Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Secretary General Asad Umar has admitted that there is a difference of opinion among the party members regarding the dissolution of assemblies, Daily Jang reported Monday.

In a statement, the former federal minister said that some party members are in favour of the immediate dissolution of assemblies while some are against the decision. 

However, Umar said that some of the party members said that there should be an extension of two to three months.

The PTI has given December 20 deadline to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to finalise the election date else the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab assemblies will be dissolved as announced by Imran Khan last month.

The PML-N, which was initially trying to block the PTI’s move, has now changed its stance and dared its rival to dissolve the assemblies.

PTI warning

A day earlier, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry warned the ruling coalition that the party will order the dissolution of assemblies if a final date for the next general election is not announced by next week.

“Leaders of the imported government don’t want polls and they have no idea how to run the country,” the former federal minister claimed on Twitter.

“If PDM doesn’t bring a formula for holding general elections by December 20, the Punjab and KP assemblies will be dissolved,” Fawad said.

He said that the process of general elections in the two provinces will be completed by March 20 and PTI has the complete trust of its allies in this regard.

PTI vs PML-Q 

Earlier, Fawad had said that Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi suggested extending the date for the dissolution of the provincial assemblies.

Contrary to Khan’s announcement that the provincial assemblies of Punjab and KP would be dissolved during this month, the Punjab chief minister on December 5 said that he did not see elections taking place in the next four months

“It does not matter if the National Assembly is not dissolved. New governments would be formed in Punjab and KP in March after the elections,” he added.

No polls in next four months

On December 5, the CM Punjab had said that he did not see elections taking place in the next four months.

“Elections cannot be held before four months; the federal and provincial governments need time to work and the elections may be delayed even after October next year,” he said. 

Although the PML-Q leader had repeatedly said that he fully backed the PTI chief’s decisions, his statement is in contrast with Khan’s threats of dissolving the assembly soon.

ISLAMABAD: After the endorsement of the multi-billion dollars Reko Diq project deal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Sunday approved the opening of an escrow account for depositing $900 million for making the project operational.

The committee also approved another summary of approving the Government of Pakistan’s funding plan to the tune of $717 million over a period of six years. 

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Ishaq Dar presided over the committee of the Cabinet meeting virtually.

With the approval of the federal and provincial cabinets, the Government of Pakistan and the Government of Balochistan have entered into an out-of-court settlement with M/s Tethyan Copper Company Pvt Limited, Australia (TCCA) [jointly owned by Barrick Gold Corporation of Canada and M/s Antofagasta PLC of Chile] in respect of Reko Diq Copper-Gold Project – Chagai district (Balochistan) after the adverse arbitral awards of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and expected similar award from International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) against the federation and the Balochistan province, respectively.

Under the settlement arrangement, the joint venture was divided into 50% shares by Barrick Gold Corporation, 25% by the federal government through a single special purpose vehicle, namely, Pakistan Minerals (Private) Limited (SOEs’ SPV) and 25% by Balochistan as 10% direct free carried plus 15% through Balochistan Mineral Resources Limited (GoB SPV), to be paid by the Pakistan government along with capital and operating expenses on the project.

According to an official statement, issued by the Ministry of Finance, the ECC considered and approved two important agenda items related to the Reko Diq project, thus paving the way for the early start of the project.

The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) submitted a summary of accrued interest with respect to the amount held in an escrow account in connection with the Reko Diq project dispute settlement. 

As per settlement terms, the Pakistan government has to clear liabilities to Antofagasta PLC. 

In light of the terms of the agreed settlement, the committee allowed Finance Division to direct GHPL (for its own as well as GoB’s share), OGDCL and PPL to deposit the aggregate amount of interest to the sum of $22,718,173, in the escrow account from March 31, 2022, to December 15, 2022.

The ECC further allowed Finance Division to arrange the interest payable for GoB’s share amounting to $8,519,314 from the loan of Rs65 billion already raised by the GHPL with the GoP guarantee.

Further, the ECC allowed the divisions of the Pakistan government concerned and the SOEs to act in such a manner to ensure that the deposited amount, along with interest deposited by the SOEs in the escrow account to form part of the consideration for share purchase of Reko Diq Mining Company Limited.

The ECC also considered and approved a proposal of the Finance Division through a summary of the funding plan of the Government of Pakistan for the share of the Government of Balochistan in the Reko Diq project. 

As per the proposal, an overall funding commitment of $717 million over the period of six years by the GoP in respect of GoB SPV Project Capital Commitment is to be provided by the Government of Pakistan.  

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday termed the Chaman incident as “unfortunate” and asked the Afghanistan government to “ensure that such incidents are not repeated.”

“Unprovoked shelling and fire by Afghan Border Forces at Chaman resulting in the martyrdom of several Pakistani citizens and injuring more than a dozen is unfortunate and deserves the strongest condemnation,” the prime minister said after the Foreign Office demanded the “strictest possible action” against those behind it.

The premier also asked the Taliban government to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

Earlier, the FO condemned the “unprovoked and indiscriminate firing” on the civilian population by the Afghan forces in which six Pakistani nationals embraced martyrdom and 17 others sustained injuries on Sunday.

In a press release, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said such unfortunate incidents are “not in keeping” with the brotherly ties between the two countries.

She said the Afghan authorities have been informed that the recurrence of such incidents must be avoided and the strictest possible action must be taken against those responsible.

The spokesperson said it is the responsibility of both sides to protect civilians along the border.

The FO spokesperson said the concerned authorities of both countries remain in contact to ensure that there is no further escalation of the situation and recurrence of such incidents is avoided.

The incident

Using heavy weapons, the Afghan border forces opened unprovoked and indiscriminate fire at the civilian area in Balochistan’s Chaman city resulting in the martyrdom of six people and injuries to 17 others, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

According to the military’s media wing, the Afghan border forces used artillery and mortar in the attack.

The ISPR said that Pakistan’s troops at the border gave a befitting albeit measured response against the uncalled-for aggression, but avoided targeting innocent civilians in the area.

The statement added the Pakistani border forces have also approached Afghan authorities in Kabul to highlight the severity of the situation and demanded strict action to avoid any such recurrence of the incident in future.

Attack on Pakistan embassy

On December 2, Pakistan’s Head of Mission to Kabul Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani escaped an assassination bid.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) had said the embassy’s compound in Kabul came under attack targeting the head of mission, but “by the grace of Allah Almighty, the head of mission is safe”.

However, a Pakistani security guard Sepoy Israr Mohammad had been critically injured in the attack while protecting Nizamani, the Foreign Office said.

It said that Pakistan’s government strongly condemns the assassination attempt and attack on the embassy demanding the Afghan government conduct an immediate investigation into the incident.

Attack on border security personnel

Last month, a Frontier Corps soldier embraced martyrdom and two more sustained injuries in the midst of a cross-border attack from neighbouring Afghanistan to the Chaman district.

Afghan security officials allegedly opened fire on the FC personnel while they were deployed on duty on the Pakistani side of the Bab-e-Dosti near Chaman, as per Levies officials. Following the incident, the Pakistani authorities contacted the Afghan government for a ceasefire in the area.

Hina Rabbani Khar’s visit

On November 29, a high-level delegation headed by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar visited Kabul to hold talks with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) called off their months-long ceasefire with Pakistan.

During her visit, Khar discussed matters of bilateral importance with Amir Khan Mutaqqi focusing on political consultations between the two governments.

According to a Foreign Office statement, Hina Rabbani Khar held political consultations with Amir Khan Muttaqi.

“A range of bilateral issues of common interest including cooperation in education, health, trade and investment, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and socioeconomic projects were discussed.”

KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) Monday barred the provincial police from arresting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati in more cases — ordering to combine two petitions filed by his son Usman Swati, seeking annulment of all the cases against the ailing politician.

During the hearing of the petition, an SHC bench led by Justice Karim Khan Agha directed the Prosecutor General Sindh (PGS) to furnish the court with a reply by December 15. 

The court also issued notices to Inspector General Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon and the PGS.

The court also directed IGP  to submit a detailed report regarding cases against Azam Swati in the province.

Justice Agha issued the directives today during the hearing of the Perween Rahman murder case.

IGP Ghulam Nabi was present in the court when the judge asked about the multiple first information reports (FIRs) registered against the PTI senator for the same offence.

Swati has been in Sindh police’s custody for three days. He faces two cases for posting controversial tweets against senior military leaders.

He was arrested over a “highly obnoxious campaign of intimidating tweets […] against state institutions” by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on November 27 from Islamabad and has been in detention since then — first in Quetta and now in Sindh’s Qambar.

Swati was taken into custody by Sindh police last week over two cases registered in Warah and Qambar police stations after the Balochistan High Court ordered the quashing of all cases against him.

During the hearing today, the SHC judge asked the IG Sindh to share details about the cases against Swati. 

“We have heard that cases have also been filed against a former prime minister. How can multiple FIRs can be registered in one offence?” he asked.

Justice KK Agha said that there were Supreme Court verdicts in this regard.

ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad Monday reserved the verdict on a petition filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the Toshakana case.

On November 22, the trial court took up the Toshakhana reference filed by Election Commission against Khan for allegedly indulging in corrupt practices, which the former premier denies.

As per the electoral body’s order, the trial court in Islamabad sent a notice to the PTI chief in the trial opened against him in the Toshakhana reference.

Later, Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal adjourned the hearing till December 8, 2022.

Staff Report

            ISLAMABAD, A $554 million financing package, including new and reallocated funds, has been approved to support recovery and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan following this year’s devastating floods, and to strengthen the country’s disaster and climate resilience.

The financing, which includes a $475 million loan and a $3 million technical assistance grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and a $5 million grant from the Government of Japan, will support the restoration of irrigation, drainage, flood risk management, on-farm water management, and transport infrastructure in the flood-affected provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh, according to a statement issued by the Bank on Monday.

ADB’s Emergency Flood Assistance Project will also incorporate climate and disaster resilience measures into the design of the infrastructure. ADB has repurposed an additional $71 million from existing loans to support the government’s flood-response efforts.

“This year’s floods, which affected 33 million people and brought enormous damage to infrastructure and agriculture, are a devastating reminder of Pakistan’s acute vulnerability to climate change,” said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov. “This project will help to rebuild critical infrastructure in affected areas and restore rural livelihoods.”

After unprecedent heatwaves in April to June 2022, Pakistan suffered a prolonged and intense monsoon that led to the country’s worst flooding in a century with glacial lakes bursting, rivers breaking their banks, flash flooding, and landslides. A post-disaster needs assessment conducted by the government and development partners, including ADB, estimated total damage and losses at more than $30 billion and recovery and reconstruction needs at $16.3 billion.

The loan will reconstruct about 400 kilometers (km) of roads; about 85 km of the N-5, the country’s busiest national highway; and about 30 bridges. It will also help to restore and upgrade irrigation and drainage structures including canals and on-farm water facilities to restore livelihoods, and strengthen flood risk management structures to mitigate future risks to agricultural land, communities, and assets.

“More people are expected to fall into poverty as a result of the floods and the food-insecure population is likely to double to more than 14 million people in the most affected districts,” said ADB Principal Transport Specialist Zheng Wu. “In close coordination with the government and other development partners, this project will provide crucial support to restore agriculture and other priority infrastructure to support socioeconomic recovery from floods.”

Funded through the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, the $5 million grant will support staple crop cultivation in Balochistan and provide at least 60,000 farm households with higher quality, certified rice seeds for increased productivity over 54,000 hectares of land. The grant will also support women’s livelihoods in agriculture by providing farming equipment.

The $3 million technical assistance grant will support the implementation of the project and the preparation of an ensuing flood risk management investment.

In October, ADB approved a $1.5 billion loan to support the government’s provision of social protection, food security, and employment to mitigate the adverse impact of cumulative external shocks. The program partly contributes to the floods response given that a portion of the program beneficiaries are also flood victims.

Lahore: The Japan, Pakistan Economic & Cultural Association (JPECA) has been established to facilitate the business and cultural activities between Japan and Pakistan, also having the objective of bringing both countries’ business leaders, social organizations, chambers of commerce, and industrial associations on a united platform.

The two countries’ new joint association, in a ceremony held here today, announced its office-bearers, appointing Takeo Kawamura and Mirza Asif Baig as Co-Chairman while Ijaz A. Khokhar and Jawwad A. Chaudhary were nominated as Vice-Chairman and Senior Coordinator respectively.

JPECA Co-Chairman Mirza Asif Baig, while addressing the ceremony, observed that our key endeavor and thrust is on easing barriers for Pakistani businesses in Japan, as we seek a flourishing and prosperous Pakistan with sustained economic growth ensured through effective and continued policies.

Mirza Asif Baig said that the JPECA’s mission is to provide the best platform for two countries’ public-private sector dialogue on the role and needs of business in achieving inclusive, resilient and sustainable development. The Association has already held its launching ceremony in Japan, where it attracted participants from business, government, academia and civil society from Japan as well as Pakistan.

Mirza Asif Baigh briefed the audience about this Association, which is registered and incorporated in Japan, aiming to strengthen the social and economic values between Japan and Pakistan. He said that JPECA would collaborate to develop a framework of cooperation and undertake actions aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and cultural activities between Pakistan and Japan. 

JPECA Vice Chairman Ijaz A. Khokhar, who is also the PRGMEA former chairman, addressing the ceremony, said that  JPECA has recently signed a MoU with PRGMEA to open new avenues for Pakistan value-added apparel industry for liaison with Japan buyers and other leading brands. 

Ijaz A. Khokhar said that the JPECA has been formed with a view to cover a wide range of activities for collaboration between Japan and Pakistan such as exchange of information on trade and culture, co-hosting seminars, exhibitions and business delegations, and advocating for enabling business environment and creating soft image among each other countries.

JPECA Vice Chairman said the promotion of mutual trade and investment between two countries was needed to ensure the synergy between the two countries is strengthened. He said that the new organization would be emerged as the leading voice of the private sector through a sustained public policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, trade and cultural promotion activities both locally and internationally.

Ijaz Khokhar said that this Association would address major issues being faced by the industry of Pakistan and bring those issues to limelight, including compliance, gender training and exchange of delegation.

“ JPECA will pursue the goal of promoting cooperation between Pakistan and Japan cultural societies to realize common development of both countries,” he added.

Our aim is to find how we get SMEs introduced in Japanese market, by promoting Pakistan’s soft image there, he said and added that at the first stage we are planning to take a high powered delegation to visit Japan to interact with the business community of Japan where we would visit Different Chambers. 

“We will also invite Japanese counterparts to Pakistan so that we could show them manufacturing of different products in our factories. We will also expand the JPECA activities to the other parts of country. JPECA also plans to start a membership campaign of different product manufacturers produced in Pakistan while its Japan side will provide us the list of items being imported in Japan from different countries which will give an idea to Pakistani manufacturers to focus these items for exports to japan. Our ultimate goal is to get extraordinary concession which japan is already offering to our regional competitors like India and Bangladesh.