Return to‘lotacracy’?
PML-N has parted its ways with PPP in Punjab after the failure of the federal government to implement the 10 point agenda given by the PML-N after a 45 days deadline. This was disclosed by PML-N leader, Mian Nawaz Sharif during a press conference at Punjab House on 25 Feb. “We don’t want to be the part of the game anymore. From now on we are two separate parties.” He told the media that the bone of contention was that President Zardari asked him to ratify the unconstitutional measures of tyrant Pervez Musharraf.
PPP leader Raja Riaz on 28 Feb said that the PPP would continue the politics of reconciliation and that Shahbaz Sharif was “being deceptive by talking about revolution while living the life of princes”.Central Information Secretary (PPP) Qamar Zaman Kaira said PPP would not indulge in politics of confrontation. Talking to a news channel, he said PML-N had promoted politics of ‘Lotaism’ by seeking the support of the Unification Bloc, a breakaway faction of 47 members from the opposition PML-Q, in the Punjab which is against the democratic values and norms.
Dependent on support from the unification bloc the PML-N led Punjab government is vulnerable to the litigation under article 63-A of the constitution, which disqualifies a legislator from holding office for changing political loyalty. However, the party claims that the clause will be operative from the next elections as inscribed in the 18th constitutional amendment.
Undeniable proof
The provincial government has sent several letters to the federal government along with ‘undeniable proof’ of Davis’ involvement in anti-Pakistan activities according to the The Express Tribune. “His interrogation by the intelligence agencies will help trace other CIA agents involved in ‘unlawful activities’ in Pakistan,” the source said quoting from the official letters of the Punjab government. The camera seized from Davis had photographs of Pakistan Army’s bunkers on the border with India.
Reports say that with Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s departure, the interior ministry is depending on Law Minister Babar Awan to frame a presentable legal opinion before March 14.
The Pakistan government offered to trade Raymond Davis with neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui suspected by US intelligence to be an Al Qaeda operative, America’s ABC television reported Feb 28.The offer was immediately dismissed by the US government.
Allies not satellites
The ISI has demanded that the CIA share a list of all its contractors working in Pakistan according to the New York Times (Feb 26). An official of the ISI said that the agency believed there were more contractors like Davis working behind the agency’s back, but Pakistan was ready to put the Davis episode in the past and mend relations.“Treat us as allies, not as satellites,” said the official.
The unnamed official also said that the case could be used as a bargaining chip to withdraw a civil lawsuit filed in Brooklyn against the ISI Chief.
Fifth IMF review
The IMF started its fifth review of the economy on March 1, the completion of which will determine the fate of the $3.6 billion installation of the $11.3 billion Stand-By-Arrangement. The mission will conclude by March 6 and talks are to cover areas of tax reforms, including RGST, Flood Income Tax Surcharge, increase in Special Excise Duty and next years’ budget proposals.
The recovery of the cost of power from consumers through elimination of subsidies, passing on to the consumers increase in oil prices in the international market through and increase in tax revenues would be a critical part of the Pak-IMF talks, especially in light of the recent 9.9% increase in petroleum prices.
PM weighs in on Balochistan
The Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on 28 Feb said that the issue of missing persons had been lingering and the government had taken solid steps, including the establishment of a judicial commission, to sort out the issue on humanitarian grounds.“I assure that we will not allow any harm to innocent persons,” he said, adding that action had been taken in 61 out of 114 such cases. While in Quetta Lawyers boycotted court proceedings across Balochistan to protest the kidnapping of judges and lawyers and demanded the immediate and safe recovery of their kidnapped colleagues.
He said that war in Afghanistan had provided an opportunity to the Baloch youth to get military training, fuelling terrorism in the province. The target killing of settlers in Balochistan could not be overlooked; the government had solid proof of the involvement of organizations like BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) in target killings, as well as proof of foreign interference in aggravating the situation.
Petroleum price relief
After the 9.9 percent increase in oil prices by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the government has agreed to subsidise oil consumption by at least Rs 5 billion a month. This may have been due to pressure from coalition allies. Jawad Naseem, Executive Director Finance and official spokes person for OGRA said that conflict in the Middle East has been behind the price hikes and since last November there has been a 23-25 percent rise in prices but the government has only passed 10 percent on to consumers (Express Tribune, March 1).
