IMF puts damper on loan deal, sets new condition for Pakistan

March 16, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan program for Pakistan, has taken a new turn, as the Fund has put forward a new condition before signing a staff-level agreement.

After allegedly fulfilling all prior conditions to unlock the next tranche of a billion dollars, Pakistan is facing another obstacle due to now conditions by international lender.

Finance Ministry officials revealed that the IMF has sought a written assurance of financing from friendly countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by June 30.

Finance Ministry officials said the written assurance must be provided by the executive directors of the respective friendly countries at the International Monetary Fund.

The Finance Ministry along with the Prime Minister Office has become active in obtaining the written assurance from the friendly countries.

The authorities expect to obtain the written assurance soon, the sources said.

Pakistan has completed the implementation of all preconditions set by the IMF, including implosion of Finance Bill 2023 or mini-budget and increasing electricity and gas tariffs.

The Finance Ministry said Pakistan had also agreed with the IMF’s last condition not to take direct loans from commercial banks.

Pakistan and IMF officials have completed negotiations on the revised Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies.

Sources say Pakistan hopes to seek a staff-level agreement approval from the IMF executive board.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan has fulfilled the toughest of IMF conditions, which resulted in burdening the masses.

He also forewarned that there will be more burden on “hardworking Pakistanis” in the days to come in the wake of these conditions.

“I absolutely acknowledge this,” the prime minister had said in an interview to a private TV channel, about the tough days ahead, adding Pakistan will sign the staff-level agreement within a few days.

The premier said when he came to power, he and his coalition partners were aware of the economic situation of the country, as it was on the brink of a default.

Amid a standoff on an agreement between the IMF and Pakistan, the American currency gained 85 pasias to reach Rs282.85 against the rupee at the closing time of interbank trading on Wednesday.

The IMF review dates back to August 2022 and was signed by the then finance minister Miftah Ismail, and the then acting governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Murtaza Syed.

Pakistan had also slashed all subsidies that were untargeted, including electricity subsidy to exporters; and removed the cap on the US dollar with a market-based exchange rate to meet IMF conditions.

Ishaq Dar then assumed charge as the finance minister at the end of September 2022, and on October 6 announced the resumption of the electricity subsidy to exporters.

The federal government announced a Kissan Package at the end of October last year that offered cheaper inputs and credit to farmers without clear policy.

In February this year, the government slashed the subsidy on electricity for the export sector as well as farmers will end from March, while a subsidy of Rs12.13 per unit on electricity will be returned to the export sector.

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Gilgit-Baltistan police chief removed for ‘deploying force at Zaman Park’

Our Correspondent

March 15, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday appointed Dar Ali Khan Khattak, a Grade 20 officer, as the new inspector general of police (IGP) of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Sources say the government made this decision so the GB police personnel, allegedly deployed at Zaman Park, could be withdrawn.

The authorities took a decision to call back Gilgit Baltistan allegedly deployed at Zaman Park.

The GB police force is allegedly deployed at Zaman Park in Lahore to protect PTI chief Imran Khan against his possible arrest.

Previously, Wazir Saeed was serving as the GB police chief.

The Establishment Division issued a notification for the removal of Mr Saeed. He has been asked to report to the division.

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday alleged that Gilgit-Baltistan police force has been deployed at Zaman Park to attack the Punjab police over trying to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.

The minister said this in a presser that comes as clashes between PTI workers and law enforcement agencies intensified for the second day.

As per latest updates, the operation has been suspended on the Lahore High Court (LHC) orders.

Marriyum claimed that Imran wanted ‘anarchy and chaos across the country’, adding that the incumbent government had nothing to do with his arrest. She furthered that if the government wanted to arrest him, they had state powers in place, as well as the “same powers Imran used to jail his political opponents”.

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IHC orders lower court to decide on Imran’s plea for suspension of arrest warrants

Tanzeel Ahmed

March 15, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday ordered to submit the undertaking duly signed by PTI chief Imran Khan in a verdict it had reserved on the PTI’s plea seeking suspension of arrest warrants issued against Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.

The IHC ordered Imran Khan to approach the sessions court for suspension of warrants and ordered the lower court to issue a verdict in line with the Constitution after the submission of the undertaking. If the trial court was convinced by the undertaking, it would suspend the warrants, the court remarked.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq had taken up a petition filed by the PTI legal team.

Earlier in the day, PTI lawyer Khawaja Harris took to rostrum after the chief justice wrapped up hearing of another case and pleaded him for early hearing of his petition. The IHC chief justice remarked the PTI petition was yet to be fixed for hearing. He said the court had provided relief to Imran Khan when it suspended the arrest warrants till March 13 and directed him to appear before the trial court.

‘The ongoing situation is a consequence of not implementing the court orders,” the chief justice remarked while hinting at the tense situation in Lahore where police and PTI workers are engaged in violent clashes amid possible arrest of Imran Khan.

Later, the chief justice removed the objections raised by the registrar office on the petition regarding signature and biometric of the PTI chief. Justice Farooq directed the PTI lawyers to address the objection regarding tickets in half an hour.

The petition was filed after a heavy contingent of the Islamabad and Punjab police as well as paramilitary troops reached Zaman Park in Lahore to arrest the PTI chief.

Earlier this week, a district and sessions court in the federal capital had directed the authorities concerned to produce Imran Khan before it for indictment on March 18 as he has skipped it four times.

The Punjab capital is again seeing violent clashes between the PTI protesters and law enforcers since morning after the intermittent overnight violence as the LEAs resumed their push to take Imran Khan into custody. The protesters pelted the security official with stones while police resorted to tear-gas shelling and water cannons to disperse the PTI workers who are determined to block the arrest of their leader.

Meanwhile, the PTI leaders have moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) to secure protective bail for Imran Khan.

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Islamabad welcomes Divvy Film Festival

Sara Maqsood

March 15, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The Divvy Film Festival — an annual festival that aims to expand and celebrate independent Pakistani cinema — is set to kick off in Islamabad on March 17 at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) following the completion of festival in Lahore and Karachi.

The much-anticipated festival has been organised by the Foundation Art Divvy in collaboration with PNCA. The foundation works to provide a platform at an institutional level — locally and internationally — for Pakistani arts and film.

The programme of films had been split among Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

Now in its third year, the festival includes feature films, short films, documentaries and animated movies which will run each evening and will be curated to create a thoughtful and immersive experience for its viewers, ending with a discussion with the film directors.

The films to be screened at the festival will cover a multitude of themes including human stories of love and heartbreak, coming of age, finding oneself, climate change, the trauma of loss, as well as the joy of ordinary and unexpected moments.

“They tap into experiences and memories within us and highlight the hero within us all,” said Zahra, the creative director of Foundation Art Divvy.

Some prominent names whose films will be run through the festival include documentary filmmaker Mahera Omar, actor Usman Mukhtar, and Sarmad Khoosat among others.

The event will conclude with an award ceremony after the screenings are completed.

At least 16 films were showcased at the Divvy Film Festival in Karachi during the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) at the Beach Luxury Hotel from February 17-18.

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Imran issues call to action amid pitched battle between police, PTI workers at Zaman Park

Asifa Farhat

March 14, 2023

LAHORE: A heavy contingent of the Islamabad police on Tuesday had a clash with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and supporters outside party chief Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence.

A number of people gathered on Canal Road despite obstructions put up by police hours earlier. The police team from the capital city reached Lahore to arrest Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. Police and the public clashed on Canal Road as a result of which some people were taken into custody and officials had to resort to baton-charge, water spray and tear-gas shelling.

Punjab government also called Punjab Rangers to arrive at Mr Khan’s residence which was responded to by a fleet of Rangers comprising four vehicles reaching the destination.

After issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI chief Imran Khan in Toshakhana case, a team of Islamabad police on Tuesday reached Lahore to get the court orders implemented. Police brandished the court order and warned people against creating law and order situation.

Speaking to reporters, DIG Operations Shahzad Bokhari, who was clad in riot gear, said the team had arrived to arrest the PTI chief. He said police had warrants for the arrest of Imran Khan who failed to appear before the court. Reports said the DIG was injured amid the police’s clash with the PTI activists who pelted stones. He was later shifted to the hospital for treatment.

Earlier, a police armoured vehicle also reached Zaman Park at noon. On the other hand, activists of the PTI started gathering over there. Soon after reaching Lahore to get the arrest warrants implemented, the capital police had a consultative meeting with Lahore CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana. The meeting mulled various options to arrest the PTI chief.

They said consultations had been completed and plan finalised to confront any possible reaction by the PTI leaders and workers. A list of local PTI leaders and activists has been prepared. The Lahore police said any effort to obstruct law-enforcement agencies would be dealt with sternly. Sources further said the Islamabad police would contact the security officer of PTI chief Imran Khan.

The official Twitter handle of the PTI also asked the party supporters to reach Zaman Park.

The Islamabad court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan in the Toshakhana and judge threat cases over his continuous skipping of court hearings.

Imran asks public to continue struggle even if he is arrested or killed

PTI chief Imran Khan in a short address to people said the police had arrived at his residence to arrest him. “They think that my arrest will snooze the public but you have to prove them wrong”, he added. He was fighting for the people, he said, as he had always done. He maintained that whether they arrested him or killed him, people had to continue the struggle.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi wants police to furnish arrest warrants before arresting Imran

PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Tuesday the police should furnish arrest warrants so that the party might consult with PTI chief Imran Khan, and asked the police to stop using force on PTI activists that gathered outside Mr Khan’s house.

Speaking to the media outside Mr Khan’s residence, he said Mr Khan might surrender himself to avert bloodshed, adding that the police had an agenda of bloodshed. “The party is ready for holding negotiations with the police over the matter,” he added. He reiterated that the police should meet him. The police wanted to use force, he said, to thwart the way to elections in the province.

He went on to say that Mr Khan would not surrender until the party completed its consultations. On another occasion, he said today’s (Tuesday) arrest was illogical and added that Mr Khan was on protective bail.

PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said the party had approached the IHC to challenge Mr Khan’s arrest warrants. Taking to Twitter, he shared a picture of the signed file showing that the court had taken up the plea for hearing and wrote, “IHC will hear the plea shortly”.

However, the court rejected the party’s plea to take it up for hearing today (Tuesday) and fixed it for hearing on Wednesday.

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FIA arrests another suspect of Italy boat wreck in Gujrat

Mehtab Cheema

March 14, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has made a major breakthrough in the investigation of the Italy boat accident case, as it claimed to arrest the brother of the main accused in Gujrat.

FIA officials have arrested Obaidullah, the brother of the main accused Afaq, in a recent operation in Gujrat.

According to FIA sources, Obaidullah was involved in the financial aid, receiving money from Pakistan and sending it to his brother, who was residing in Libya.

The FIA stated the money was being used to fund the illegal transportation of migrants from Pakistan to Europe, including the ill-fated boat journey that resulted in multiple fatalities.

At least seven Pakistani citizens lost their lives, while 16 survived the unfortunate accident in the migrant shipwreck on the southern Italian coast on February 26, as the overall death toll from the tragedy rose to 62.

A sailboat, carrying 180 to 200 migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia and several other countries to Europe, crashed into rocks amid stormy weather near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort on the eastern coast of Calabria.

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US working to address Pakistan’s economic issues: Donald Blome

Nuzhat Aftab

March 14, 2023

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Tuesday said that Washington not only wants Islamabad to find a way out of the difficult times but was also putting efforts to sort out the economic problems faced by the nation.

While speaking after attending a ceremony in the federal capital, the US ambassador said that Washington was working to find a solution to Islamabad‘s serious economic issues in all fields.

Blome said that the stalled International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme — which is being negotiated between the Pakistani authorities and the Fund since early February — is also a part of the same effort.

Pakistan and US had recently completed high-level trade and investment negotiations in Washington, he said, adding senior-level energy, security and climate change negotiations — as a follow-up of the Geneva talks — were taking place this week.

Bloom said Islamabad was facing human rights challenges like other countries and that it had to deal with these [challenges]. “The US considers Pakistan its partner and will continue to support the country in the field of security,” added the ambassador.

According to a The News report, Pakistan has approached the US seeking its help to secure “lenient treatment” from the Washington-based lender amid a delay in signing the staff-level agreement (SLA).

The IMF has asked Pakistan to get confirmation on external financing needs of $6 to $7 billion from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and multilateral creditors to fill the gap till the end of June 2023.

After failing to convince the lender, Islamabad is left with no option but to seek help from Washington and its western allies, in order to secure a “lenient treatment” from the IMF for moving towards the staff-level agreement.

The report stated that Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar had established contacts with the US diplomatic corps, based in Islamabad, and made requests to help end the lingering stalemate with the help of the US Treasury Department.

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World Bank committed to Pakistan’s long-term development: Martin Raiser

Our Correspondent

March 14, 2023

NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan held a meeting with World Bank’s Vice President for the South Asia Region Martin Raiser in Washington D.C to advance cooperation between Pakistan and the World Bank in the development and climate response sectors.

The Ambassador thanked World Bank for contributing two billion dollars towards flood recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction during International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan in Geneva which would cover support for housing, water and agriculture, social protection and health, among others.

He said that the World Bank has been a resolute development partner of Pakistan.

Masood Khan requested the Bank for additional financing and assistance for health related projects, especially to address the issue of water-borne diseases in the flood affected areas.

He also solicited Bank’s support in transitioning from adaptation and mitigation to building resilience. He said that Pakistan is committed to ensuring transparent and effective mechanism for disbursement of funds for the flood affectees.

Masood Khan said establishment of an International Partners Support Group (IPSG) would soon be announced for this purpose.

He also thanked the Bank for releasing around 1.2 billion dollars of committed funds for various ongoing projects in Pakistan.

Martin Raiser said that World Bank remains committed to Pakistan’s long-term development with emphasis on transitioning to renewable energy especially hydro and solar power.

Appreciating the existing cooperation between the Bank and the relevant agencies of Government of Pakistan, he said that this cooperation would be optimized in the years to come.

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Islamabad court suspends Imran Khan’s arrest warrants in judge threat case

Tanzeel Ahmed

March 14, 2023

ISLAMABAD: District and Sessions Court in the federal capital suspended the non-bailable arrest warrants of PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in woman judge threat case.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Islamabad Faizan Haider Gillani suspended the warrants till March 16 after Imran Khan challenged the decision of a district and sessions court. A legal team comprising Advocate Naeem Haider Panjutha and Advocate Intizar Haider Panjutha represented the PTI chief in the case.

Senior Civil Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI chief Imran Khan over his continuous skipping of court hearings. The case against the former prime minister was registered on Aug 20, 2022, with the Margalla police station in the federal capital over his remarks at a rally in F9 Park where he warned Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and police higher-ups of dire consequences for what he called their ‘biased’ attitude towards his party.

Imran alleged that Judge Zeba knew that incarcerated party leader Shahbaz Gill was tortured, but she did not release him on bail. The former premier was booked in a terrorism case on the complaint of Islamabad Saddar Magistrate Ali Javed for threatening the additional sessions judge.

The hearing was presided over by Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim who instructed police to arrest the ousted premier and present him before the court by March 29. The judge added that the court would hear arguments on a petition seeking Imran’s dismissal from the case during the next hearing.

A district and sessions court in the federal capital on Monday restored the arrest warrants issued against PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal announced the verdict reserved earlier in the day after hearing arguments from the PTI chief’s lawyer. The judge turned down his exemption plea and ordered the authorities to produce the suspect before court on March 18.

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SCP to pronounce verdict in Punjab, KP polls’ date case at 11am on Wednesday

Palwasha Mustafa

February 28, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Tuesday reserved verdict in the suo motu case taken up to determine who has the authority to announce a date for the elections. The verict will be announced at 11 am tomorrow (Wednesday).

A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Shah and Justice Mandokhail will pronounce the verdict on Wednesday at 11am.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial thanked all the lawyers for assisting the apex court throughout the hearing.

“I cannot say when will we be back [to announce the verdict],” the CJP added.

Earlier today, the court directed the political parties – both in power and opposition – to sit together to work out the date for the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections.

The apex court directed PTI leaders Shireen Mazari and Fawad Chaudhry to hold consultation with party chairman, Imran Khan, and legal team of the ruling coalition to consult with their leaders on the election date.

The latest directive was issued after the three ruling parties – PML-N, PPP and JUI-F – withdrew the plea seeking formation of the full bench to hear the suo motu case following the recusal of four judges from the bench. While withdrawing the petition, Farooq H Naek said the ruling partners did not want to pursue the plea.

Justice Mansoor remarked the political parties should think about the country instead of indulging in the legal battle.

Previously, the case was being heard by the nine-member bench but it split on Monday into a five-judge bench after four judges – Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah – recused themselves from hearing the case.

At the outset of the hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Barrister Shehzad Ata Elahi raised objection about Islamabad Bar Council lawyer Abid Zuberi, saying his name was removed from the previous order of the top court. CJP Bandial remarked that an order became a decree when it was signed by the judges. He then allowed Mr Zuberi to submit his arguments.

At one point during the hearing, Justice Mandokhail asked if the governors and president were bound to take advice from the cabinet in the matter. “Can they announce the date for polls on their own?” he questioned.

The chief justice observed there was no need to take an advice when a person had a discretionary authority.

The CJP then inquired, “Who can issue the notification of dissolving the assemblies?” Abid Zuberi said the law secretary had issued the notification to dissolve the assembly. He said the apex court had declared in the past that elections were to be held within 90 days.

Meanwhile, Justice Mandokhail commented on the authority of the president to issue the date for elections, remarking that the Article 48 of the Constitution explained that every action of the president should be based on the recommendation of the government. At this, the CJP remarked: “This means that the announcement of the date for polls will be on advice of the government”.

However, Abid Zuberi argued that the governor had the authority to dissolve the assemblies. When the CJP asked, “Who will then issue the notification of the dissolution of assemblies?”

The lawyer said the governor had to issue a notification of dissolution of the assembly on the advice of the chief minister. He said the assemblies automatically stood dissolved within 48 hours of sending the advice whether the summary was signed by the governor or not. In this case, the notification of the dissolution was issued by the law secretary and not the governor, he said.

Justice Mandokhail observed that the government could still ask the governor for giving a date for elections today as per the Constitution. Justice Shah asked whether the president could refuse to approve an advice of the governments.

In the previous hearing, the PML-N, the PPP, the JUI-F and other parties raised objection against two judges of the nine-member bench of the apex court, saying a full bench should be made to hear the case.The ruling coaltition has also submitted an application seeking formation of the full bench case.

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