President Trump
Within hours of taking oath, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders, making clear his administration’s ambitions. Trump has pardoned 1,500 Jan. 6 rioters; withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization; suspended a ban on TikTok; redefined birthright citizenship; and restored the death penalty. He has promised to expand oil-drilling operations.
Kurram Operation
An operation aimed at restoring peace in Kurram district continued into a second day on Monday, with security forces using helicopters to target militant positions. Authorities have imposed a curfew in the affected areas, with several families relocating to ensure their safety. In addition to targeting militants, the operation will seize weapons and demolish bunkers in accordance with a peace agreement.
Faltering Talks
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the PTI to end talks with the government if the demand for judicial commissions into the May 9 and Nov. 26 incidents remains unimplemented. Earlier, PMLN Senator Irfan Siddiqui had urged the PTI to decide whether it wished to negotiate with the government or the establishment, maintaining the process cannot proceed simultaneously on multiple fronts.
Chaos in Supreme Court
Three Supreme Court judges have initiated contempt proceedings against an additional registrar over not fixing a case on the jurisdiction of regular benches. The judges have noted that they had ordered the fixation of the case before them and moving it to the constitutional benches hampered judicial independence. The case points to a widening rift between two groups of judges in the apex court.
Seeking Buyers
The Power Division has informed the National Assembly that provinces appear unwilling to purchase distribution companies, despite intent to privatize three of them—IESCO, FESCO, GEPCO—outright in the first phase of a rightsizing plan. The second phase calls for the privatization of LESCO, MEPCO and HAZECO. Current plans call for the federal government to retain TESCO and QESCO.
Reviving Roads
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the formation of a steering committee to review ongoing work on the construction of highways and motorways in Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan. The premier has similarly directed the repair of all damaged protective fences on motorways within one month. He has stressed on a need to prioritize development work in the country.
Seeking Intervention
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association has urged the Federal Board of Revenue to restore a level playing field for local inputs and ensure timely and full refunds to ensure the industry’s viability. In a letter, the organization has stressed on retaining sales tax exemption on local supplies for export manufacturing, noting its withdrawal incentivizes the informal sector.
Total Debt
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has informed the National Assembly that Pakistan’s total debt, as of June 2024, stood at Rs. 71.3 trillion. Of this, he said, Rs. 24.1 trillion is external debt while Rs. 47.2 trillion is domestic debt. He has maintained that the external public debt will reduce as the government maintains a zero current account deficit and achieves higher growth in foreign exchange earning.
Economic Costs of Anemia
A report published by Nutrition International claims the proliferation of anemia in Pakistan costs the country over $3 billion in lost productivity and human capital annually. Among children aged 6-59 months, 53% suffer from anemia, with 2.8 million new cases reported annually. Pakistan ranks second in South Asia for child anemia prevalence and 39th globally.
No Kites for You
Punjab government imposes total ban on kite-flying ahead of the annual Basant season. In a notification, the provincial home department has warned that anyone found manufacturing, selling or supplying kites will be subject to 5-7 years in prison, fines of up to Rs. 5 million, or both. Kite flyers can face 3-5 years in jail or fines of Rs. 2 million.