died while attempting to reach Spain from West Africa. The deaths are part of a pattern of deaths caused by migrants attempting to reach Europe through illegal means in pursuit of a better life. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed strict action against human traffickers, stressing zero tolerance for such criminal activities.
Afghan Territory
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has dismissed speculation that the country is seeking to annex the Wakhan Corridor. In a weekly press briefing, a spokesperson has noted Wakhan is Afghan territory and Pakistan recognizes its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The strategically important region is a narrow strip of land China and Afghanistan and Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Warning to FBR
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned the Federal Board of Revenue that any officers found making cases on weak or false grounds will be penalized. Inversely, he said, officers who lodge cases on merit will be rewarded with special incentives. The prime minister has also reiterated a directive for the FBR to expedite the conclusion of under-trial cases pertaining to tax matters.
Current Account Boost
Data issued by the State Bank of Pakistan has revealed that the country recorded a surplus of $582 million in December 2024, 109% higher than the $279 million surplus recorded in the same month a year earlier. This marks the fifth consecutive month of a current account surplus, with analysts crediting an improved trade balance and higher remittances.
Conflicting Claims
The PTI has claimed its chairman, Gohar Ali Khan, had a positive interaction with Army chief Gen. Asim Munir in Peshawar where “all matters” related to the country’s stability were discussed. However, military sources have said the meeting has been misrepresented. They said the interaction was solely restricted to security concerns in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and there was no political discussion.
Internet ‘Fixed’
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has claimed that a fault in submarine cable AAE-1 has been resolved, ending bandwidth concerns that were causing slow browsing speeds. In a statement, the regulator has claimed the fault was repaired in record time and has thanked the public for its patience while the repairs were underway.
PTI-Government Talks
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee comprising representatives of all coalition partners to review the charter of demands submitted by the PTI to the federal government. In its demands, the opposition party has reiterated its demand for judicial probes into the May 9 riots and Nov. 26 protest, and also sought the government’s “support” for the release of political prisoners.
Suspending MNAs
The Election Commission of Pakistan has suspended the membership of 139 lawmakers for failing to submit their annual statements of assets. The annual exercise often nets various lawmakers, who are then barred from attending parliamentary proceedings until they comply with the legal requirement. The total suspensions include 16 MNAs while the remainder are provincial legislators.
Polio Surge
The National Institute of Health has raised 2024’s tally of poliovirus cases to 73 after detecting the crippling disease in another two children. The numbers were added to last year’s tally because the samples of both children were collected last year. Balochistan remains the worst-hit province with 27 cases; Sindh and KP have 22 cases each; and Punjab and Islamabad have one case each.
Seeking Support
Pakistan has sought France’s support for access to its Green Fund to enable the transition of conventional small vehicles to electric technology to ensure a cleaner environment and savings in oil imports. The move follows the government’s announcement of reduced tariffs for electric vehicle charging stations and simplified regulations for establishing new charging stations.