EDITORIALS

• Imran Khan has made controversial statements, first against a lady magistrate and then against Islamabad’s DIG and IG, and more recently, against the army when he said “Zardari and Nawaz Sharif are scared of polls and they want an army chief of their choice”. He further said in his address at Faisalabad that the new army chief should be appointed on merit. Imran Khan’s statement has literally become the talk of town across the country. The army spokesman, expressing anger, said, “Such statements have triggered resentment across army, all cadres of army.” It is sad that army leadership is being made controversial at this juncture. Such controversies over appointment of army chief would do no good to the state and even to the army. Even President Alvi, who hails from Imran Khan’s party, has sought clarification from Imran Khan on his statements. Country’s political leadership has also expressed displeasure at such statements from Imran Khan. We are of the view that it would be better if politicians do not drag institutions into politics. Though institutions are not “untouchable”, we should have the right attitudes about them. At the same time, institutions too should remain within their limits. (Edits- Pahenji, Sept.6, Jehan Pakistan, Naibaat, Nawaiwaqt)  

• Only talks and assurances are not enough in current conditions across the country. Something also needs to be done on the ground. Something concrete is also imperative to convey the government’s sense of concern for people. Maybe some relief and rehabilitation works have started in some flood-hit parts. But from statements from the PM, he seems to be giving the impression as if rescue operations have been completed across the country and rehabilitation works are in progress. This will send out a message to affected people that they are on the verge of dying out of starvation and rulers are giving priority to rehabilitation works. The emphasis of federal and provincial government at this juncture should be on relief and rescue work. (Kawish, Edit, Sept.6)  

• If we find Sindh people in agitated mode with authorities everywhere, if we find peoples’ patience running out everywhere, we need to understand the reasons behind peoples’ mood. When people see their children and family members starving, their families dying from diseases and for want of water, how can we expect these people to be in the right senses? The life of Sindh people is now reduced to being a big tale full of sorrows. These days, Sindh people are frowning on PPP leaders on their faces. People did not spare even Imran Khan when he visited Sukkur and asked him: “Where were you when Sindh was drowning?”  Another major problem for Sindh people is they are running short of land to bury their near and dear especially as they find knee-high or shoulder high waters around them. It makes a very touching scene when we find them carrying bodies of their near and dear in search of places to bury them; at times they have to go to higher places above wet lands in search of some dry patch of land for burial. We get to see several such video clips on social media. We earnestly appeal to authorities to rush with help to such people in distress. Today, we miss Benazir Bhutto. Had she been around, she would not have left people in lurch. Instead she would have joined them sharing their sorrow, and grief.  Sindh is suffering today because her followers once in power, forgot the way she lived, loved people of Sindh and rushed to their help in times of distress. (Ibrat, Edit) 

• Floods are natural disasters, but mismanagement, ignorance and human insensitivity intensify their destruction. Indian state Rajasthan is adjacent to our Sindh province, and like Sindh, it too had heavy rains, but there the destruction by floods is very minimal. Because they have several dams and stored rainwater in them. This year Rajasthan received 350 mm of rain and filled its almost 100 dams. Here Sindh received only178 mm of rain and the destruction is visible to all because we don’t have dams to collect rainwater. In Swat, the construction on the riverside and on the ravines and water flowing natural routes was the cause of destruction. It all points to negligence and mismanagement. (Edit-Dunya Daily)

• Pakistan Army is an organized and proud institution, which is respected. The deeds and sacrifices of our army are talked about all over the world. It is a pity that we are looking to make our most important and dynamic institution controversial. According to ISPR, Imran Khan’s statement is insulting, unnecessary and a conspiracy to defame the top military leadership. At present our country is facing many problems. Our enemy is busy plotting conspiracies to weaken us. In such a situation, the environment of hatred is very harmful for the country. Extremism is a deadly poison for any society. Tolerance, forbearance and moderation give rise to healthy attitudes. The society in which intolerance develops, that society loses its roots by suffering from anarchy and unrest. In politics, this attitude proves even more dangerous.  These days political temperature has increased a lot; political antagonism also increased a lot. We have to stop the misuse of freedom of expression.   Moderate politicians must come forward to lower the political temperature and prevent further environmental degradation. (Edit, Daily Express)

NEWS

• On September 7, 1974, the Parliament unanimously declared Qadianis as a non-Muslim minority constitutionally and legally. In commemoration of this decision, on September 7, the Day of Protection of the End of Prophethood will be celebrated with traditional and religious fervor in the country and abroad. (Jasarat)

• Dr Khaqan Najeeb, a former adviser to the finance ministry, told The News that on Tuesday, Pakistan’s dollar bonds fell to their lowest level in more than a month in the international market as the economy grappled with the worst ever floods that hit agriculture, manufacturing, and services. There is downward pressure on growth. (Jang)

• PTI Chairman Imran Khan has said Pakistan is my country and Pakistan army is my army. If the army is free and strong the country will be strong. Our criticism is always positive. My government was not toppled because of inflation.  The economy was not the reason. They wanted to get a NRO. My suggestion for the selection of the Army Chief on a merit basis was not wrong. Appointment for such an important post can’t be left in the hands of corrupt people like Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. They are twisting my statement because they know they can’t win the election. I can never think of threatening a judge. If the judiciary, army and other institutions are strong, the country will be strong. Nawaz Sharif is a convicted criminal. He was jailed. He fled the country after lying about his illness. Can this thief, liar and fugitive be given the right to select the army chief of the country? (Dunya Daily

• Jamaat e Islami Chief Sirajul Haq has said that the rulers should use their huge personal assets to help the flood-affected people. He said that the opposition has the right to hold meetings and take out rallies even during the floods. The government should devote itself to help people instead of playing politics.  All resources and powers are with the government and parties in the ruling alliance. They are getting aid from abroad. But they are busy playing politics instead of doing something constructive for the flood-affected people. At least fresh water should be supplied to them. The contaminated water is making people sick. Water-borne diseases are spreading. The entire nation is awake to help the people but the government is sleeping. (Dunya Daily)

• The government has imposed duty on fruits and dry fruits imported from Afghanistan. The levy will be in force till 21^st February 2023. Pakistani importers and clearing agents have strongly objected to the new levy, saying it will hike fruit prices by 50 to 100 percent; they are demanding its roll back. About 200 trucks laden with fruits and dry fruits are stopped at the Bab Dosti check post. (Intekhab Daily)

• The flour and wheat crisis is becoming very severe in Balochistan. All the wheat stored in government warehouses is either wiped away in the floods or is rotting. Thousands of bags of wheat were stored in the open. Rains damaged them. The shortage of wheat and flour is a natural corollary. (Intekhab Daily)

• Balochistan Communications Minister, Sardar Abdul Rahman Khetran, has strongly condemned former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement over new army chief’s appointment.  He termed Khan speak as irresponsible. He stated that the army is a highly organised and the army chief is appointed in a transparent manner. Imran Khan’s statement that Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari want to bring an army chief of their own choice brings bad name to the country and the army alike. (Urdu Point)

• Increase in the value of the US dollar vis-à-vis Pakistan Rupee continues. It has crossed the threshold of 221 rupees up from 219 rupees in the interbank market. In the open market, the dollar has become expensive by three rupees to fetch 233 rupees. (Nawaiwaqt, Ummat, Daily Jinnah)

• The federal government’s debt has reached a historic high of 50,503 billion rupees. According to the State Bank, during the first four months of the coalition government, the debts of the central government increased by 7,490 billion rupees. However during the first nine months of the last fiscal year (July to March) under PTI government, the debts of the central government reached 4,307 billion rupees. (Nawaiwaqt, Daily Express, Ummat, Daily Jinnah)

• A recent report on Pakistan by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stated that the floods in 2010 and 2015 caused a loss of 32.6 billion rupees to farmers in Punjab, the country’s most populous province. The Government has provided 6.7 billion rupees to help the affected farmers which is only 18.5% of the required amount. The report emphasizes the need to increase the financial and technical capacity of national and provincial disaster management teams.  According to the Asian Development Bank, the federal government typically has limited emergency funding of 20 million dollars to deal with national emergencies. With the support of the Asian Development Bank, a Disaster Risk Financing Unit has been established under the National Disaster Risk Management Fund. (Ummat, Daily Jinnah, Nawaiwaqt, Daily Express)

• Peshawar High Court sought a response from the provincial government regarding the reduction in the powers of local body representatives in the Local Government Amendment Act 2022.    The petitioner argued that the LG elections were held under the Local Government Act, 2013 which has clearly defined the powers of the mayor and the chairman. The Amendment Act will end the effectiveness of the local government system. (Daily Express, Daily Jinnah)

•  The Islamabad High Court quashed the ban on broadcasting Imran Khan’s ‘live’ speeches. In a three-page verdict, the Chief Justice Athar Minullah   said that PEMRA’s counsel could not satisfy the court as to how the ban could be imposed under Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance. (Ummat, Daily Jinnah, Nawaiwaqt)

COLUMNS

• The echo of revolution is once again being heard in the country and this echo is being heard not from a single person or circle but from many directions. IMF has drawn the first picture without mentioning the name of the revolution, according to which, in the coming time, there will be protests against the government on inflation, and non-availability of jobs in the private sector.  Crimes will arise due to the economic crisis. Millions of people are left homeless by floods across the country. There is also a risk of famine due to the destruction of crops.  Pakistan has done everything following the instructions of the IMF; PM Shehbaz Sharif has admitted his helplessness saying that now we have to take permission from the IMF before sneezing. In this one sentence, there is a whole story of helplessness and powerlessness. Yet the picture of near-future Pakistan drawn by the IMF shows public protests, famine, and unemployment. Recently, these scenes were seen in Sri Lanka. (Arif Bahar, Jasarat)

• Imran Khan is scared that if any new army chief takes over, who is well aware of the flip-side of his personality, then he is doomed. If such an army chief takes over, then it will be a far-fetched expectation for Imran Khan to win the next polls. Not just that. He fears that he may be disqualified too. This is one of the key reasons for his targeting the current army chief. Imran Khan is playing mind games and is trying to step up psychological pressures. He is forgetting one basic fact that the persons he is trying to target in his speeches and the games he is playing with all those he says are out to remove him (from corridors of power and politics), all these persons are masters at the very games. Foreign funding case and the evidence about some foreign donors to Imran Khan and his party are hints that Imran Khan has some foreign backing. Otherwise, he would not have spoken so openly against the institutions. Incidentally, a decision on a new army chief should be taken soon. Or in case the current army chief is to be given extension, that decision too should be taken soon so that Imran Khan does not get an opportunity to speak on such issues any longer. Also he does not dare to be more “dangerous” these days. The process for appointment of new chief justice also should start now to make things clear and also to send out message to forces within and without that Pakistan is capable of resolving its issues and disputes. (Pir Makram Al Haque in Ibrat) 

• Nations plan for years to come but we do not plan even for a day. That is one main reason for the absence of basic amenities. Can anyone deny that lack of planning or absence of planning have resulted in big havoc and devastation for people in current heavy rains? People and institutions succeed only when they take lessons from past mistakes.  If Sindh rulers are sincere about taking lessons from mistakes of the past then they should start planning now. (Omar Qazi in Sindh Exp) 

• Police have reportedly started taking action against landlords, who have been blamed for flooding (through diversion of waters et al) and resultant hardships.   On their part, landlords’ henchmen have started beating up people who had complained against their masters to the police.  Now, the question is: what should we do? My appeal to my people is: we have shed enough tears, now, let us rise and put up some challenges that can pull down these landlords, sardars, and the elites. Let us build up our Sindh anew, socially and politically with new commitment. We have only to take lessons from our revolutionary characters in our history books and that is the first and last way to our survival. While treading on this road, we also have to understand questions on environmental changes, we will have to keep our resources under our own control, we will have to adopt application of human rights. Can our so-called farce of democracy that is under control and check of capitalists and landlords, give us all that I have said as our rights? If not, then what? Then, the only way out is: Stop complaining. Stop crying. Stop shedding tears. Those who are assertive, do not cry. (Sindh Exp, Irshad Lagari) 

• TTP keeps making terror attacks on former kabila areas targeting Pakistan’s security men. TTP’s militant leadership is in Afghanistan. So is the central leadership of ISIS. Pakistan has been telling the Taliban government to stop supporting TTP. If TTP is not being supported by Taliban government, then it should see that Afghanistan territory is not used against Pakistan. Stability has yet to return in Afghanistan. The Taliban government is yet to get acceptance from the world community. Hence, Taliban government should not become part of any policy which could only trigger political unrest and security issues in the country. Some experts are of the view that Afghan Talibans have not been able to control either TTP or even ISIS. Perhaps, they would never be able to do so. Hence, Taliban government should throw out TTP and ISIS out of Afghanistan. Only times to come will show how far Afghan Taliban succeeds in this endeavor.  (Bashoo Baloch in Kawish, Sept.5)  

• Imran Khan’s every public meeting shows him in confrontationist mode. To this, the judiciary, establishment, government and others have now started reacting. Based on reactions from multiple sides, it looks like more cases might be filed against Imran Khan. The way he is going about bashing these days, it makes him look more and more confused; in such a situation he will only lose his sympathizers because those taking his side till now, will start thinking how long to stand by him! Islamabad High Court has been giving him maximum relief till date. But, the chief justice of this court has also expressed surprise on his statements and has made observations like: You cannot be given blanket permission (to make any statements and say anything). Do not expect any relief from us (judiciary) if you keep making such statements”. A still strong message has come from an army spokesman. Imran Khan perhaps thinks he can blackmail any and every institution with threats of using social media against them. But all this has to be given a full stop somewhere.  Imran Khan’s changing statements coupled with the ones from his spokesmen like Fawad Chaudhary create an atmosphere that one day Imran will have to fly to London. Imran Khan seems to be believing that whatever he says, whatever action he takes and whatever decisions he takes, he is right and whatever others do and decide are wrong. The one and only solution to this problem called Imran Khan is: Cut him off, isolate him politically. He seems to be nearing that stage. (Kawish, Ibrahim Kumbhar, Sept.6)

•  The popularity of Imran Khan has astonished seasoned politicians and political pundits. You can criticize his statements, and his acts but you can’t deny his popularity. What is the reason for it? In any political system, whether it is democratic or dictatorship, there are three ways to rule. First is by fear and force, second is making people helpless, insensitive and unconcerned with the government and the third is with respect and popularity. We have seen many examples of the first system where every government institution works against the people. In the second system, the institutions work with the people but not for them. FIRs are registered after a long struggle and a lot of pressure, but nothing is done to catch the culprit. In courts, cases are heard for years and years and verdicts are declared but justice is not done. People become fed up with this system. They lost faith in the government, law enforcement agencies and judiciary. They lost interest in everything, they stop voting. They don’t care who rules them, because they are sure nothing will change. This type of atmosphere is very helpful to the gang of elites who think they are born to rule the country. They know that they have made the people so helpless and insensitive that they can’t revolt against them. Now for the third kind of system. Imran Khan is working on it and people are supporting him because they have seen the futility of the other two systems. They don’t know what will be the result- whether it will be another disaster or a positive change. But for them, it is worth an experiment. This is the reason for the popularity of Imran Khan because he has become an icon of change. (Saad Rasool-Dunya Daily)  

• The ups and downs in the relations between Pakistan and India are a part of history, but the way Imran Khan’s government tried to spoil these relations and neglected the interest of the country is a part of history. Former Prime Minister went to the United States in the plane of Saudi Crown Prince, met with former President Trump, who said he would discuss the Kashmir issue with Indian Prime Minister Modi. Imran Khan supported the Islamic conference held by Malaysia and Turkey. The Saudi Crown Prince was angry at Imran Khan’s action. And when Indian Prime Minister Modi abolished Article 370 (of the Indian Union Constitution) and ended the special status of Kashmir, Minister Imran Khan failed to galvanize global public opinion against Modi’s move. It was at this juncture that Saudi Arabia and UAE signed agreements to invest billions of dollars in India. Relations between Pakistan and India have improved since the current government came to power in Islamabad. According to Bilawal Bhutto, the neighbors will not change, but the religious extremism can be reduced through people-to-people contacts. A solution to the Kashmir issue can also be found. Finance Minister Miftah Ismail is a strong supporter of duty-free goods from India. The businessmen of Lahore are also strongly supporting this proposal. Trade with India should start immediately in the interest of the people. (Dr. Tauseef Ahmed Khan, Daily Express) ####